Should jws use makeup?

badboy

I believe it may have PAGAN ORIGINS

Crumpet

Its fine as long as it doesnt contain beetles blood - although if its grasshopper blood, as consumed by John The Baptist, that seems to be okay... beetles must be holier than grasshoppers I guess.

vitty

Its a shame they didnt make this a rule years ago. I would have left and saved my self some life

Can you imagine how many young women would leave if it was a rule.LOL

MidwichCuckoo

Just about EVERYTHING has Pagan origins - lol. A better question would be WHY would a JW wear it. Pure vanity. Maybe there's a WT article (Blondie...?).

If the reasoning with facial hair is frowned on by the Society (and I still don't understand this one), it would be fun to see the same princple applied to the wearing of make-up - do not ''Wordly women'' wear it? To attract a mate no doubt! Sisters don't want to be mistaken for them - lol - I wonder how many ''sisters'' would fade / leave?

luna2

I knew of a couple of families that didn't allow their daughters to use make-up (girls in their late teens and early 20's)...and in one (PO's) family, the girls not only didn't wear make-up, they dressed so modestly they looked very odd...long, long skirts, funny little 50's-looking blouses with Peter Pan collars, concealing sweaters, knee socks and loafers.

Since their mothers did wear some make-up and dressed relatively well, I can only assume the goal was to make their daughters as unattractive as possible so as not to incite any lust...at all.

blondie

I do believe men are not allowed to wear makeup. Even outside the JW organization, that is hard for most people to accept.

But there have been a few direct comments over the years. Mostly, that make up be worn in 'good taste.'

Fathers and husbands, as heads of the household, can set the rule that daughters and wives should not wear makeup; but the elders cannot extend that outside their own families.

Also, if you live in a country that frowns on make on women, JW women there would be expected to relfect the customs of the country.

But remember, the elders love to adapt or make unwritten rules.

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w99 6/15 p. 32 Something Better Than Cosmetics ***

used as beauty enhancers, the apostle Peter advised: "Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God?s sight."?1 Peter 3:3, 4, Today?s English Version.

Interestingly, when the apostle wrote of such external adornment, he used a form of the Greek word ko´smos, which is also the root of the English word "cosmetic," meaning "making for beauty esp[ecially] of the complexion." Was Peter imposing on Christian women a prohibition relative to the use of makeup and other similar beauty aids? There is nothing in God?s Word that suggests that. Rather, it allows for personal decision on this matter, so a degree of variation in taste can be expected.

However, if the application of makeup is overdone, or done to a degree that disturbs many others, what message is conveyed? Is it not one of harshness, brashness, gaudiness, ostentation, or narcissism? Indeed, it can cheapen a woman?s appearance, possibly giving the wrong impression as to moral character.?Compare Ezekiel 23:36-42.

In recognition of this, a woman "professing to reverence God" will endeavor, if she chooses to apply cosmetics, to have her face reveal the signatures of soundness of mind, gentleness, kindness, and modesty. Such qualities will enhance her grace and charm. In fact, whether she chooses to wear makeup or not, she will manifest a dignity and inner beauty. This will reflect her knowledge that, as Peter?s words quoted above imply, there is something better than cosmetics.?1 Timothy 2:9, 10.

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w91 6/1 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers

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Is it fitting for a Christian woman to use jewelry or makeup, dye her hair, or follow similar practices?

In the past and in our day, some who claim to follow the Bible have developed strong but very different viewpoints on adornment.

Women in certain churches totally shun makeup and jewelry. For instance, the book The Amish People reports that they "restrict their physical appearance because they feel that any member who has a lively interest in worldly appearance is threatened, since [that] interest should be focused upon spiritual considerations rather than physical. Some . . . will quote the Scriptures."

The scripture then quoted was 1 Samuel 16:7: "Jehovah said to Samuel: ?Do not look at his appearance and at the height of his stature . . . Mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.?" However, that text had reference to the height of David?s brother Eliab. It is plain from the context that God was not commenting here on grooming practices, such as whether David or his brothers groomed their hair or used decorative items on their garments.?Genesis 38:18; 2 Samuel 14:25, 26; Luke 15:22.

