No clinking allowed

by ozziepost 8 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  ozziepost

  With the weekend almost upon us, thoughts may be going to those pleasant social gatherings where you might like to share a drink with friends.

  I was reminded of the "No Clinking" rule last night when at a gathering I met up with a couple of former Bethelites. We, my daughter, the couple and myself took glasses of champagne in hand and the ladies were about to clink glasses when they halted.
  Looking at me (a loyal dub from of oldyou see ) the husband said
  "It's OK, we're allowed to do it now".
  "Really?" I responded.
  "Oh yes", the wife replied, "it's really a conscience matter."

  Whereupon we exchanged similar expressions such as "How ridiculous!".

  (There's hope for two more former Bethelites, eh?)

  The official Watch Tower view was stated in Awake! of January 8, 1985 (page 27)

  However, they may be surprised to learn that it is an ancient superstitious custom. According to the American Library Association, thousands of years ago people had the ridiculous notion that when they took a drink the Devil could enter their bodies through their open mouth. And they actually believed that this evil spirit could be frightened by noise. So to avoid this danger they noisily banged their goblets. In Europe, drinkers still bash their beer steins or make the sign of the cross. And some primitive people, including certain Africans, will ring bells before downing their drinks.

  
  Is that what the 'clinkers' amongst believe they are doing at the time of clinking their glasses? Apparently not, for the article states:

  Have you ever noticed people at parties or in restaurants clinking their beverage glasses before taking a drink? If you asked them why they did this, most of them could not give you an answer. Or they may feel it is a harmless act among friends.

  And that probably says it all, doesn't it? A "harmless act among friends" is what it is.

  So what did we do last night? We 'clinked' enthusiastically with broad grins all round.

  Cheers,
  Ozzie

  "You can know the law by heart, without knowing the heart of it"
  Philip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace?
• 

  bboyneko 2

  As usual the Crotchtower has 'ommited' other just as valid theories as to the origin of glass clnking.

  The History of Toasting: Toasting, despite a somewhat ignoble origin, has a long history through many cultures. It started with the ancient Greeks who had an interesting habit of spiking the punch with poison. Offering a toast was deemed a gesture of good faith. The term toasting comes from the Roman practice of putting a piece of burnt bread into the goblet to mellow the flavor of the wine. In Olde England, a piece of toast bread was put into the bottom of the glass, and you drank until you got to it.

  A number of theories exist about clinking glasses with a toast. One theory, possibly stemming from that Greek habit, is that by clinking glasses, you could slosh the poison someone may have put into your wine back into theirs. Another theory is that the sound of clinking glasses was thought to drive the evil spirits out of the spirits, making it safe to drink. Clinking could also be a way to make contact since we no longer all drink from the same bowl. My favorite theory is that a good glass of wine or champagne appeals to the senses of sight, touch, taste and smell and, by clinking, it also appeals to the sense of sound, making it an all-encompassing sensual experience.

  Another one...

  In medieval times, a common way to kill an enemy was to offer him a poisoned drink. To prove to the guest that a drink was safe, the host would receive a small amount of the guest's drink in his own glass, and both would drink at the same time. If the guest trusted the host, rather than pouring some of his drink into the host's glass he would simply clink his glass against it. Although offering a poisoned drink is no longer a popular way to kill someone, the custom of clinking glasses still remains.

  Lipstick also has a 'ridiculous' origin, you used to paint a red a circle around your mouth to prevent evil spirits from entering your mouth. We dont ban that now do we?
• 

  Maximus

  Excellent points, BBoy!

  When there are multiple possibilities, leave it to the Watchtower to select the one that suits them best. That's how they do it with quotations too.

  Now just what is the latest policy on saying "Gesundheit!" when someone sneezes? Evil spirits have to be warded off, you know.

  Is it a lesser offense to say that word, since Bless You! would give away your true exorcistic inclinations?

  Max
• 

  Kent

  Although offering a poisoned drink is no longer a popular way to kill someone, the custom of clinking glasses still remains.

  Of course it isn't! It's misuse of alcohol! And THAT's something we know the JWs will never do.

  I guess the real reason for not clinking glasses is the time used. JWs will use the time to drink, not clinking glasses. LOL

  On the other hand, If I was to drink with a JW, I would have CHANGED glasses - If I was the one who didn't know what was in them!

  Yakki Da

  Kent

  "The only difference between a fool and the JW legal department is that a fool might be sympathetic ."

  Daily News On The Watchtower and the Jehovah's Witnesses:
  http://watchtower.observer.org
• 

  ozziepost

  Ah, that wicked expression "Bless You"! From what I understand it originated in the Middle Ages during the plague but had nothing to do with evil spirits as the Borg may claim.

  When a person contracted the plague one of the symptoms was sneezing whereupon a well-wisher would say "Bless You" as in "May God look after you".

  Whatever, it is not the evil expression that the extreme Watchtower line requires its members to avoid.

  Cheers,
  Ozzie (truth in advertising class)
• 

  Room 215

  Another example about how the myriad of silly little rules stifles spontaneous intrapersonal expressions of friendship, not to mention how they trivialize the notion of God by depicting him as a petty tyrant who frets over such inconsequential details.
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  Moxy

  i wasnt aware that this was officially declared a conscience matter. altho of course, as you mention ozzie, unofficially it seems to be regarded as silly by the few who remember it. was this addressed in the same article about traditions that justified the use of wedding rings and calendars a few years ago?

  mox
• 

  Maximus

  : "Bless You"! ... originated in the Middle Ages during the plague but had nothing to do with evil spirits as the Borg may claim.

  You mean that "Gesundheit!" doesn't mean, "Get thee hence, evil spirit?"

  Shaken to the core,

  Maximus
• 

  Stephanus

  Don't worry, Ozzie, I'm more than willing to clink whatever I've got against whatever you've got at the weekend gathering.