Amygdala

The GB has also been faithfully following the lead of the holy spirit to make available Bibles and study publications in all sorts of languages and tongues. Also the Commit Yourself to Jehovah“ drama last convention was an example of what to expect during the GT, and the main characters were all from Africa. If Ukraine or Russia had been used, it would have also fit. The GB has been faithful to Jehovah and Jesus‘ lead to use the organization all around the world. They are not bias, and receive information from Bethels from all around the world, and use it as part of the direction we get. Decisions are made by them, but the needs and feedback come from a variety of sources. Those who are chosen from the GB, have already spent time in New York Bethel, working as helpers already, and have either come from the US or from international countries, or have spent time abroad. The GB has clearly shown not to act partially. We remember Jehovah‘s ways are always perfect, and always righteous and just as the Rock. Deut.32:4

Remember the clause: If that is the standard of dress in THAT land. Which begs the question: what is the standard of dress in Illinois, US? (I assume that is where you live.) Another question: Who set(s) the standard? I don‘t know if that‘s applicable for parts on stage, though. That is more of a worldwide, unified standard of dress. Bethels, and I heard at least in one theocratic school, are still required to wear skirts/dresses. In general, the standards for women around the world in the workplace are business slacks or trousers. During free time activities, jeans or other forms of trousers, although in some cultures they wear mostly garb consisting of traditional dress or skirt even for daily activities (like in some remote villages in Asia or the Middle East, perhaps even African countries). The only occupation where skirts are required that I can think of are airline stewardesses. I can‘t think of any other occupation where women are required to wear skirts, unless worn by choice. Many women in higher positions often feel the need to come across similar to their male counterparts, so chiefs of police, politicians, etc. often wear formal slacks. Nonetheless, the option is there for sisters who have no parts on the stage to wear trousers during general worship. The GB has set the standard of dress for parts on the stage, which doesn‘t apply to how the world sets its standard.

Perhaps some will only grasp the local needs with pictures and/or soliloquy's. 🤷‍♀️Our Bethel here hasn‘t changed regarding dress and grooming. Good idea.

Do you think she was approached afterwards? I really think that some didn‘t really fully grasp or pay attention properly to that part about not wearing slacks on stage, although the announcement imo was clear. Perhaps a reminder announcement will be made? But I‘m sure the brothers are aware and will look after that from happening, even by mistake, again.

Just a small suggestion, you might want to change that because usually the back rows are limited and you can’t really recline your seat due to the wall. Also the washrooms are usually at that location, so you would hear alot of flushing, and if your little one wants to sleep, that might be hard. Legroom on those cheap airlines are really tight. You can also ask the airline directly, and ask which seat would be better with a toddler. They might even change it if you check-in early enough and they see you have your toddler with you. Or you can ask to be re-seated somewhere where it is more comfortable, as they usually reserve a select amount of premium seats for the day of check-in. Happy baby, happy flight. But I would try and contact them beforehand, as nowadays, people rush at reserving the good seats. With my family of 3, some planes have 3 seats on the side. So we had a whole row to ourselves on a few flights, but sadly they are mostly 2-seaters. A few times at check-in at the airport from cheap airlines, we had the surprise privilege of being given the first row. Plenty of legroom there. Most airline personnel do try to make it easier for those with little children, and give them seating and check-in pre-boarding priority. It stops around kindergarten age. So a nice advantage with that.

Nice. Munich is about 6-7 hours away from us. You will enjoy it! Southern Germany is great as there is so many activities for children of any age, especially outdoor activities. One is the Rodelbahn. Here is an example I found online: Rodelbahn. But if that is not your cup of tea, there are many fantastic child-friendly museums here, of any age. Also Sealife. Ice skating is popular, too. There are many English congregations in Munich. They are known for being zealous, and have a nice, encouraging spirit. I am sure you will enjoy. ❤️

You are also allowed to bring a carseat (if you book a seat) for the plane, which is a really good idea when they are small. You can youtube examples, or check the airlines for details. Another important point is that you are allowed to bring your stroller all the way to the gate, and then it will be folded and taken by the airplane staff onto the cabin. That way you don‘t have to carry your carry-on luggage or bags, and a baby all the way to the luggage pick-up area. I didn‘t know this before. I had a tough time the first time I travelled with my 8-month old (she was little so could still fit in one) to Canada to visit family, and had no stroller with me - just her baby carseat. So I ended up buying a carseat frame stroller to attach the carseat into, which was only around $100. but saved me so much grief. Good thing is most strollers allow for carseat attachments onto them, and then later as a normal seat stroller as they grow. Oh I just saw @Esined‘s post. lol

