I'm sure witnesses will have a properly worded excuse, and they are free to respond, but I'm interested in hearing from non-witnesses. This group does not participate in politics, the military, holidays, etc, yet they have no problem accepting the benefits offered to citizens as a result of these things.
One example among many is Holiday pay. If Witnesses don't celebrate holidays, why do they accept holiday pay? That would be the same as an atheist accepting 10 or more days of pay, for church services on Sundays, when they don't believe in God or go to church.
Unless there is some type of clause which says holiday pay can be substituted for vacation pay, or that celebration of holidays is NOT a requirement, It seems hypocritical and not very honest.
Of course there are non-religious people who do not celebrate holidays and accept holiday pay, but they aren't proclaiming to do this for RELIGIOUS and MORAL reasons which is what my question focuses on.
2007-03-06 02:17:53 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Tanya that's a good point. I think laws should be changed for groups who are anti-something yet have no problems accepting benefits from that "something". If war broke out and our country was invaded, I'm sure witnesses would be listening to the radio and television like everyone else, for details from the Government on where to go for protection by the miltary they don't support. If the laws gave priority to those who support the military over certain groups, these organizations would be the first to complain.
2007-03-06 02:24:55 · update #1
P.S. Should laws be ammended so that groups which do not celebrate holidays, do not receive holiday pay? That money could be used for other purposes, perhaps donated to charities in need.
2007-03-06 02:40:00 · update #2
Everything Jehovah's Witnesses believe rests on contradictions and outright error. If you read the following page from the link provided, you will see that none of their beliefs regarding holidays rest on the Bible as they claim. If they would only listen to the "apostates"......
http://sixscreensofthewatchtower.com/1holidays.html
2007-03-06 07:35:20 · answer #1 · answered by softfuzzyrabbit 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
It's called money! To refuse it would make the employer look at them and perhaps think, gee I must be paying him/her too much!
Give unto Caesar is the quote they use, taxes for example they pay.Since the holiday pay is taxed, they accept it as giving unto Caesar (Government), their fair share. They too, could donate it to their Kingdom Hall.There are aliens working that do not believe or vote here and accept holiday pay as well, so I feel sure there are many people that just accept what is the norm.
2007-03-06 10:38:24 · answer #2 · answered by AJ 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If a company is closed for a holiday and does not allow any employees to come in to work for a holiday that we don't even celebrate, I think it's only fair that they pay us. We're not asking to be off for that holiday, and we have families to take care of like everyone else. The company should not discriminate against us because of our religious beliefs and if they want take away holiday pay, I think that would be fine, but we should not to use our personal days to be off on a holiday that we don't even celebrate. There should be some type of compansation, a comp day or let us work. Not a problem. Also, we are citizens and pay taxes like everyone else in this country.
Enjoy!
2007-03-06 10:25:44 · answer #3 · answered by maleika v 2 · 6⤊ 3⤋
Employers have to abide by the law, and if the law says that employees are entitled to holiday pay, they will get it, even if they don't want it because of their religious beliefs.
If they don't want the holiday pay, they still must take it and what they do with it after they take it, is up to them.
2007-03-06 10:29:34 · answer #4 · answered by David G 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You are saying that everyone should celebrate a national adopted pagan holiday otherwise they don't get Holiday/vacation pay?
That sounds like you want the US to be more of a communist government rather then a free choosing democratic one.
2007-03-06 12:02:52 · answer #5 · answered by keiichi 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
The witnesses didn't fight for the Nazis, yet they lived under their system. Not the same for other Christian, who were perfectly will to kill other Christians for their country.
ou seem to have a lengthy diatribe here, with numerous claims, so I really doubt you care about any answer that is not anti-witness.
As for end of the year bonuses, they are only called holiday bonuses to make they look good. In Greece, they aren't holiday bonuses, as they don't celebrate Christmas until January.
Christ accepted the benefits of of the governing body in Israel, yet he discouraged his followers from participation in politics and war.
2007-03-06 12:00:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
Were I to offer reasons they would be as follows;
Book keeping problems,
Business owners are not allowed to inquire about anyone's religion.
Individuals often donate to the world wide work.
Some could be a bit forgetful and not realize they received it.
It is not unreasonable to except it as a gift.
Most brothers and sisters I know will refuse it if it is designated as a holiday gift.
Blessed are the peacemakers..........it would be donated to the world wide work.
Enough? If I were to say?
2007-03-06 10:28:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses ask for no special favors from business or government, and Jehovah's Witnesses expect no special discrimination from business or government. The fact remains that Jehovah's Witnesses often are happy to work so-called "holiday shifts" so that their celebratory colleagues can spend that time with their families.
Penalizing such graciousness seems petty, bigoted, and mean.
Jehovah's Witnesses are one of the least-demanding minorities in the history of the United States, but they are very nearly the "darling" of the United States Supreme Court, with literally dozens of wins over the decades. No doubt Jehovah's Witnesses would appreciate another opportunity to allow "God's minister" (the "superior authorities" of secular government) to expose and correct Satan-inspired anti-Witness bigotry.
(Romans 13:1,4) Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. ...it is God’s minister to you for your good.
2007-03-06 15:30:50 · answer #8 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Holiday pay is the same as vacation pay; paid vacations. Jehovah's Witnesses take vacations. It has nothing to do with 'holidays' such as Christmas if that is what you are referring to. Think about it!
2007-03-06 10:26:53 · answer #9 · answered by la la la 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋
They will also take government jobs, even though they "don't support the government"
2007-03-06 10:21:20 · answer #10 · answered by Tanya Pants 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