This illustrates that some who hold that Christians should be distinctly plain, using no makeup or jewelry, seek support through misapplied scriptures. The Bible in fact provides no detailed discussion of grooming; neither does it approve of certain cosmetic practices while prohibiting others. What it does give is reasonable guidelines. Let us consider these and see how they can be applied today.(my commetns, think of beards when you read this)

The apostle Paul offered the inspired guidance: "I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb." (1 Timothy 2:9) Peter wrote similarly: "Do not let your adornment be that of the external braiding of the hair and of the putting on of gold ornaments or the wearing of outer garments, but let it be the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God."?1 Peter 3:3, 4.

The Greek words there rendered "adorn," "well-arranged," and "adornment" are forms of ko´smos, which is also the root of the word "cosmetic," meaning "making for beauty esp[ecially] of the complexion." So those texts help us to answer questions about the use of cosmetics or makeup, jewelry, and other aspects of feminine adornment.

Did Paul and Peter mean that Christians must avoid braiding their hair, wearing pearls and gold jewelry, or, by extension, using cosmetics? No. To claim that to be their meaning would require Christian sisters also to avoid ?wearing outer garments.? Yet, Dorcas, whom Peter resurrected, was beloved because she made "outer garments" for other sisters. (Acts 9:39) Hence, 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3, 4 do not mean that sisters must avoid braids, pearls, outer garments, and so forth. Rather, Paul was stressing the need for modesty and soundness of mind in feminine grooming. Peter showed that women should give greater attention to their inner spirit in order to win over their unbelieving husbands, not emphasizing outward appearance or makeup.

Simply put, the Bible does not forbid all efforts to improve or embellish one?s appearance. Some of God?s servants, men and women alike, used jewelry. (Genesis 41:42; Exodus 32:2, 3; Daniel 5:29) Faithful Esther consented to an extensive beauty regimen with cosmetic oils, perfumes, and massages. (Esther 2:7, 12, 15; compare Daniel 1:3-8.) God said that he figuratively decked Israel with bracelets, a necklace, a nose ring, and earrings. Such contributed to her becoming "very, very pretty."?Ezekiel 16:11-13.

(Esther also consented to marrying a non-Israelite)

The account in Ezekiel, though, holds a lesson against our focusing on appearance. God said: "You began to trust in your prettiness and become a prostitute on account of your name and to pour out your acts of prostitution on every passerby." (Ezekiel 16:15; Isaiah 3:16, 19) Thus, Ezekiel 16:11-15 underscores the wisdom of Paul and Peter?s later counsel about not stressing outward appearance. If a woman chooses to adorn herself with jewelry, the amount and style should accord with modesty, not being excessive or ostentatious, gaudy.?James 2:2.

What about a Christian woman?s using cosmetics, such as lipstick, cheek coloring, or eye shadow and eyeliner? Archaeologists in Israel and nearby have found makeup containers, as well as applicators and mirrors. Yes, women in the ancient Orient used cosmetics that anticipated many of today?s products. The name of Job?s daughter Keren-happuch likely meant "Horn of the Black (Eye) Paint," or a container for eye makeup.?Job 42:13-15.

Some cosmetics were used in Israel, yet Bible examples show the danger of going to excess. Years after she became queen of Israel, Jezebel ?painted her eyes with black paint and did her head up beautifully.? (2 Kings 9:30) Later when describing how Israel sought the immoral attention of pagan nations, God said that she ?decked herself with ornaments of gold, enlarged her eyes with black paint, and made herself pretty.? (Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 23:40) Neither those verses nor any others say that it is wrong to use artificial means to enhance one?s appearance. Still, the story of Jezebel suggests that she put so much black paint around her eyes that it would be noticed from a distance, even by Jehu outside the palace. What is the lesson? Do not put on makeup with a heavy hand, in an exaggerated way.

