@@ibarramurda Keep your mouth shut don’t talk! Everything you say, will be used against you. You have a right to remain silent, plead the fifth. Why would you want to say anything to them? They absolutely will use whatever you say against you as though you were evil they pre-judge you so play dumb unless you want their consequences and you want them to be in control of you because you don’t know anything and they do. If you question anything you will be disfellowshipped. They do not reason they judge. That is their job.
It's like men moaning about periods...but breastfeeding is indecent exposure...noone wants to see Stephen lett and a twin feeding a baby...I mean it's like whipping out your manhood casually in a Cafe...but ofc it's personal choice but I've always hated tattoos personally
@@CrankyB1tsch That was their excuse for not allowing it for so long. Basically because of what "the world" associated beards with. Apparently it's ok to follow "the world," whenever they seem necessary.
The hilarious bit about this organization is how they claim that they DON'T micromanage JW's lives.....& they have to tell followers whether to grow beards or not😂😂😂😂
On one hand, so many personal choices are a matter of conscious. On the other hand, you wouldn't want to 'stumble' your brothers, would you? It's a convenient way to suggest you have a choice, while also pushing the idea that God (the Organization/GB) will judge you for the wrong choice.
Grown men needing permission from other grown men to have a beard or not. As my formerly indoctrinated self would have said, "It gives a very bad Witness. Because it makes us look like fanatics."
I mean I once heared a story that was a good reason But well this was because the dude was part of a competitive beard club so. ... Actually a good reason
Grown men ( many of them seniors) excited about growing a beard!!! Teenage boys get excited about growing their first beard not much older men!! Also cannot imagine a grown man telling another grown man that they can grow a beard if they want. Also what's up with this dude in the video!!!
Soooo the bullying and bitching my husband got for the past 10 years about his beard is now ok..... wtf, one of the many hypocritical reasons we left....go micromanage there own lives. We're out.
10 years? Is that all. I heard the carry-on for 40 years non stop. The epitome of worldliness.. no watchtower reading privileges, no public talks, restrictions, can’t do microphone duties, can’t be an elder, won’t get to heaven.. I heard it all. But noteworthy, it was fine for Jesus
Where in Europe do you live? cuz both my parents used to live there, and they said it depends on what area/congregation you're in. Two different congregations could be meeting at the same kingdom hall, but they could have different views on the beard policy, which is wild if you really think about it. Also this took place somewhere in norway and england, I think.
@@kanasas2Indeed! During the period 1967-80, in fact, the Society imposed a prohibition against organ transplantation on the laughable grounds that it is "cannibalism". Since the late '70's, the Society has regarded such as a matter for individual conscience. Amazingly, I never could find anything in the Society's publications equating organ transplantation with blood transfusions, even during the years of the transplant prohibition. (If the Society did make such an equation, particularly during those thirteen years, it was so weakly worded that it went unnoticed.)
"The Governing Body does not have an issue with men wearing beards." My father, a presiding overseer, grew a beard on a holiday and kept it. The other elders held a meeting that he ought to have been present for as the Presiding Overseer. They decided that he should shave his beard based on Jehovahs commands. Now Jehovah has changed his mind.
Many years ago a young dude was coming to meetings, wearing suits, giving comments, and one night he eagerly asked the school overseer if he could join. That elder didn't commend him, or explain how giving talks works, instead he pointed at the guy's soul patch and said that's gotta go. And i never saw that dude again.
@@junjunjamore7735 After the WT Society claimed for at least 10 years that "the end of 6,000 years of mankind's existence on earth" was coming in 1975 (aka "Armageddon", although the WT Society was too cagey to directly make that claim), NOTHING happened. Most hilarious one of their multiple 'Armageddon' failures, out of at least 3 - 5 false prophecies that they've made since they began. 😂
At 5:27 l lost it. When he said VARIETY … (Cringe worthy indeed) I cannot stand the way Lett speaks to begin with. He speaks as if all the congregation are idiots… This just topped the cake!
I can't help but suspect that Stephen Lett is the one behind the 2009 and 2016 Song Books, particularly the inclusion of that song "Listen, Obey and Be Blessed". All nine of the current members of the Governing Body are condescending, to be sure. But, he has to be the single most condescending member. That demonstrates unmitigated gall on his part, most notably against the backdrop of the discourse he delivered at the regional assembly mere months after his own nephew died.
