The other day I was visiting a "fringe" JW friend (you know, the type that always comes back for fear of destroying their mammy's heart), and the brother that had been studying with him was directing him to shave his beard off. This guy has some serious emotional damages regarding his clean shaven face, and I could see the anxiety welling up in him. So in many cases these overly restrictive rules can be emotionally harmful as well as physical.
@@juliemcalister2557 I was a JW for 27 years… I met only one brother who had a beard. Unfortunately, he wasn’t very well seen in the congregation despite the fact he was a very kind and considerate person… never made it to become a ministerial servant or an elder because of his ‘decision’. So, yes… you’re right, a brother can wear a beard if he wants to, he’s not going to be disfellowshipped for it but it’s frowned upon and the brother doesn’t usually have an easy life.. I guess it’s all about obedience…
@@juliemcalister2557 I've had actual elders admit to me on the ministry the BOE stopped him having a beard, while he was arguing with them there is no biblical or WT teaching against it. There are unwritten rules, and sometimes people chose to enforce them! (He now has a beard, but I've no idea how it affects the congregation)
1983/4 I was an elder in southern England. I grew a 'designer stubble' beard and was the Theocratic School Elder and even gave talks at circuit assemblies. But they were not so happy with my Porsche 911 Turbo and large Georgian-style house...except the Circuit Overseer loved staying there and we went in service in the Porsche. They couldn't say much. The backstabbing hypocrites got even within weeks of my moving to Munich. But not for long. I am disgusted by the backstabbing, desperate-for-promotion liars and self-righteous wanna-be elders and all the fake love in the Witnesses. But out now for 23 years and happy to be gone. The stress relief is wonderful! I always enjoy your videos Wally.
I can’t believe they blatantly lied on that phone call and said beards are allowed. I was born in and in a rural KY congregation. Beards were absolutely not allowed. I bet they left you on hold so long hoping you would hang up lol Way to hang in there!! Love your videos and the mischievous ZZ 🥰
I think possibly JW have policy and they have culture and they are two different thinks. Absolutely everyone will look at you like you are Satan if you have a beard, but they can say: “we don’t have a policy against beards,” so they appear half sane
I have no idea why TH-cam recommended your videos, Wally, as I’m not and never have been a JW, nor have I ever known anyone who was. I became addicted to your channel, however, by watching how you handle your struggles with such passion, conviction, and determination to uncover the truth. Kudos to you, my friend, and although I may live half a world away, please know that there are people who do care about you, and I’m happy to count myself among their ranks - I’ll be watching 👍
I can surely relate to this topic. Having sensitive skin i always had razor bumps after shaving... it was really painful and made me feel insecure... now that i quit this ridiculous religion i am wearing my beard with pride...so thank you for addressing this Wally!!!
Same!! Good for you. I have super sensitive skin too and shaving was killing my face but if I grew one I was lose all my “privileges” so I eventually quit this toxic religion not because I couldn’t grow a beard but because they are the worst.
It seems like I've got a lot of stories 😁 Two elders met at my house which I knew was to discuss me shaving my beard. They asked me: " what are your spiritual goals?" I told them that it was "to love ,help and closely get to know everyone I can in my congregation." All of which didn't require me shaving. They responded by saying: "Don't you want to carry microphones or work the sound equipment." 🤣 it's funny because once you get to the point of giving public talks, ministry school and service meeting parts ,along with conducting book studies, you don't want to go back to that kid stuff. I told them: "Those things are not spiritual goals. What does that do for me spiritually?" That entire elders meeting at my home was an attempt to get me to shave and at that point it became very emotional for me to keep the beard since it represented my break away from loyalty to men and fearing men to fearing God only.
Last time the elders tried to make me shave my beard, they made it a required condition to be on the 'list of people allowed to preach with the cart'. My wife loves my beard and does not want me to shave it...and I love my wife 😄😁, so she said : Carrots are made for donkeys. Does my husband looks like a donkey ? I married him because I love him with his beard. I do not want him to shave it.
It's still crazy to me that grown adults get excited about holding microphones. That's the definition of busy work basically, they make you feel important for doing something that is pretty pointless and they keep you busy with JW crap so you don't lose that precious position 🙄
Thank you, Wally, Very interesting and revealing. I was laughing so much as I saw all of them just passing the buck. No one could really answer the question because there is no real answer, as they just follow, and that last guy, just a damn liar.
Back in 1981 I studied with them in two books they call Bible study. After we finished the second book I was asked if I considered going out door to door witnessing. I said yes I was then told I would have to start shaving. I told them that I breakout really bad,they said that they broke out worse than me and said that there's all kinds of conditioners. Then I said I never seen anything like this in the Bible, then I was told that when I shave that's the way I show Jehovah my love and respect for him then they got upset and left. I was also told that the reason for the unwritten rule was that in the 60's and 70's they didn't want to be confused about being hippies. None of this makes sense. God tells us in his holy Word what pleases and doesn't please him. All the prophets, apostles his chosen men, even the son of the most high Jesus had a beard. So does that show they didn't love and respect God the father?But in the jw's literatures they vilify face hair using subliminal messaging through their pictures in their literature and videos. In God's Word it tells us one of the things he hates is a liar.
Who says Jesus had a beard? Nobody that saw him said that. Jesus was a perfect man, and that means he's not just like any other man. Beside the fact that even imperfect dudes are found that don't grow noteworthy beard. Isaiah prophecied that a perfect 100 year old shall be a child. Jesus too had to be a perfect youth, which leads me to a conclusion that he didn't have a beard.
18:15 That's actually a very good point, Wally, and here's why: JWs' reasoning for strongly discouraging beards and, with few exceptions, refusing "privileges" to JWs who have them, all stem from the cultural norms argument - that if being clean-shaven is viewed in the local culture as dignified and well-kept in contrast to having a beard being seen as the opposite, then congregations in that locale should/could forbid them. But we all know that the Greco-Roman world of first century Christianity was also a culture of clean shaven men, in which Jews in the diaspora would have stood out as different. However, we don't see Paul or any other apostle in any of the gospels or epistles instructing Jewish Christians to be clean shaven. We don't see Paul in his letter to Timothy stipulating that men reaching out to be elders and ministerial servants must be clean shaven so as to look dignified and not detract from their message in the Greco-Roman Ephesus of the day. I think this could actually be a good line of reasoning to counter JWs cultural norms argument for forbidding beards.
Use Leviticus 19: 27 on them: "You shall not round off the hair on your temples or Mar the edges of your beard." English Standard version. Or Leviticus 21: 5: "They shall not make bald patches on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards..." The loss of one's beard is used as a sign of mourning and distress in Jeremiah 48: 37: "For every head is shaved and every beard cut off. On all the hands are gashes, and around the waist is sackcloth."
I had a beard for the last two years before I left. I was hated by elders while other elders couldn't believe how i could confidently just grow one without morbid fear of man. At conventions I would help with cleaning assignments. While cleaning some wives came up to me asking how is it that I have privileges. I told them that I didn't have privileges and I'm just cleaning. They both told me that their husbands have a beard because they have skin conditions but the elders won't let them do anything. I told them that I'm cleaning NOT for men but for Jehovah and the elders will have to force me to stop. [I already told the elders at this point that they have placed their own alter over Jehovah's and they want me to please them first before I can please Jehovah; and that they turn true religion (🙄) into a cult when it's man I have to worry about pleasing rather than Jehovah.] We also had a long shadow box of the history of Watchtower in the cafeteria. I showed them and other elders the publications in the beginning that depicted Jesus with a beard and then when Rutherford took over he started to depict Jesus without a beard, then later Jesus is depicted back with a beard. I would ask why do you think Rutherford changed it and then changed it back? The shadow box clearly showed it was one man's preference being pushed on all men through publications when Jesus had a beard in obedience to the Mosaic law which came from Jehovah. I was told that if I met for service and I was the only man there then a woman would have to pray and not me 🤣 I was secretly reproved 🤣
I'm so glad you shared your story. It is one of the more ridiculous rules, aside from the 2 witness rule for CSA, that they secretly adhere to. I knew an elder who must've been testing the waters when he grew a full beard. They removed his "privileges" until he finally shaved it. At the same time, his sister, a pioneer, began to wear pants to meetings and for service. I don't know if anything ever happened to her. I found that interesting.
I don't know why but someone asking you why you are able to clean a toilet with a beard is one of the funniest mental images ever! I am actually laughing my ass off thank for sharing. Good golly I wish I had been that bold
Is your spouse (or ex) in the cult, or are you PIMO (physically in mentally out) in order to hold on to relationships, so that your child is getting exposed to the cult propaganda?
If the child is yours, it is your choice and responsibility to protect the child. If you already have the knowledge that JWs is a cult , you must make a sacrifice for your child. You will be shunned , you will hurt, you will second guess your self , but you are helping a child have a good life out of the cult. I say this from experience. I DA and my wife left me and the kids. I am still happy with my decision because now my children have a chance at a better life. God will give you strength. Best wishes.
