why don't jehovahs witnesses wear beards?

Question

im a jehovah witness and some brothers are wearing beards but dont give talks.the new cd libarary takes us back to 1975 is there any current info on why we dont wear beards?

Answer 1

The seeming position against beards among Jehovah's Witnesses is neither globally universal nor based on religion, per se.

Instead, local congregations must weigh community sensibilities in determining whether a man with a beard would tend to cause apprehension in the area. Like the apostle Paul, Jehovah's Witnesses certainly have a tradition of yielding their personal preferences "for the sake of the good news".

(1 Corinthians 9:19-23) For, though I am free from all persons, I have made myself the slave to all, that I may gain the most persons. And so to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; ...I have become all things to people of all sorts, that I might by all means save some. But I do all things for the sake of the good news, that I may become a sharer of it with others.


Today, a Jehovah's Witness Christian might prefer to keep his beard and well-understand that there is nothing in the bible to tell him it displeases God or Christ. Yet that modern Christian might reflect on the first-century Christian men who might have preferred to keep their foreskins (with similar justifications), yet yielded to circumcision once they understood that uncircumcision might be an obstacle to those who would hear "the good news".

(Acts 16:1-3) And, look! a certain disciple was there by the name of Timothy...and he was well reported on by the brothers... Paul expressed the desire for this man to go out with him [in the ministry], and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places


Incidentally, in areas such as Ireland and Alaska, even some congregation elders wear well-groomed beards.

Answer 2

As others have stated it is a matter of being respectible. There are some parts of the world where NOT having a beard would be viewed very dimly and in some places has at times been illegal. I have noted in some areas beards are becoming more standard. There may come a time where being clean shaven is considered extreme. We should always try to dress in a fitting Modest way.

While trying to be funny Jedi has a slight handle on the point.

In reference to the angry poster above me, we have access to a all/most information easily however, our library CDs put a general amount of info, basic things to help us in daily situations. We have Books(ya know those things people keep forgeting about that go back much further.)

Answer 3

Beards were never banned by JW s but men who are in appointed positions in the congregation have needed to be modest in their dress and grooming including length of hair. This has mirrored how society in general has viewed men with facial hair. For example: In the United States, Before WWI JWs had beards. After WWI Most men in the US including JWs became clean shaven. The 50s-70s Beards made a comeback but generally society in general viewed then with negative connotations associating them with "Beatniks", "hippies". However at the turn of the century beards have become more mainsream, and in the 2010 s fashionable with no negative connotations. Thus it appears that we will begin seeing JW men with neatly trimmed facial hair. A study article in the Watchtower which will be studied in all congregations in November indicates that it would be acceptable for appointed men to have a beard if in the locality it is viewed as acceptable. I guess we will find out over the next few months if this becomes a trend.

Answer 4

The reasons haven't changed. When some people see someone with a beard, they may have a negative opinion of them, perhaps viewing them as someone who takes part in revolts, or as someone who is untidy in their appearance. Jehovah's Witnesses desire that no one becomes stumbled, so they gladly choose to not wear a beard. Some, however, do choose to wear them. These are not allowed to give talks. The reason for this is that they may offend someone, perhaps a new person, in the audience. This might cause them to not want to hear the good news of the kingdom.

Answer 5

When I was young, before being disfellowshipped, this was a difficult area for me. The picture to the lest in only six months growth. My beard began growing when I was 12 and I had to buy an electric shaver. I have a very course beard with a curl. When my wife was out of steel wool for the dishes, she would cut off a section of mt beard.

The reasoning behind not having beards goes to being separated from the world. Often when I've taken people to church in my taxi, it looks like either a "who can out dress who", or "I don't give a damn what anyone thinks" in the various forms of dress. JWs are uniform in how they appear in order not to draw attention from their purpose in life, spreading God's Word.

Consider, how easily it is to identify a witness in a crowd or out shopping, even when they are not carrying literature. You can make an assumption that others are Christians by them carrying around their necks a copy of the execution device used to kill Christ, but it does not tell you what kind of Christian they are. With how witnesses appear, you know the are an Evangelical type of Christian who proclaims the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

Answer 6

It's just in our culture that they don't wear beards. In some European/South American countries our brothers wear beards and give talks and have other responsibilities. At one time, I attended a congregation and an elder wore a beard (he had some skin difficulties). It was always neat and closely trimmed though. Basically, if it's not accepted in the Business World (we try to always look respectable), then we try to steer clear of it....we do what we can to look respectable and dignified since we are representing Jehovah himself in our ministry.

Answer 7

Beards look cool, it was discouraged back in the day to wear a beard, because they felt it made one look "rebellious" like the biker gangs- which were bigger back in the 70's and 80's.

Answer 8

What about Leviticus 19:27? One of the interesting things I have always pondered in relation to JWs is how they cut/paste and update their beliefs to conform to the Society's bottom line rather than what the Bible actually says. If you are going to base an entire religion and lifestyle on a religious text some consistency would validate your claims of being "The Truth" rather than adopting and reinterpreting only the scriptures that further your own current views and that will probably be changed within a decade. I remember when women wore pants to the Kingdom Hall and my dad, who was an elder at the time, had a full beard.

Less JWs=less people to push Watchtowers and take donations

Why don't they give you access to ALL of their publications? So you can't compare how their beliefs have dramatically evolved over the last 90 or so years? The whole "revealed interpretation" argument is pretty fishy considering that most JWs say that there are no modern prophets. But if you ask anyone about it they will just tell you that you are stumbling yourself. Put the blinders back on and keep feeling self-righteous. Why are you asking the general public about this instead of an elder? Don't you trust that they will guide you to the proper answer?

Answer 9

I once studied as a Jehovah's Witness. Ya
know in the whole congregation I don't remember one person with a beard. In fact they where all clean Shavian. Not even a mustache. Why don't you just ask one of the brothers. I am sure they would be glad to tell you. We are all here to learn, and the only way to have your questions answered to for "you" to ask that question.

Answer 10

Have you checked Questions From Readers and Insight Vol. 1 and 2? The last time I saw info on that was probably in the late 1980's or early 1990's. Maybe ask your bookstudy overseer too? Let me know what happens :D