Are the female witnesses required to wear skirts and not pants?
2007-09-20 07:08:31 · 15 answers · asked by Richard d 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No.
Individuals and family heads among Jehovah's Witnesses make personal decisions about their attire. While they are generally modest and well groomed, Witnesses are simply "dignified" during their sacred service.
As a global religion, Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe the bible to teach that any particular clothing must be worn by Christians while "spreading the news of God". In every land, a male or female Witness might wear a sports-jersey while witnessing to a teammate, a jumpsuit while witnessing to a workmate, a school uniform while witnessing to a classmate, or even pajamas while witnessing to a marriage mate! Jehovah's Witnesses actively encourage their adherents to engage in this 'informal ministry'.
Clearly, however, more dignity must be attached to a program of FORMAL ministry.
(1 Corinthians 14:33) For God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace. As in all the congregations of the holy ones
When a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses arranges an organized program of door-to-door formal ministry in its territory, that congregation understands that the community will identify each Witness minister with the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. The congregation certainly wants to assure that no reproach is brought upon the name of Jehovah, and so they work to call on homes in an orderly manner, at reasonable times of the day, and in groups that do not overwhelm a particular street.
(1 Corinthians 14:40) But let all things take place decently and by arrangement.
In addition, each congregation must weigh the cultural sensibilities of the householders in its territory. While the Jehovah's Witness religion does not prohibit women from wearing pants in the formal ministry, responsible local elders may do so if they actually believe that this would unnecessarily distract attention from the important message which is the focus of the ministry program. Even the apostle Paul noted that understated attire is preferred for the ministry, so that it does not distract from the "good news".
(1 Timothy 2:9-10) Likewise 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, but in the way that befits women professing to reverence God
Jehovah's Witnesses' formal meetings are also dignified and reflect local sensibilities regarding attire befitting ministers. In nearly all of Europe, USA, and Canada everyone on the platform (stage) of a Kingdom Hall wears a jacket and tie, or skirt or dress. Yet no particular attire is required of the audience or those who comment from their seats!
Any Witness who feels that local "rules" have become arbitrary may discuss this with her congregation's circuit overseer during his week-long (twice-yearly) congregation visit. If the Witness feels that he cannot wait, he can write to the branch office that serves his area. It is rare for a branch to correct a local body of elders on a clothing guideline, but then again it is rare for any body of elders to make an arbitrary "rule". The bible teaches that local tradition which respects community standards does not need to be corrected (assuming it is not unscriptural).
(1 Corinthians 11:2) Now I commend you because in all things you have me in mind and you are holding fast the traditions just as I handed them on to you
In some very cold areas of the United States, local congregations do allow women ministers to wear modest dress pants in the formal ministry. Again, the matter is a local one and is determined primarily by local community sensibilities and a wish to please Jehovah God.
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_15.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
2007-09-24 03:12:09 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sisters and I always were dressed better on Sundays. There might have been times we didn't want to dress up but it wasn't a choice in my family. Suits for me even small, dresses for them. And when I look back I am so glad my Mother went out of her way and cared enough to teach us God should be revered and given honor and that means giving and looking our best whatever it may be. And if this is the practice of this church and not against God follow it without complaining. And that lesson stayed with us I look around today not many kids learn that lesson. And it's an important one rather some face that or not. I won't get into all the problems there. I rarely miss a Sunday. No, excuses. And I treat all where ever I am with the deepest respect (and that includes dress codes without complaining) that was taught me early on. No we don't judge people by what they wear but I would think we need to remember we our showing how much we care for God in his service. How respectful we are to those who take the lead. The basic rule is to what this or that or any place decides dress should be appropriate to what they decide and we are able and if it isn't against God than why mumbler about it but act considered. When in Rome the church has some rules. "When in Rome do as the Romans do" as they say. I travel often and in many places, some places would be shocked to see how some dress in worship. Like it or not they look bad to others. No one was ever put off that I wear a suit and my wife wore a dress. I have nothing against a nice pantsuit myself for women But if frowned on somewhere why insist that dress should suit you? I have put on robes and kilts and many different types of clothes. If its not against God I see no reason they can't ask. Or that I shouldn't follow. If I don't want to than I don't go there BUT I don't put others down for it. To me that is wrong. I think some have made to much out of this. Some actually saying it's how men or churches try to control women or whatever. When it isn't that at all. I don't know if its just they don't think well or they just hate some for a reason.
2016-05-19 03:26:00 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the meetings, women wear skirts or dresses that reflect modesty. At other times, they wear pants or even shorts. It depends on the occasion.
Granny Annie is not telling the truth. Jehovah's Witnesses don't even believe in a burning hell. Granny Annie's also got a bad mouth.
2007-09-20 07:14:01 · answer #3 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
am a jehovahs witness and am wearing jeans we only have 2 a dress or skirt at meetings or out preaching
2007-09-20 07:18:12 · answer #4 · answered by katy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Only when they go to the Kingdom Hall. Every one is told to dress, as if they were going to meet an important person. Like if you were to meet the President, you would shower and dress nice, so to when going to the Kingdom Hall. What you wear after words is another story. The JW's have been trying to get them to dress nicer, when not at the KH, because they say it is a reflection on God, and they represent him all the time, just not at the meetings!
2007-09-20 07:16:03 · answer #5 · answered by Antdak 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only @ the Kingdom Hall and during ministry-related activities, and that's because it is the most widely-accepted modest form of dress. That doesn't mean that they can't wear pants/shorts at home or in the streets.
2007-09-20 07:38:56 · answer #6 · answered by DwayneWayne 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I work with a JW woman and she wears pants to work and jeans on casual fridays. She only wears dresses/skirts to church functions.
2007-09-20 07:22:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. As others have said it's a matter of appropriate dress for our meetings.
Grannie Annie: With respect, no witness would tell you you were going to hell for any reason. Belief that there IS no burning hell is one of our trademarks.
2007-09-20 07:20:39 · answer #8 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Oddly enough the only woman who ever approached me and reproached me for wearing slacks was a Jehovah's Witness. She said I'd burn in hell for not wearing skirts or dresses. I told her HER god might be that big a bigoted b*****d, but MY God WAS God and He had more love and respect for me than that! Shut her up. She got off at the next stop, still shaking her head.
2007-09-20 07:16:33 · answer #9 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
no ..but if the Governing Body told them to start tomorrow wearing only skirts..they would do it without question.
2007-09-20 07:33:40 · answer #10 · answered by angel 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