Can anyone remember where it originated in WT lore that brothers on the stage should not wear anything but white shirts? I think it started because the brother in charge of the speakers at conventions/assemblies insisted on it with verbal direction from headquarters. It spread even to brothers giving talks at the KH. It was more than one congregation doing this and pastel shirts are not allowed at DCs on the platform. One brotgher was made to go home and change his shirt when the DO discovered it was not white. Then the WTS had to put it in writing that this was never there intention but some "overeager" brothers instituted this rule. Even 12 years later a congregation in this area was still requiring them. (notice that only "pastel" shirts were allowed) I can see the same sort of "thinking" in this.
I do, and thought it was crazy as a kid. I remember in my KH some elders brought extra white shirts so if a brother showed up in a colored or print shirt they would ask him to change. Absolutely crazy!
As already stated, it is not for elders to “police” the private marital matters of couples in the congregation. However, if it becomes known that a member of the congregation is practicing or openly advocating perverted sex relations within the marriage bond, that one certainly would not be irreprehensible, and so would not be acceptable for special privileges, such as serving as an elder, a ministerial servant or a pioneer. Such practice and advocacy could even lead to expulsion from the congregation.
This has been discussed in my circle of friends and I ALWAYS advise "do not give ANY info about your sex life". Sort of a "don't ask don't tell" situation.
At our 2 day assembly the CO got very specific and mentioned; facebook, my space, social networking sites and even blogs. He went to the point of saying we could be "spiritually" bloodguilty as an adult frequenting those sites. Our children/young ones in the KH would think it was ok to log on them. First thing in my mind was this is complete BS and then I leaned over to my husband and said "so kids are not allowed to have alcohol should I never have a drink so not to stumble them?" Then I proceeded to say, I am not giving up my FB account. Funny thing is most elders and their wives are still active on FB. :) I dread when these brothers take the liberty to give their own opinions. I asked around from friends all over the US and most of the speakers did not get specific or say some could be spiritually bloodguilty.
