There's something random that I have always wanted to know. I understand that Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate any type of holiday, but why don't they celebrate birthdays? I can see why they don't celebrate Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, things like, not that I agree with their reasoning and I celebrate Christmas, Easter and all of that, but I was just curious as to why they don't celebrate birthdays. I know it's probably a dumb question, but when I tried to look into it or ask somebody I can't seem to get a clear answer on it. It's not a big deal, I'm just curios is all. It's not a question that I'm going to lose sleep over. LOL!
Jehovah's Witnesses and Birthdays
- Thread starter Lady4Him
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First, click here to read the Watchtower's(that is, the headquarters for the Jehovah's Witnesses) answer to your question. To find out what an group/organization believes, the best way is to go straight to the source.
Once you've got their perspective, click here to read a counter-perspective.
One reason given by a few former an current JWs I know is that Herod celebrated his birthday and in the process John the Baptist was martyred.
That one among others that I didn't recall right now shows how evil birthdays are according to there doctrine. The scripture they refer to starts in Mathew 14:6 I believe.
I hope this helps
Blessings
Bill
That one among others that I didn't recall right now shows how evil birthdays are according to there doctrine. The scripture they refer to starts in Mathew 14:6 I believe.
I hope this helps
Blessings
Bill
First, click here to read the Watchtower's(that is, the headquarters for the Jehovah's Witnesses) answer to your question. To find out what an group/organization believes, the best way is to go straight to the source.
Once you've got their perspective, click here to read a counter-perspective.
I mean I wasn't saying it's wrong for them not to celebrate, I was wondering.
JWs are such hypocrites! Do you know that they can celebrate New Year's and wedding anniversaries? All decidedly adult celebrations!
I had a friend who had been a missionary, and when she found out the neighbour across the street was a JW, she made friends with her. About a week after Christmas, this woman gave her kids a bunch of gifts, just before they went back to school. She told my friend it was for the "change of seasons." More likely, so when other kids were talking about their Christmas presents, her kids could talk about their gifts. But a least she cared enough to give her kids presents. And what change of season occurs in the last part of December, anyway, even in Vancouver?
JWs are anti-children. I had an aunt and uncle caught in that cult for most of their lives. None of their children is still in the Watchtower organization.
I had a friend who had been a missionary, and when she found out the neighbour across the street was a JW, she made friends with her. About a week after Christmas, this woman gave her kids a bunch of gifts, just before they went back to school. She told my friend it was for the "change of seasons." More likely, so when other kids were talking about their Christmas presents, her kids could talk about their gifts. But a least she cared enough to give her kids presents. And what change of season occurs in the last part of December, anyway, even in Vancouver?
JWs are anti-children. I had an aunt and uncle caught in that cult for most of their lives. None of their children is still in the Watchtower organization.
Do you know that they can celebrate New Year's and wedding anniversaries? All decidedly adult celebrations! According to their website, JWs are not to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. From JW.org, link 1 and link 2. If a JW is celebrating a new year, then, he is going against the teachings of the organization.
The organization apparently doesn't object to couples celebration their anniversary.
A website by former JWs elaborates on what holidays are ok to celebrate and which ones aren't. It also goes into details about why some are rejected and others are acceptable.
The organization apparently doesn't object to couples celebration their anniversary.
A website by former JWs elaborates on what holidays are ok to celebrate and which ones aren't. It also goes into details about why some are rejected and others are acceptable.
I've wondered if all the hullaballoo about celebrations is coming from a spirit of "control", and that is about the power to make rules that would subject others to their authority. There is also a little bit of that in many protestant religions. Some more than others.
Our bible says "Where the Spirit is, there is freedom"..... And always the freedom to make your own choice based on your relationship with Christ.
Our bible says "Where the Spirit is, there is freedom"..... And always the freedom to make your own choice based on your relationship with Christ.
D
My brother married a JW. (He's either agnostic or atheist, depending on his mood.) I met her once. (I can't travel far enough to go visit them, so I only see my brother when he comes to visit this way.) Every year my family has a get-together after Christmas week, and the Christmas tree stays up for this gathering. That's when I met her -- that first Christmas gathering after they were married.
He gave excuses why she didn't come after that for a couple of years, until he just gave up and told the truth. "She's Jehovah's Witness so doesn't do Christmas."
Kind of stuck on that one. The family get-together is never on Christmas, nor New Years, because another brother is a chef, so always has to work those days.
I was left thinking, "So one year it was okay, but never again? Then why was it okay that year?"
I can attest to a JW and an agnostic/atheist will never make it in marriage.
He gave excuses why she didn't come after that for a couple of years, until he just gave up and told the truth. "She's Jehovah's Witness so doesn't do Christmas."
Kind of stuck on that one. The family get-together is never on Christmas, nor New Years, because another brother is a chef, so always has to work those days.
I was left thinking, "So one year it was okay, but never again? Then why was it okay that year?"
I can attest to a JW and an agnostic/atheist will never make it in marriage.