I'm curious to know why JW's don't go into church buildings nor celebrate holidays.
2006-10-09 05:04:18 · 19 answers · asked by dani_smile 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not one of Jehovah's Witnesses but my entire family is. So I guess by growing up around this religion almost all of my life I can answer a few things.
1- They don't celebrate Halloween because it's considered demonic.
2-Christmas- They don't believe that baby Jesus was born in December but rather in June or July I forget which
3-Birthdays - It's considered to be like any other day, you're just 1 year older
4-Thanksgiving-It's pretty much a Pilgrim thing
5-They won't step foot in any church because they feel that those particular Christians that worship in those churches are not the true religion
I could go on and on about what Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs are but if you're that curious about them, they are the ones to ask. I personally respect all peoples decisions on whatever religion they choose.
2006-10-09 05:17:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, have you found any where in the bible that says to celebrate holidays? No! You will find though, that it does say to celebrate the memorial of Jesus' death. Exodus 12:14 Jesus himself said: "Do this as a memorial of me." Luke 22:19 ; 1 Cor.11:24 holidays are man made. for instance, christmas. it does not say anywhere in the bible when jesus was born. We do know though that Jesus could'nt have been born on December 25 because it was cold at that time. The shepards were out in the field watching over there flocks. They surely would,nt have been in the fields in freezing weather would they? As for church buildings we have a building that is called The Kingdom Hall Of Jehovahs Wittnesses where we do our worship to Jehovah.
2006-10-09 05:46:29 · answer #2 · answered by amy g 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Disfellowshipped JW 1982 Corning, CA Congregation For reason, yet not those some ex-JWs who prefer to place themselves on a pedestal, want you to have faith, and understand you will with out question. you have gained some stable solutions right here, so i will expand on them. it would be mentioned that JWs do have many celebrations in the process the 12 months, they simply don't be conscious secular trip journeys. they are maximum generally not planned somewhat some hours in strengthen, perhaps on the dominion corridor on a Sunday morning. It style of works in a similar way as a teenager having some pals over whilst the mothers and fathers are away and it will become occasion, purely with out liquor. somebody will tell somebody else, who tells some others, that they're going to someones domicile, a park, a coastline, etc. for a potluck. by making use of the time you get domicile, restoration some nutrition and get to the area, there's a pair hundred witnesses there, from diverse congregations in the area. some would carry instruments and that they have got ajam consultation. They play video games like Yatsee or Monopoly. whilst this is finished, there is not a demonstration that there replaced right into a occasion there. I bear in recommendations many of the overdue night events at Moonlight State coastline in California. the often happening distinction is they don't look ahead to a trip to celebration, or to offer presents. whilst going to the shop, in the event that they see some thing they think of a individual will like, witness or not, they purchase, perhaps wrap it, and supply it to them, our of love and friendship. it particularly is the biggest distinction, no rigidity of the trip journeys. no must be fascinated approximately whether we've the appropriate provides, spent sufficient, wrapped them stunning, concealed them till the appropriate time, and ascertain the thank you to pay the mastercard later. I word this final 12 months that Easter has grow to be very like Christmas, with a similar tension to purchase, wrap, conceal, and pay for the presents later. regardless of you are able to thnk of the trip journeys, in actual actuality that we've become the knowledgeable dogs of the optimum firms who've knowledgeable us to purchase.
2016-10-19 02:10:49 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses do *NOT* prohibit them from physically entering the buildings of other religions. The personal conscience of an individual Witness, however, may not allow it.
Jehovah's Witnesses practice strict political and nationalistic neutrality, so they do not celebrate nationalistic holidays such as Independence Day and Memorial Day.
Other holidays derive from false religion, and so are incompatible with pure worship as adulterating interfaith. For example, Easter derives from the pagan god Oestre and celebrates "rebirth" and "fertility" instead of commemorating Christ's Last Supper and death as Jesus commanded:
(Luke 22:1-22) [Jesus] dispatched Peter and John, saying: “Go and get the passover ready for us to eat.” ...14 At length when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them: “I have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it becomes fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ... Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”
Seemingly innocuous holidays may have only a tangential connection with false worship, such as Mother's Day and Father's Day (although arguably derived from ancestor worship). Understated observance of these is not generally considered interfaith by Jehovah's Witnesses, but it is too easily misunderstood in some cultures.
Since such celebrations are not required in true worship, and can easily become a distraction, so Jehovah's Witnesses focus their attention elsewhere. In particular, they are focussed on the preaching work which *IS* a requirement for Christians:
(Luke 10:1-17) [Jesus] the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2005/1/1a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2000/12/15/article_01.htm
2006-10-09 09:18:30 · answer #4 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jehovah's witnesses don't celebrate holidays because there aren't any holidays mentioned in the book of Jehovah. the only thing they celebrate are anniversaries because those are in the "bible" and they do go into other church buildings...
2006-10-09 05:08:06 · answer #5 · answered by PPB21 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because their religion is based on law & works.
Jesus came and fulfilled the law & prophets. His church is based on Grace. Not by works lest anyone boast (religious pride).
Jesus was born, and the Kings of the East brought gifts. (Celebrated the birth of the King). The bright star over bethlehem was a sign that the wise Kings discerned. The Angels celebrated. We celebrate Christmas.
Jesus raised from the dead, with the victory over death & hell. There is great celebration in the heavens. We celebrate Easter.
There is no where in the bible it writes, "Thou shalt not celebrate Holy Days.". So it is just an additional law in the JW's lawbook to make them feel more righteous.
At thanksgiving I can enjoy it with my family, and be thankful together. In all things give thanks for this pleases God. And on October 31, our church gives a safe alternative for children where no one glorifies evil & God is praised. Also, this year we have the "Reptile Man" visiting. So the kids will love it. When my kids were in grade school, he visited their school with his reptiles. My church is the River of Life Fellowship in Kent WA (if you live in area).
2006-10-09 05:08:51 · answer #6 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
The concept of holidays is man made and Jehovah's witness' do not believe in them as a whole.
2006-10-09 05:08:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
they dont' celebrate holidays since they are not celebrated in the bible... Christmas, Easter, Birthdays....
Sorry birthdays only two show up in the bible and bad things happened during that time to sinful people, that's why they don't celelbrate birthdays, Jesus' birth was not celelbrated in the bible neither was his resurection or death, hence why Christmas and Easter is not celebrated.
2006-10-09 05:07:58 · answer #8 · answered by Tyana 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't know but my friend was a JW and it sucked to be her around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
2006-10-09 05:05:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
We invesitgate their origins, and if they had practices rooted or began in pagan worship, we choose not to celebrate them. Origins on all holidays can be found in Encylopedias, and our official website to go to is www.watchtower.org.
just contact them if you have any questions like this one especially.
2006-10-09 05:07:30 · answer #10 · answered by ķōŅšţāńŢĩʼnę 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