My cringe moment was as soon as I saw Lett`s weird face .This man could win any gurning contest hands down. The only thing that makes it worse is when he starts spouting his ridiculous " messages from god" dreamt up by him and his eight other crazy cohorts. Sadly all his followers believe all this rubbish and continue to idolise these exploitative men.
I’ve got a biology degree. Surprisingly the answer to whether a sister can grow balls is yes. Some intersex people have vaginas and undescended testes not ovaries ! Not all genetically XY people become male and some have actually become pregnant and given birth . There’s a RU-vidr named Blume who is intersex . Sexuality in humans is more complex than laymen realize.
@@dancingnature My teenaged American culture illusions have been totally eradicated by knowledge and a lack of testosterone driven blood; mostly by unenthusiastic hormone levels and ugly women.
Could it also be possible that the older generation of JWs are dying off and the younger generation cannot qualify and fill into those positions or actually refusing because they'll be forced to have a clean shave? Could this be the reason for the sudden change?
That certainly is one reason. However, my initial reaction to the announcement was that this is merely part of another money grab by the Society. Sooner or later, the Society will send letters to the congregations stating that, since the brothers are saving so much in the way of "unrighteous riches" or "filthy lucre" due to no longer buying shaving supplies at least as often, it is "suggested" that they contribute that cash to the Society in order to support the "further expansion of the kingdom work". (This will be on top of the already-extant contributions including the recently adopted per-publisher head tax.) In effect, the pendulum will swing the other way with the Society effectively making beards a requirement and declaring such to be evidence of genuine "spirituality". In other words, no matter how one slices it, this announcement is not the Society becoming liberal or progressive on a given issue. It's calculated and deliberate in order both to fill the Society's coffers and to continue in its attempt at forestalling the appointment of sisters as servants. This is why, as a former witness who is progressive and who does not subscribe to any form of "spirituality", I do not celebrate this announcement. Granted, I personally see whiskers (let alone beards) as vestigial. The key word in that last sentence is "personally". As Panda Tower rightly observed in his narration, beards were never the issue. The issue is the Society taking control of personal matters away from the individual, thereby micromanaging the individual's life-from smoking cigarettes to endorsing the ERA to supporting civil rights to voting accordingly-right down to what is done or not done between consenting adults behind closed doors. Frankly, personal matters are "need to know" information-and the Society does not "need to know", its claims to the contrary notwithstanding.
13:2 the fact that this direction also applies to brothers in bethel and other spiritual occupations proofs that beards were banned and looked down upon. An elder asked my brother, “what’s that nonsense on your face( referring to his beard)”. My brother responded: “Its a sign of manhood.”
Haha, this is so funny. I remember driving to a meeting many years ago, my wife and I saw zero people on the journey and we concluded that Armagedon must have happened that night...but then we saw a bearded man mowing his lawn so we knew the end had not yet come. I laugh awkwardly at my former self 😅
What a fiasco! One rule after another, and now "you are "allowed" to grow a beard". Who said that a man coundn't grow a beard before this? This organisation is a mess!
Oh ya. No baptism, no talks, no answering, no door to door... nope nothing unless you are always clean shaven. One brother had too much 5 o'clock shadow coming straight from work to give a student talk and he wasn't allowed to give it.. ya no they have no allowance for any divination.
There was a young dude who was coming to meetings, dressed in suits, giving answers at the Watchtower study, and eagerly asked the school overseer elder if he could join the theocratic school. The elder didn't tell him that was great, or explain how the school and giving talks works, he pointed at the guy's soul patch and said that's gotta go. Never saw that dude again.
22:31 There was no Governing Body... Actually, Lett makes me cringe, as soon as he speaks... how can he not hear himself making lies and contradictions?
When I started helping with the sound and microphones in my congregation years ago, I was counciled by an elder about my sideburns being too long. He said it may "stumble" others in the congregation
Finally, someone to talk about how GODAWFUL his voice is. No idea if it’s cuz he’s old, or his accent, or a way to make himself seem better, BUT WHY DOES HE DRAG ON. I cannot explain it any other way than he spends too much time on words. His voice is just., I CANT.
@@etieneko LOL. Yeah, there is no way any rank and file have a clue about that. That you can just download that damn Shepherding book online is so poetic.
