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Another useless component of feminine gear is high heels, which shorten a woman's steps, hurt her back, and make it easier for her to fall down and therefore necessary for her to cling to a man. Add to this apparel a tight skirt that is also too short, about a pound of makeup, and one-inch fingernails, and you have a crippled princess, someone unable to do anything but have others wait on her, while laboring under the mistaken assumption that in this state she is somehow more feminine than others. Compare such a woman with Rebekah, who when she makes her first appearance is noted to be ``very attractive in appearance'', though she arrived attired for watering a caravan of camels singlehandedly. (Gen 24:16-20) I don't believe she was wearing pants at the time, either. But come to think of it, neither were any of the men.
Most parents desire their children to become faithful good examples, mainstream Witnesses, but also hope to spare them the tribulation that comes from being viewed by non-Witnesses as religious geeks.[144] The Society has provided many tools to assist parents in raising spiritually vibrant and balanced children. Those who fail to use them have no right to complain when their children fail to take up a Christian way of life.
NOTE: The number of partakers has generally dwindled over the years, e.g., from 10,526 in 1970 to 8,617 in 1994. However, the decrease has not been steady, and there have been a few increases, a fact that could lead one to speculate over whether some newer partakers are truly {spirit-anointed} Christians. We are entitled to our personal opinions in such matters, but there is really no need for other Christians to be disturbed about people who suddenly begin or stop partaking. As Jesus said: ``I am the fine shepherd, and I know my sheep.'' (Joh 10:14) Just as assuredly, Jehovah knows those whom he really has chosen as spiritual sons. [w96 8/15 31]
Otherwise, we feel no obligation to go along with what is essentially a worldly trend that is subject to abuses, and is sometimes itself offensive. The question of whether to use PCS is more than a mere linguistic problem: it is thoroughly political. Witnesses, who do not directly involve themselves in the struggles of this world, should be careful to avoid suggesting by their speech that they are inclined otherwise.
Some PC terms do not necessarily make sense. The most common variety have to do with racial labels. For instance, there are the terms white, black, and Afro-American. Most so-called white people are closer to pink, most black people are closer to brown, and some are nearly white. Many Afro-Americans have never been any closer to Africa than the inner city they were born in, and neither were their parents or grandparents.
A more provocative question is why such labels should be used at all. For instance, it is a very bad habit of some white people, including Witnesses, to unthinkingly say things like: <<A black brother from a neighboring congregation gave the talk in our hall last week.>> Fine, but was there some special reason to mention the brother's race? Why? Was it to send a message that it is remarkable that a black brother can perform such a feat? That is what some people think. Would the same {commenter} just as readily have said ``A white brother ...''? Probably not. Persons who have this habit should break it! <<``Oh, so that was your friend you've been telling me all about? You never mentioned that she's black!'' ``Was I supposed to?''>>
One valid purpose for using labels is for identification. <<The black brother over there was asking about you.>> There are ten brothers standing over there; only one is black.
STORIES: 1. I once heard a brother from the {GB} give a talk where he repeatedly called Japanese people ``the Japs'', the abrupt truncation that was applied to them during WW II, when Japan and the USA were at war, and therefore enemies. 2. On a district convention drama in about 1975 I heard the line ``Your kids are running around the hall like a bunch of wild Indians!'' A sister in our congregation who is 80 percent Cherokee and had been raised on the reservation nearly fell out of first her chair and then the Truth. (Compare {stumble}.) 3. In about 1975 I conducted the questions for baptism with a group of about six or eight persons at one time.[153] One of the candidates was a Jewish woman who had suffered terribly in Nazi concentration camps during WW II. In the course of the discussion I covered Isaiah 43:10-12 to show where the modern organization got its name. I said words to the effect ``Think of it---the ancient Jews were Jehovah's Witnesses.'' The woman glared at me. At 7:30 AM on the Saturday of the baptism she called me at home to ask me directly: ``What did you mean by that comment?'' I had some serious explaining to do to assure her it was not intended as a racial slur.
[153] We deal with them individually now. Having that many ready at one time in a single congregation has become rare in these parts.
QUOTES: In collecting notes for this entry I acquired a file of nearly 4,000 lines. I was unable to use everyone's input, but a few notable quotes were left over that I could not leave out.
Polygamy is forbidden for Christians. Although illegal in most countries, including the USA, it is still practiced in some {lands}. In these places it becomes a problem that must be resolved, sometimes with some pain of heart, among persons studying the Bible and hoping to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, because Christians place God's laws above what mankind's governments, even when living up to that standard is inconvenient or difficult.
