Jehovah Witnesses - What do you have against Birthdays?

Question

I will explain why I ask, someone I know got reprimanded for handing out birthday invitations to her childrens birthday, saying that they would offend the jehovahs witnesses. Personally I would not care if I did, but since when has a minority cult been able to control things in schools. Next JW that knocks on my door will be sorry

When I say they will be sorry they are going to cop[ a right earful

Where does it say in Bible you can't celebrate birthdays? We have celebrated Jesus Birthday fror 2000 years. Shame the JWs only mold what is said in the bible to suit themselves. You dont even believe Jesus died on the cross

Very good point Krystabelle, Probably the same as those selfish JW's who wuld deny their kid a blood transfusion when the kid was dying.

Ishvarlan you m,ake a good point, and I guess I amn entitled to be angry. But do I get offended when JW's knock on my door, no. Do I think JW's are christian or bibilical - absolutely not

One more thing, there seems to be a lot of thumbs down for those peope saying JWs are a cult? I dont understand why, they are a cult.

Answer 1

so what if people died on the same day as birthdays? it seems that the passages are condemning the excesses of the non believers. what about people who use birthdays to get family together for worship and celebration of community and life? God's greatest gift and miracle! Birth, life, renewal.... and would a JW be really offended if a child invited their children to a birthday party? would they believe that family to be pagan and unworthy of their company? would they expect executions to take place at said party?

Answer 2

Well you certainly seem to be an angry person. Do I or ANY Witnesses I know become offended when others decide to Celebrate birthdays??? NO of course not. It would be silly. Jehovah gave us all free will. Do I think birthdays are in ANY way Christian or Biblical??? No.

Look up Cult. We are not one. That is why people, Not just Witnesses, get mad when we are called Cultists.

Answer 3

I think the bigger question is why so much importance on a day that is not put in a favorable light in the Bible, while refusing to honor the day Christ did say to keep in Memorial, Nasin 14?

Another question, do you give your child a Barmitzva? Don't they deserve that? There are many celebrations involving children, from many cultures, and America is a multicultural society. Shouldn't children get a sampling of all beliefs that are fun?

Answer 4

The only 2 birthday’s mentions in the bible were done by people who were not worshipers of Jehovah.
Also in both birthday celebrations, someone died.
The bible also tells us that what you do with your life, how you live it is more important than the day you were born.
Genesis 40:20-22; Matthew 14:6-10

Answer 5

Their refusal to celebrate birthdays stems from a sincere desire to please God. They cannot help but note, as Christians have noted since the time of Origen, that the only two birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible were those of an Egyptian pharaoh and Herod Antipas, a Roman ruler, neither of whom was a servant of God. It is also significant that both celebrations were associated with an execution.—Gen. 40:20-22; Matt. 14:6-11.

Answer 6

I never had anything against birthdays, but what "Sugarlip" and "Here I am" said about birthdays is in the Bible. The JW's do have a very valid point.

Answer 7

I had a JW handbook that was passed down from a late friend of the family, and it mentioned in there that blowing out cake candles was a pagan ritual. I would suppose the other argument (though again, this is just my guess) is that celebrating one's own birth shows some signs of pride and self-worth, which they can't be all that hip on.

Answer 8

Do Bible references to birthday celebrations put them in a favorable light? the Bible makes only two references to such celebrations:

Gen. 40: 20-22: "Now on the third day it turned out to be Pharaoh's birthday, and he proceded to make a feast...Accordingly he returned the chief of the cupbearers to his post of cupbbearer...But the chief of the bakers he hung up."

Matt. 14:6-10 "When Herod's birthday was being celebrated tghe daughter of Herodias danced at it and pleased Herod so much that he promised with and oath to give her whatever she asked. Then she, under her mother's coaching, said: 'Give me here upon a platter the head of John the Baptist.' ...He sent and had John beheaded in the prison."

Everything that is in the Bible is there fo ra reason. (2tim. 3:16,17) Jehovah's Witnesses take note that god's word reports unfavorably about birthdays celebrations ans so shun these.

HOW DID EARLY CHRISTIANS AND JEWS OF THE BIBLE TIMES VIEW BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS?

"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 ans Church, durning the Three First Centuries (NewYork, 1848), Augustus Neander)translated by Henry John Rose), p. 190.

"The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as 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 1,p225.

WHAT IS THE ORGIN 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 Chrisianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom." Schwabische 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 wiht the god on whose birhtday 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 wiht the Greeks. ...Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple alters 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 snce 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 9

They like to deny themselves pleasure and joy. They don't believe in the Trinity nor in hell or the immortality of the soul. Many Jehovah Witnesses are paranoid and weird.

Answer 10

they do not follow God's Word...
they are a cult...