Congratulations! I didn‘t know you had a baby. Great news! If she is under approximately 8 months, most airlines will automatically seat you in the mid-section area of the plane where you have leg room, because there is a folding table on the wall that turns into a bed where she can sleep. It has straps so the baby doesn‘t fall off the bed. Also gives you room to put her on the floor if need be, and I used to bring a blanket for that reason. You will also get a special baby strap that is attached to your seat and her so that if there is suddenly an emergency, the weight of your body doesn‘t go onto the baby. I am assuming you are talking about human, right?

Interesting. Money will certainly be the catalyst that gets the world moving against BtG. No doubt her riches becoming a target from the world’s political leaders.

We may need to do this with some in the congregation who have personal reasons for disliking beards, or the wearing of no ties or skirts. It could be some avoid certain individuals, or pass down negative judgments, so we all have to be patient in working with such ones. It is new and for some will take getting used to see it becoming the norm. Some areas (like I mentioned while traveling) may hardly make any changes, whereas some areas may all be about change, so we all need to be flexible. Keep smiling, avoid debates, keep faithful and be an example for others within our localities with our actions and speech.

Understandable. Of course we can’t guarantee that none of our brothers will be terrorist (like the former one in Hamburg), but as a friend, by being a listening ear to this brother is good. He knows you personally and knows now that you are growing a beard and knows you won’t do anything extremist in style. You can reassure him, as it is with the rest of our brothers who wear beards, that our dress and grooming doesn’t represent an idealistic viewpoint, but is just a matter of taste. That there are still some who choose not to wear beards, and in the end that we are all united, peaceful brothers and sisters and the way we choose to dress or groom ourselves is not tied to any extremist or rebellious thinking. Maybe he’ll come around in time, or maybe he’ll even need counselling. But prayer will definitely soothe his mind. Also the extremist, Osama Bin Laden type of beards , or the extensively long beards is, as far as I know, not the type the brothers are choosing to wear, so hopefully he doesn’t even get opportunity to get triggered within our loving brotherhood.

I just did a bit of research as we are currently on vacation, but interesting to read that the Quran doesn’t specifically say beards are required, but for many Muslims, it is more tied into the religious and traditional cultures that encourage men to grow them. Also interesting to read the significance of red beards. But facts aside, if someone was once heavily involved in such practices, there could indeed be emotional or traumatic associations, and I could understand their complete avoidance of personally wearing one regarding such. But sounds like the brother who had such connections is ok with others wearing them. The truth can set one free. https://religionsfacts.com/the-symbolism-and-significance-of-a-red-beard-in-islam/ 2. Religious Reasons for Men Growing Beards in Islam In Islam, growing a beard is often seen as a religious duty and a sign of adherence to Islamic principles. The Quran does not explicitly command the growing of beards, but various Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) emphasize the importance of maintaining facial hair. For many Muslims, growing a beard is an act of religious devotion and a reflection of their commitment to their faith. 4. Individual Choice and Expression Misconception: Some misconceptions suggest that individuals with red beards are compelled to grow them due to religious obligations or societal pressures. Clarification: The decision to grow a red beard, or any beard for that matter, is a personal choice and expression of one’s identity, faith, or cultural heritage. It is not mandated by Islam as a religious obligation for all men. Muslims have different interpretations and practices regarding facial hair, and it is important to acknowledge and respect the autonomy of individuals in making personal grooming choices.

Wow, that’s a first for me. Can I ask what kind of background led this brother to become extremely bothered by beards or be as a possible stumbling block?

Very true. You could be doing everything right, being conscious of the need not to be a stumbling block, and yet still receive unsavoury or negative judgments from others. Those few who get stumbled out of the Truth because of some action have more deeper issues, that might not necessarily be because of a certain style of dress or grooming. But in the end, part of our training is dealing with the imperfections of others, enduring setbacks from others and yet keeping our joy, and also helping them see the positives in you being a fellow, faithful servant of Jehovah, or the positives in life in general, if they are in a frame of mind of doing so. Knowing that we’ve done everything on our part to be in united by our words and actions, we can be assured Jehovah is pleased with us. Also that others in the congregation appreciate our value, and also the worldwide organization. When you see the brothers and sisters smiling and greeting from their part of the world at the end of Broadcasting, you just see happy, united faces despite varying differences, but in the end we are one big happy and united family.

