“Stop worrying about … what you will wear.”

(Matthew 6:25, ISV)

Jesus repeated the same command again and said: “Do not be concerned or say … ‘What will we wear’?” (Matthew 6:31, ABPE) The statement is clear and unambiguous: Christians should not “be concerned” or “worrying” about what they will wear.

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses comply with this command? Not at all! The Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses contains a whole section about ‘Dress and Grooming.’ (2014 edition, page 72) They say that it would be “important … to pay attention to our dress.” (The Watchtower, August 1, 2002, page 17) Even interested persons are to be reminded “of the importance of giving attention to proper dress.” (Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1998, page 7) “Most brothers and sisters therefore consider very carefully what clothing they will wear.” (Our Kingdom Ministry, August 1974, page 8) They are even encouraged to “observe the attire of those who … give public talks.” – Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education, page 133.

Is this not a clear contradiction of Jesus’ command? Far from ‘not being concerned,’ Jehovah’s Witnesses have created countless regulations regarding clothing. They rack their brains to decide whether “T-shirts advertising your favorite movie or sports star or some other hero” are allowed, and eventually conclude that wearing such would be “idolatry.” (Awake!, February 8, 1999, page 19) Youth are forced to “give proper attention to what we wear and how we wear it.” (Awake!, February 8, 1987, page 18) The books Your Youth – Getting the Best out of It and Questions Young People Ask – Answers That Work even feature whole chapters on how to dress!

Anyone wearing the wrong kind of clothes is excluded from Christian privileges. No one is allowed to give a public talk without a tie and a jacket in most countries; some congregations even require a white shirt and a plain suit. Christian women have been refused admittance to the stage because their skirt was too short or they were wearing a pantsuit. Is this not very far from ‘not being concerned what we will wear?’ No doubt, Jehovah’s Witnesses are under no circumstances true Christians, but rather they are “the deceiver and the antichrist.” – 2 John 7.