Jehovah Witnesses- Why don't you celebrate holidays?

Question

I am a Christian, but always wondered about this. You believe in Jesus, but don't believe in celebrating his birth, and what about the birth of your children - why can't that be a celebration? In your belief what makes it a sin?

This is in no way meant to criticize your religion, but only to get some knowledge about it.

Answer 1

The reason we do not celebrate holidays is because of all the pagan traditions connected with them. Every holiday when researched started from pagan origin. Some holidays, including Christmas where changed from a pagan holiday to a Christian one in order to convert pagans to Christianity.
What do the encyclopedias say about some of the holidays and where they came from? Here are some facts on these celebrations:
Christmas: The Romans celebrated the Birthday of the Unconquerable Son (Natalis Solis Invicti) just after the winter solstice. This feast was in honor of Mithras, a Persian deity of the Sun. Furthermore the Romans had long celebrated the ancient feast of Saturnalia, a period of gaiety and jubilation. The Christians didn't want to participate in pagan practice and rejected Mithriasm. The Romans, in part to bring together the two factions, a compromise celebration was created on December 25. In parts of western Europe, many celebrated a winter feast during which they decorated their houses with greenry and candles, exchanged gifts, and had large feasts. As Romans conquered other parts of Europe and propagated Christianity, they assimilated other local holiday practices into the Christmas celebration. ( The lies told to children that Santa brings gifts and the greed & commerialism connected with it make it undesireable for Christians)

Easter: The name "Easter" originated with the names of an ancient Goddess and God. Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: "eastre." Similar Goddesses were known by other names in ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, and were celebrated in the springtime.The origin of Easter, a holiday associated with the observance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is actually based on an ancient pagan celebration. Christians recognize this day as commemorating the culminating event of their faith, but like so many other "Christian" holidays, Easter has become commercialized and mixed with non-christian traditions like the Easter Bunny, Easter parades and hunting for Easter eggs. Because of their prolific nature, rabbits have long been associated with fertility and its goddess, Ishtar. Ancient Babylonians believed in a fable about an egg that fell into the Euphrates River from heaven and from which Queen Astarte (another name for Ishtar or Semiramis) was "hatched."

Valentines Day: Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.

These are but a few, but all have pagan origins and if we ask ouselves: "would Jesus or his disciples celebrate anything that was connected to paganism", what would the answer be?
I hope this helps you to understand our position.

Answer 2

I used be a Jehovah Witnesses so I know why they don't celebrate holidays. The reason they don't celebrate Jesus's birthday is because they think Jesus dying for their sins was more important than when he was born, because when he was born he really hadn't done any thing divine. They also don't believe Jesus was born on December 25. They also believe that most christian holidays have pagan origins.

As for birthdays they do celebrate when a child is first born but they don't celebrate birthdays after that because they claim that in the bible nothing good every happened at a birthday party. I remember them saying something about how John was beheaded at King's birthday party or something like that. Another reason they don't celebrate birthdays is because god didn't tell them to celebrate birthdays or other holidays. They don't do anything that god or Jesus didn't tell them to do.

One holiday they do celebrate is Past-Over because they think that on the night before he died Jesus told his followers to past wine and bread and to do that each year.

Answer 3

I am not a JW but I do know the history of most holidays and they are based on the old Pagan holidays long before there was a Christ. They Church just switched them so they could get more converts. Like Sunday. If you look at what the apostles and Christ celebrated it was the Sabbath or Saturday. Look at the Christmas holidays all pagan rituals.

Answer 4

the reason why because most of the celebrations are from pagan teaching or it came from false teaching and belief, like for example where to find in the bible that the birth of Jesus Christ is on dec.25 and the bible command us to celebrate Jesus birthday and easter sunday? If you want to know more approach some Jehovah' Witnesses in your place and they are glad to share with you through the help of your own bible.

Answer 5

I ain't no devil-worshipping Jenova's Witness, but I can tell ya that some people take a dim view of celebrating aught but God. The SABBATH is God's day, and any other day is piffling in comparison.

Answer 6

ya me too! ive always wondered that my grandma is a jjehovah witness too she never really told me alot bout it but im christian