I was watching the following video again when considering this week’s Bible reading. Brother Ciranko spoke about the new study course we share, the Enjoy Life Forever interactive publication. He shared an interesting illustration the brothers on the committee were shown when it came to trying to find a solution to helping interested ones become progressive vs. stagnant Bible students or who quit. We had, for years, been used to the standard question and answer format, but times have changed, people have changed, so what used to work before doesn’t work anymore. It was the illustration of connecting the dots with just 4 lines. He showed how the mind normally thinks - we tend to put a box around and then finished. But instead of being trapped within those 4 walls, the illustration showed the need to think outside of the box. All the work showed evidence of the holy spirit backing this need for thinking outside of the box. It seems to me applicable when it comes to what is considered now acceptable standards of respectful appearance in the world today. What might have been viewed proper and acceptable standards of respectful appearance 50 or even 30 years ago, has seemed to change over the past few years. So it seems unsurprising to me that this latest change in dress and grooming reflects the times we are living in today.

Just did the exhibition tour at the Finland Bethel. All the brothers I saw coming and going were wearing ties and clean-shaven (except my husband). I think I saw one brother without a tie, but he could have been a visitor. 😅

Absolut. 🙏 Wir sind gesegnet. ❤️

I also get the feeling certain cultures need expressed rules to avoid cultural stigmas if someone is not dressed as standard. Thus I see why differing BOE’s decisions. Actually as a help.

No the reason isn’t right, but if some do wear slacks for non-congregational parts, and it’s common for women to wear slacks in the area, then it’s a personal decision if one chooses to do so.

An RV texted me yesterday and asked if March 24th was the night Jesus died? So I sent her brief info about when Jesus instituted the Lord’s evening meal, and being based on the lunar calendar. So today’s scriptures I will send the info that the Passover was to be celebrated 2 days later and that the Pharisees wanted him gone before then, so the planning took place. Then explain that Jesus instituted the memorial on day 14 of the month Nisan, which was the night he died.

Thinking about my Canadian brothers and sisters from the westcoast: 2000 earthquakes in one day

Thank you for this. I will be engaged in cart witnessing today and was debating if I should wear trousers, because of the Memorial season. But seeing me in slacks may actually encourage some to attend again.

This is the point, isn’t it? Whatever is proper for the local community/culture/area. I would imagine it would be more formal in certain cultures, even within the same country. For us here, the brothers wearing ties in our community and the culture we are trying to reach, wearing formal attire just comes across negatively, so some of the brothers would zip up their jackets and cover their ties to not look intimidating. But I am confident the GB trusts that the sisters know what is appropriate as proper dress (no pun intended) and non-proper dress for their particular areas. The announcement that “slacks allowed” was simply mentioned for literally a few seconds at the end of the update, shows that it’s not something the GB sees a need to make exceptional rules about or explanations on how the sisters should wear it modestly. Other than no fitness wear, jeans or maybe anything that would resemble worldly styles (like holes or advertising).

For the warmer climates (like you guys), definitely tasteful. Also appropriate for the summer months in colder countries.

That reminds me of here in Germany back in 2006+. A few sisters in surrounding German congregations were wearing trousers out in the ministry. They were mostly older sisters, too. But the trend hit the younger ones, and sometimes we wore it even the summer. The slacks were very dignified, and made sense in the winter. It was addressed at the time by our local CO, and I would tend to think that would have been communicated to the local branch, then headquarters, but the trend just seemed to die off on it’s own. So here we are 18 years later. The timing to me seems more evident now, though, compared to 18 years ago. It seems like everything is lining up in accord with the way the situation of the world is developing and the need to be more cautious. For those who might have received unsavoury reactions in the past, we have to remember that Jehovah’s chariot has eyes all around it’s wheels. When things need changing, He makes those things happen at the right time. Keeping up with the chariot, though, is important. Obedience to whatever direction and whatever instructions we were given in the past was important to following in the lead of the chariot. Even if there were a few bumps along the way.