The reason why Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate birthday, Christmas etc?

Question

I'm not asking for arguments and rude remarks. I sincerely want to know something about their practices. Thankyou.

Answer 1

Bible students are encouraged to consider:

: 0% of faithful biblical Jews celebrated birthdays
: 0% of first century Christians celebrated birthdays
: 100% of birthdays celebrated in the bible were by debauched enemies of God (See Mark 6:17-29; Gen 40:19-22)

Bible historians (M'Clintock, Strong, and others) have noted that faithful Jews of the bible did not celebrate birthdays, and that ancient pagan birthday celebrations were at least partially intended to honor the patron gods of the particular day.

By comparison with such paganisms, the bible does not even tell us the birthdates of Jesus or ANY of his apostles!


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/e/20050101a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/rq/article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2000/12/15/article_01.htm

Answer 2

Do Jehovah Witnesses Celebrate Birthdays

Answer 3

Jehovah Witness Birthdays

Answer 4

Even though the birth of a baby has always been a cause for much joy, the Bible makes no reference to a birthday celebration for a servant of God. (Psalm 127:3) Was this simply an oversight? No, for two birthday celebrations are mentioned—that of a Pharaoh of Egypt and that of Herod Antipas. (Read Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6:21-29.) Both events, however, are presented in a bad light—especially the latter, which saw John the Baptizer beheaded.

“The early Christians,” notes The World Book Encyclopedia, “considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.” The ancient Greeks, for instance, believed that each person had a protective spirit that attended the person’s birth and thereafter watched over him. That spirit “had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born,” says the book The Lore of Birthdays. Birthdays also have a long-standing and an intimate link with astrology and the horoscope.

Besides rejecting birthday customs on account of pagan and spiritistic roots, God’s servants of old likely rejected them on principle as well. Why? These were humble, modest men and women who did not view their arrival in the world as so important that it should be celebrated.* (Micah 6:8; Luke 9:48) Rather, they glorified Jehovah and thanked him for the precious gift of life.*—Psalm 8:3, 4; 36:9; Revelation 4:11.

At death, all integrity keepers are safe in God’s memory, and their future life is guaranteed. (Job 14:14, 15) Says Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.” Our “good name” is the good reputation we have gained with God through faithful service. Significantly, the only commemoration commanded for Christians involves, not a birth, but a death—that of Jesus, whose excellent “name” is the key to our salvation.—Hebrews 1:3, 4; Luke 22:17-20.

Answer 5

RE:
The reason why Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate birthday, Christmas etc?
I'm not asking for arguments and rude remarks. I sincerely want to know something about their practices. Thankyou.

Answer 6

I'm harmony with all of the other answers in addition jehovahs witnesses stick to strict bible principles so going through the bible there was never an instance where jesus celebrated his birthday or when they celebrated chritmas. Jehovahs witnesses vaule family and being together with them as well as making it to another year of life but the dont celebrate these things.

Answer 7

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses the Bible makes no mention of a birthday celebration for Jesus. In fact, his exact birth date is unknown. We can be sure, though, that he was not born on December 25 in the cold of winter in that part of the world. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus had ordered a census.The roots of Christmas are found, not in Scripture, but in ancient pagan festivals, such as the Roman Saturnalia, a celebration dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture. Devotees of the god Mithra celebrated December 25 as the “birthday of the invincible sun,” says the New Catholic Encyclopedia. “Christmas originated at a time when the cult of the sun was particularly strong at Rome,” about three centuries after the death of Christ. During their celebrations, pagans exchanged gifts and feasted—practices that Christmas preserved. Christians give out of love, their giving is not tied to a date, and they expect no gifts in return.

Answer 8

Someone in here said that we should show the Jehova Witness and their religion, beliefs and teachings respect... I 100% agree with that. However, the dilemma comes in as they do not show other religions and beliefs respect. I believe that we should celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ. The gifts are just a mere representation of what the three wise men gave Christ. I do believe that we should remember the importance of this day and that it is the day that Christ was born and not turn it into just about presents... with that said, Jehova Witnesses were out going door to door on Christmas Day. I find that terribly disrespectful. They know almost every other religion celebrates Christmas, why do they think it is ok for them to come in on this special day? Thry don't respect other religions and beliefs, how do they in turn to be respected? I try to show respect NO MATTER what. But a little respect shown on their behalf is called for.

Answer 9

because this life is a nightmare I'm telling you........... how the world observes holidays that are actually holy and sanctified by God is demonic. When you open up you're eyes to that it's kind of shocking and disturbing. You will want to get away from the world and live out in nature but Hell only has a short time of fair weather

Answer 10

Even Non-Witnesses of other religions know that Christmas is PAGAN not even a Christian holiday. Why don't you?? Even scholars know that Jesus Christ was not born on December 25th but, was born in October!! Why don't you?? Not doing enough bible research?? Soooooo, your just willing to go along with your tradition and have your ears tickled instead of following the truth?? That will cost you your ever lasting life!! Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.........(December 25 the cold and rainy season in Jerusalem the sheep and shepherds would not be out in the fields!!)....... 2 Timothy 4:3 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome teaching, but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled. 4 They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories.........(Following false teachings is from Satan and not from GOD)............Matthew 7:13 “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it. 15 “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves............(There is only one truth from the bible.....there can not be two truths).........If, you look at all the holiday's that are suppose to be Bible based you will find all of them are PAGAN and not Christian. Sooooooo, if your religion follows holiday's that are PAGAN.......you are following a false religion!!.......Get out of your false religion before it is too late!! Revelation 18:4

Answer 11

We follow the scriptures and don't allowed pagan believe and celebrations distract us. First century Christians did not celebrate these pagan holiday and we follow the examples they set. These pagan holidays were introduced into Christianity by Constantine. Also the only two birthdays celebrated in the bible were celebrated by pagan worshipers and Jehovah God was not pleased about this. Two of his servants we're sacrificed at these celebrations and he hates it. Therefore whatever Jehovah hates we hate also. So we fear God not men and we do our evdevour to please him.

You can find the only two birthday celebration in the bible at Gen 40:20 and Matthew 14:6
Ps: also there is no where in the Bible where Jesus celebrated his birthday, and he never asked his followers to celebrate his BD either. They only thing Jesus ask us to celebrate is his death and you can find that information at 1 Chorintians 11:25-26