It’ll be crazy in the future when they decide that “brothers” wearing Beards is gonna be a REQUIREMENT. And anyone who gets a Clean Shaven, will be DISCIPLINED. The cult rules will just be REVERSED 😂😂😂🤫🤫
We laugh; but, the Society has proven itself more than capable of doing just such a thing. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing and shaving will be prohibited with only certain rare exceptions. The Society will at some point officially regard these vestigial facial remains from our primate ancestors as an outward symbol of "spirituality". This cult is so far to the Right that even the term "paleoconservative" is too progressive a description. Sooner or later, the Society will officially want Jehovah's witnesses to go back to pre-hominid times and become more and more like our ape antecedents. This from a religious cult which openly denies evolution in favor of special creation! The hypocrisy is glaring!
Lett is not even paying attention to his contradictory statements. In his conclusion, he says that Jehovah's chariot moves lightning fast, yet it took this long to figure out that the wearing of beards is NOT forbidden in the Bible? That's a clear-cut contradiction. Jehovah's chariot doesn't seem all that quick, as a matter of fact, humans were quicker in assessing that beards are okay and not forbidden in the Bible. Of course, the GB and JW's are so used to mindlessly parroting their BS, they don't even stop to think of how illogical they sound. Goodness. Another great video by EXJW Panda Tower!
Brothers to bearded me before announcement" I think you need a shepherding call to encourage you spiritually." Brothers to bearded me after the announcement "We think you're doing a fine job. You're going to be appointed a servant next time around."
Whenever I watch Stephen Lett I can't help wondering how long it will be before his eyebrows go so high that they disappear over the top of his head as he speaks.
It's maddening how people will always think these *edicts and mandates* come from a supposed *unknowable, undescribable 'supreme entity,'* when in fact, there is *only evidence* that these decisions come from a *group of mere men trying to coalesce their *varying interpretations* of their 'holy book'. Just the fact that in all religion, a *'supreme God'* always has to use *'middlemen' or 'proxies'* to communicate with the rest of his "children", makes the entire concept of religion easily *corruptible and perverted* and the people and process easily *manipulated by these obligatory, inevitable so-called "Prophets".* (That actually *claim to speak for God)* A simple, mortal man; the *Pope,* is the perfect example of one of these *unquestioned, compulsory proxies.* Yet people flock to him as if he is second only to Jesus. Sadly, many people will say that he is :-/ These *religious institutions probably wouldn't even exist* if people weren't made to feel *as if they needed them* and *could not have a full life without them.*
“For some years based on the conclusions of ‘some’ archeologists our publications portrayed Jesus as clean shaven.” They KNEW Jesus had a beard according to Scripture. What a lie. Their publications till the 1920’s had Jesus in a beard. It was in the 1930’s they started misrepresenting his image till 1968. Had him looking like a Roman in a tunic. I used to draw in his beard at the meetings 😂
I’m not one anymore. But when I found out about this . I was like this is definitely a cult. You can’t just randomly decide that like ughhh they’re so weird. I remember an elder got defollowship bc he had a beard . So how would he feel seeing it now being allowed. Like what was the point kmt
Did the same, grew a beard got rid of it. Knowing that I made both decisions gave me more back than I thought. Only people out of control would try and control something that has no effect on them.
A beard is a natural. Why would God give it to you in the first place if he only wanted you to shave it off? They show Jesus and crew with full beards up in Heaven. So either God is confused or the organization is very confused. They can't have it both ways.
What's funny, my observance since the '80's, is the number of "brothers" that would grow their beard or shave a goatee during EVERY out-of-town vacation. Or, would ONLY shave on a regular basis on the day of a meeting. Those two things say a lot about "principle" vs. "rules".
In the congregation I grew up in, wearing gay colors like Stephen’s shirt and tie would mean a talk with the elders in a small back chamber. Only white shirts and blue ties.
