JWs are boxing their hobbies

ezekiel3

Much entertainment in the Watchtower, 15 August 2004, pg 24. See the picture for the full text to learn that we can "put off every unecessary weight" by boxing up our "hobbies and non-essential personal projects." I wonder what's in the box...

It is interesting to see how JWs are encouraged to have hobbies:

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g91 11/22 pp. 21-22 What About Hobbies? ***

Worthwhile

Hobbies

Some hobbies help you develop valuable skills, such as needlework, dressmaking, or the pursuit of the culinary arts. True, these hobbies particularly appeal to girls. Nevertheless, there is nothing unmanly about cooking. (Compare John 21:9-12.) You may not reach gourmet standards, but experimenting a bit with cooking can help you develop abilities that may prove invaluable if you must ever fend for yourself. Girls, on the other hand, may benefit from trying their hand at auto mechanics or household repairs.

Another worthwhile pastime is the learning of a language. Young James, for example, currently studies Russian. Perhaps a second language will enable you some day to teach Bible truths to others in a foreign land! Indeed, hobbies can often serve as a means of helping other people.

For example, is gardening your hobby? Why not hone your horticultural skills on a garden that belongs to your grandparents or to some other elderly ones who find it hard to care for it properly? Do you enjoy do-it-yourself work? Then why not offer to help an elderly person or a widow with home repairs? When cooking is your hobby and you have a favorite recipe, why not prepare the dish to present as a gift to someone in need? Remember, "there is more happiness," Jesus said, "in giving than there is in receiving."?Acts 20:35.

A hobby can even help you to advance spiritually. If you like to make models, for example, might not building a miniature ark deepen your appreciation of the strength of Noah?s faith? (See box.) Constructing a model tabernacle or temple may likewise improve your knowledge of the way God?s servants worshiped long ago. In Bible times the shepherd boy David played the harp in his spare time. Later he composed beautiful songs to Jehovah?s praise. Could you learn to play a musical instrument yourself? If so, why not use your talent to praise God by learning some of the melodies in the songbook Sing Praises to Jehovah? As you play the music, ponder over the sentiments the lyrics convey. Are you a collector? Then gather items that relate to the Bible. Or try filling a scrapbook with pictures of Bible lands.

calamityjane

In Bible times the shepherd boy David played the harp in his spare time

Better yet, lets make a sling shot and pelt the jw's that go from door to door on Saturday mornings.

cj

Valis

macrame for Jebus!

*LOL* or perhaps this.. http://www.jamcs.homestead.com/

Sincerely,

District Overbeer of the "Idle Hands" class

SheilaM

Calamity I like the slingshot idea

Purza

A hobby can even help you to advance spiritually. If you like to make models, for example, might not building a miniature ark deepen your appreciation of the strength of Noah?s faith?

Someone please tell me this is a joke. They cannot be serious. Surely there is someone writing this for the WT just laughing hysterically at what they are writing.

Purza

Xander

Personally, I think the scanned article is more horrifying.

But, then, notice again how they use the 'leading by implication' for that one. They don't specifically SAY JWs shouldn't have hobbies. They just present a 'good example of a fine christian (*cough*JW*cough*) family' who boxed up all their hobbies so they wouldn't be distracted by them...and went on to talk them up for a little bit.

So, you know, if you quit all your hobbies and promptly go insane from boredom and kill yourself...family can't sue because they never said you HAD to quit your hobbies. They just strongly suggested that if you wanted to be like a good JW, that's what you should do.

Corvin

A hobby can even help you to advance spiritually. If you like to make models, for example, might not building a miniature ark deepen your appreciation of the strength of Noah?s faith? (See box.) Constructing a model tabernacle or temple may likewise improve your knowledge of the way God?s servants worshiped long ago. In Bible times the shepherd boy David played the harp in his spare time. Later he composed beautiful songs to Jehovah?s praise. Could you learn to play a musical instrument yourself? If so, why not use your talent to praise God by learning some of the melodies in the songbook Sing Praises to Jehovah? As you play the music, ponder over the sentiments the lyrics convey. Are you a collector? Then gather items that relate to the Bible. Or try filling a scrapbook with pictures of Bible lands.

If you are going to have a hobby, we expect you to have one that keeps reminding you of us. If you are going to have a hobby, make sure it is so damn boring that you will look forward to coming to the meetings on Sunday.

Corvin

ohiocowboy

Constructing a model tabernacle or temple may likewise improve your knowledge of the way God?s servants worshiped long ago.

Hmmmmm......For some reason, the term "Graven Image" comes to mind. What would be the difference in constructing a model of a religious temple, or constructing a god that presides therein???

desib77

Why box them up? Why not do the thing that true Christians would do and throw them out? Oh, no nevermind....might become apostate someday and want your evil hobby back.

Desi (<----feeling rebellious...might start a puzzle tonight)

gitasatsangha

"We're Jehovah's Taliban Everything you liked is ban'd Once Witnesses they had a bit of peace Now they have stress that will not cease "We're Jehovah's Taliban Slash and Burn, the Divine Plan Our's Is the Org of Comformancy What we proclaim, so must be."

JWs are boxing their hobbies

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