@@jamjam4822 I grew up Catholic but am no longer a believer and practicer as I believe religion is man-made and I do not trust man. I just have my own relationship with God and believe it is healthier than sheep do with their cultish beliefs. I've been married for about 6 years with my JW wife who isn't baptized yet. She abandoned me last December and took our 5yo daughter with her. My wife is mentally ill and has a slew of disorders she is struggling to fix. Before we got married, I promised my wife I was okay to let her have her way in terms of raising our daughter JW. But since then, and especially now she's abandoned me, I've truly confirmed this is a cult and am no longer comfortable with our kid being indoctrinated into it. It makes me sad each time I see her seemingly sinking deeper into liking the teachings. I just hope I can instill enough of "thinking for yourself" in her that she grows up not a zombie or sheep and finally wakes up.
@@SUSHI4lyf if you go to court over child custody. Prepare yourself by knowing the WT doctrine. Get a copy of Shepherd the Flock book . Find the child sexual abuse area and the 2 witness rule and how this is a big problem in the Organization . Also find the No Blood rule. How if your daughter needed blood to save her life, the JW’ s are going to push your wife not to give her the treatment she will need. Make copies of these show them to your attorney or the judge if you defend yourself. If you can show yourself a competent parent and show your concerns for the well being of your daughter over these issues. Oh and if you have proof of your wife’s mental instability ( medication she is taking , name of doctor, etc. ) you should have a good chance of getting custody of your daughter.
I went to a Kingdom Hall in Moreno Valley CA and they had beards. However I tried my own beard in central Louisiana and had brothers walk up to me and say you need to shave to my face.
Hey Wallie! I have to say I love your channel! Specially when you try to do it in a more simple way and funny. I have to say i have seen several youtubers calling watchtower hotline, i being transferred and keep waiting, i think they try to id the caller and names on caller id, cause they always get disconnected after that and they dont want to be caught on a record lying
My mom used to say that rule on no beards was so the witnesses couldn’t be mistaken for the average worldly hippy. Being a hippy was also seen as being dirty and they’re in J’s “Clean” Organization according to my grandmother. She joined them back in the late 60’s and then roped my mom into it in the early 70’s. I just love how Bethel won’t just give a straight answer! Or an answer that’s obviously what he thinks the public would want to hear. We all know that it’s not allowed! I think Bethel knows that not many people will take the time to write a letter and send it via snail mail! That poor guy with the skin condition! Someone should let him know that Bethel said it’s ok! Love, love, LOVE your videos Wally!!!
Thanks for another awesome and hilarious video!! The run around during the phone call to the branch.. LOLOLOLOL!!! They simply can’t answer because there isn’t a SANE answer available! You should write that letter and see if you get a response, though I think it’s more likely that Armageddon finally shows up than you getting a reply LOL!!
When I was in the Organization, a brother grew a short beard. He lost his privileges and the congregation gossip started. He was labeled spiritually weak and lost his privileges. having a beard came with labels and consequences.🤔🧔♂️
I grew a beard as a jehovah witness. When I did the stupid rude remarks started. Everyone was so concerned. Something that didn't concern them in any way. But, jehovah witnesses need that. They like to find something wrong with anyone they can. With someone sporting a beard it makes it easier. Every time they look at you it reminds them that you are so bold. You show no fear of them and they don't like that. Shave it off and they feel that they have won. Don't shave it off and they feel that you are flaunting your, I don't care attitude. They can't have that. They want you to be submissive.
I wonder if women who have hormonal imbalances or PCOS would also be told to shave their beard. 😅 Personally, I would ask the congregation to pitch in for my electrolysis.
I had that same experience with the shaving and skin irritation/damage. It was so bad. We had meetings on Sunday and Tuesday, so my skin never had enough time to recover. One time I didn’t shave on Tuesday night and immediately got pulled aside for being unclean. It was so frustrating.
You know Wally this is spot on. When I became a JW and started shaving my face broke out as well. Thankfully it cleared up, however, my once smooth face before shaving have marks on it. The beard rule is a white elephant in the room and I believe that if they address it, Pandora's box will open and the other silly things will have to be addressed.
You should send in a.letter asking Apostate questions to the branch. Then use the name and return address of a current JW elder. 🤣 Time to cause havoc! 🤣
"Questions!? Questions!? We don't do questions, we only do commands." ( I think I picked this up from a Monty Python episode or some other commedy show where a whole staff panicks because of something simple)
I remember my parents had a friend who was a ministerial servant back in the early 90s, and for a period he had a painful skin condition that prevented him from shaving, and was unable to give talks or go out in service during that time
@@jaredhall5996 I wouldn't even bother. Who cares really? Personally I hope that they keep that rule. It will keep even more people out of that cult. When people see how stupid and trite they are maybe it will keep people from falling for their silliness.
One time I had just gotten back from a long vacation, so I had a month long beard when returning to the hall. There were at least 2 sisters that wouldn't even acknowledge me. One "friend" of mine turned away when I walked up to their group. This was only about 4 years ago, and WT had already published the study article that said it was OK for some to sport a "well-trimmed beard".
Old Testament forbids trimming the edge of their beards. No man can condemn another Christian for choosing to imitate the prophets who they claim to follow.
I live in France and it depends of the elders and the congregation. I know many elders with beards. But they must shave it if they have a talk at a convention. But I can ensure you that they find this rule completly stupid. This a Rutherford thing, a rule he made against Russell's followers. I got a beard, and every time I go to Canada or USA , brothers and sisters look at me as if I was someone bad or wordly😅. "Oh, you can wear beard in France ? Me:and why couldn't I ?" These are the man-made laws ('takanots' in hebrew) and traditions Jesus fought against
That’s interesting isn’t it, considering that there are a few Christian denominations that DEMAND that men wear beards. A group that calls themselves “ Natzarim” are one.... men aren’t allowed to shave, and they have a slough of cherry-picked verses to prove it’s true.lol.
what a great point you highlighted, look into the history and how it has changed with each director. This is what helped me have the confidence of my decision to get out.
Wow as a witness this had crossed my mind. I assumed at the time that it had to be scriptural. I pretty much believed they were the “Truth” and I didn’t need it proved to me. Just shows how blindly led I allowed myself to be. 🤦♀️ I mean now, thinking for myself, it doesn’t make sense that God would make man with a beard if he considered it dirty.
They really didn't want to tell you the truth. You may have been a prospective sucker and they wouldn't want to lose you. So they just passed the buck to someone else. Let someone else tell him he can't grow a beard.
@@exjehovahswitness did you expect something else? Guess you didn't. It is quite normal that a firm or institution of whatever kind dispromotes to have every employe picking up a phone to sprout a personal opinion as that of the institution. so the first one on the line could have just explain that and adviced you to sent an E-mail, but instead he shoved you in a long line of hold on's and obivious one who got you question on his plate had listened to the one who did the shoving. It also could be the whole organisation got stirred up like a hornet's nest. shouting in panic: "SOMEONE HAS A QUESTION! DUCK AND COVER! "
Hi Wally, I just had to pause your video clip so I could comment. on that phone call to watchtower. You were transferred to the service desk. You asked your question and only got more questions and no answer. Put on hold to transfer you to the right person, but only to be answered by the service desk again. Where the guy on the other end of the phone said very little and was evasive. with his reply before he promptly shut you down. LMAO
So this bothered me and actually was (silly as it may seem) a main reason that I left. Funny as it is, 3 years later, the hall that ostracized me for it now allows it. The reason for the no beard was rutherford wanted to distance himself from what he deemed creature worship towards Russell because after he died people modeled thier beards like him. He was very strict on this. Now they say its a symbol of rebellion (elder told me that once because its what hippies wear lol). And wally, the dance they gave you on the phone meens that they don't know and they are just mindless rule followers. They do not apply Roman's 12 2 to themselves. They just accept. also if you look into it, rutherdord had a mustache when he was in his 20s
@@exjehovahswitness wally, you know there is one in every hall. sometimes two. that reminds me- how about doing a vid on why there are so many weird people attracted to WT. I was in four congregations over the 27 years i was in the truth and each one had a subset of completely insane people. I don’t mean any disrespect- but real nutters. and their comments. omg nutty af.
I remember that there was a “ministerial servant” that he had his wind swept hair like Harry Potter. He even was able to up and have his speech, but when I had a light stubble…
A friend told me that after the WT that said it’s maybe ok, they had an elders meeting to decide if they’d allow appointed bros in their cong to have beards, except he carefully worded it as “facial hair”. Once they’d voted, he must’ve been writing the minutes I guess and he says “ok so no facial hair for appointed brothers or for privileges “ and everyone says “yeah” and he goes “so who’s going to speak to so-and-so about their mustache?” And they quickly had to backtrack “mustaches are ok”. Our friend on the body (PIMI) was just like “this is ridiculous “. Great video Wally - you’re very easy to listen to.
