The selling of God's name and Jesus'

[DancesWithWife]

Every day we see items for sell that advertise God, Jesus or faith. I grew up in the era of CB radios being used while driving. One car at an assembly had the "handle" on his vehicle of "YHWH" and the channel. That was one of my first experiences of seeing God's name used this way, I was about 9. Over the years I have seen sites where they sell merchandise directed at Jehovah's Witnesses and yes I have bought a few things. Mostly covers for my bible to protect it. There are also items such as "No Blood" jewelry. 

 

Just out of curiosity I typed in Yahweh, YHWH and Jehovah on certain sites such at Temu, Ebay or Amazon. There is a wide variety of items. When I typed in tetragrammaton, it produced items in all sorts of items to wear. Some wear JW.org pins on their jackets or coats. What would you think of a brother or sister who wore for example a "Yahweh" T-shirt or a shirt with a scripture on it, including God's name? Even a search for example on Temu with "JW.org" produced multiple items including pencils, hats, t-shirts and keychain. 

 

I know how I feel about these items, but how do you feel? What do you think that a communist country, who has opposed JW for years would allow them to make these items? 

[Tortuga]

Many people are encouraged by having trinkets with Jehovah's name or JW.org on it, I hate seeing Jehovah's name commercialized. To each his own, i guess.

[Dages]

I would not buy anything JW related on the internet, this money could go to an apostate using the Name for gain.

[Old]

1 hour ago, Tortuga said:

Many people are encouraged by having trinkets with Jehovah's name or JW.org on it, I hate seeing Jehovah's name commercialized. To each his own, i guess.

Would you be apposed a homemade trinket featuring a theocratic subject?

[carlos]

1 hour ago, DancesWithWife said:

What do you think that a communist country, who has opposed JW for years would allow them to make these items? 

 

I guess they just don't care as long as they sell well.

In Spain where I live there are Chinese shops everywhere where they sell all kinds of cheap articles for home made in China, and you often find a statue of Buddha next to an idol of the Virgin Mary or some Catholic saint.

[Pjdriver]

2 hours ago, DancesWithWife said:

Every day we see items for sell that advertise God, Jesus or faith. I grew up in the era of CB radios being used while driving. One car at an assembly had the "handle" on his vehicle of "YHWH" and the channel. That was one of my first experiences of seeing God's name used this way, I was about 9. Over the years I have seen sites where they sell merchandise directed at Jehovah's Witnesses and yes I have bought a few things. Mostly covers for my bible to protect it. There are also items such as "No Blood" jewelry. 

 

Just out of curiosity I typed in Yahweh, YHWH and Jehovah on certain sites such at Temu, Ebay or Amazon. There is a wide variety of items. When I typed in tetragrammaton, it produced items in all sorts of items to wear. Some wear JW.org pins on their jackets or coats. What would you think of a brother or sister who wore for example a "Yahweh" T-shirt or a shirt with a scripture on it, including God's name? Even a search for example on Temu with "JW.org" produced multiple items including pencils, hats, t-shirts and keychain. 

 

I know how I feel about these items, but how do you feel? What do you think that a communist country, who has opposed JW for years would allow them to make these items? 

 

Jehovah’s name is sacred, and we should use it only in ways that honor Him. Wearing a T-shirt or hat, bumper stickers etc.... with God’s name or a Bible verse might seem like a way to promote faith, but we have to consider if it reflects the dignity and respect Jehovah deserves.

 

For example, if a T-shirt with Jehovah’s name on it is worn in situations where it might be treated casually or even disrespectfully, we could unintentionally leave a bad impression about Jehovah. Not to be taken lightly. 

 

Bible covers or "No Blood” jewelry, record keeping items etc.... they are not usually extravagant or expensive.....but they do serve practical purpose.  I think some sellers are pioneers trying to make a few bucks.....but I doubt they are making lots of money. Maybe some of the bigger bookbinding companies owned by JWs make out well....I really don’t know it’s just my impression. 

 

 However, IMO using God’s name or other spiritual symbols for commercial purposes or on decorative items  blurs the line between honoring Jehovah and treating sacred things in a casual or commercial way.  

 

Ultimately though, it’s a personal decision. Any brother or sister in this business should reflect on their motive for using such items and whether it aligns with the principles of dignity, modesty, and respect for Jehovah.  "Do all things for God’s Glory.” 

 

 

[exactor]

I knew a brother who had a custom ID bracelet made in 18kt gold, with YHWH in large letters. It was interesting.

 

I was doing street work when I was a kid (whenever that was 🤣). I saw something in a window, stopped, backed up, and looked again. It was the tetragrammaton. What is interesting is that it was in the window of an occult shop. I later asked one of the Lord's Brothers why God's name would be in a place like that. He answered that the demons use items like that to get a person to curse God, and that invites the demons to have free reign with the person. That happened almost 70 years ago.

