Is This Piece Of Jewelry Appropriate?

[Sally]

Hi All!

 

I make jewelry. I saw this bracelet and love it (MINUS THE CROSS) because it's meaningful. Is there anything wrong with making and wearing something like this?  Is it considered an idol? It is religious because each crystal has meaning from words in the verses. Also, the verses would come from our Bible.

 

I appreciate your input.

 

Ann

[pnutts]

Remove the cross and it looks fine for a young or younger woman

[Sheila]

Crystals are crystals and colours are colours.   The meaning of colour is hocus pocus dreamed up by the airy-fairy people to make money.     Green for grass, blue for heavens, black for death?    Good grief, I'm sure Jehovah didnt have these things in mind when he created rocks.    Does this rubbishy bit of paper mean that the next time I wear my black jeans, black earrings, or even a black ribbon I'll be asked if someone in my family has died?   And by wearing my favourite red dress, does that mean that I'm declaring I love food?    Rip up that paper and bin it.    

 

And that little cross is called a 'charm'.   By attaching one of those little bitty things to a bracelet, the bracelet then becomes a charm bracelet.   And that is an absolute no-no.    I'm actually staggered by the number of sisters that wear them, even though we've had counsel about not just charm bracelets, but toe rings and slave bracelets that are worn around the ankles.    At our Conventions and Assemblies the brothers give the sisters a quick once-over to ensure they aren't wearing any of these things before they go onto the platform. 

 

There is nothing wrong with making jewellery from crystals, we have several in our congregation who do so, but if you run with the colour theory and chat about it to buyers, well, you are then moving in the wrong direction.    

 

No offence Sister Ann, but I'm surprised you had to ask this question.    You obviously a doubt in your mind.    There is an old saying "If in doubt, don't".  It's good, and works every time. 

[Sally]

I have looked for an article that says that a charm bracelet is wrong. I am unable to locate one. I would very much appreciate that information since I make jewelry.

 

Thank you,

 

Ann

[Sally]

I see this:

 

CHARMS (Magical)

(See also Amulets; Fetishism)

discussion: it-1 428

experiences:

medium’s oil: w94 1/1 11

good-luck charms: w93 9/1 3-7

snake charming: it-1 428

 

 

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200271153

 

I certainly have NOTHING like any of the above items. Any further info?

 

Thanks,

[cricket246]

I have always wandered about the charm bracelets and I even asked a couple of elders and even some sisters. What's the difference in wearing a charm on a bracelet and a necklace with a shaped pendant? Aren't pendants and charms basically the same thing? The elders told me it was a conscience matter just like paisley patterns, pinatas and windchimes lol The scriptures admonish to question whether these things are so. And it's good that you asked before doing something. Jehovah says those that those  go to spiritual ones for direction are showing spiritual progress.  

Edited February 13, 2016 by cricket246

[hatcheckgirl]

3 hours ago, razzy said:

I see this:

 

CHARMS (Magical)

(See also Amulets; Fetishism)

discussion: it-1 428

experiences:

medium’s oil: w94 1/1 11

good-luck charms: w93 9/1 3-7

snake charming: it-1 428

 

 

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200271153

 

I certainly have NOTHING like any of the above items. Any further info?

 

Thanks,

Hi Ann,

 

I can see it's something you have checked out, and especially as there are some items of jewellery that can fall into the spiritualistic aspect, it is good to re-examine how we are going at times.  I think the picture of the bracelet is lovely, of course without the cross as you said.  We don't attribute anything spiritual to the colours of the stones, just as Sheila pointed out. 

 

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012922#h=3:550-3:1109 - Exerpt from this article is interesting:

 

Professor Harry Y. Gamble wrote about “the magical use of Christian texts.” He noted that in the third century, Church Father Origen suggested that “the very sound of sacred words in the ear is somehow beneficial: if words have power in pagan magic, how much more powerful must be the truly divine words of scripture.” John Chrysostom of the late fourth century wrote that “the devil will not dare to approach a house where a Gospel is lying.” He also reported that some hung excerpts from the Gospels from their necks as a powerful amulet. Professor Gamble further noted that the Catholic theologian Augustine “considered it permissible in case of a headache to sleep with a copy of the Gospel of John under one’s pillow”! Thus Bible texts were employed for magical purposes. Would you consider the Bible to be an amulet, or a good-luck charm, that could protect you from evil?

 

And you are not doing this, so no worries   So go ahead and make beautiful bracelets without apprehension.  So long as it is just as a piece of jewellery, and not as anything mentioned in those articles, then it's fine.

[Peanuts]

11 hours ago, Sheila said:

 

I'm actually staggered by the number of sisters that wear them, even though we've had counsel about not just charm bracelets, but toe rings and slave bracelets that are worn around the ankles.    