I don’t know how many times I had to go to the back room because I wore sideburns down to my jaw line. I was on my Elvis shit. And I never cut them. Amazingly they finally gave up.
Congratulations, you answered, in part, why the Brothers generally don't wear beards. Quite a few have mustaches. I appreciate you're revealing that you were once one of us. On the other hand, I don't choose to wear a mustache because mine would be unsatisfactory. When I became a Witness in the 70's, beards were quite common. Now, not as much. A man with a full beard can be quite attractive. Certainly Jesus had one. Therein lies the key - he didn't didn't unnecessarily give anyone cause for stumbling - as a beard was the custom for men in that society. Nowadays, some people like beards and some don't. But practically no one will be offended by a clean-shaven man showing up at his door. Paul gave a rule-of-thumb for witnessing at 1 Cor. 9:22.
I remember asking about this when my family was in. My dad was not and had a full beard. He came with us to a wedding and got lots of stares and funny looks. I was told that beards are not allowed because people mistake us for "hippies" and our message is lost when they think we are there to talk about free love and drugs.
My JW mum told me that beards were a sign that you were a homosexual. That's why JW don't wear one. Did anyone else get that story? LOL this was the 80's.
This is crazy, last night I was called to talk to 2 elders in the backroom after meeting. I didnt know what to expect but they ended up talking to me about my “beard.” But i dont even have one, I just have some hair on my chin, everything else is shaved. They told me if I wanted more priviledges in the hall besides passing microphones I would need to shave it and look clean. They also said I needed to be an example for the young ones. I didnt even grow it to be rebelious, I just like the way it looks. Idk if to shave it to stay under the radar or to keep it…
In Ireland it depends on what Kingdom Hall you are in some are definitely NO 🤷and some are ok with beards 🤷♂️but NO beards at assembly,🤷♀️one year a brother got on the platform with one and everyone gasped 🤣😂but no one ever did it again they say it was associated with the hippies 🤦♂️having beards 🧔🏻but we all know a lot of hippies had moustache it all went back to Rutherford wanting to distance himself from Russell he wanted everyone following him as he was a very proud man,God and the bible don’t come in to it as with all there teachings.Thanks for all the work you do in making videos keep them coming 🤣😂
I was a witness in the 70’s & we were told that the body must be treated as a temple so good grooming was part of that. But this is 2022 so I don’t know what the rules are. I was a fast food manager & beards weren’t allowed until 2017 I believe because everyone had a gotee and you couldn’t hire them because of that. Once it effected staffing, corporate rules changed. I bet it effects who would want to join a religious cult the same way.
@@exjehovahswitness been gone for long time! You know that. You are behind the times and leading folks in wrong way! The Jehovah's witnesses don't feel this way. From Arkansas I say you are full of shit.
As there isn't absolutely any biblical background backing up this human rule, I think that yes, under pressure they will cave in. If the men don't care about wearing a beard and not have any "privileged" they will have to allow it. In a congregation in uk elders wear a beard and give talks ( even though it can only be in the congregation and not the assembly ). It just showed how ridiculous it is. 😂
Thanks Wally, mmmm the first thought that came to me was ‘the father of the lie?’ They want you to write so they can get your address and they can send the locals around. I wonder if you had a PO Box and no street address whether you would ever get an answer?
Maybe this is comparable… but after a night shift as a teen I showered and rushed to the hall for a rehearsal for an assembly part. The overseer told me I had to shave my legs for my part. Haha.
And Jesus said Do not keep the little children who ask questions away from me, take them all home and have them send me a letter so i can answer their questions.
My cousin also had issues with shaving 🫤 - he tried to let it grow out just a little bit, I imagine out of curiosity and to to give his skin some relief and got “spoken” to, I believe on a few occasions.
there's a shaving powder that can be used for folliculitis barbae, it was actually an elder who told me about that. "all this time" he said, angrily "i had been shaving like a white man!" he then explained how the curls and kinks of his type of hair is particularly prone to becomming ingrown if cut too short. The powder reduces friction while also acting as a buffer . He was most interesting to talk to about race, how there were many little issues that were unique to his type of skin tone and hair, that peopl with different types don't have to concern themselves with. The fact that almost all ofthe GB are old, white men (with american citizenship) explains a lot about the religion.
5:52 ZeeZy showing off his white beard. I had quit going to meetings for a couple of months and grew a goatee. My wife and I went to an outdoor jw party and elders wives were pointing at my chin lol. Last time I ever saw most of those people. One dude in the congregation turned down being appointed as an elder. He got a skin condition and couldn't shave. He had to go around telling people he wasn't falling out of the truth. He was a convert and was a very cool dude. Something tells me he didn't last much longer than I did going to meetings and whatever.
I remember when I was little watching a jw movie of conventions all over the world, they were being baptized in two piece bikinis, in Mexico wearing any kind of swimwear was worldly anything revealing really. As a child this was confusing, I wondered how they were allowed to wear something worldly as jws. I was explained they had different views on what is revealing…
@@exjehovahswitness not sure, this was a while ago idk between 15-20 years ago I don’t remember if my dad made this comment or it was something that was said in the video but I remember someone saying to not “trip” (“tropezar” I don’t know if they use that term in English, I grew up in a Spanish speaking KH) over them wearing bikinis since that was normal in their country,
I'm a former ministerial servant thay was bring groomed to be an elder buy my research as an adult after being gone so many years made me see things different than when I was baptized at 17. I challenged the beard unwritten rule scripturally and just on logic. They wanted to take me off parts and even set up a meeting with the C.O. ans wanted to remove me as an attendant for the convention until the meeting. At the time I asheved for the weekend and immediate grew it back. C.O Visit comes... he addressed it in the MS & Elders meeting. Basically he told them there was no scriptural reason to challenge any brother now should anyone have an issue after the meeting etc. The next meeting I was the chairman. I hit the stage FULLY BEARED and you could see the people whispering and faces of WTF. After that I further looked at my already research and realized along with all the other mind control rules along with false un biblical teaches made me MAKE MY EXIT FORVER!
This was a great topic that people who have never been witnesses wouldn't necessarily think about until you tell them. My father used to spend 30-45 minutes every day using a sewing needle to pick the ingrown hairs out of his face after he started shaving when we became Witnesses. He said he couldn't wait to grow his beard back out in the new system! He's been an elder for a couple decades and he's all in.
I read this policy was from Rutherford. Russell had a beard and other men who respected him also had beard so Rutherford decided that his loyal men would need to be beardless.
@@Alansworstnight Legality of advice. It is which state can sue for what is said. However, i have a phone call video where they said the POA of blood card to prove we care about going beyond just yes or no to blood is not a POA to completely take over. My mother before Wisconsin Heartland Hospice and WatchTower deliberately killed her with morphine & lorazipam (deliberate special high-power over-dose taking special order prescription and 3 hours for WALGREENS to make) and sending ME to go get it so nurse isn't locked out of mom's home (making me feel like accomplice to 1st degree deliberate murder sanctioned by the USA government Medicare Department. I have the phone call saying WT butts out, and yet they signed despite she redacted their power to put her into a home. They also deemed her incapable to so as to do this, and placed her under my brothers care who was already activated as incapable of his own affairs having drunk seizures when drinking, and withdrawal seizures when not drinking, and all seizures creating 30 minute memory loss of all events. They signed HIM as over her, when she was already signed over HIM, and should she fail, i was next, as the court recognized in my presentation on covid-hearing to retract anger-management plea bargain for attempted murder on wife asking for a jury trial, but i ran the papers of completed course to the court 2 hours before telephone hearing which recognized MY communication on phone as HIS rep (thus impossible for HIM to 6 months later be her rep). She was dead in 24 hours as hospice wanted because i declared i was taking her off hospice. AND the nurse demanded a key to mom's house. Wouldn't take it, but hid it outside. My brother was drunk sleeping in the basement, where he had been since he brought bed bugs into the house from hotel or bar-hopping next to vagrants in trash bars. My mother had a 60 year habit of saying she wants to die when bugs crawled on her. So the elder TRISTAN said on the phone to me, BUT she wanted to die. SO THEY COMPLIED? Within 24 hours my brother was giving the 5-way inheritance of all things in the house to flatter his buddy JWs who came flying in like thieves to steal it. THESE ARE FACTS and cannot be legally removed. The accusations stand true. Dead 2 years this November. My mother had a JW Hall funeral and my sister called me saying elders gave her permission to talk t me, and she said i know nothing because she knows my mother is a fruckin whore with Alan Edmark and Arnie More. I was 18 when mom let either of these guys sit in the restaurant with her, and my sister was GONE run away from home. She wouldnt know ANY freedom my mother had when i the youngest was 18 in 1974. Sis ran away March 12 of 1973 and did not live at home. This is someone they zoom-baptize, a person whose mom is dead so she can declare evil resting in Jah's mercy as a whore. So you see all three of my siblings are the devil's children who paint themselves as the best saved JWs pretending no one in the world is humble but individually them. That is why before blood is spilled by the bride as it was before Jesus silt his, i really truly hope mom will be the world's Lazarus and she can raise dad who is in the mausoleum with her. It is a blessing theyre not in the ground.
