A couple of comments...
On Beards: The GB is all about control. It is embedded in their own personal culture. They are old white men. Beards are part of the hipster movement. That is worldly in their view. As an aside, the GB gets to ultimately decide what is worldly. I agree with those who think this could be a breaking point for some. I sure hope it does....
As far as the BOE letters, I believe based on my experience that the GB hasn't changed too much on how they compose letters and what to say. The GB doesn't handle these anymore, they have long ago delegated this to their helpers in the Service Department. Only really knotty questions that haven't been brought up before get referred all the way up to the GB.
it is a simple thing for the Service Dept at each branch to basically copy and paste answers. These are basically policy questions, requiring a policy answer from the GB point of view. Thus, the sameness of the answers and repetition of phrases. These guys are truly the Sadducees and Pharisees that the GB so long raged against. So legalistic, so much like what Jesus condemned in Matt 23. (for those that believe all of that...)
Lastly, remember folks, this is a cult. Don't look for logic or compassion. They don't exist. Should having a beard matter? Of course not. Do you think the GB gives a damn? Not even a little...
