The question was posed Why do Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls have no windows? over at Catholic Answers forums. Honestly, I had never thought about it before, but all the KH’s I am aware of (that were built to be such) were windowless or had VERY small windows om just one wall. (This is excluding an ex-library they purchased a few blocks from where I grew up, which they then put tinted windows in.)
The general consensus has been:
- It saves money in construction
- It saves money on climate control (one hopes the AC does not fail!)
- It is for security - no windows to break
- It prevents distraction - no windows to look out of
- Kingdom Halls are frequently built with volunteer labor. Easier still to build without windows
- (less suggested) it prevents spying
Anyone have any other takes?
Interestingly, a former JW has noted that in some halls, curtains were hung on the windowless walls to give the effect of windows being present. That has given me some decorating ideas!
I bet, if you are like me, you will be noticing the “window situation” next time you pass a JW-KH.
Possible apologetics slogan “The Catholic Church, we have windows!”?
David Bennett
Jennifer
asimplesinner
Fr. J.
Chad Toney
Jorge Flores
Jonathan B
carmelbennett
nicenehobbit
Jason S
jaybird68
papaz
February 1, 2008 at 3:53 am
Sinner,
(It’s either that or I call you Simple). You have been tagged. Sorry.
http://orate-fratres.blogspot.com/2008/01/book-meme.html
February 1, 2008 at 2:33 pm
They just don’t want to see the light.
February 1, 2008 at 2:56 pm
2 points for Jeffrey! Excellent. :)
February 1, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Tag!
Book meme
Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book ( of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.
February 1, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Josephus! No fair! I already tagged him!
February 1, 2008 at 4:57 pm
s’true, he did. I haven’t posted my response because I am trying to think of 5 blogger types I know of who haven’t already been tagged.
How does this get started anyway?
February 1, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Hmmmm, the only other buildings I can think of without windows are strip clubs.
February 1, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I always thought the reason is theological. If, in Byzantine churches, the windows were intended to bring all of creation into the worship space, signifying that the whole cosmos and all material things are sanctified in Christ, for JWs, the lack of windows reflects their contrary idea of salvation: the church is a fortress, outside of which we keep the world. The lack of windows indicates a defensive posture. I think this corresponds with JW behavior in other respects, too.
April 10, 2008 at 12:30 pm
More have died from their Watchtower spiritual and medical quackery than Jim Jones and David Koresh cults combined!
Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs:
A) They are at your door to recruit you for enslavement to their watchtower corporation,they will say that “we are just here to share a message from the Bible” this is deception right off.
B) Their ‘message’ is a false Gospel that Jesus had his second coming in 1914.The problem with this is it’s not just a cute fairy tale,Jesus warned of the false prophets who would claim “..look he is here in the wilderness,or see here he is at the temple…”
C) Their anti-blood transfusion ban has killed hundreds if not thousands
D) once they recruit you they will “love bomb” you in cult fashion to also recruit your family & friends or cut them off. There are many more dangers,Jehovah’s Witnesses got a bad rap for good and valid reasons.
99% of the world has rejected the teachings of the Watchtower Jehovah’s Witnesses, the darker truth is they are a destructive and oppressive organization.
Mind control is a terrible thing.
–
Danny Haszard Jehovah’s Witness X 33 years
September 19, 2008 at 1:18 am
They don’t have windows so to make it more difficult for rock throwing apostates to get their attention during service LOL.
Blessings…..
MM777
http://middleman777.wordpress.com/
October 28, 2008 at 6:21 pm
As a Jo Ho for 50 years and now a disfellowshipped apostate, I have been in many Kingdom Halls.
I have heard all sorts of theorys as to why KH do not have windows. Well, I have been in many that do have windows, and big windows at that.
Some idiot named Blizzard said that there are no windows in KH so the congregations attetion will stay rivited on the speaker. I say, BS. If any of you have attended any Jo Ho meetings, you all know that you have trouble staying awake, windows or not.
A lot of halls do not have windows. In fact, most of the newer ones don’t. I would think it would be a energy saving or cost saving measure, not an element of mind control.
There are plenty of other problems with the Jo Hos and their literature and teachings. The “no windows in KH’s” is just silly
October 28, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Fred,
Thank you for your comment… Let it be noted that the OP was indicating that the situation varied, and that there were various possible explinations as to why many new-build kingdom halls were without windows. For my money (pun intended) the best explination seems to be cost-saving.