@@Alansworstnight I am calling from the state of confusion. Ring-ring Jerusalem to Babel. Actually one needs to say If they are worried of law suit it will be thru New York and not from my state. The liability is from what they do in New York from New York and not what my state allows or doesnt allow them to do. They treat all conversation as if it is an attempt to sue them and take Jehovah's money away from the Jah-Krishna milking program.
When I was a Witness I had a beard and nobody, not even the elders said anything. It really depends on the Congregation you go to. An elder once told me that in other countries its common for witnesses to have beards.
There was a prominent JW who had a beard well into the '40s. I can't remember his name. And I met a black elder from NYC in the 70's who had a beard. Bob McCain maybe? He had the same skin condition. But his beard was very short and was barely noticeable on his dark skin.
Does the Watchtower also have a policy about women's make up? The last time a saw some of them they didn't wear any. As a matter of fact they looked like women who had worn make up for a long time but stopped doing it at one point because their skin looked damaged by years of wearing it.
I'm an 'old' guy who recalls when mustaches were NOT OK (except, as the Awake stated in writing, for certain races!) that was sometime in the late 50-s and I'm certain of this because I was in prison then and the issue arose about a black brother who had one) so, yeah I grew my mustache in the late 70-s when all of a sudden it became OK to have upper lip hair BUT NOWHERE ELSE ON THE FACE!
I know an elder who wasn't allowed to give a public talk at my hall bc he wore a bolero tie instead of a regular one:/ even at the time I thought it was ridiculous.
In Italy, when I asked this question, they told me that the thin beard can be associated with...Carabinieri, (sort of Police)🤦♀️...and they wouldn't want people to be confused. Now this one was a doozy!
Service desk gets a ridiculous number of calls and letters about the beard issue. They hate that question. They like you to write so you can get a canned form letter back. But some of his answers made it sound like he made you as an apostate. Clearly not an appointed man, but you were trying to get him to say that there was a rule or something.
All of those people you talked to and none of them wanted to give you an answer. Then the last guy lied his ass off and said it was OK to grow a beard. But, wanted you to write a letter to them and inquire about it. As if they would ever answer your letter. They are great question dodgers when they are asked uncomfortable questions. They know how stupid they are going to sound.
I don't understand how you can spend an hour, talk to 5 people, and then they tell you how busy they are with calls and to write a letter. Is this 1935??? People are just going to goggle stuff ! huge W for apostates
@@exjehovahswitness It also showed perfectly clear how desinterseted they really are when you have to tell 3 times in a row which state you are from while pretending to connect to to the office of that state you mentioned in the first place. One saw it coming at the first call there was no intention to answer a question.
I remember when my congregation announced that of you had a beard you could not have privileges on the congregation, so I encouraged my husband to grow one 😄 In hindsight I wasn’t a very good rank and file, I didn’t like being told what to do 😅
Leviticus 19:27 Ye shall not round the corners of your head neither shall thy mar the corners of thy Beard. So who's bearing false witness JW or Moses????
Scripture says that God knew me even before he formed me in my mother's womb. So he knew that I would have the facial hair commonly referred to as a beard. The fact that I don't shave that beard is in compliance with my dedication to God in a Nazarite oath. My beard is Godly because it comes from God and is dedicated to God. I never decided to have a beard. It was a standard, supplied feature that God gave me. If you have a problem with it, you need to take it up with the design engineer on the project. That's pretty far up the pay scale from where I'm at.
Just in case they need to send the A-team (the local elders) to tell you that you need to strengthen your spirituality and take more care of yourself. They never answer to your question, but they thank you for asking them😂
@@Alansworstnight if you call the bethel for any question and if you are a "simple" publisher, they never answer to your questions. They first thank you for calling them, and then they always ask you if you ask the question to your elders, and finally they say that they cannot help you with your problem.
I’m deaf. I’m studying Bible with Jehovah’s witnesses. I told my grandmother that Jehovah’s witnesses do not let people have beards. She said Jehovah’s witnesses are wrong and a man set the rules. I decide to grow my beard and just test Jehovah’s witnesses and want to see what they do with me for my beard. . Jehovah’s witnesses let me have a beard. I told them I refuse to shave my beard. They do not let me go on the to stage in give a talk reading Bible because of my beard. Sadly, they sound like Pharisees and I’m patient with elders. They don’t want to me give a talk and preach with the beard. They are afraid that my beard makes affect stumble people who lost their relationship with God or stumble worldly people who will disgusting to see me because of my beard. I disagree with them and they’re wrong. Elders contacted bethel and they let me beard with preaching and give a talk and can baptize.. They need to stop imitating Pharisees' behavior and judgment. I’m patient. If some JW judge me for my beard and I will rebuke them. Let God will take care of and judge them.
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The other day I was visiting a "fringe" JW friend (you know, the type that always comes back for fear of destroying their mammy's heart), and the brother that had been studying with him was directing him to shave his beard off. This guy has some serious emotional damages regarding his clean shaven face, and I could see the anxiety welling up in him. So in many cases these overly restrictive rules can be emotionally harmful as well as physical.
I hadn't really thought of that! thanks
@@juliemcalister2557 Well maybe in your hall but many halls especially Spanish cong. s don't not allow them. So you stop lying.
@@juliemcalister2557 Why are you watching "Apostate" videos anyway. You know you can be DF'd for that! 🙄🤨
@@juliemcalister2557 I was a JW for 27 years… I met only one brother who had a beard. Unfortunately, he wasn’t very well seen in the congregation despite the fact he was a very kind and considerate person… never made it to become a ministerial servant or an elder because of his ‘decision’. So, yes… you’re right, a brother can wear a beard if he wants to, he’s not going to be disfellowshipped for it but it’s frowned upon and the brother doesn’t usually have an easy life.. I guess it’s all about obedience…
@@juliemcalister2557 I've had actual elders admit to me on the ministry the BOE stopped him having a beard, while he was arguing with them there is no biblical or WT teaching against it.
There are unwritten rules, and sometimes people chose to enforce them!
(He now has a beard, but I've no idea how it affects the congregation)
1983/4 I was an elder in southern England. I grew a 'designer stubble' beard and was the Theocratic School Elder and even gave talks at circuit assemblies. But they were not so happy with my Porsche 911 Turbo and large Georgian-style house...except the Circuit Overseer loved staying there and we went in service in the Porsche. They couldn't say much. The backstabbing hypocrites got even within weeks of my moving to Munich. But not for long. I am disgusted by the backstabbing, desperate-for-promotion liars and self-righteous wanna-be elders and all the fake love in the Witnesses. But out now for 23 years and happy to be gone. The stress relief is wonderful!
I always enjoy your videos Wally.
great story! hope you kept the porsche!
I can’t believe they blatantly lied on that phone call and said beards are allowed. I was born in and in a rural KY congregation. Beards were absolutely not allowed.
I bet they left you on hold so long hoping you would hang up lol
Way to hang in there!! Love your videos and the mischievous ZZ 🥰
yeah kinda wild! thanks for the kind words
The JWs might make him shave his cat next
I think possibly JW have policy and they have culture and they are two different thinks.
Absolutely everyone will look at you like you are Satan if you have a beard, but they can say: “we don’t have a policy against beards,” so they appear half sane
@bonniekennard7690 and they lie to our faces saying they are all unanimous and everyone follows the same beliefs indubitably
Back in my time and that was between 1973 - 1998, beards were NOT allowed.
I have no idea why TH-cam recommended your videos, Wally, as I’m not and never have been a JW, nor have I ever known anyone who was.
I became addicted to your channel, however, by watching how you handle your struggles with such passion, conviction, and determination to uncover the truth.
Kudos to you, my friend, and although I may live half a world away, please know that there are people who do care about you, and I’m happy to count myself among their ranks - I’ll be watching 👍
That is one of my favorite comments! Thank you so much for the kind words
I can surely relate to this topic. Having sensitive skin i always had razor bumps after shaving... it was really painful and made me feel insecure... now that i quit this ridiculous religion i am wearing my beard with pride...so thank you for addressing this Wally!!!
you are very welcome
Same!! Good for you. I have super sensitive skin too and shaving was killing my face but if I grew one I was lose all my “privileges” so I eventually quit this toxic religion not because I couldn’t grow a beard but because they are the worst.
