2007-01-08 13:45:17 · 9 answers · asked by maivas229 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jehovah's Witnesses believe strongly in God Jehovah and in his Son Jesus Christ.
Regarding birthday celebrations, 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!
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
2007-01-09 02:56:07 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Birthday's are of pagan origin (and I can get the research for you), and there is no indication that 1st century Christians celebrated birthdays. The only celebration commanded by Jesus was during passover (The Lord's evening meal) to commemorate his death.
The only 2 birthday's recorded in the bible were of pagan individuals (Pharoah & Herod) who did not worship God as well as during the festivities had somebody murdered.
2007-01-08 22:20:51 · answer #2 · answered by OatesATM 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
“The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.
“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . . Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune. . . . Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . Originally the idea was rooted in magic. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.”—The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952), Ralph and Adelin Linton, pp. 8, 18-20.
2007-01-08 21:52:23 · answer #3 · answered by papa G 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses consider Jesus to be the greatest human who ever lived and the Bible does not indicate the day of his birth. Therefore, if we are not supposed to celebrate the birth of the greatest human, why should we celebrate our own?? Also, the Bible says that the day of one's death is greater than the day of one's birth, meaning that at death, you have already proven what sort of person you will be, if you will serve God, if you love others, etc. but when you are first born, you have nothing to say what sort of person you are.
2007-01-09 03:17:38 · answer #4 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is a lifeflow continuum so the actual date of birth is insignificant and celebrating it would be a lack of humility taking the focus off of God. a bit extreme perhaps but i dont have a problem with it.
2007-01-08 21:50:03 · answer #5 · answered by larrydoyle52 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they celebrate life instead
2007-01-08 21:49:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
its related to superstition(zodiac signs) and bible warns us about practicing these(table of good luck)....those setting in order a table for the god of Good Luck and those filling up mixed wine for the god of Destiny.” (Isaiah 65:11)....and these were used in ancient times.to please pagan gods...which jesus and his father never encourage us to do...........thinking about these.....read what 2 corinthians 6:14-17....tell me what you think
2007-01-08 21:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by dfg q 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
go to the official site for JW's http://www.watchtower.org/
2007-01-08 22:04:11 · answer #8 · answered by GW 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they are most Christ like and Christ didn't.
2007-01-08 21:52:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