Weird Sexist Watchtower Quote on Singing

(Cedars' vlog no. 190) In my first vlog of 2018, I draw attention to a bizarre quote in the November 2017 Watchtower study edition in which Jehovah's Witnesses are told that it would be "awkward" for women to tell people what to do by singing songs with lyrics that urge listeners to do (or not do) something.

Viewer warning: I will be attempting to sing in this video!

[OwenMorganTelltale]

holy shit. that SERIOUSLY brought back memories. ridiculous

[ireneschihuahuas]

Again, I am a bit shocked at how crazy this JW stuff is. I followed these teachings for over 45 years! I am just sorry it took me so long to finally wake up.

[jordanhalkier]

It’s a bit pathetic that they have come up with a silly article about singing. I have always said that the governing body is sexist and this proofs it for me.

[nonamebw]

Awkward position of telling others what do. I suppose sisters should no longer be out engaging in the ministry as that is clearly telling "others" what to.

[AD]

This watchtower was studied at my parents meeting last night, and I sat through it completely appalled. I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one who caught on to the messed up thinking. Awesome video! Have a wonderful 2018!

[satinbarbi]

Not being tone deaf is a disfellowshiping offense for JW's.

[marknpm]

"For example. the word 'shall' is not widely used today, so it has been replaced." I shall continue to think of the Governing Body as a bunch of senile ignoramuses, while they will continue to ignore modal verbs at their peril ;)

[bettywood]

Those people truly believe the lowest form of of life on the planet is a woman. I have no problems telling anyone what to do, asking questions of others and questioning my spirituality on a daily basis. So glad I got out. Thank you for posting.

[whitespace]

Behaviour micro-management at its best!

[FirsteMann]

This is absolutely ridiculous. A whole article devoted on how to sing. When I saw this I couldn't believe this is even relevant to worship

[shinyguru]

I think all ex-JW's like me were cracking up laughing along with John over some of those lyrics and singing. "The stay awake stand firm and grow mighty" gave me such a wicked grin XD

[eviefriend]

When we got reinstated that was one of the weirdest things I noticed. They changed all the songs and took away the ones I enjoyed. They changed the Bible and it was perfectly fine the way it was. When I was growing up they didn’t change things like that. We are glad we left again because it had gotten so nitpicky and more insane. I am much happier as a witch than a JW!!!! )O(

[wetlatherlover]

I don't wana trigger anyone but in all the congregations I was in, it was the elders wives that were always telling others what to do!

[kevinMcFree]

i thought the songs were being sung to jehovah? who in the hall would imagine that anyone was doing kind of a musical rendition of bible counsel to the elder sitting in front of you at the hall?

[mrsmartmouth]

They already goofed. If they really wanted to be consistent, they would have called the book, "We Sing Out Joyfully to Jehovah". BTW, happy new year!!!

[darcishook-woolley]

Have a wonderful 2018! Sorry, I'm telling you what to do. Let me rephrase that: Lloyd, do you mind if I ask you to enjoy 2018? Or should I politely and submissively ask my husband to extend a "happy new year?"

[tiffanychappel]

I really hope they don't start requiring the women to wear head coverings during the songs. Or, maybe it would help to make the misogyny even more obvious. Feels like they are nitpicking their religion to pieces.

[lydiatownsend]

I was at the Sunday meeting when I read and heard this.. I was in complete disbelief. Why do they not mention men? Because MEN can tell others what to do.

[shilonel]

I'm having a Victor Meldrew moment: 'I don't BELIEVE it!' LOL. So so ridiculous, thanks for this I'm still laughing.

[bridgettesbroomcloset]

Happy New Year Lloyd! I wish you happiness, good health, and prosperity in 2018.
That paragraph really is something, isn't it? If I was still in the organization, I'm convinced they'd decide to burn me at the state, because I would have been up in arms over that--even when I was still indoctrinated! "putting sisters in the awkward position of seemingly telling others what to do"--I can't speak for other women, but I never felt any such awkwardness. In field service, if I was driving--I was in charge. If the territory was checked out in my name--I was in charge. If I had minors in my care--I was in charge. There was only one idiot in the congregation I was attending that ever challenged me on that, and I read him the riot act. When he went around complaining, he was told that he shouldn't have made me mad! LOL
What change from that time and the climate in that congregation to what's presented in the paragraph you spoke about! Watchtower has never been sensible about women or the roles women have had demonstrable success in--but this lunacy is a new low for my lifetime. I kept picturing my mother, aunt, and grandmother (all still in as far as I know)--and all I could envision was them rolling their eyes and feeling absolutely furious about it. I hope this paragraphs plants seeds of doubts in people's minds!