Now they can 😂😂😂😂😂
They'll say New Light 😂
Watchtower is their own. Bible. Who are they trying to kid? Wally, great presentation!
thank you
It seems like I've got a lot of stories 😁
Two elders met at my house which I knew was to discuss me shaving my beard. They asked me: " what are your spiritual goals?" I told them that it was "to love ,help and closely get to know everyone I can in my congregation."
All of which didn't require me shaving.
They responded by saying: "Don't you want to carry microphones or work the sound equipment."
🤣 it's funny because once you get to the point of giving public talks, ministry school and service meeting parts ,along with conducting book studies, you don't want to go back to that kid stuff.
I told them: "Those things are not spiritual goals. What does that do for me spiritually?"
That entire elders meeting at my home was an attempt to get me to shave and at that point it became very emotional for me to keep the beard since it represented my break away from loyalty to men and fearing men to fearing God only.
Wow! I would have liked to see there faces as you mic dropped them
Last time the elders tried to make me shave my beard, they made it a required condition to be on the 'list of people allowed to preach with the cart'. My wife loves my beard and does not want me to shave it...and I love my wife 😄😁, so she said : Carrots are made for donkeys. Does my husband looks like a donkey ?
I married him because I love him with his beard. I do not want him to shave it.
It's still crazy to me that grown adults get excited about holding microphones.
That's the definition of busy work basically, they make you feel important for doing something that is pretty pointless and they keep you busy with JW crap so you don't lose that precious position 🙄
I’m so happy for you 🤗
@@ouailleaimescier6666 your story is brilliant, and you get to not do the carts, yeah
Thank you, Wally, Very interesting and revealing. I was laughing so much as I saw all of them just passing the buck. No one could really answer the question because there is no real answer, as they just follow, and that last guy, just a damn liar.
Back in 1981 I studied with them in two books they call Bible study. After we finished the second book I was asked if I considered going out door to door witnessing. I said yes I was then told I would have to start shaving. I told them that I breakout really bad,they said that they broke out worse than me and said that there's all kinds of conditioners. Then I said I never seen anything like this in the Bible, then I was told that when I shave that's the way I show Jehovah my love and respect for him then they got upset and left. I was also told that the reason for the unwritten rule was that in the 60's and 70's they didn't want to be confused about being hippies. None of this makes sense. God tells us in his holy Word what pleases and doesn't please him. All the prophets, apostles his chosen men, even the son of the most high Jesus had a beard. So does that show they didn't love and respect God the father?But in the jw's literatures they vilify face hair using subliminal messaging through their pictures in their literature and videos. In God's Word it tells us one of the things he hates is a liar.
Who says Jesus had a beard? Nobody that saw him said that. Jesus was a perfect man, and that means he's not just like any other man. Beside the fact that even imperfect dudes are found that don't grow noteworthy beard. Isaiah prophecied that a perfect 100 year old shall be a child. Jesus too had to be a perfect youth, which leads me to a conclusion that he didn't have a beard.
18:15 That's actually a very good point, Wally, and here's why:
JWs' reasoning for strongly discouraging beards and, with few exceptions, refusing "privileges" to JWs who have them, all stem from the cultural norms argument - that if being clean-shaven is viewed in the local culture as dignified and well-kept in contrast to having a beard being seen as the opposite, then congregations in that locale should/could forbid them.
But we all know that the Greco-Roman world of first century Christianity was also a culture of clean shaven men, in which Jews in the diaspora would have stood out as different. However, we don't see Paul or any other apostle in any of the gospels or epistles instructing Jewish Christians to be clean shaven. We don't see Paul in his letter to Timothy stipulating that men reaching out to be elders and ministerial servants must be clean shaven so as to look dignified and not detract from their message in the Greco-Roman Ephesus of the day.
I think this could actually be a good line of reasoning to counter JWs cultural norms argument for forbidding beards.
thanks I thought it a good way to rebut it
Excellent debate point.
Im definitely going to use this reasoning, thanks 🙏🏼
Use Leviticus 19: 27 on them: "You shall not round off the hair on your temples or Mar the edges of your beard." English Standard version.
Or Leviticus 21: 5: "They shall not make bald patches on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards..."
The loss of one's beard is used as a sign of mourning and distress in Jeremiah 48: 37: "For every head is shaved and every beard cut off. On all the hands are gashes, and around the waist is sackcloth."
@@WWZenaDo They will just say that's the Mosaic law which is no longer binding on Christians.
I had a beard for the last two years before I left. I was hated by elders while other elders couldn't believe how i could confidently just grow one without morbid fear of man.
At conventions I would help with cleaning assignments. While cleaning some wives came up to me asking how is it that I have privileges. I told them that I didn't have privileges and I'm just cleaning. They both told me that their husbands have a beard because they have skin conditions but the elders won't let them do anything.
I told them that I'm cleaning NOT for men but for Jehovah and the elders will have to force me to stop.
[I already told the elders at this point that they have placed their own alter over Jehovah's and they want me to please them first before I can please Jehovah; and that they turn true religion (🙄) into a cult when it's man I have to worry about pleasing rather than Jehovah.]
We also had a long shadow box of the history of Watchtower in the cafeteria. I showed them and other elders the publications in the beginning that depicted Jesus with a beard and then when Rutherford took over he started to depict Jesus without a beard, then later Jesus is depicted back with a beard. I would ask why do you think Rutherford changed it and then changed it back?
The shadow box clearly showed it was one man's preference being pushed on all men through publications when Jesus had a beard in obedience to the Mosaic law which came from Jehovah.
I was told that if I met for service and I was the only man there then a woman would have to pray and not me
🤣 I was secretly reproved 🤣
I'm so glad you shared your story. It is one of the more ridiculous rules, aside from the 2 witness rule for CSA, that they secretly adhere to. I knew an elder who must've been testing the waters when he grew a full beard. They removed his "privileges" until he finally shaved it. At the same time, his sister, a pioneer, began to wear pants to meetings and for service. I don't know if anything ever happened to her. I found that interesting.
Wow…that’s quite a story!! And sadly, it’s quite familiar ☹️❤️
You're a total badass dude. It's kinda sad that that's what qualifies as badassery in the pathetic life we lived as JWs, but nonetheless... 😎🧔
@@luna-p 🤣 A total Badass among demasculated men🤣
I don't know why but someone asking you why you are able to clean a toilet with a beard is one of the funniest mental images ever! I am actually laughing my ass off thank for sharing. Good golly I wish I had been that bold
Help me save my 5yo child from this cult.
Is your spouse (or ex) in the cult, or are you PIMO (physically in mentally out) in order to hold on to relationships, so that your child is getting exposed to the cult propaganda?
If the child is yours, it is your choice and responsibility to protect the child. If you already have the knowledge that JWs is a cult , you must make a sacrifice for your child. You will be shunned , you will hurt, you will second guess your self , but you are helping a child have a good life out of the cult. I say this from experience.
I DA and my wife left me and the kids. I am still happy with my decision because now my children have a chance at a better life. God will give you strength.
Best wishes.
@@jamjam4822 I cannot simply take het because her mother, the JW, has her.
@@jamjam4822 I grew up Catholic but am no longer a believer and practicer as I believe religion is man-made and I do not trust man. I just have my own relationship with God and believe it is healthier than sheep do with their cultish beliefs.
I've been married for about 6 years with my JW wife who isn't baptized yet. She abandoned me last December and took our 5yo daughter with her. My wife is mentally ill and has a slew of disorders she is struggling to fix. Before we got married, I promised my wife I was okay to let her have her way in terms of raising our daughter JW. But since then, and especially now she's abandoned me, I've truly confirmed this is a cult and am no longer comfortable with our kid being indoctrinated into it. It makes me sad each time I see her seemingly sinking deeper into liking the teachings. I just hope I can instill enough of "thinking for yourself" in her that she grows up not a zombie or sheep and finally wakes up.
@@SUSHI4lyf if you go to court over child custody.
Prepare yourself by knowing the WT doctrine. Get a copy of Shepherd the Flock book . Find the child sexual abuse area and the 2 witness rule and how this is a big problem in the Organization . Also find the No Blood rule. How if your daughter needed blood to save her life, the JW’ s are going to push your wife not to give her the treatment she will need. Make copies of these show them to your attorney or the judge if you defend yourself. If you can show yourself a competent parent and show your concerns for the well being of your daughter over these issues. Oh and if you have proof of your wife’s mental instability ( medication she is taking , name of doctor, etc. ) you should have a good chance of getting custody of your daughter.
I went to a Kingdom Hall in Moreno Valley CA and they had beards. However I tried my own beard in central Louisiana and had brothers walk up to me and say you need to shave to my face.
