Why did the Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate a Pagan Festival...?

Question

Christmas, for over forty years, yet still claim that they receive Divine direction from Jehovah.

Answer 1

JWs believe they receive "new light" from God whenever their beliefs change.

EDIT: For the record, you are correct the JWs used to permit followers to celebrate Christmas. They also used to celebrate birthdays and believe Jesus died on a cross. These things went by the wayside when the "new light" came.

SECOND EDIT: "AnnN" is correct -- The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has repeatedly stated it is a "prophet in the Ezekiel class." (Any JW who disputes this, send me a message and I'll send you proof.) A prophet whose prophesies don't come true or are not in line with God is a FALSE PROPHET. Sadly, the JWs have fallen victim to apostacy.

Answer 2

A lot of answerers seem to miss the point you make, that Jehovah's Witnesses claim DIVINE direction.
The God I worship does not mislead and yes I am Christian.

Answer 3

True, we did celebrate Christmas until the mid 1920's, but after we became convinced we should not mix true religious practice with false, we stopped doing this.

(Proverbs 4:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

We do not try to hide the facts of our history, it is all there for anyone to read. One good book is Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. This contains much of our modern day history.

Answer 4

Because we were/are still learning. Keep in mind even the apostles repeatedly had wrong interpertations of Jesus' teachings. The important thing is we realised it was wrong, and Stopped.

Answer 5

Because the more you study and examine the bible the more you learn and that's what happens we come to realize that some of the thing that we were accustom to are not correct therefore we correct it so that we are no longer participating in something Jehovah does not approve of. That's how you grow by acknowledging and correcting mistakes. you should do some research and find out were chrism as originated and from what group you will be surprise and what you find. also follow what Jehovah's son Jesus said it was to celebrate his death not his birth and also research what time of year it was when Jesus was born.

Answer 6

I see attacks on Catholics, Jw's and other religions and philosophies by some like you here at Yahoo on occasion.

Instead of attacking various religions, why don't you do what Paul said and criticize your own faith?

Are you doing works of righteousness, are you no part of the world?
Do you love God of all your heart, mind, and soul?
Do you love your neighbor like yourself?
Do you go preaching as Jesus told his followers to do?
Do you earn money as Paul said so as to give to the poor?

Now, that is worthwhile criticism!

Didn't the scriptures say, who are you to judge your neighbor? with the judgment you judge, you will be judged yourself!

So practice the love of God by obeying his commandments and leave such criticism of others alone. The Christian scriptures promise that God will pay everybody back for their own sins.

Don't worry all us sinners will get what is coming to us, and so will you too!

What God wants is loving kindness, peace, joy, and righteousness.

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses regret that their brothers did not fully understand or appreciate the interfaith and idolatry involved with their celebration of Christmas in the 1800's and early 1900's. But Jehovah's Witnesses are also grateful that their brothers finally did take that courageous and god-honoring stand for pure worship.

The facts about the paganisms surrounding Christmas are well-documented. The only real question involves what degree of pagan false religion should be acceptable to those who hope to engage in true worship of the only true God.

Despite many decades of conspicuous rejection of paganism, Jehovah's Witnesses have never claimed perfection in this regard. In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses have candidly discussed their early celebration of Christmas in some detail in their official history (see page 198 to 201 in the official history of Jehovah's Witnesses, entitled "Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom". On pages 200 and 201 there is a sidebar article with photographs depicting that last Christmas celebration (in 1926) at Jehovah's Witnesses' headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Jehovah's Witnesses have never claimed to receive "secret messages" from heaven. Instead, they believe the bible to teach that the angels can direct human circumstances and holy spirit can direct human thinking so that sincere bible research by godly persons can reveal God's will and purposes.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the burden is theirs to teach from the bible, but that Jehovah takes it upon Himself to open the hearts of listeners.

(1 Corinthians 3:5-9) You became believers, even as the Lord granted each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept making it grow; so that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes it grow. Now he that plants and he that waters are one, but each person will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers.

(Romans 9:1,6,11,15,16) My conscience bears witness with me in holy spirit... However, it is not as though the word of God had failed. ... in order that the purpose of God respecting the choosing might continue dependent, not upon works, but upon the One who calls... For [God] says to Moses: “I will have mercy upon whomever I do have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I do show compassion.” So, then, it depends, not upon the one wishing nor upon the one running, but upon God

Answer 8

Many religons have changed thier teachings over the centuries. Do you beat them up too for refining their beliefs? Did not your own Jesus Christ have to on several occasions correct the ways of his own 12 apostles? Do you critisize them?

Answer 9

Hi Claret,

You have many questions about JW's, most of which you already seem to have opinions about which are contrary to what most of us understand about them.

If you wish to have these questions cleared up I would suggest you head down to your nearest Kingdom Hall, and ask if you can start Bible studies with them.

I have no interest in the JW's myself, but if I was troubled by the same questions you have that's what I would do.

Answer 10

Many JW's are sincere and truly believe they belong to the right religion. Unfortunately, the organization places much emphasis on "acts" and/or "works". They do not fully understand what a relationship with God truly means. This has led to false teaching!

Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by GRACE you have been saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as result of WORKS, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for GOOD WORKS, which God PREPARED BEFOREHAND so that we would WALK IN THEM."

NOTE: A thief next to Jesus on the Cross was saved instantly by Grace because of His FAITH, while many in the crowd who practiced daily religious acts and works will be destroyed.

I commend JW's for their efforts in regards to spreading the Word. However, one can preach from door to door 365 days a year, avoid all sinful acts which can be "seen" by man, and practice the most upright beliefs such as avoiding politics, blood, etc, and still be a false prophet if one follows or teaches heresy.

This doesn't mean one can do what they want simply because they are saved. Nor will they! When one is saved...truly saved...and filled with the Holy Spirit, they will automatically feel compelled to follow the right path, because their spirit has been reborn. Yes the flesh may at times become weak and occasionally sin, but that does not change the reborn spirt.

***** To answer your question: JW's followed quite a few Pagan practices before changing their beliefs(unknown to many current JW's). A simple google search will reveal this with references to past JW documents for follow-up. Why you ask? Because JW's put the opinions and doctrines of men before the Word of God, which causes error or deception. That sums it up!! We are to study to show "ourselves" approved before God(2 Timothy 2:15).

Divine Inspiration from God NEVER EVER requires that MEANING of scripture be added to, changed, or adjustment by humans in any way. This is what many JW's fail to comprehend. Misspelling a word in error, or translating a scripture, is vastly different than changing the MEANING of a scripture.

2 Peter 1:20 - Above all you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophecy. It was the HOLY SPIRIT who moved the prophets to speak from God

2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.

God Bless, Miji