I grew up in the Old Apostolic Church (South Africa) and there were very strict rules. Children have to be baptized at 16, where they will then become a 'Brother' or 'Sister'. Men have to wear suits and no beards. Women have to wear long dresses with their shoulders covered and a hat or cloth on their head. Women aren't allowed to preach. Men aren't allowed to have long hair. Women have to wear high heels. There is a patriarchal structure that consists of 9 levels of authority. When you see a member of the church you HAVE TO greet them by shaking their hand, at the church or in public. When you do, you have to call them by their position (for example "Good morning Priest", "Good morning Brother") . The levels are Brother/Sister, Priest, Deacon and Elder. Those 4 have to be present at every church. There is then the higher 4 which rules over a set area. They are the Prophet, Overseer, and some other 2 (I can't remember). Lastly, there is the Apostle that manages a large amount of churches. Imagine the Old Apostolic Church as an organisation (which it kind of is) that has branches and offices all across South Africa. The town I live in has two churches. There is a service every year that's like 3 hours long, where the souls that are gathered throughout the year, and then they possess a body and go to heaven. Each family has a priest. Members have to write down the dreams they had when they slept because it apparently has signs of the future, or something. God is seen as a spirit. The apostle can change the weather and bring people back to life. Communion is taken every first and second Sunday of every month. Members have to go knock on people's doors to preach. Members are expected to sing in the choir. The choir practice is held on Tuesday evenings. The youth has to attend a youth service on Thursday evenings. I had to play the organ, which means that I had to go practice every Wednesday. At that point in time (I was 15) I had to go to school, was a chair person of an outreach club, a manager of the cultural club, a member of the school newspaper, part of the entrepreneurs in, played chess and debates. This also means that I had to deal with all of that, go to church from Tuesday to Thursday and attend the Sunday service. I am now 20. My dad invited two priests to our house and expected me to sit with them and listen to their preaching so as to convince me that their god is real. I told them no, because I have priorities. I went back to my room and studied for my college exams. Before they left the one priest called me and asked if he can take one of my plants, to which I said no. A few months later I saw that the plant was gone.
22:30 "to be obedient and submissive to gods organization ". So we get df'd if we aren't submissive because of policy, but then years later they change the policy that we got df'd for, no apologies just ' you were running ahead of gods chariot' bs. Why is it many of us read and understand a whole lot more than the GB? Could it be because they don't have the Holy Spirit that they actually put in print? That's one of the best reasons I i can think of to leave this cult. Please people. WAKE UP!!!
As a female JW I knew the repression of autonomy. I envied the brothers that could seemingly do as they please. Within reason of course😏 I asked the new unbaptized publishers why they had shaved. I was 13 with a crush on one. Then he shaved too 😑 Responses varied from beards are scratchy to the sisters wanted clean shaven men. No one admitted the ultimatum was the real incentive. I was a born in. I couldn’t imagine that not one brother wanted a beard. But, being the Happiest People on Earth, I just accepted that it was not my concern. Even tho it felt like Twilight Zone… What I’m realizing is the brothers were under scrutiny too. They didn’t dare complain about imposed ideas. To all of you brothers I envied I’m feeling empathy I wish I’d have known back then. For me it wasn’t about the beard, it was about individuality of personality. These worldly guys would come to the KH full of life & potential. In six months time they’d go thru the cookie cutter of putting on the new personality for all the world to see. Thank you Caleb for all you do. Your perspective is valuable to deconstructing the borg 🫶
Yeah, being a "brother" sucked as far as repression went. Couldn't grow your hair past your collar, couldn't have bangs that were too long or hair over your ears. You could grow sideburns, but limited. You could grow a mustache, but limited. You had to wear a suit coat if you were on the platform, period. Ties were a rule if you wanted any privileges at all. My dad got kicked out of working at the magazine counter because he would wear a tie and sweater, but not a jacket. We didn't have the "tight pants" issue back in my day, but that can be piled on. If you were into physical fitness, you'd be reminded to keep it toned down. By all means, NOBODY was allowed to be sexy without getting a stern finger wag. And on top of it, brothers were all expected to be ministerial servant material or else you weren't even a reasonable candidate for a wife. But, with all that, I'd take it over being a female in a congregation. That was way worse.
@@Eric_01Fuck me! I remember all these rules. The one that bothers me till this day is the unspoken rule where Brothers had to be a Ministerial Servant or higher to even be considered to get married. I hated that shit.
A question will be 'what sort of beard will be acceptable? Just like hair length and style, the leadership will be enforcing a standard. Expect a secret Elders grooming manual.
If wearing beards are the greatest new light we get from God when we are living in a time where we’re at the brink of WWIII, then I don’t know what universe god is living in bc… 😩🤣
Nah, not yet. Let’s see what’s behind door #3 of general human rights thru the eyes of WT 😉 Voting? Gambling? Both are allowed in the secret elders book🤐
I remember arguing this . I said the greatest man who ever lived...a book about Jesus everybody had beards 😂😂. I also said if Jehovah didn't want me to have a beard why would he make hair grow out of my face 😂.
