Why do you use the expression: 'the friends'?

[kejedo]

1 minute ago, Maʹher-shalʹal-hash-baz said:

I was corrected on that decades ago when my fleshly sister stopped by during my Bible study. I introduced my Study Conductor and her Assistant by first name. During an informal conversation, I used the word "we." When my sister left,  I was thusly put in my place by the two sisters, who admonished me that I could NOT include myself in a conversation involving them and using the pronoun "we."  Their Conversation made it clear that I was not to refer to any of the Friends as Brother or Sister b/c I was not Baptized, neither was I to use that term to some one else, who was equally not Baptized. 
 

 

We use something similar here, but inverse. We show how they now have a 'spiritual' family: We call each other brother and sister.

Just Older
 

 

 

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

Here an unbaptised publisher is called Brother/Sister from the platform. Interested ones only by their name.
Technically, your experience may be accurate, but the reality here (downunder), we are less exacting.

Just Older

[Qapla]

...

[Ahuvah]

1 hour ago, kejedo said:

When I am inviting Bible Students to Kingdom Hall, it is generic to mention that I would like them to meet some more of My/Our/The Friends. It may be too early to explain the spiritual connotation of Sisters/ Brothers. At least for me, it is more conversational. 

Yes I might say My friends - but not 'The Friends' and it's usually towards an individual not the collective. Just different cultures really that's all.

Edited November 11, 2019 by Stormswift

[jwhess]

Jesus used a similar thought of his brothers and disciples being called "friends"

 

John 15:15…”…But I have called you friends, because I have made known to you all the things I have heard from my Father.

[Ahuvah]

Is the term 'friends' though or the term 'the friends' ? ... slight difference ... maybe? 

[Luigi62]

Sorry. if a brother/sister comes up to me and says "this is my friend" i think that the "friend" is not apart of Jehovah Organization but someone the brother/sister went to school or work with.

 

p.s my mum did this to introduce her work friend (Non-Witness) to our family that are witness. It was a way of saying she is NOT a witness in front of her.

[jwhess]

I don’t have a lot of time to devote this topic about calling the brothers “Friends” but I took a quick trip down memory-lane and have attached a few references to the Watchtower use of Frineds, starting with Br. Russell and going through Br. Rutherford.

 

The Watchtower Society was begun in the USA (at God’s direction, apparently).  The brothers who rigininated the modern preaching work and distribution of spiritual food chose words and idioms from American English.  If other cultures or reagions find the wording different, it is to be expected.

 

The question for this topic was “why” the use of friends.  It began in print 140 years ago and the brothers here have maintained the wording to this day.  It is very simple.  A scriptural basis and printed history and respect for the words of our forefathers in faith.

Each of the snapshot clips use the word “friend” in reference to brothers and sisters or even Circuit Overseers and Pioneers (Pilgrims and Colporteurs).

 

 

[tekmantwo]

2 hours ago, Luigi62 said:

apart of Jehovah Organization

Or did you mean  'a part of Jehovah's Organization'?

 

Two very different meanings....

[tekmantwo]

13 hours ago, Bek said:

Personally I think it is inappropriate to use the term to address fellow believers when you are not friends. 

You may need to re-think this... Your fellow worshippers, your Brothers and Sisters, should be your friend as well....

[Ahuvah]

Yes if you aren't friends with your brothers and sisters - you are going to be very lonely. I don't have a problem with the term, just we don't use it ... we use brothers or brothers and sisters. I can't see it being a problem though, just different.

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

I think the term is a cultural thing. We will adopt that which is popular in our area/ culture.
I do not see either 'wrong', but I use the term I grew up with.

Just Older

[Zephyr]

Goodnight...AMIGOS!!!

[Paradise-Lover]

So, everything said, it's very very appropriate to use the terminology "friends" in referring to our fellow believers. IMHO, it evokes a feeling of "brotherliness and "togetherness" to a higher degree than the term "brother". It's "deeper", if you get my drift! ❤️ We use it over here. Our CO does too. No qualms!

Edited November 12, 2019 by Chuka

[EccentricM]

10 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

While many a truth is said in jest, the term has been used in the United State long, long before social media and gender neutrality ever came to be.  

 

The first few times I heard it, I was puzzled.  I thought it was silly and made us sound like Quakers.

