2025 GB Update #5 - Putting to rest issues on “Higher” Education

[Dustparticle]

 

 A secular education in the dental field. It will not take long of learning  to knock out out a person for not feeling the pain while not pulling their teeth out with pliers. End of note.

[Andrey]

Hairstyle. You expressed the idea well, dear brother, David.

https://jwtalk.net/topic/61406-gb-update-2025-5/?do=findComment&comment=1063896

 

Quote

It's incredibly difficult, because we all are coming from different background, culture, etc.

 

We do carry different cultures. If brothers are allowed to wear skirts in some countries, then why wearing a hairdo can be some kind of irritation or surprise. And today, it can also be a question of whether you can do something with your hair or not. Maybe this is a discussion for the future.

[carlos]

4 hours ago, dannysharedstuff said:

Some brothers/sisters work at Bethel / are commuters / remote volunteers and have access to the servers and some inside information. My issue here is that they shouldn't leak any information or give some "hints" about the content of feature releases.

 

I agree. The staff here doesn't have much appreciation for what we call gloryseekers, those who always have to demonstrate that they know something the rest doesn't. 

 

3 hours ago, jwzhang said:

Is it just me, or does it seem like the forum topics are very in tune with the updates we are getting? Organization reading some things here? 😆

 

I think JWTalk is just a sample of what the organization is. The topics we are concerned about and discuss are the same the friends are concerned about and discuss worldwide.

 

3 hours ago, Friend of Peace said:

I guess elders that were deleted because their children went to university will be able to serve again immediately? 

 

Obviously not. Those elders did not follow the instructions they had at the time. Humility would move elders to be obedient and apply the instructions. 

[Romain]

4 hours ago, Andrey said:

Thank you, Jehovah and GB, for understanding us (education topic).

 

Regional Convention 2026 Theme:

 

 

 

I love this theme!

[lord21]

2 hours ago, Andrey said:

So beards and pants, already discussed. Toasts and the ritual at a feast, when people knock their glasses against each other to express greeting, friendship, unity or raise the festive mood, already discussed. Higher education, already discussed. All that remains is tattoos, piercings (jewelry) and hairstyles — to discuss. Maybe something else?

"...you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah." / не робіть на собі татуювання. Я — Єгова. (Leviticus 19:28/Левіт 19:28)

Tattooing is forbidden by Jehovah.

[TheKid23]

5 hours ago, Isaac Lupupa said:

From this update, will it be a problem for an appointed man to pursue additional education or can an exemplary brother who is pursuing additional education at a higher learning institution be considered for appointment as a ministerial servant or perhaps and elder?

It shouldn’t be anyway…. We have several appointed men who are at university. 
 

As said in the Update there are lots of factors to consider- their motive being a big 1 

[TheKid23]

3 hours ago, Andrey said:

that remains is tattoos, piercings (jewelry) and hairstyles — to discuss. Maybe something else?

I’d really love to have an update about hair dying. I know of many sisters who dye their hair unnatural colours who are pioneers & elders wives, Some sisters with dyed hair have also been on the platform at Circuit Assemblies too.  However my elders have explicitly told me that I’m not allowed to have unnatural hair colours if I want to regular pioneer. I was also stopped from giving student talks too when my hair was dyed.

 

I followed their direction and have stayed to my natural colour for a few years now but I’m seeing more and more sisters with unnatural colours and it’s fine with their elders. Are my BOE too strict/ridged? Or are others too lenient? Would be nice to have a clearer understanding in this. 

Edited Friday at 05:16 PM by TheKid23

[Dages]

2 hours ago, Dolce vita said:

My very dear David, we didn't live in the same country then!☺️

There are undoubtedly some congrefations that are a bit 'avant-garde', but I moved around a bit before settling down, and I can assure you that for decades, those who wore beards (or even just wanted to) or who pursued their studies were far, far from being recommended.

I was appointed a MS while in University 20 years ago, like many of my friends in my Cong.

 

Beards were ok during the mid-late 2010s in my area

[Mike047]

Just now, TheKid23 said:

I’d really love to have an update about hair dying.

So would I. Most of mine died years ago, and I'm also looking for an update in the near future.