This makes me sad. I've grown a beard since I've left over 20 years ago. I just wanted to make sure that any JW hadn't seen me in a while new for a fact that I wasn't a JW. Now I'm actually going to have to say it to them. Lol
It’s unbelievable JW’s need a whole program about their approval of beards, omg! They’re going to need a 3 day convention when they approve blood 🩸 transfusions.
lol in harmony with romans 14:4 but Lett doesn’t actually mention what it says because then they might have to stop judging people altogether! No mention of beards there but judging people in general. That might mean they can’t complain about tight trousers, not wearing suits or wearing your hair however you want as well. I like how he also uses the fact that people in positions of power in governments or business now wear beards as if that’s a good reason for the J.Ws to follow suit. Aren’t they always saying how bad worldly people are and that they’re different? Shouldn’t beards being worn by people in power who are looked upon as under satan’s control be a reason to avoid them?
I understand your point. However, the context of that verse is dealing whether or not to eat meat and whether or not to celebrate holidays. The specific tenor is: "Don't look down on me over the fact that I choose to eat meat and to celebrate holidays." Yet, ironically, the Society does look down upon those who make an informed decision to observe certain holidays, directly in violation of Romans chapter fourteen. I say "informed" because such individuals are well aware of the origins and the fact that such origins no longer figure in the festivities and they decide to celebrate anyway. In other words, they celebrate for personal-not religious-reasons. Again, the hypocrisy on the part of the Society is both tangible and palpable and it knows no bounds.
Replace “woman can use pants” when he mentions beards in the talk and it will apply to women using pants. Or replace it with tattoos! They were worldly but now accepted by respectful “worldly” people and it’s a question of personal decision and fashion! 😂 And like I always say: DOWN WITH THE TOWERRR!
If God didn't want us to look scruffy why oh why did he make us with a beard??? Totally man made bullshit...even the Lord had a beard...and is it only the tribal nations who don't have facial hair belong to God? JW governing body is total mind control. Thanks Panda...you make me laugh every video..🇬🇧👍🙏🙏🙏
Those from the Instagram picture belong to the congregation i belonged to. Beard have always been a hot topic there. It was known to be ok to have a beard there even if it was not ok in other congregations in Sweden. When the Watchtower magazine about beard came the elders took it as It was fully ok to have beards. Next time the CO came to visit he was shocked how many brothers had beards the elders had to counsel a couple of us that had started to grow beards😂
I love your You Tubes. Please keep up the good work and the fantastic narration. I know a few JWs. A neighbor helped one deal with the mental anguish he experienced by leaving. His entire family shunned him. He is doing well now. Good luck to all exiting the cult. I live in the Hudson Valley of New York. The JWs are a major presence in the area.
I agree Panda. Lett is all about theater. And when the scene of the world changes again, he will allow higher education. As long as it is Clown College!😄
Their glib excuse is now: "Yow can't be dogmatic!:" That excuse is going to facilitate the unceremonious discontinuation of many a sacred requirement..
So in 1968 the Watchtower leaders finally read their bibles and learned that NOT having a beard was considered "pagan" and "worldly"...🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Guys….. we asked them to talk about grooming, and they went beards when we were talking about covering up CSA…. And I thought they were not supposed to follow men??? Now that those men have beards and prominent jobs it’s ok?
What’s crazy is if Jesus wore what everyone else wore in that time and now that’s used to justify men wearing beards. Why can’t women wear pants since that’s what most women wear now. Wouldn’t a women who chose to wear pants be following Jesus lead by dressing as the times she lives in dictates as normal be following Jesus lead?
@@carltonbanks2865 it really did! Goes to show how they just make up the rules to fit whatever situation they’re currently in. Perfect example. They’re a so flippant there’s no reasoning behind anything they do.
@expandatower the JW knocking how informal the Swedish brothers look in their photo reminds me of my mom saying that when local schools instituted a policy requiring uniforms to try and cut down on bullying was that it wouldn't, bullies would just find something else to mock about someone.
My little brother made me shave my beard to be In his wedding because he didn’t want people to know I wasn’t a witness. I was also placed in a segregated section filled with everyone who wasn’t a witness
Jehovah makes men to grow facial hair but forces them to shave it off never made sense to me. Now he’s changing his mind but he made them to grow it in the first place.
