Any opinions on the formally informal disapproval of facial hair within the congregation? Has anyone else noticed the stance softening? How do you feel about this?

Do you see people who would still be offended by a brother keeping his appearance masculine?

 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha . . . . . . . . . .
OK, here is a take from the old days. It's acceptable to whatever is not popular to the world at the time. Back in the 60's/70's, it was popular among "Hippies", unpopular among JW's. Why? They didn't want to be mistaken as Hippies, or those against the establishment.
What did the leaders do in the late 1800's ? They wore beards! Long, Bushy Ones! Where in the scriptures does it state whether you could or could not have a beard? Well . . . you probably wouldn't want one if you are a women.

Having a beard seems to be "popular" with the "millennials". Do you want to be identified with them? Ahhh, for shame! Ha!
Just make sure you don't look like you haven't shaved in a day or two. Scruffffyy!!

 

To Beard or Not to Beard, that is the question! Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous facial hair, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?

 

Oh me oh may, should have searched the bible before I made that stupid beard joke! So, let the men grow them as long or however they want. “If a man or woman has a sore on the head or the beard," (Lev 13:29 NKJV )

He has gone up to the temple and Dibon, To the high places to weep. Moab will wail over Nebo and over Medeba; On all their heads will be baldness, And every beard cut off. ( Isa 15:2 NKJV )

 

So, the way I look at it: 1- All biblical patriarchs are assumed to have has beards. 2- Beards are always specifically positive in the bible:

3- The only biblical negativity regarding beards equates a man's shaving of his beard to mutilating his flesh.

(Similar references to people mutilating themselves by shaving their beard in Leviticus 21:5, Ezra 9:3, and Jeremiah 41:5)

4- Or as a sign of significant shame and dishonor:

The same event is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 19:5, but other people are demonstrated as having been defeated and dishonored by being mutilated (Beard trimmed, head shaved, clothes ripped, flesh cut) in Jeremiah 48:37, Isaiah 7:20 and 15:2.


Ezekiel 5:1 is also interesting describing a unique "beard sacrifice."

Anyway, we avoid birthdays because it's never specifically mentioned in a positive light, and the only two times it's mentioned, it ends poorly. Plus the modern observable tendency for many children to be spoiled by expectations of obligatory presents. Beards seem to be the opposite... always spoken of positively in the bible, never negatively.

This could also be extended to certain verses that disapprove of women presenting themselves as overly masculine and men making themselves to be overly feminine... Shaving one's beard is a way to do that. The Governing Body has also lately been oddly vocal in it's disapproval of men wearing tight pants so as to avoid fitting in with certain communities... communities which favor men to have clean-shaved faces more so than tight pants.

... more significantly, in my opinion is that the last thing modern JW's cling to when avoiding beards is not to appear rebellious so as not to cause others to stumble... and that IS indeed a danger worth the mild inconvenience of yielding one's personal style choices. However, I don't believe I've ever seen anyone discouraged in their faith because of the presence of a bearded man. But I -have- spoken to people who've been actively stumbled by the unbiblical and seemingly arbitrary pressure that one must decide between their masculinity and their relationship with God. This unnecessary control -has- driven people away from the congregation and brought reproach upon Jehovah's name.

That's why I've been wearing a beard for a few years now. Not to make myself special, but to desensitize my congregation. I got a few odd looks at first, perhaps, but it stopped being "weird" and "novel" relatively quickly. The intent isn't to draw attention toward myself, but hopefully to make future people who come to the same conclusion feel less out of place because they won't have to break ground that's already been broken.

 

It also seems a bit odd that I've heard conflicting reasons. Sometimes it's to avoid being seen as "trying to fit in with the popular culture (of hippies)" ... but when hippies stopped being popular, and the clean-shaven look became popular, the reasoning switched to "We don't want to draw attention to ourselves by appearing abnormal, and we should fit in with what's socially acceptable."

So are we to fit in with culture? Or are we counter-culture? Or are we counter-counter-culture? Is it acceptable to potentially stand between someone and their faith because of unbiblical fashion trends?

 

When I was introduced to the Truth, I had quite a beard. I also have long hair, and was considered to be a Hippie. I was not a Hippie. I was a REBEL! But, I also had a regular job, and attended college courses in Journalism. I was going to be a News Reporter/Journalist. (HA! ) It didn’t last long. Just long enough to see all those egos.

 

I knew an elder who had a beard. He had a skin condition which would not allow him to shave. He kept it cropped and neat.

In the 1950s, the Society often drew a clean shaven Jesus. Remember too that a sure sign of apostates is that the first thing they do when they leave is grow a beard ... I guess I'm guilty.

Russell had a beard, so did many of the Bible Students in his day.

RR