[Bernadette]

I haven’t watched the update yet but these ‘changes’ are interesting.

 

I find the higher education being considered a personal decision (hope I got that right), a bit tough.

 

My siblings and I grew up in a very low income family. 
My teacher always wanted me to go to uni but I didn’t.  Personally I dont think i missed out because of no uni.

Eventually I got the job I’ve been in for the last 35 years and did ok.  I obtained a degree ‘on the job’ which my employer funded.

 

I should state I left the truth for a long time (from age 21 to nearly 40 - im now 56).  
My deepest regret is not doing what I had planned to do which was full time pioneer.  But I was tired of always being broke (immature thinking).

 

The career I had has caused most of my heartache and damaged me to a severe degree in so many ways.  Its so true that satans systems chews u up - I have first hand experience.
 

Im not saying it’s wrong to pursue education but it’s a big decision and calls for some self analysis of one’s spiritual state.

My sister on the other hand (not in the truth) is quite bitter about not being encouraged into higher education.  It’s one of the things she cites as why she blames the truth for her not reaching her full potential. Although IMO she has done very well for herself.

 

So hearing about this update I have mixed feelings.

 

If I had children (I dont) and they wanted to go to uni I dont think I’d discourage them but I might suggest that they pursue a degree course that would be beneficial in the new world.  
 

At the end of the day Jehovah dignifies us with freedom of choice - but we do have to live with the consequences 😢

[Jwanon]

28 minutes ago, lord21 said:

"...you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah." / не робіть на собі татуювання. Я — Єгова. (Leviticus 19:28/Левіт 19:28)

Tattooing is forbidden by Jehovah.

 

We are not under the mosaic law

[Dages]

13 minutes ago, TheKid23 said:

I’d really love to have an update about hair dying. I know of many sisters who dye their hair unnatural colours who are pioneers & elders wives, Some sisters with dyed hair have also been on the platform at Circuit Assemblies too.  However my elders have explicitly told me that I’m not allowed to have unnatural hair colours if I want to regular pioneer.

 

I followed their direction and have stayed to my natural colour for a few years now but I’m seeing more and more sisters with unnatural colours and it’s fine with their elders. Are my BOE too strict/ridged? Or are others too lenient? Would be nice to have a clearer understanding in this. 

I know a very zealous old Japanese sister with vivid orange dyed hair 

She is unusual for sure but a good pioneer.

 

About piercing... what kind are we talking about?

 

Tatoo is biblically loaded, even more than birthdays, that's a tough boat to turn, we don't want people to stumble, even more from the outside.

Edited Friday at 05:28 PM by Dages

[Jwanon]

3 hours ago, Knight said:

I keep on perceiving that the GB trusts its fellow workers more and more

 

I feel like it's the opposite

 

Everything that has been discussed lately has always been personnal decisions

 

But reading the comments here, some among our brothers have imposed additional rules in the congregations

 

So the GB has to clarify our stance by telling all of us explicitly that we must not judge our fellow believers for things that are not proscribed in the Bible, and giving specific examples (beards, secular education, toasting, etc)

 

So we can't be trusted to follow Bible principles on our own unless we get explicit "permission" from the Organization. And that is normal, because we are imperfect so Jehovah gives us clear direction until we mature, just like he did for the Israelites. Because at the present, we have not matured enough and probably won't be until the start of the Great Tribulation 

Edited Friday at 05:28 PM by Jwanon

[Buckeye]

If it wasn’t frowned upon before then why did they make a video about it? I was offered scholarships and told how this could affect my father’s position as elder in the hall if I accepted.  These weren’t rogue elders, it’s literally written in several watchtowers and books and videos.

[Buckeye]

It’s like with beards they said ‘we’ve never had a problem with beards’ when you would actually get removed for having one. They wouldn’t have to make a video saying we can have beards if it wasn’t a rule that we couldn’t before 

[TheKid23]

27 minutes ago, lord21 said:

"...you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah." / не робіть на собі татуювання. Я — Єгова. (Leviticus 19:28/Левіт 19:28)

Tattooing is forbidden by Jehovah.