[Juan Silva]

I have a small golden pin (not real gold) with the Tetragrammaton. I wear it on my suit, but only during meetings. My sister has a Bible with the Tetragrammaton on the cover. I see no problem in using it, as long as it is done with due respect, just as the high priest used it on the gold plate on his forehead.

On t-shirts, hats, etc., I find it too casual, so I don’t think it’s appropriate.

 

As for using the jw.org logo, honestly, I don’t like it. I have the impression that its use was discouraged in some announcement, but I’m not sure.

[Mike047]

3 hours ago, Juan Silva said:

just as the high priest used it on the gold plate on his forehead.

I think you will find that there is no similarity between the High Priest's Turban and a bible cover, since the High Priest was required to wear the sign of holiness. Some brothers and sisters, even in modern times, seem to use the tetragram as if it were some kind of charm. In Scandinavia, brothers were counselled against using bracelets with the tetragram in this sort of way. 

[Jwanon]

16 minutes ago, Mike047 said:

Some brothers and sisters, even in modern times, seem to use the tetragram as if it were some kind of charm.

 

We can't read hearts, we can't judge a brother's motives. Only Jehovah and Jesus can know.

[trottigy]

There are many monuments that have the tetragammaton on them. We often point them out as we are happy to see God's name used throughout history. It give us proof of it's use throughout time.

 

I suppose this is just the way this generation does it, eh.

[rocket]

Back in the late 60's early 70's some brothers would put a golden tetragrammaton sticker on the back window of their car. A CO commented, " how would that reflect on Jehovah if you got stopped for a traffic infraction?" The stickers come off without further ado.

Edited yesterday at 05:29 PM by rocket

[Mike047]

58 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

We can't read hearts, we can't judge a brother's motives. Only Jehovah and Jesus can know.

 

38 minutes ago, trottigy said:

I suppose this is just the way this generation does it, eh.

I think we have to be very careful about how this might appear not just to other people, but also to Jehovah himself. We know that he is jealous for his name, and we certainly would not want to be found guilty of defiling it in any way.

 

When the tetragram appears on commercial publications, hardware or software, or garments, or other common items could it not become tantamount to a misuse of that holy name?  

[Jwanon]

1 minute ago, Mike047 said:

could it not become tantamount to a misuse of that holy name?  

 

Jehovah will judge that since he knows the motives

Edited 23 hours ago by Jwanon

[Tortuga]

19 hours ago, DancesWithWife said:

One car at an assembly had the "handle" on his vehicle of "YHWH" and the channel.

I saw a car this morning with a license plate "YAHHWAY". It may be a JW or it may not, I don't know.

Personally, I don't think that brings any glory to Jehovah and it lumps us into the same group as the "Jesus Saves" bumper stickers I have seen. 

[Jason Williams]

Some years ago I had the talk about the silver scroll discovered containing the Tetragrammton, which was dated before the Babylonian captivity. One possible explanation as to its usage was as a good luck charm worn around the neck. If so, would indicate the type of world that Jehovah was about to destroy.

 

I feel any use of Jehovah's name in any commercial way to be tacky and cheapens the reverential awesomeness of his name..

 

We are identified by our Christian behaviour and preaching and not by any trinkets, stickers, key chains etc.

 

 

[rocket]

Back in the early 70's when the "Honk If you love Jesus" bumper stickers were popular, I  put a "Honk if you love Jehovah" sign on my back window.  This was when I was driving 580 miles home from a convention in Vancouver, BC.  I got a lot of honks and a few snears.  Years later I surmised that it was not a good decision as I didn't have a stellar driving record. A lot of what-ifs come to mind. 

[Old]

Do you recall when we had bumper stickers advertising the international conventions in NYC.

Started out honking horns as we came across a few fellow travelers as we were heading east out of CA. By the time we got to Ohio there were so many bumper stickers on the road we got down to just waving. Occasionally we would be passed by friends exceeding the speed limit by to get to NY first.

 

Side note: The bumper stickers had instructions to apply only chromed bumpers, not to painted surfaces. Being who we are many got carried away an pasted them all over the back of their cars. (Instructions were one per vehicle) When they were pealed off, they took the paint with them. 

[Juan Silva]

5 hours ago, Mike047 said:

the High Priest was required to wear the sign of holiness.

 

You're right, it wasn't a good comparison...

 

Anyway, I still don't see a problem with using The Name, as long as it is not used in a superstitious or disrespectful manner.

 

[Mike047]

Of course, Juan, these are personal decisions, and thanks for your comments.