IAre you a Christian(someone who follows Christ)? If you are do you celebrate birthdays? And why?

Question

Has anyone ever looked up birthdays in the Bible and read the stories? If they Bible is here for a reason dont you think that if Jesus Christ never celebrated his birthday and in Gen. 40:20-22 The chief of the cupbearers were hung up and in Matt. 14:6-10 John the Baptist got beheaded in the prison. I mean if thats not enough proof to not celebrate why would you?

Answer 1

Well im not a Jehovah Witness but i honestly think that what they believe is right! Man i can say so much about Birthdays and where they originated from cuz people dont look at that they just look at what it means today. Celebrating birthdays is rooted in superstition and false religion, but that is not the sole or prime reason why Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid the practice. Everything that is in the Bible is there for a reason. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)

THE celebration of birthdays is regarded by most people today as merely an innocent custom. But the Bible does not paint a positive picture of this tradition. For one thing, the Scriptures contain no indication that any of God’s faithful servants celebrated birthdays.

The only two birthdays the Bible does mention were for rulers who were enemies of God. Each celebration included an execution, so that the guests could gloat over the death of one who had displeased the king. In the first instance, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, executed his chief baker. (Genesis 40:2, 3, 20, 22) The Egyptian ruler did so during the feast because he had grown indignant with his servant. In the second instance, Herod, the immoral ruler of Galilee, beheaded John the Baptizer as a favor to a girl whose dancing at the party had pleased him. What repulsive scenes

“The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.”—The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries (New York, 1848), Augustus Neander (translated by Henry John Rose), p. 190.

“The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days.”—The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225

What is the origin of popular customs associated with birthday celebrations?
“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.

Answer 2

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity (about 2000 years old), we really don't celebrate the birth day.

Instead, we call it a "name day", and we commemorate the person for whom we are named. In my case it is Martyr Gordios:

http://www.oca.org/FSlives.asp?SID=4&M=1&D=3

He is just below Prophet Malachi.

If you click on "life of the saint" you will have a popup of the story of his life, and why/how he gave his head for Christ Jesus.

As far as Jesus not having birthday parties, how do you know?

Saint John The Theologian (inspired by The Holy Spirit) wrote:

John 21:25
...And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

So where do you get off declaring that because something isn't in the bible, it didn't happen?

How much blood did Mary lose during childbirth?

How many teeth did Saint John The Forerunner (Baptist) have left in his mouth when his head was cut off and he was martyred for Christ Jesus?

Can you name the names of 100 martyrs for Christ during the first century alone?

How about this: How many Russian Orthodox Christians were martyred for their faith (or their parent's faith) between the time of the Revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall?

Try 14 Million.

How about this: once you have read the story of every person who has ever been martyred for Christ Jesus, THEN you get on the internet and make pronouncements about scripture.

Until then, I will continue reading about the lives of the martyrs, for they give me much deeper spiritual insight than your bible thumping.

Say hello to Arius for me...

Answer 3

Yes I'm saved and follow Jesus and celebrate birthdays. I do it to show love and encouragement to others. I know Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate birthdays but they do celebrate a wedding anniversary. Isn't that honoring man? Jesus was never married and you don't read about the disciples who were married celebrating a wedding anniversary. Sounds like you are picking and choosing what to believe when God doesn't condemn any of it. So why do you?

Answer 4

Good grief! Have you ever celebrated a wedding? Jesus did. Jesus wasn't against celebrating. And a birthday is just an excuse to say how very happy you are that someone has been born. Nothing evil in that!!

Answer 5

Before I answer this question, I want to ask one my self? Are you a Jehovah Witness? I celebrate birthdays because in my religion we believe that it is a blessing to be here on earth, it is a part of our eternal progresion. The men that were killed in the bible it wasn't because they celebrated birthdays. But every one has the right too believe and worship the way that they feel is best.

Answer 6

I celebrate it because it's an American tradition. Why would they put Jesus' birthday party in the Bible? I mean, the older people get, the less likely they are to have birthday parties.

Answer 7

Yeah I Do Everybody always celebrate a dead celebrites birthday that made a mark in somebodies world Like Selena Perez,Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe theres always something on tv or some special programm tor emeber this celeb also Frida Kahlo R.I.P Frida Kahlo :)

Answer 8

I think you are making some assumptions here that are not backed by scripture or by what is known about the hebrew culture (significant since Jesus was a Jew). Be careful not to take things isolated and out of context. That is how cults and false doctrines begin like Jehovah's Witnesses. If you are Christian, follow the bible and believe what it says not what you or someone else wants it to say.

Answer 9

I am a Christian Jehovah's Witness and I don't celebrate birthdays because Jesus was the greatest man who ever lived and there is no way to figure out when his birthday really was--so, we can't celebrate it---AND, if we don't celebrate the birthday of the greatest man who ever lived, why should we celebrate any of the lesser men and women?? I love to give presents to the people I love whenever I want--just because I love them. It works for me!!

Answer 10

I celebrate my birthdays. I'll be celebrating my 18th in less than two weeks. And I don't know what your backup has to do with me celebrating my birthday. Someone died on their birthday? Sure, why not. It's a proven fact: People always die within six months, before or after, their birthday. Crazy, huh?