Hey Wallie! I have to say I love your channel! Specially when you try to do it in a more simple way and funny. I have to say i have seen several youtubers calling watchtower hotline, i being transferred and keep waiting, i think they try to id the caller and names on caller id, cause they always get disconnected after that and they dont want to be caught on a record lying
thank you for the kind words
“Truly I say to you today.. the man who follows the faithful and discreet slave is not worthy of a beard” - Jesus
My mom used to say that rule on no beards was so the witnesses couldn’t be mistaken for the average worldly hippy. Being a hippy was also seen as being dirty and they’re in J’s “Clean” Organization according to my grandmother. She joined them back in the late 60’s and then roped my mom into it in the early 70’s.
I just love how Bethel won’t just give a straight answer! Or an answer that’s obviously what he thinks the public would want to hear. We all know that it’s not allowed! I think Bethel knows that not many people will take the time to write a letter and send it via snail mail! That poor guy with the skin condition! Someone should let him know that Bethel said it’s ok!
Love, love, LOVE your videos Wally!!!
Thanks for another awesome and hilarious video!! The run around during the phone call to the branch.. LOLOLOLOL!!! They simply can’t answer because there isn’t a SANE answer available! You should write that letter and see if you get a response, though I think it’s more likely that Armageddon finally shows up than you getting a reply LOL!!
When I was in the Organization, a brother grew a short beard. He lost his privileges and the congregation gossip started. He was labeled spiritually weak and lost his privileges. having a beard came with labels and consequences.🤔🧔♂️
He wasn't setting a good example
So ridiculous. It's just some hair on a face.
I grew a beard as a jehovah witness. When I did the stupid rude remarks started. Everyone was so concerned. Something that didn't concern them in any way. But, jehovah witnesses need that. They like to find something wrong with anyone they can. With someone sporting a beard it makes it easier. Every time they look at you it reminds them that you are so bold. You show no fear of them and they don't like that. Shave it off and they feel that they have won. Don't shave it off and they feel that you are flaunting your, I don't care attitude. They can't have that. They want you to be submissive.
I wonder if women who have hormonal imbalances or PCOS would also be told to shave their beard. 😅
Personally, I would ask the congregation to pitch in for my electrolysis.
Most likely they also stopped inviting him to parties and gatherings right?
Fun fact I can't call bethel from my cell phone it's blocked. I had many arguments with them. Lol
Yes indeed
nice work!
damn!
@@Alansworstnight They also won't accept blocked calls. You stay on hold forever.
@@rickybobby9886 wow, how cowardly.
Wow, got you holding on the phone and I wrote it in less than 5 to 10 minutes.
I had that same experience with the shaving and skin irritation/damage. It was so bad. We had meetings on Sunday and Tuesday, so my skin never had enough time to recover. One time I didn’t shave on Tuesday night and immediately got pulled aside for being unclean. It was so frustrating.
Lmao Zeezy 😂😂😂😂 Freaking love his wandering around and antics in front of the camera 🤣👌🏻
bro you had me haha. you got me with the searching for a beard scripture lol i was like whaaaa and then i was like hahaaaaaa
gotcha again
You know Wally this is spot on. When I became a JW and started shaving my face broke out as well. Thankfully it cleared up, however, my once smooth face before shaving have marks on it. The beard rule is a white elephant in the room and I believe that if they address it, Pandora's box will open and the other silly things will have to be addressed.
In Roman times beards were ok. In fact they were often seen as the sign of being a philosopher, hence why some emperors had beards.
Excellent choice of beard representations on the thumbnail!
thanks
good ☀️ vs evil 👿
😂
You should send in a.letter asking Apostate questions to the branch. Then use the name and return address of a current JW elder. 🤣
Time to cause havoc! 🤣
that would be so troll!
An extremely evasive Organization...for such a simple question.
Right!? it's not that big of a question either
"Questions!? Questions!?
We don't do questions, we only do commands."
( I think I picked this up from a Monty Python episode or some other commedy show where a whole staff panicks because of something simple)
I remember my parents had a friend who was a ministerial servant back in the early 90s, and for a period he had a painful skin condition that prevented him from shaving, and was unable to give talks or go out in service during that time
all about looks
They put you on hold hoping you’ll give up and hang up. Many customer
Care dept use this tactic. Keep bouncing you around also.
"Go to Bethel they said, it'll be fun they said, nobody will ask you difficult questions about beards they said!"
We should all take the time and call and ask about this nonsense...
you will find the experience so encouraging
@@jaredhall5996
I wouldn't even bother. Who cares really? Personally I hope that they keep that rule. It will keep even more people out of that cult. When people see how stupid and trite they are maybe it will keep people from falling for their silliness.
One time I had just gotten back from a long vacation, so I had a month long beard when returning to the hall. There were at least 2 sisters that wouldn't even acknowledge me. One "friend" of mine turned away when I walked up to their group. This was only about 4 years ago, and WT had already published the study article that said it was OK for some to sport a "well-trimmed beard".
Old Testament forbids trimming the edge of their beards. No man can condemn another Christian for choosing to imitate the prophets who they claim to follow.
I live in France and it depends of the elders and the congregation. I know many elders with beards. But they must shave it if they have a talk at a convention. But I can ensure you that they find this rule completly stupid. This a Rutherford thing, a rule he made against Russell's followers. I got a beard, and every time I go to Canada or USA , brothers and sisters look at me as if I was someone bad or wordly😅. "Oh, you can wear beard in France ? Me:and why couldn't I ?"
These are the man-made laws ('takanots' in hebrew) and traditions Jesus fought against
yeah Jesus would not be happy with all these rules
@@exjehovahswitness Jesus would be disfellowshipped before he had said two words.
That’s interesting isn’t it, considering that there are a few Christian denominations that DEMAND that men wear beards. A group that calls themselves “ Natzarim” are one.... men aren’t allowed to shave, and they have a slough of cherry-picked verses to prove it’s true.lol.
what a great point you highlighted, look into the history and how it has changed with each director. This is what helped me have the confidence of my decision to get out.
Thanks I think it is very telling
Wow as a witness this had crossed my mind. I assumed at the time that it had to be scriptural. I pretty much believed they were the “Truth” and I didn’t need it proved to me. Just shows how blindly led I allowed myself to be. 🤦♀️ I mean now, thinking for myself, it doesn’t make sense that God would make man with a beard if he considered it dirty.
Your videos just keep getting better and better! Love Zezzy by the way!
You have such a funny sense of humor, very much like mine!! Lololol gooooo wally!!!! Love the North West!!!
Grateful for waking up!!@
Love your special effects looking for the information 😂😂😂😂
Oh Wally, you actually CALLED. HAHAHAHA!! Balls of steel ✌🏻😂😂😂😂
Those little goobers had me on the phone for ages though just to spend 30 seconds and tell me to write a letter! as if it's 1822!
They really didn't want to tell you the truth. You may have been a prospective sucker and they wouldn't want to lose you. So they just passed the buck to someone else. Let someone else tell him he can't grow a beard.
@@exjehovahswitness did you expect something else? Guess you didn't.
It is quite normal that a firm or institution of whatever kind dispromotes to have every employe picking up a phone to sprout a personal opinion as that of the institution.
so the first one on the line could have just explain that and adviced you to sent an E-mail, but instead he shoved you in a long line of hold on's and obivious one who got you question on his plate had listened to the one who did the shoving.
It also could be the whole organisation got stirred up like a hornet's nest.
shouting in panic: "SOMEONE HAS A QUESTION! DUCK AND COVER! "
Hi Wally, I just had to pause your video clip so I could comment. on that phone call to watchtower. You were transferred to the service desk. You asked your question and only got more questions and no answer. Put on hold to transfer you to the right person, but only to be answered by the service desk again. Where the guy on the other end of the phone said very little and was evasive. with his reply before he promptly shut you down. LMAO
So this bothered me and actually was (silly as it may seem) a main reason that I left. Funny as it is, 3 years later, the hall that ostracized me for it now allows it. The reason for the no beard was rutherford wanted to distance himself from what he deemed creature worship towards Russell because after he died people modeled thier beards like him. He was very strict on this. Now they say its a symbol of rebellion (elder told me that once because its what hippies wear lol). And wally, the dance they gave you on the phone meens that they don't know and they are just mindless rule followers. They do not apply Roman's 12 2 to themselves. They just accept. also if you look into it, rutherdord had a mustache when he was in his 20s
there was a pioneer sister in my old hall that had a full beard and a mustache. not kidding.
@@exjehovahswitness
wally, you know there is one in every hall. sometimes two.
that reminds me- how about doing a vid on why there are so many weird people attracted
to WT. I was in four congregations over the 27 years i was in the truth and each one had a subset of completely insane people. I don’t mean any disrespect- but real nutters. and their comments. omg nutty af.
Was she a female dwarf from Tolkien.
@@kamion53
I think she was a blue-eyed Klingon.