 

Whats wrong with with toe rings?

 

Edited February 13, 2016 by Peanuts

[jayrtom]

 

Whats wrong with with toe rings?

 

Maybe in her area it's something that stumbles a lot of sisters

Much like the beards, double earrings or several other fashion things, it's something dependent on the local

[jayrtom]

 

Whats wrong with with toe rings?

 

Maybe in her area it's something that stumbles a lot of sisters

[Pjdriver]

18 hours ago, Sheila said:

 

And that little cross is called a 'charm'.   By attaching one of those little bitty things to a bracelet, the bracelet then becomes a charm bracelet.   And that is an absolute no-no.    I'm actually staggered by the number of sisters that wear them, even though we've had counsel about not just charm bracelets, but toe rings and slave bracelets that are worn around the ankles. 

No offence Sister Ann, but I'm surprised you had to ask this question.    You obviously a doubt in your mind.    There is an old saying "If in doubt, don't".  It's good, and works every time. 

 

Sheila, I couldn't find that article about charm/ankle bracelets and toe rings, could you cite that for me?

The saying if in doubt, could also mean research it. I think if seems important and it's something you must decide quickly and you don't have time, then your advice would be wise.....don't do it.

[ChrisC]

It's difficult sometimes isn't it.

Before Emma and I started studying she bought me a gold crucifix necklace. As soon as I got the point I flushed the crucifix and the chain down the toilet. I mentioned it to a brother soon afterwards and he said 'Oh. I would have kept the chain.'

(Not sure what point I'm making but I've typed it now!)

 

[Pjdriver]

1 hour ago, ChrisTheConfused said:

It's difficult sometimes isn't it.

Before Emma and I started studying she bought me a gold crucifix necklace. As soon as I got the point I flushed the crucifix and the chain down the toilet. I mentioned it to a brother soon afterwards and he said 'Oh. I would have kept the chain.'

(Not sure what point I'm making but I've typed it now!)

 

Now there's holy water in your toilet.

[Pjdriver]

we need an undo button. At least I do.

[Brother_Bliss]

I thought Lucy's comments above were of value. I snickered at the thought of sleeping with the gospel of John under my pillow, lol. It goes to show how people can add meaning where there is none, and these in turn give birth to superstitions and 'magical' themes.

 

On 2/12/2016 at 3:35 PM, razzy said:

I saw this bracelet and love it (MINUS THE CROSS) because it's meaningful. Is there anything wrong with making and wearing something like this?  Is it considered an idol? It is religious because each crystal has meaning from words in the verses. Also, the verses would come from our Bible.

 

The object itself is pretty. Toss the cross, and don't make a connection between the bracelet and the bible verses, and you can sell them to your sisters all day long. In truth, the crystals have no meaning at all. They're just plastic, glass, or gems. Nothing more ;)

 

Conscience is a funny thing sometimes. When I went to New York and toured Bethel, I stayed at an inn owned by witnesses and they had a gift shop where they sold earrings that looked like silver Watchtower logos. My wife @Crystal Angle asked if I would buy her some. I said NO WAY! That's no different than wearing a cross. And to this day, I feel the same way.

 

Occasionally, I see sisters wearing them. I just keep my lips zipped though.

 

[alba aurora]

Quote

Conscience is a funny thing sometimes. When I went to New York and toured Bethel, I stayed at an inn owned by witnesses and they had a gift shop where they sold earrings that looked like silver Watchtower logos. My wife @Crystal Angle asked if I would buy her some. I said NO WAY! That's no different than wearing a cross. And to this day, I feel the same way.

Glad you mentioned this. I thought I was the only one that felt that wearing a Watchtower logo is no different than wearing a cross. So I am not crazy after all.

 

Also the bracelet in question is beautiful. Minus the cross of course. Stones are stones.

 

[Sheila]

In reply to both Brother Burt, and Sister Anna who queried 'whats wrong with toe rings', I couldn't find any reference to toe rings, other than I remember they being mentioned at a local assembly.     But if you research, you will find that toe rings are worn by Hindu women (and also men) on both second toes to indicate they are married.   So, its a religious thing when its all boiled down.  

 

Isaiah 3: 16 - 24 is interesting and tells how Jehovah views Jewish women, and their ornamentation - and it specifically mentions charms, finger and nose rings, and ankle chains.   Do you think his views have changed?   

 

The Watchtower 1993 (January  9/1) contains an article on good luck charms.   Todays women may not think too much about wearing them, considering them only as fashion items, but they were originally worn to ward off evil spirits.    

 

We are cautioned to be modest, and to be different from the world.   What impression are we perhaps making by wearing items that could be viewed by some as alternative lifestyle?   