Of course, hardly any woman who uses jewelry or makeup would say that her own methods and amounts are inappropriate. Yet, there is no disputing that because of being insecure or influenced by exploitive advertising, a woman could develop the habit of using too much makeup. She might be so accustomed to the resulting appearance that she fails to realize that it conflicts with the "modesty and soundness of mind" of most Christian women.?See James 1:23, 24.

Granted, tastes vary; some women use little or no makeup or jewelry, others use more. So it is wise not to be judgmental of one who uses a different amount of makeup or jewelry. Another factor is local custom. That some styles are accepted in another land (or were common in ancient times) does not mean that they are advisable locally today.

A wise Christian woman will occasionally reassess her grooming, asking herself in all honesty: ?Do I usually wear more (or bolder) jewelry or makeup than most Christians in my area? Do I pattern my grooming after narcissistic socialites or vain film stars, or am I guided mainly by the advice at 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3, 4? Yes, is my grooming really modest, showing genuine respect for others? opinions and feelings???Proverbs 31:30.

Women who have Christian husbands can ask them for comments and counsel. Also, when it is sincerely sought, helpful advice may be obtained from other sisters. But rather than turn to a friend who has similar tastes, it may be better to speak to older sisters whose balance and wisdom are respected. (Compare 1 Kings 12:6-8.) The Bible says that reverent older women "may recall the young women to their senses . . . to be sound in mind, chaste . . . , so that the word of God may not be spoken of abusively." (Titus 2:2-5) No mature Christian would want her immodest use of jewelry or makeup to cause God?s Word or his people to "be spoken of abusively."

The Bible account of Tamar shows that a woman?s grooming can type her, sending out a strong message. (Genesis 38:14, 15) What message is conveyed by a Christian woman?s hairstyle and hair color (if dyed) or her use of jewelry and cosmetics? Is it: This is a clean, modest, and balanced servant of God?

Someone who sees Christians in the field ministry, or who attends our meetings, should be favorably impressed. Observers generally are. Most Christian women give no cause for an outsider to conclude that they, on the one hand, are dowdy or, on the other, excessively made up or adorned; rather, they groom themselves "in the way that befits women professing to reverence God."?1 Timothy 2:10.

[Footnotes]

In the third century C.E., Tertullian claimed that women "who rub their skin with medicaments, stain their cheeks with rouge, make their eyes prominent with [black] antimony, sin against Him." He also criticized those who dye their hair. Misapplying Jesus? words at Matthew 5:36, Tertullian charged: "They refute the Lord! ?Behold!? say they, ?instead of white or black, we make [our hair] yellow.?" He added: "You can even find persons who are ashamed that they are old, and try to turn their white hair to black." That was Tertullian?s personal opinion. But he was distorting matters, for his whole argument was based on his view that women are the cause of human damnation, so they should ?walk about as Eve, mourning and repentant? over the ?ignominy of the first sin.? The Bible says no such thing; God held Adam responsible for mankind?s sinfulness.?Romans 5:12-14; 1 Timothy 2:13, 14.

Not long ago the United States news media bannered a scandal of a TV evangelist, while his costar wife drew almost as much attention. According to news reports, she grew up believing that "both makeup and movies" were sinful, yet later she changed her opinion and came to be noted for outrageous "makeup so thick it looked sculpted."

[Pictures

on page 31]

Archaeological discoveries from the Middle East: Ivory cosmetic box, mirror, and necklaces of gold and carnelian

[Credit Line]

All three: Pictorial Archive (Near Eastern History) Est.

Honesty

I guess that's why early Christians (including women) drew half of the fish symbol in the sand with their toes when they met someone they weren't acquainted with and if the other person was a Christian they drew the other half. If non christians wore makeup and christians didn't then what would be point in drawing a fish?

LongHairGal

According to them you can use it (one of Job's daughters is named after a horn of eye paint) so ancient god-fearing people wore cosmetics.

The thing is you better have a natural look or you will get tapped on the shoulder by somebody. Also, depending on what part of the country you live in the opinions differ on what is too much makeup. For instance, in areas around a big city the women in general are somewhat more fashionable and would wear a little more makeup.

ozziepost

Should jws use makeup? Definitely!

FairMind

Only if they need to.

Should jws use makeup?

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