Hi my friend is a jehovah's witness and it is her birthday soon. I know that they dont do birthdays but is there anything I can give her and is saying happy birthday ok?
I also want to know what things shouldnt I do or say to her that will b against her religion and what other celebrations do they not do?
2007-03-01 17:57:31 · 14 answers · asked by hi 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you for being concerned with respecting her beliefs. I suggest you ask her as she can explain her beliefs, and her feelings about these beliefs, better than anyone on here. That said, as a Witness, I know it is often frustrating when someone gives me a gift a few days before my birthday, then acts hurt when I turn it down, saying it is JUST a gift. While I doubt it would bother her if you make an honest mistake about her beliefs, if you know something is going to bother her then just don't do it. Hope this helps.
2007-03-01 18:10:20 · answer #1 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you want to give her a gift, make it your friendship and interest. Sit with her and ask the questions you are asking here. You're not doing it to become a witness, but to be a better friend. Many a misunderstanding between friends comes from not asking the question we feel is important, but are perhaps a little embarrassed or shy to ask. It never hurts to take in a little knowledge. The Apostle Paul said to continually taking in knowledge. In the end, you will be better for it as you will have a better understanding of your friend.
On another point, this is a good example of the false claims often made against witnesses that the Watchtower does not allow them to have friends outside the congregation.
2007-03-02 05:04:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well they generally don't take offense to someone saying "happy birthday". But they won't usually accept presents if they feel people only bought them for them because it was their birthday. They don't want to "celebrate" (acknowledging fine, making any sort of deal out of it, not good) their birthdays. But each person is different though. Don't worry too much, from what I've seen they're very understanding people. Take care :)
2007-03-02 02:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by Devon M 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe the bible to restrict gift-giving or expressions of general good will. Most Witnesses will simply accept a sincere expression of "happy birthday" with a simple "thank you".
However, Witnesses would never encourage such sentiments, since they believe the bible to teach that birthday celebrations dishonor God and 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!
Jehovah's Witnesses practice strict political and nationalistic neutrality, so they do not celebrate nationalistic holidays such as Independence Day and Memorial Day.
Other holidays derive from false religion, and so are incompatible with pure worship as adulterating interfaith. For example, Easter derives from the pagan god Oestre and celebrates "rebirth" and "fertility" instead of commemorating Christ's Last Supper and death as Jesus commanded:
(Luke 22:1-22) [Jesus] dispatched Peter and John, saying: “Go and get the passover ready for us to eat.” ...14 At length when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them: “I have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it becomes fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ... Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”
Seemingly innocuous holidays may have only a tangential connection with false worship, such as Mother's Day and Father's Day (although arguably derived from ancestor worship). Understated observance of these is not generally considered interfaith by Jehovah's Witnesses, but it is too easily misunderstood in some cultures.
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/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20001215/article_01.htm
2007-03-02 11:15:35 · answer #4 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most JWs will accept gifts. But I don't think they celebrate birthdays. Religion is very often not fun. Which is why I always say stay away from religion. Instead develop a relationship with God through the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus. You be God's child and let Him be your Father. Relationship, not religion. Never expect a birthday gift from a JW.
I Cr 13;8a
2007-03-02 02:02:49 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
What you are asking is answered in the following online articles:
Beliefs and Customs That Displease God
- What kind of beliefs and customs are Scripturally wrong?
http://www.watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
God's Servants Must Be Clean
- Spiritually, Mentally, Morally, & Physically
http://www.watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe? http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
The best present you can give her is your respect.
You seem to be doing that already. (:
She would probably be happy to be allowed to answer some of your questions ...
2007-03-02 03:49:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just give her a gift and tell her you love her. It's both the truth, and you don't need a special occasion to love someone by giving them a gift. It would also help to give it to her the day before or the day after, but that's just my suggestion.
There's probly a wikipedia on JW's.
2007-03-02 02:05:12 · answer #7 · answered by Christian #3412 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Acknowledge that you know that she dosent celebrate birthdays but give her a folder or album of photos of the two of you, tell her that you wanted to comemorate your friendship.
2007-03-02 02:04:02 · answer #8 · answered by minimouse68 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure why not...theres nothing wrong with respecting someones religion, but you don't need to walk on eggshells around them...do what you would normally do, you have good intentions therefor I don't think you will offend your friend...she will tell you what she doesn't do.
2007-03-02 02:02:53 · answer #9 · answered by Dixon 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't know exactly the belief of JW but I would be yourself. If you know it's her birthday and you'd like to be wished happy birthday, by all means, wish her a happy birthday. Some religion's rules are soooo mindless and just there to cause the follower to be frustrated in my opinion.
Jesus in Spirit and in Truth as revealed in scripture is the way, the only way...
2007-03-02 02:01:41 · answer #10 · answered by karen i 5 · 1⤊ 7⤋