To be fair, we are not under that Law anymore.

 

V3 tells us we “should keep my sabbaths” That isn’t a requirement of Jehovah anymore… 

 

 

in that same chapter Jehovah also says “you must not wear a garment made with two sorts of thread mixed together” (19:19). How many of the clothes do you wear only have 1 material in? 
 

 V27 it tells us “You must not shave the hair on the side of your head or disfigure the edges of your beard.” do men not trim their beards or their sideburns? 
 

There’s more examples through Leviticus, but you can’t just take 1 verse out of context and say it’s forbidden by Jehovah when other things in that chapter are acceptable….

 

 

[Jwanon]

7 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

If it wasn’t frowned upon before then why did they make a video about it? I was offered scholarships and told how this could affect my father’s position as elder in the hall if I accepted.  These weren’t rogue elders, it’s literally written in several watchtowers and books and videos.

 

4 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

It’s like with beards they said ‘we’ve never had a problem with beards’ when you would actually get removed for having one. They wouldn’t have to make a video saying we can have beards if it wasn’t a rule that we couldn’t before 

 

They were never forbidden by the organization. It's individuals who have confused warning with proscription. 

 

The videos are telling the responsible brothers to stop imposing rules that the organization never gave. 

Edited Friday at 05:32 PM by Jwanon

[TheKid23]

11 minutes ago, Dages said:

I know a very zealous old Japanese sister with vivid orange dyed hair 

She is unusual for sure but a good pioneer.

 

About piercing... what kind are we talking about?

 

Tatoo is biblically loaded, even more than birthdays, that's a tough boat to turn, we don't want people to stumble, even more from the outside.

1 of our CO wives also had bright orange hair & still does even thought the couple have “retired” from being in the circuit. 

[Dages]

3 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

when you would actually get removed for having one

DF'd for a beard? Bruh.

[Dages]

3 minutes ago, TheKid23 said:

To be fair, we are not under that Law anymore.

 

V3 tells us we “should keep my sabbaths” That isn’t a requirement of Jehovah anymore… 

 

 

in that same chapter Jehovah also says “you must not wear a garment made with two sorts of thread mixed together” (19:19). How many of the clothes do you wear only have 1 material in? 
 

 V27 it tells us “You must not shave the hair on the side of your head or disfigure the edges of your beard.” do men not trim their beards or their sideburns? 
 

There’s more examples through Leviticus, but you can’t just take 1 verse out of context and say it’s forbidden by Jehovah when other things in that chapter are acceptable….

 

 

We keep a kind of sabbath by our lifestyle. Like we have a kind of tithe by our worship 

 

Besides that, clothes and beard trimming isn't as permanent and painful as tatoos

Edited Friday at 05:34 PM by Dages

[TheKid23]

1 minute ago, Dages said:

DF'd for a beard? Bruh.

I assumed they meant removed from a privilege- Elder or MS…. 
 

I’ve never heard of someone being DF’d for having a beard. What would the grounds even be for a JC? 😂

[Dages]

1 minute ago, TheKid23 said:

I assumed they meant removed from a privilege- Elder or MS…. 
 

I’ve never heard of someone being DF’d for having a beard. What would the grounds even be for a JC? 😂

Ho right

[Jwanon]

28 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

it’s literally written in several watchtowers and books and videos.

 

Not a single publication or video said that you can't accept scholarship. 

 

Even the elder's manual doesn't say that. 

 

It simply says that the motive has to be examined to be sure that their spirituality is examplary

Edited Friday at 05:53 PM by trottigy

[Buckeye]

1 minute ago, TheKid23 said:

I assumed they meant removed from a privilege- Elder or MS…. 
 

I’ve never heard of someone being DF’d for having a beard. What would the grounds even be for a JC? 😂

This is what I meant, sorry for the confusion.

[TheKid23]

1 minute ago, Dages said:

We keep a kind of sabbath by our lifestyle. Like we have a kind of tithe by our worship 

 

Besides that, clothes and beard trimming isn't as permanent and painful as tatoos

True,  but a few years ago a person could’ve used that reasoning to justify that having a beard is wrong 🤷‍♀️