I remember that there was a “ministerial servant” that he had his wind swept hair like Harry Potter. He even was able to up and have his speech, but when I had a light stubble…
My elder mate and I had a discussion. Now he admits it's a teaching of man and a crazy one
I feel like if you sat most witnesses down they would admit it
A friend told me that after the WT that said it’s maybe ok, they had an elders meeting to decide if they’d allow appointed bros in their cong to have beards, except he carefully worded it as “facial hair”. Once they’d voted, he must’ve been writing the minutes I guess and he says “ok so no facial hair for appointed brothers or for privileges “ and everyone says “yeah” and he goes “so who’s going to speak to so-and-so about their mustache?” And they quickly had to backtrack “mustaches are ok”. Our friend on the body (PIMI) was just like “this is ridiculous “.
Great video Wally - you’re very easy to listen to.
I don't have to worry about them approaching me since i have a beard!! Awesome
I don’t know how many times I had to go to the back room because I wore sideburns down to my jaw line. I was on my Elvis shit. And I never cut them. Amazingly they finally gave up.
Yeah that must have been a fun little game
@@exjehovahswitness it honestly in a weird ways.
Congratulations, you answered, in part, why the Brothers generally don't wear beards. Quite a few have mustaches. I appreciate you're revealing that you were once one of us. On the other hand, I don't choose to wear a mustache because mine would be unsatisfactory. When I became a Witness in the 70's, beards were quite common. Now, not as much. A man with a full beard can be quite attractive. Certainly Jesus had one. Therein lies the key - he didn't didn't unnecessarily give anyone cause for stumbling - as a beard was the custom for men in that society. Nowadays, some people like beards and some don't. But practically no one will be offended by a clean-shaven man showing up at his door. Paul gave a rule-of-thumb for witnessing at 1 Cor. 9:22.
I remember asking about this when my family was in. My dad was not and had a full beard. He came with us to a wedding and got lots of stares and funny looks. I was told that beards are not allowed because people mistake us for "hippies" and our message is lost when they think we are there to talk about free love and drugs.
My JW mum told me that beards were a sign that you were a homosexual. That's why JW don't wear one. Did anyone else get that story? LOL this was the 80's.
Make a video about WT’s rules about what is and isn’t allowed during “intimacy”
keep up the good work
This is crazy, last night I was called to talk to 2 elders in the backroom after meeting. I didnt know what to expect but they ended up talking to me about my “beard.” But i dont even have one, I just have some hair on my chin, everything else is shaved. They told me if I wanted more priviledges in the hall besides passing microphones I would need to shave it and look clean. They also said I needed to be an example for the young ones. I didnt even grow it to be rebelious, I just like the way it looks. Idk if to shave it to stay under the radar or to keep it…
In Ireland it depends on what Kingdom Hall you are in some are definitely NO 🤷and some are ok with beards 🤷♂️but NO beards at assembly,🤷♀️one year a brother got on the platform with one and everyone gasped 🤣😂but no one ever did it again they say it was associated with the hippies 🤦♂️having beards 🧔🏻but we all know a lot of hippies had moustache it all went back to Rutherford wanting to distance himself from Russell he wanted everyone following him as he was a very proud man,God and the bible don’t come in to it as with all there teachings.Thanks for all the work you do in making videos keep them coming 🤣😂
yeah when I went to Ireland that was basically what they told me. You are very welcome and I will
I was a witness in the 70’s & we were told that the body must be treated as a temple so good grooming was part of that. But this is 2022 so I don’t know what the rules are. I was a fast food manager & beards weren’t allowed until 2017 I believe because everyone had a gotee and you couldn’t hire them because of that. Once it effected staffing, corporate rules changed. I bet it effects who would want to join a religious cult the same way.
yeah I wouldn't be surprised if the rule is gone in a few years
@@exjehovahswitness All different churches including exjws are Jesus's followers according to the Bible???????
@@exjehovahswitness been gone for long time! You know that. You are behind the times and leading folks in wrong way! The Jehovah's witnesses don't feel this way. From Arkansas I say you are full of shit.
As there isn't absolutely any biblical background backing up this human rule, I think that yes, under pressure they will cave in. If the men don't care about wearing a beard and not have any "privileged" they will have to allow it. In a congregation in uk elders wear a beard and give talks ( even though it can only be in the congregation and not the assembly ). It just showed how ridiculous it is. 😂
Thanks Wally, mmmm the first thought that came to me was ‘the father of the lie?’ They want you to write so they can get your address and they can send the locals around. I wonder if you had a PO Box and no street address whether you would ever get an answer?
“‘You must not shave the hair on the side of your head or disfigure the edges of your beard.“, (Leviticus 19: 27)
Hyped for your skit Wally 👍🏻🥰
Maybe this is comparable… but after a night shift as a teen I showered and rushed to the hall for a rehearsal for an assembly part. The overseer told me I had to shave my legs for my part. Haha.
dang, what a perv.
And Jesus said Do not keep the little children who ask questions away from me, take them all home and have them send me a letter so i can answer their questions.
They transferred you to the department of beards
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The ZZ TOP department ? 😂
they have a whole ass department on it now!
My cousin also had issues with shaving 🫤 - he tried to let it grow out just a little bit, I imagine out of curiosity and to to give his skin some relief and got “spoken” to, I believe on a few occasions.
that is so insane that they want people to hurt themselves
As a man in my 30s who still can't grow more than a patchy fuzz, I agree that I would "at least like to have the option".
Russell: Beard. Rutherford: no beard. Rutherford rules. Wally, you are spot on.
It's so astounding for an unchanging God to have changed his mind on so many topics so many times....even flip flopping so many times.
there's a shaving powder that can be used for folliculitis barbae, it was actually an elder who told me about that. "all this time" he said, angrily "i had been shaving like a white man!" he then explained how the curls and kinks of his type of hair is particularly prone to becomming ingrown if cut too short. The powder reduces friction while also acting as a buffer . He was most interesting to talk to about race, how there were many little issues that were unique to his type of skin tone and hair, that peopl with different types don't have to concern themselves with.
The fact that almost all ofthe GB are old, white men (with american citizenship) explains a lot about the religion.
5:47 when you're talking about facial hair and morph into a hairy cat. 🤣 Then "boing!" Lol best thing ever
gotta have fun with it!
5:52 ZeeZy showing off his white beard. I had quit going to meetings for a couple of months and grew a goatee. My wife and I went to an outdoor jw party and elders wives were pointing at my chin lol. Last time I ever saw most of those people. One dude in the congregation turned down being appointed as an elder. He got a skin condition and couldn't shave. He had to go around telling people he wasn't falling out of the truth. He was a convert and was a very cool dude. Something tells me he didn't last much longer than I did going to meetings and whatever.
oh yeah! you must have been the talk of the town
Funnily enough, we're just having this debate in a very different, but just as strict, organization.
I remember when I was little watching a jw movie of conventions all over the world, they were being baptized in two piece bikinis, in Mexico wearing any kind of swimwear was worldly anything revealing really. As a child this was confusing, I wondered how they were allowed to wear something worldly as jws. I was explained they had different views on what is revealing…
Wow! I am curious if they have any of those on their website
@@exjehovahswitness not sure, this was a while ago idk between 15-20 years ago
I don’t remember if my dad made this comment or it was something that was said in the video but I remember someone saying to not “trip” (“tropezar” I don’t know if they use that term in English, I grew up in a Spanish speaking KH) over them wearing bikinis since that was normal in their country,
@@maycygomez9026 the word in English is "stumble" 🙂
@@Alansworstnight true!! Thank you
I'm a former ministerial servant thay was bring groomed to be an elder buy my research as an adult after being gone so many years made me see things different than when I was baptized at 17. I challenged the beard unwritten rule scripturally and just on logic. They wanted to take me off parts and even set up a meeting with the C.O. ans wanted to remove me as an attendant for the convention until the meeting. At the time I asheved for the weekend and immediate grew it back. C.O
Visit comes... he addressed it in the MS & Elders meeting. Basically he told them there was no scriptural reason to challenge any brother now should anyone have an issue after the meeting etc. The next meeting I was the chairman. I hit the stage FULLY BEARED and you could see the people whispering and faces of WTF. After that I further looked at my already research and realized along with all the other mind control rules along with false un biblical teaches made me MAKE MY EXIT FORVER!
This was a great topic that people who have never been witnesses wouldn't necessarily think about until you tell them. My father used to spend 30-45 minutes every day using a sewing needle to pick the ingrown hairs out of his face after he started shaving when we became Witnesses. He said he couldn't wait to grow his beard back out in the new system! He's been an elder for a couple decades and he's all in.
😊Love it Wally, they have no reply.
I read this policy was from Rutherford. Russell had a beard and other men who respected him also had beard so Rutherford decided that his loyal men would need to be beardless.
Do they have 50 state-desks? Or is the Washington desk the same guy as the Organ desk, and I'da Ho desk? What if you say DC, or Puerto Rico?