The Bible says that {Wise King Solomon} had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. It's a good thing for him they didn't have Bloomingdale's charge cards {away back there}. One brother speculated that it may have been standard protocol in those days when giving gifts to kings to throw in a woman with the deal.[154]
In the matter of passing out and accepting honors, the practices of Jehovah's Witnesses are markedly different from people of the {world}. We freely pass out compliments and commendation for jobs well done, and openly express gratitude to persons who have performed beyond the call of duty, though primarily in private rather than by exalting individuals from the congregation's teaching platform. To do so is both loving and scriptural. (Compare 1Co 11:2.) But we never award plaques or certificates or build monuments in recognition of achievements of men, and never honor humans by immodestly attaching their names to edifices. (Rom 12:2, 3) The practice of honoring men above God is common in Christendom. While attending a funeral at a church recently I noted that on one wall was a large stained glass window that included words honoring the one who contributed it. <<And if you'll step this way, you'll enter the C. Highbucks Drinkmore Memorial Library.>> Gross!
NOTE: In searching my online literature database for this phrase, I noted several variations. The most common were: <<``professing to believe in God'', ``professing to be God's congregation'', ``professing to be anointed Christians'', and ``professing adherence to the Law of Moses''.>>
[155] He was making fun of himself, of course, which is permissible. Another unfortunate variation on pronunciation itself is pronounciation.
Listeners tend to be forgiving of speakers who are natively {foreign speaking}, recognizing that their accent is a case of mitigating circumstances. One much-loved now-departed brother used to give answers that sounded like:
[156] Can you solve the riddle of this quote? The solution is shown in the LaTeX source text.
Ah well, he'd only been speaking English since 1948. We always commended him for his zealous participation. But everyone should strive to improve. If you were a missionary, would you be content barely to struggle along in a new language?
NOTE: A frequent problem area is Bible names and places. People get the accents wrong even when they are explicitly marked in {NW}. The All Scripture book provides a good explanation. [si 325, par. 27, 28]
Only God can know the future with certainty, and his prophecies are unerring. Persons presuming to speak in the name of God and under the influence of his spirit, but whose predictions do not come true, thereby prove themselves to be false prophets. Persons claiming to speak from God whose predictions do come true are not necessarily prophets. They may be {lucky} guessers. <<Some persons have described prophecy as history written in advance.>>
Some have taken the stance that citing a verse by saying: <<According to Psalms 83:18 ...>> is wrong, because it is like saying: <<Let's conclude our meeting by singing songs 191.>> But the comparison is not quite accurate. In the latter case, the name of the current songbook is Sing Praises to Jehovah, but the book title is almost never cited. Nonetheless it would not be inappropriate to say something like: <<Let's conclude our meeting with a song from Sing Praises to Jehovah, number 191.>>[157] In the case of the Bible book, the name is ``Psalms'', in the plural. So although it is clearer, and therefore probably generally preferable to say: <<Let's read Psalm 83>>, or even: <<Let's read the 83rd Psalm>>, it is not really wrong to say: <<Let's read Psalms 83>>, where the words book of preceding Psalms and chapter or number preceding 83 are implied and understood by most listeners. <<Brother Stickler gave me a W on my talk for citing ``Psalms 150'' instead of ``Psalm 150''.[158]>> (Compare {Revelation}.)
[157] But remember to mention the title as well!
[158] One reader informs me that he heard a member of the Governing Body give a talk wherein he explicitly pointed out that there is absolutely nothing wrong with saying ``Psalms, chapter 83''.
NOTE: Even worse is the expression on reproof, and still worse put on reproof. <<Brother Beaten is on reproof>>, apparently intended to mean that the brother is operating under {restrictions}. I am not sure if the term was ever considered acceptable. These phrases are probably holdovers from the days of {probation}.
NOTE: Many publications, especially those with long titles, acquire one- or two-word abbreviated nicknames. Thus we speak about the Evolution book [ev], the Truth book [tr], the Aid book [ad], the Live Forever book [pe], the Creation book [ce], the Insight book [it], the Reasoning book [rs], the Revelation Climax book [re],[159] the Proclaimers book [jv], and so forth.
NOTE: Some people will say ``No, I'm just a publisher.'' Publishers need never use self-belittling expressions about their contributions to the work. (Compare {servant}.)
[162] The reasons are never justifiable!
AN ILLUSTRATION: Compare the case of the Israelites upon their exodus from Egypt. They all had to move swiftly and together, following the lead provided. Those who lagged behind would have been caught by Pharaoh's pursuing armies. Any who pushed ahead would have drowned in the Red Sea before it was parted. There is a proper time for everything. (Ecc 3:1) It is always more important to be loyal and unified than to be right. (Compare {accurate knowledge}.)
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