Edited February 15, 2016 by Sheila
wanted to clarify my answer

[Pjdriver]

2 hours ago, Sheila said:

In reply to both Brother Burt, and Sister Anna who queried 'whats wrong with toe rings', I couldn't find any reference to toe rings, other than I remember they being mentioned at a local assembly.     But if you research, you will find that toe rings are worn by Hindu women (and also men) on both second toes to indicate they are married.   So, its a religious thing when its all boiled down.  

 

Isaiah 3: 16 - 24 is interesting and tells how Jehovah views Jewish women, and their ornamentation - and it specifically mentions charms, finger and nose rings, and ankle chains.   Do you think his views have changed?   

 

The Watchtower 1993 (January  9/1) contains an article on good luck charms.   Todays women may not think too much about wearing them, considering them only as fashion items, but they were originally worn to ward off evil spirits.    

 

We are cautioned to be modest, and to be different from the world.   What impression are we perhaps making by wearing items that could be viewed by some as alternative lifestyle?   

 

Sheila, wedding rings on your finger can also be traced back with pagan origins. The calendar we use is based on pagan gods, I could go on and on. 

We have had articles from the FS expressing that not everything with pagan origin is a "no, no" as you say. 

If these bother your conscience,  then by all means you should not wear them. We should all respect your conscience.

On the other hand,  we shouldn't make blanket statements that anything with pagan origins is wrong to wear.

A major factor is how local people view them as was the case in the scripture you cited in Isaiah. 

 Does the average western woman connect a toe ring with worship? I doubt it very much. In a country like India...perhaps, I don't know.

 

I remember a brother being prevented from doing a part at the assembly by a CO because his hair was just barely touching his ear. In some cases this can be a personal thing. Also they hold standards much higher on the assembly platform in case some in the audience have issues. As Paul said 'if food is sacrificed to idols, eat it, it's just food. But if it stumbles your brother, avoid it for their sake'.  In other words there's nothing necessarily wrong because of the connection to false religion....but if others have a sensitive conscience then let it go.

[Peanuts]

On 2/13/2016 at 11:47 AM, jayrtom said:

Maybe in her area it's something that stumbles a lot of sisters

They need to wear smaller toe rings if they stumbling over them 

[jayrtom]

They need to wear smaller toe rings if they stumbling over them 

Lool

Just like someone stumbles in beards

Enviado do meu LG-D855 através de Tapatalk

[Peanuts]

7 hours ago, Sheila said:

In reply to both Brother Burt, and Sister Anna who queried 'whats wrong with toe rings', I couldn't find any reference to toe rings, other than I remember they being mentioned at a local assembly.     But if you research, you will find that toe rings are worn by Hindu women (and also men) on both second toes to indicate they are married.   So, its a religious thing when its all boiled down.  

 

 

I guess even at assemblies people can mention things that are personal opinion. i looked up toe rings the other day before i posted the question and saw that Hindu women wear them to show they're married, but they are in no way connected to worship. 

 

I think the up to date version of Watchtower earrings would be the jw.org logo, some people have gone a bit crazy with it (in my opinion!)

 

Anyway, back to the bracelet...was it the fact that it linked to the Bible verses that you particularly liked it? in which case, i thought the links were a bit tenuous - brown for staff as an example. maybe something better would be beads in the colours of the rainbow the verse about the covenant Jehovah made....or the colours described in Revelation? For me personally, I wouldn't really want it linked to anything...not because it offends me, just because its not really my thing.

[Sally]

I preach on twitter. Many apostates have posted that we have made our own idols - Watchtower jewelry/ pins, etc...  They have a picture of a cross on a chain next to a lapel pin and ask, "what's the difference"? I didn't believe them about Watchtower jewelry or pins. I do now and I am shocked.

Just know that apostates are watching and are using our use of such things against us.

 

YS-Ann

 

 

[Nobody]

I think the obvious answer is we are advertising a web site not using a pagan symbol used for worship.

[califlorican]

I don't see a problem with charm bracelets (without crosses of course) or toe rings. I like the bracelet you posted a picture of (again, without the cross). 

 

Also, I agree some people go too far with  having everything be jw.org, but it's definitely not being worshipped. I don't wear them, but I don't mind if others do. 

[Brother_Bliss]

12 hours ago, razzy said:

They have a picture of a cross on a chain next to a lapel pin and ask, "what's the difference"?

 

The difference is that people will think the cross is some sort of magical amulet. People worship or venerate the cross. The cross has always been an object of false worship even since BEFORE the Christian Era. Connecting the cross to Christianity promotes a lie.

 

JW.org pins are just advertising, nothing more.