Why do Jehova's witnesses not celebrate birthdays?

Question

but they celebrate anniversaries as the birth of a new relationship. Why would you not celebrate the birth of your own child is this not a joyus occasion?

I just feel that celebrating a birthday is a joyus occasion especially with all the deaths of the young in today's society. There are plenty of things in the bible that god tells us not to do like premartial sex but it is contionuasly being done so just because the bible does not say not to celebrate does not mean its bad or a deadly sin. Just might thoughts

Answer 1

because they were not born, they were hatched.

Answer 2

True, as Jehovah's Witnesses we do not celebrate birthdays but that doesn't mean the birth of a child isn't a joyous occasion! The Bible tells us in Proverbs that "the fruitage of the belly is a reward." I have been to 3 baby showers in the past 2 months- trust me, we celebrate the coming of a new baby! :0)

We don't celebrate Chrismas or Thanksgiving either but that does not mean that we don't enjoy being with our families as well! But why reserve only one or two days out of the year to focus on your family? Why not reserve all 365 days for being grateful for the family you have been blessed with?

The reasoning for not celebrating birthdays has already been explained very well. There is no mention of the ancient Israelites ever celebrating a birthday, Jesus Christ included, and the only birthdays ever mentioned were celebrated by the surrounding nations. Additionally, the celebration of one's birth is steeped in astrology and the worship of false gods, things that God tells us to "flee from."

"Our God is a happy God," and He wants His servants to be a happy people. Not celebrating birthdays doesn't serve to diminish the joy of the occasion; it simply keeps us separate from the things of this system that God disapproves of.

Answer 3

Everyday of being alive is a joyous occasion is it not? Why would you celebrate everyday with giving of gifts and bringing honor and glory to oneself?

The only two birthday celebrations spoken of in the Bible were held by persons who did not worship Jehovah. (Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6:21, 22, 24-27) The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient false religions. True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times during the year.

The Bible links the celebration of birthdays with pagans, not with God's true worshipers.—Matthew 14:6-10.

Answer 4

They aren't celebrated in the bible. Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death. (Luke 22:19, 20) Christmas and its customs come from ancient religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today.

The only two birthday celebrations spoken of in the Bible were held by persons who did not worship Jehovah. (Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6:21, 22, 24-27) The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient religions. True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times during the year.

Answer 5

The bible does not discuss even one celebration of a wedding anniversary. Each Jehovah's Witness decides for himself whether he will celebrate wedding anniversaries.

By contrast, the bible does discuss celebrations of birthdays. Jehovah's Witnesses and other bible students cannot help but note...
: 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/library/w/2000/12/15/article_01.htm

Answer 6

I'll defer to JustSyd's knowledge of what Jw's think is not celebrated. But birthdays were alluded to on many many occasions. Even Jesus said that after the pain--- you rejoice because a man child is born. Births were joyous occasions.
But the JW's don't 'drink' blood. They confuse this with a blood transfusion, when it is talking about blood offered to idols. It goes on and on.
Jesus never commanded JW's to play the piano but many of them do. What is the difference? Truly they strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.
Take note people how JustSyd and Brownski quoted almost verbatim or did. These poor people are autonomous robots, parroting phrases from the WatchTower. PRAY for deliverence for these poor souls please.

Answer 7

Because the celebration of birthdays originated from the pagans. They do not wish to have part in things that the pagans celebrate. I know some that do not like christmas either?

Answer 8

It is Said in the Watch Tower that it is to be the case....
And Whilst they SAY they do not Celebrate Birthdays, and Christmas, There is enough evidence to indicate that some if not many do these same things...

Answer 9

I am told that Salome danced for Herod on his birthday, and then asked for John the Baptist's head.

Answer 10

sorry, i have nothing to inform you of the birthdays, but Jehovah is actually a bad translation for YHWH. it should actually be Yahweh. as the letters 'Y' and 'W' are 'exchangeable', so to speak, with the letters 'J' and 'V' respectively. and the vowels are just added in between. hence, Yahweh becomes Jehovah.

Answer 11

Explain any religions rules of conduct their code or covenant's.
If you believe them silly JUST ignor them.
But get upset when it confronts life and death health issues.