2007-05-19 16:20:14 · 18 answers · asked by sarah . 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"Jehovah" is the personal name of Almighty God. An adherent of the religion well-known for advocating the Divine Name is "a Jehovah's Witness".
Jehovah's Witnesses believe strongly in God Jehovah and in his Son Jesus 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!
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
2007-05-21 09:33:23 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I am a Jehovah's Witness, we don't celebrate birthday parties, or any holidays, because of their pagan origin. Did you see Jesus celebrating his own birth by hanging up lights and trees, or go to other people parties? No. There are only 2 counts of birthday celebrations in the Bible, one was which John was beheaded. And those people that held those fesivities, weren't worshippers of Jehovah, but of false gods. I hope that this clearifies more for you, and if you have anymore questions about what we believe, ask your friend. I'm sure that he will be more than happy to answer.
2007-05-19 17:55:19 · answer #2 · answered by superstang99_4485 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a Jehovah's Witness, but I can tell you why. If you check the scriptures you will find only two birthday celebrations mentioned. One was in the Old Testament and one was in the New Testament. Both of them ended in death.
There are no scriptures that teach that we should celebrate a natural birth. We are to weep when a child is born, but when one is spiritually born even the angels in heaven sing.
2007-05-19 16:43:07 · answer #3 · answered by Belize Missionary 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Jehovah? Yahweh of the old testament? Wow. Things have changed since the party at Cana, water to wine and all. He'd be a hoot turning the tuna casserole into a meal for the whole neighborhood. Certainly would be more entertaining than a birthday clown for sure!
2007-05-19 16:29:46 · answer #4 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have an uncle who is also a Jehovah's Witness.
You need to respect your friend's belief. He may change his mind when he gets older or he may not. My uncle's daughters did. But that's not the point. Are we not the luckiest nation that we can choose which religion we want? In the grand scheme of life, parties aren't all that.
2007-05-19 16:32:56 · answer #5 · answered by gabeymac♥ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He is not missing out on anything that would be displeasing to the God whom he worships.
If you knew your father would be upset if you left his home to steal a car from your neighbor would he be upset with you and discipline you for it?
Celebrations that steal attention (worship) away from the only true God Jehovah, is not something true Christians would want to do.
Adam and Eve did, and look at the mess we are in now.
2007-05-19 16:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by Here I Am 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a good philosophy in that that seeking excitement to brain cells is a sign of lack of spiritual evolution. But such an attitude should come naturally and based on realization and not by religious compulsions. Like water in rubber balloon, if you suppress any natural feeling, it will take some other shape. Socializing for the sake of it or out of boredom is not good either and we spoil each other by socializing. We can be compassionate and helpful to each other without socializing.
2007-05-19 16:31:37 · answer #7 · answered by peacebliss 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi, not sure of the question. It is true that we do not participate in Birthday celebrations. We do still enjoy parties, giving/getting presents to/from others, eating, laughing, etc.
2007-05-20 02:07:34 · answer #8 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's Not that we Can't go...We Don't Want To Go!
We do celebrate Weddings
and the Anniversaries there of.
Graduations, Baby Showers.
Its Wholesome Gatherings that we look for
as to decide if 1 wants to attend a certain function
or not. Also, if it pleasing to Jehovah.
Love a decent B-B-Q!! ;~) potato salad, baked beans,
mac n cheese, corn-on-the-cob, don't forget the shish-kabobs!!!
NOW.... I'm hungry!!
2007-05-23 04:11:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The fact is your friend CAN go to birthday parties or whatever even up to committing murder.
The fact that they choose not to, be it for religious or moral reasons should be respected.
2007-05-19 16:36:26 · answer #10 · answered by kazmania_13 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