The photograph showing Joseph Rutherford together with other Governing Body members and headquarter staff at Bethel in Brooklyn New York City all celebrating Christmas with presents and the other usual decorations that appears in the Ray Franz book, In Search of Christian Freedom, is this photo authentic as my ex partner who is now a Witness will not believe that it is.
2007-02-27 01:11:40 · 6 answers · asked by claret 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
While I have not seen the picture in question, it may very well be genuine. You can suggest to your friend that he look in the Proclaimer's book. Their are records in it of our somewhat embaressing misunderstandings of the Bible. I am so thankful as we grow in our understanding of the Bible.
2007-02-28 14:19:40 · answer #1 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, we used to celebrate Christmas. But after some more research we realised that it is a wrong thing to do. Now tell me how many Christians when finding out about it stoped? I know people who are orthodox (the majotity people in my country are orthodox) and though they know its origin they still celebrate.
It was not until several hundred years after Jesus lived on the earth that people began to commemorate his birth on December 25. But that was not the date of Jesus’ birth, for it evidently took place in October. So why was December 25 chosen? Some who later claimed to be Christian likely “wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the ‘birthday of the unconquered sun.’” (The New Encyclopædia Britannica) In winter, when the sun seemed weakest, pagans held ceremonies to get this source of warmth and light to come back from its distant travels. December 25 was thought to be the day that the sun began its return. In an effort to convert pagans, religious leaders adopted this festival and tried to make it seem “Christian.”
The pagan roots of Christmas have long been recognized. Because of its unscriptural origin, Christmas was banned in England and in some of the American colonies during the 17th century. Anyone who even stayed home from work on Christmas day had to pay a penalty. Soon, though, the old customs were back, and some new ones were added. Christmas once again became a big holiday, and that is what it still is in many lands. Because of the connections that Christmas has with false religion, however, those who want to please God do not celebrate it or any other holiday that has its roots in pagan worship.
Concerning the Christmas celebration as it is generally known all over the world, The Encyclopedia Americana says: "Most of the customs now associated with Christmas were not originally Christmas customs but rather were pre-Christian and non-Christian customs taken up by the Christian church. Saturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles."
2007-02-27 02:19:51 · answer #2 · answered by Alex 5 · 7⤊ 4⤋
Yep. We celebrated Christmas at one time. Not a big deal. The light keeps getting brighter.
2007-02-27 01:56:24 · answer #3 · answered by krobin 2 · 7⤊ 4⤋
You don't need to look in a book to see that, it is on the Watchtower Web Site.
2007-02-27 02:58:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
yes it is definitely him, at the beginning they used to celebrate christma sthen it all changed when they realized it was apagan festival and they stopped doing it.
2007-02-27 01:18:50 · answer #5 · answered by Goldfish" 1 · 8⤊ 1⤋
--It probably is , there is no question, that before the understanding of the pagan connections that Christmas is deeply rooted in & were truly understood and before they bravely took a stand against the Christmas popularity, they were involved!
-So whats the big deal?
2007-02-27 01:22:54 · answer #6 · answered by THA 5 · 6⤊ 4⤋