What I know of this subject was covered at the Circuit Assembly Elder's Meetings. It was stated verbally that if a Brother wanted to have a beard (some grew them to cover scars or birthmarks) it was okay for FS, but the Brother could not be used or be allowed on the Platform (this included the school). The thinking grew out of the 1960's in the USA when the hippie movement began to grow the WTS wanted a distinct visual separation. The policy continues to today. Beards were equated (in some one's mind) with radicalism like Karl Marx, Rasputin, etc.
Simon Templar
JoinedPosts by Simon Templar
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105
New Article on BEARDS and Attire of Jehovah's Witnesses
by jwfacts ini have had requests to add an article about beards and jehovah's witnesses.
it is interesting that there is virtually no statement that says a witness cannot have a beard, yet universally they do not have beards.
i have scoured quotes from all the threads on jwn, all references to beard on the cd watchtower library, and copies of elders letters that i have.
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23
Are Most of the Witnesses That You Know Of Die Hard JWs?
by minimus ini think the remaining ones left are kool-aid drinkers and virtually brain dead..
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Simon Templar
I haven't seen a "die hard" witness in the past 8-10 years in my area. I see a few "robots" around, but most of the members are just good people who are hanging on by a thread. I sense that the vast majority of them know whats going on and are fed up to some extent. Quite a few Sisters have told me of their displeasure. They just keep hanging on for various reasons. Quite a few of the men refuse to serve, and a rising percentage aren't in the school anylonger. The women seem to put up with it better and longer.
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97
First post
by thedog1 inthis is a very strange thing for me to do.
i have been an active witness for over 25 years.
i currently serve as an elder and i conduct the watchtower study.
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Simon Templar
Hi thedog1. I understand how you feel and the thoughts going through your mind. Just a suggestion, when a study article comes along that you have problems with or the comfort factor is very low, why not have another Brother do it for you instead? Just be careful not to divulge any personal information or identify where you are from on a regional basis. Your anonymity should hold up. BTW, my personal view is that the WTS knows about this site, and that many, many of the "friends" are having problems with them and are disenchanted. The result is that the WTS is leaving people alone unless they actively speak to people directly in the Congo. They know they can't do anything about the internet and therefore, monitor it but leave it be. Just my thoughts. I may be wrong. Feel better.
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178
Honest survey question on effectiveness of 'apostacy'
by Simon init seems like lots of people have big dreams of 'destroying the watchtower'.
it's usually linked to a story of how they were wronged and want some revenge.
do these 'in your face' attempts to convince people that the truth isn't the truth really have an effect?.
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Simon Templar
I agree with almost all of the comments. My thought is that a person leaves when:
1. They are ready, and not a minute before.
2. They need a personal reason which is external to them such as, a Nazi in the BOE who is too demanding of them and pushes them too hard, or a CO who does the same thing-heavy handed unloving demanding pushing/watching/scruteny,etc or, when their kids have been maligned or marked inappropriately in some quasi-inquisition, or people realize that the end hasn't come and they have been waiting for decades (I know some waiting for 55-60 years) this is linked to 1914+100 years-how long do you wait? or actually how stupid are you?
3. The embarassment of the door-to-door work. Going door-to-door for decades with little result in the past 20 years or so. In the developed world the growth is practically nill. Any expansion of the religion is happening in the third world. Go back to the same neighborhoods with the latest Kingdom News Tract and tell the same householder that "the end is coming, but this time we mean it!"
4. The demonization of formal education. How can anyone be expected in the 21st Century to earn an average living in the US/Canada/Europe without a formal University Education or some specialized training in something? Forget about getting rich through an education. Just earning a living. If you live in Borneo you may be okay.
The control system used by the WTS has constructed a platform to launch people out of the religion. If its not corrected, eventually the Organization will collapse by attrition. Apostate former members have little or nothing to do with it. The main causes of disenchantment and exodus are internally created and self-inflicted.
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35
Why doesn't the GB come out with specific rules on counting time
by trujw ini think we all know the reason millions of less hours.
when i was in we went to a rv by the kingdom hall then drove 30 minutes out to the country to knock on a door then back to the city for one more door.
god must be so proud!
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Simon Templar
I see that today the publishers go out in the door-to-door work for an hour, go to Dunkin Donuts or Panera Bread and sit there for 1/2 hour or so (Elders and MS present) then leave and make a call or two and are counting 2 hours. Things are relaxing over the years.
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Are YOU Paying More or Less or the Same $$$ For Insurance Since Obamacare?
by minimus injust curious.
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Simon Templar
Paying much more. Our Group Policy was cancelled. The new Policy's that are available will be much more expensive. Premiums up approx. 80%. Deductables 400% higher. We are required to have coverage that I don't want or need.
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28
Is everyone required to be enrolled in the theocratic ministry school?
by hoser incan a publisher "drop out" and still be in good standing?.
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Simon Templar
The TMS is voluntary. There is no problem not joining or quitting it. Today (not years ago) the school overseer will just smile and accept it. I even know an Elder who was appointed and was not in the school.
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17
who left the BORG after finding out about "Conspiracy Theories" ???
by crossquestions6995 inim new here on the forum.
i been "dissasociated" for about a year n a half.
i left after reading the bible cover to cover and discovering the truth about 9/11, illuminati, masons, witchcraft, new world order, paranormal activity, ufos, etc.
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Simon Templar
My issues are with changing doctrines (too many), arbitrary rules and regulations (I have no problem with justified rules and regulations. It is an Organisation by the way), members that have been left high-and-dry in the back end of their life by being told "Armagedon is right around the corner" and are unprepared for retirement, the demonisation of university education, too many meetings/assemblies/conventions, Circuit Overseers prying into peoples lives, incompetant Elders mishandling too many things, and many, many psycho members. That about sums it up.
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5
Expedite Elder Appointments?
by Simon Templar ini am out of touch with any new or modified procedures for elder appointments.
does anyone know, if an elder had deleted himself, and several years later wants to resume involvement, is there now an accelerated method for re-appointment?
does only the boe appoint or is the co concurrance and service dep't appointment still needed?
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Simon Templar
I have no interest in being an Elder. A witness friend who has been out for several years has parents who are in. He mentioned this simplified process to me as something his Parents mentioned in passing (provided he understood them). I thought to research it as best I could. It seemed strange to me that the WTS would relinquish that kind of Authority. I thought if they did, it would be for legal reasons, to protect the WTS from liability in case the Elder did something that started a law suit. "We didnt appoint him, the local congregation did" so they are held harmless.
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5
Expedite Elder Appointments?
by Simon Templar ini am out of touch with any new or modified procedures for elder appointments.
does anyone know, if an elder had deleted himself, and several years later wants to resume involvement, is there now an accelerated method for re-appointment?
does only the boe appoint or is the co concurrance and service dep't appointment still needed?
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Simon Templar
I am out of touch with any new or modified procedures for elder appointments. Does anyone know, if an Elder had deleted himself, and several years later wants to resume involvement, is there now an accelerated method for re-appointment? Does only the BOE appoint or is the CO concurrance and Service Dep't appointment still needed? Someone I know mentioned something along these lines, but it sounded strange to me. Any clarification is appreciated.