 

 

I was talking about using the phrase "friends" for "aquaintences" as @Guri was on about.

Edited November 12, 2019 by EccentricM

[Luigi62]

,in johns letter he use the term “friends” preferring to the christian congregation.

[Luigi62]

IMHO Brothers have a closer bond than friends. But sometimes friends are closer than brothers. So… 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

Which ever works for you.

[Rose94]

Interesting to see the responses, I prefer brothers/sisters because it makes it feel more familial. 'The friends' just sounds a bit weird to me (I think it's the definite article), but I guess it is a cultural thing. Ah well, we're all different aren't we! I'm sure there are worse things we could be called 

[Guri]

9 hours ago, EccentricM said:

I was talking about using the phrase "friends" for "aquaintences" as @Guri was on about.

@EccentricM, 
 

What I am saying is this: I wouldn’t like to use word “friends” on those who aren’t my friends but just “aquaintences”. I feel I would water down the meaning of the friendship. Same can be said to anyone or any group who aren’t my friends. I would like to say these ones are my friends if I don’t know them personally and if I don’t have a friendship (friendly relationship). Having said that, I do not criticise those who use word “friend” for everyone and I do not expect form anyone to have same opinion or attitude to this subject as I do. 

Edited November 12, 2019 by Guri
Clarification

[Guri]

@EccentricM

 

What I am saying is this: I wouldn’t like to use word “friends” on those who aren’t my friends but just “aquaintences”. I feel I would water down the meaning of the friendship. Same can be said to anyone or any group who aren’t my friends. I would NOT like to say these ones are my friends if I don’t know them personally and if I don’t have a friendship (friendly relationship). Having said that, I do not criticise those who use word “friend” for everyone and I do not expect form anyone to have same opinion or attitude to this subject as I do. 

 

P.S.

I had to repost the comment as I have missed the word "NOT". 

[Thesauron]

[mention=8368]EccentricM[/mention]
 
What I am saying is this: I wouldn’t like to use word “friends” on those who aren’t my friends but just “aquaintences”. I feel I would water down the meaning of the friendship. Same can be said to anyone or any group who aren’t my friends. I would NOT like to say these ones are my friends if I don’t know them personally and if I don’t have a friendship (friendly relationship). Having said that, I do not criticise those who use word “friend” for everyone and I do not expect form anyone to have same opinion or attitude to this subject as I do. 
 
P.S.
I had to repost the comment as I have missed the word "NOT". 

I’m not sure people use the word ‘friends’ for just acquaintances, but rather for people who share the same faith. That’s a very deep thing to share, much deeper than any other interests or affiliations you might have. Hopefully, we’re all friends in the congregation. And also, like the song says, “We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters, and more. And I love you even though I never met you before.”

[Ahuvah]

2 minutes ago, Thesauron said:

I’m not sure people use the word ‘friends’ for just acquaintances, but rather for people who share the same faith. That’s a very deep thing to share, much deeper than any other interests or affiliations you might have. Hopefully, we’re all friends in the congregation. And also, like the song says, “We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters, and more. And I love you even though I never met you before.”

I thought of that song too.

[Guri]

1 hour ago, Thesauron said:

Hopefully, we’re all friends in the congregation. And also, like the song says, “We are sisters, we are brothers, sons and daughters, and more. And I love you even though I never met you before.”

I could not find the word "friends" in these words. Have I missed it? 

[Thesauron]

I could not find the word "friends" in these words. Have I missed it? 

No. That’s not the point. The point was that we have a close and loving relationship even though we do not know each other personally since we are a global congregation. We are many things, we are brother sisters, sons, daughters, and yes, we are friends. Jesus set the example. Next time you walk into an international convention, stop and think for a while: all of these people are your friends. And next time you go to your congregation, stop and think: all of these dear brothers and sisters are your friends. Because you share the most important thing in your life.

 

[Ahuvah]

20 minutes ago, Guri said:

I could not find the word "friends" in these words. Have I missed it? 

I think it's the difference too, between sentiments and habits of speech. Neither terms are incorrect by any means. And both 'brothers and sisters versus 'The Friends' are endearing speech to those of the organization we love dearly.

 

It's just whether that term is used or not used in your area really. I took particular note last night as to whether this term is being used and I've missed it - so far definitely not used - but that doesn't mean what is conveyed has a different meaning than those who use the term.