Without mentioning my views in the debate between my friend and I, I would like to know that if practicing Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed recieve birthday cake, Christmas candy or gifts, why then are they allowed to accept Christmas bonuses or grocery store gift certificates for Thanksgiving dinner and other things that employers give to employees around the holidays? (Sorry for the run-on sentence). In no way am I saying that they aren't as deserving as any other employee, but I'm very curious. Thank you in advance for your mature answers.
2006-11-13 05:05:21 · 10 answers · asked by wrtrchk 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, I do realize that other religions do not celebrate Christmas. So, if a company were to change the title of the bonus from "Christmas Bonus" to "End of the Year Bonus" then it's okay for JWs to accept it irregardless of its former name?
2006-11-13 06:35:58 · update #1
Okay, who the heck gave me a thumbs down just for asking an honest question regarding my debate? I swear, some people are just born high strung I guess.
2006-11-15 04:38:54 · update #2
It might have something to do with not offending the giver. Or it might have something to do with an inherent inconsistency in how a religion is practiced. Something all religions suffer from, unfortunately.
2006-11-13 05:10:28 · answer #1 · answered by jinenglish68 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a personal decision wether to get the gifts or not. If the gifts is purely for Christmas and for its celebration, I decide not to get the gift especially if I already explained my belief about it. For bonuses, employers normally do not give Christmas bonus for employees in US, Canada, for example. maybe there are some exceptions but I have worked in a country were we are underpaid for the skills we have compared to the ones in the US, Canada, etc. Therefore, those who get the bonuses in those countries should not even call it "Christmas" bonus as if the employees owe the employers these bonuses, Personally, I think it is only appropriate for these employers to give their employees payback or what they call "bonus" since these workers are underpaid for their skills. Example, if a US company outsourced some of its jobs to a poor country, you know how much they pay? and you know how much little the employees in this poor country actually get? The employees deserve any type of bonuses in that situation especially if the company has earned a lot.
Employers can actually give these "bonuses" anytime of the year but they give it on "christmas" because they know that people spend a lot at that time and it is also good for business. So you think the reasons for giving the bonuses is really for Christmas?
2006-11-14 11:06:35 · answer #2 · answered by trustdell1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is up to the individuals, but also remember, Muslims and others also get them. Greek Orthodox don't celebrate Christmas in December, but in January.
These are end of the year bonuses. Adding the title of Christmas just make its sound nice, but has little in connection to the reality of the upcoming tax season. If the employer was giving out Christmas presents, specifically picked out for each employee, or even bought items in bulk, to be given out as Christmas gifts, that would have been different. Arab oil companies, who employ American workers for the drilling rigs, also give out these bonuses. If you are a man, paying child support, the bonus is built into the calculations of what is owed.
Of interest, this is not a practice for many companies in Europe, who think our Christmas merchanizing has gotten out of hand. There were some articles last year about Europian cities outlawing the putting up of outside Christmas lights. It is considered a gaudy American practice.
2006-11-13 14:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The JW's that I studied with in 1975 considered a Bonus as a reward for hard work and not as a Christmas gift. After all if the employees did not work and make the company money, they would not be able to give out bonuses.
I have worked at many places that gave out bonuses until they got made at one person and because they did not want that one person to receive a bonus they did not give any out, but doubled the bonus the next year after that one person quit.
2006-11-13 13:21:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is up to each individual and their own conscience whether or not they would accept a gift or food that is meant for the purpose of a worldly celebration or pagan holiday. I can tell you that I have politely declined items from some employers. Others, whom I had a 'better' or 'closer' relationship with, I have accepted-- but conditionally. To be more precise....One employer convinced me that I did deserve a bonus for being a good worker and he did not feel right withholding it from me, so-- I told the employer I would accept if I could receive the bonus as a 'year end bonus', and receive at a different time (in January). Another employer gave personal gifts to the small office staff, and he also insisted that it was his way of saying thanks for a year of good work. I did not want to offend him, so I accepted, only asking that I not receive it when the other staff members did.... he told me to go to the parking lot at lunch and a package would be in his front car seat for me. And yet another example-- Grocery store gift certificates were given at Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays... presumably to use them for a ham or turkey holiday meal; I did not -really- need them, so I gave them to ones in our congregation who I knew were in need of them.
And still another view is that these 'bonuses' can be looked at as a benefit given by the employer...no different than insurance or vacation time. To repeat, it is up to each individual Christian as to how they handle these items. If they accept them, they likely have their own reasons -- or they had a temporary moment of weakness and weren't able to decline. Sad to say, that has happened to me also.
2006-11-13 22:45:25 · answer #5 · answered by WannaKnowMore? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each Jehovah's Witness decides for himself what he will do about details surrounding birthdays and holidays.
Employers generally intend such items as free turkeys and quote-unquote "Christmas" bonuses as end-of-the-year rewards rather than as actual commemorations of religious holy days. A Jehovah's Witness will often insist that his employer or manager recognize and agree that the Witness's acceptance of such an item is as a reward for his hard work rather than in connection with the so-called "holy day". Another Witness might be more comfortable simply refusing such items outright. The matter is a personal conscientious decision for each Jehovah's Witness.
Learn more:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2003/2/1/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20030201/article_02.htm
2006-11-13 23:26:05 · answer #6 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually jehovahs witnesses will if offered a gift by an employer will only accept, if the employer is unaware of their beliefs, if a employer knows of a jehovahs witnesses beliefs say about birthdays, and still gets the jw a birthday present he or she will decline the gift. jehovahs witness can't take a gift from someone who knows of their beliefs just for material gain,
2006-11-13 13:20:18 · answer #7 · answered by Misty R 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If someone is offering you a bonus to give you credit for your hard work, this is acceptable.
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2006-11-13 13:08:00 · answer #8 · answered by twowords 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it's a religion.Religion lacks the Spirit to lead them.If their religion was true the Spirit of God would lead them into all truths,and reveal this to them.Their only thought is on what they have been told.Thus a religion is formed.And Jesus once again is blamed.
2006-11-13 13:12:52 · answer #9 · answered by don_steele54 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Some people are not that strong in their own religious convictions, I guess.
2006-11-13 13:13:14 · answer #10 · answered by newcovenant0 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