For real, how would the answer be affected by which state he's calling from? 😂
@@Alansworstnight Legality of advice. It is which state can sue for what is said. However, i have a phone call video where they said the POA of blood card to prove we care about going beyond just yes or no to blood is not a POA to completely take over. My mother before Wisconsin Heartland Hospice and WatchTower deliberately killed her with morphine & lorazipam (deliberate special high-power over-dose taking special order prescription and 3 hours for WALGREENS to make) and sending ME to go get it so nurse isn't locked out of mom's home (making me feel like accomplice to 1st degree deliberate murder sanctioned by the USA government Medicare Department. I have the phone call saying WT butts out, and yet they signed despite she redacted their power to put her into a home. They also deemed her incapable to so as to do this, and placed her under my brothers care who was already activated as incapable of his own affairs having drunk seizures when drinking, and withdrawal seizures when not drinking, and all seizures creating 30 minute memory loss of all events. They signed HIM as over her, when she was already signed over HIM, and should she fail, i was next, as the court recognized in my presentation on covid-hearing to retract anger-management plea bargain for attempted murder on wife asking for a jury trial, but i ran the papers of completed course to the court 2 hours before telephone hearing which recognized MY communication on phone as HIS rep (thus impossible for HIM to 6 months later be her rep). She was dead in 24 hours as hospice wanted because i declared i was taking her off hospice. AND the nurse demanded a key to mom's house. Wouldn't take it, but hid it outside. My brother was drunk sleeping in the basement, where he had been since he brought bed bugs into the house from hotel or bar-hopping next to vagrants in trash bars. My mother had a 60 year habit of saying she wants to die when bugs crawled on her. So the elder TRISTAN said on the phone to me, BUT she wanted to die. SO THEY COMPLIED? Within 24 hours my brother was giving the 5-way inheritance of all things in the house to flatter his buddy JWs who came flying in like thieves to steal it. THESE ARE FACTS and cannot be legally removed. The accusations stand true. Dead 2 years this November. My mother had a JW Hall funeral and my sister called me saying elders gave her permission to talk t me, and she said i know nothing because she knows my mother is a fruckin whore with Alan Edmark and Arnie More. I was 18 when mom let either of these guys sit in the restaurant with her, and my sister was GONE run away from home. She wouldnt know ANY freedom my mother had when i the youngest was 18 in 1974. Sis ran away March 12 of 1973 and did not live at home. This is someone they zoom-baptize, a person whose mom is dead so she can declare evil resting in Jah's mercy as a whore. So you see all three of my siblings are the devil's children who paint themselves as the best saved JWs pretending no one in the world is humble but individually them. That is why before blood is spilled by the bride as it was before Jesus silt his, i really truly hope mom will be the world's Lazarus and she can raise dad who is in the mausoleum with her. It is a blessing theyre not in the ground.
@@Alansworstnight I am calling from the state of confusion. Ring-ring Jerusalem to Babel. Actually one needs to say If they are worried of law suit it will be thru New York and not from my state. The liability is from what they do in New York from New York and not what my state allows or doesnt allow them to do. They treat all conversation as if it is an attempt to sue them and take Jehovah's money away from the Jah-Krishna milking program.
When I was a Witness I had a beard and nobody, not even the elders said anything. It really depends on the Congregation you go to. An elder once told me that in other countries its common for witnesses to have beards.
In london, there is so many brothers/ elders with a beard no one bother.
There was a prominent JW who had a beard well into the '40s. I can't remember his name. And I met a black elder from NYC in the 70's who had a beard. Bob McCain maybe? He had the same skin condition. But his beard was very short and was barely noticeable on his dark skin.
Does the Watchtower also have a policy about women's make up? The last time a saw some of them they didn't wear any. As a matter of fact they looked like women who had worn make up for a long time but stopped doing it at one point because their skin looked damaged by years of wearing it.
As far as I know make up is fine
Oh, I’d be waiting for this one! The beards!!!!
Mustaches are allowed but beards are not! That is…amazing.
I'm an 'old' guy who recalls when mustaches were NOT OK (except, as the Awake stated in writing, for certain races!) that was sometime in the late 50-s and I'm certain of this because I was in prison then and the issue arose about a black brother who had one) so, yeah I grew my mustache in the late 70-s when all of a sudden it became OK to have upper lip hair BUT NOWHERE ELSE ON THE FACE!
I know an elder who wasn't allowed to give a public talk at my hall bc he wore a bolero tie instead of a regular one:/ even at the time I thought it was ridiculous.
In Italy, when I asked this question, they told me that the thin beard can be associated with...Carabinieri, (sort of Police)🤦♀️...and they wouldn't want people to be confused. Now this one was a doozy!
Service desk gets a ridiculous number of calls and letters about the beard issue. They hate that question. They like you to write so you can get a canned form letter back.
But some of his answers made it sound like he made you as an apostate. Clearly not an appointed man, but you were trying to get him to say that there was a rule or something.
So true. I remember a brother told me he got in trouble with the elders for having long sideburns. Now that I think about it, it's sounds so STUPID!!!
Apparently, the "Bible-based" answer you'll get from WT is totally dependent on the geographical location you call from.
Excellent video‼️
👋🧔♂️
thanks!
All of those people you talked to and none of them wanted to give you an answer. Then the last guy lied his ass off and said it was OK to grow a beard. But, wanted you to write a letter to them and inquire about it. As if they would ever answer your letter. They are great question dodgers when they are asked uncomfortable questions. They know how stupid they are going to sound.
I don't understand how you can spend an hour, talk to 5 people, and then they tell you how busy they are with calls and to write a letter. Is this 1935??? People are just going to goggle stuff ! huge W for apostates
@@exjehovahswitness It also showed perfectly clear how desinterseted they really are when you have to tell 3 times in a row which state you are from while pretending to connect to to the office of that state you mentioned in the first place. One saw it coming at the first call there was no intention to answer a question.
I remember when my congregation announced that of you had a beard you could not have privileges on the congregation, so I encouraged my husband to grow one 😄
In hindsight I wasn’t a very good rank and file, I didn’t like being told what to do 😅
They can now lol
Zee zee is always showing up at the best times 😅
he has a good grasp on comedy
Leviticus 19:27
Ye shall not round the corners of your head neither shall thy mar the corners of thy Beard.
So who's bearing false witness JW or Moses????
Surely people would hear the alarm bells ringing with regards to this pathetic rule.
I would think so!
Scripture says that God knew me even before he formed me in my mother's womb. So he knew that I would have the facial hair commonly referred to as a beard. The fact that I don't shave that beard is in compliance with my dedication to God in a Nazarite oath. My beard is Godly because it comes from God and is dedicated to God.
I never decided to have a beard. It was a standard, supplied feature that God gave me. If you have a problem with it, you need to take it up with the design engineer on the project. That's pretty far up the pay scale from where I'm at.
I am inactive probably leaving but your videos make me laugh you are funny you're stating facts
Writing in about a question allows them to know where your live and what your name is.....
Just in case they need to send the A-team (the local elders) to tell you that you need to strengthen your spirituality and take more care of yourself. They never answer to your question, but they thank you for asking them😂
Lol they won't meet with me if I ask!
That and you can't really talk back to or question a letter
@@Alansworstnight if you call the bethel for any question and if you are a "simple" publisher, they never answer to your questions. They first thank you for calling them, and then they always ask you if you ask the question to your elders, and finally they say that they cannot help you with your problem.
I’m deaf. I’m studying Bible with Jehovah’s witnesses. I told my grandmother that Jehovah’s witnesses do not let people have beards. She said Jehovah’s witnesses are wrong and a man set the rules. I decide to grow my beard and just test Jehovah’s witnesses and want to see what they do with me for my beard. . Jehovah’s witnesses let me have a beard. I told them I refuse to shave my beard. They do not let me go on the to stage in give a talk reading Bible because of my beard. Sadly, they sound like Pharisees and I’m patient with elders. They don’t want to me give a talk and preach with the beard. They are afraid that my beard makes affect stumble people who lost their relationship with God or stumble worldly people who will disgusting to see me because of my beard. I disagree with them and they’re wrong. Elders contacted bethel and they let me beard with preaching and give a talk and can baptize.. They need to stop imitating Pharisees' behavior and judgment. I’m patient. If some JW judge me for my beard and I will rebuke them. Let God will take care of and judge them.
Well if they are imitating the Pharisees' what do you think Jesus would think of them and people who support them. Just food for thought.
Wow got a person for ever state to assist?
ikr???
somehow I don't think that is true but who knows
Yeah I call BS on that 😆
If you were asking for a Bible study I'm pretty sure that would have been scheduled immediately.
Not to mention Our bodies are made, by God's design, to grow hair...... Sorry if this is mentioned already.
zeezy showing off his beautiful facial hair during your talk.
he was demonstrating how nice facial hair is