I understand that some of the Jehovah Whitnesses beliefs are different than other christians. Could someone please explain why they don't celebrate birthdays or christmas and any other different beliefs as opposed to other christian based religeon? I'm truley curious about the religeon... please help.
2007-05-27 17:30:53 · 17 answers · asked by trehuginhipee 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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!
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
2007-05-27 23:56:09 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
1st to "zoril" it's true, we do not salute flag or go to war & kill our fellow Brothers & Sisters, unlike your religion.
JW's are in 235 lands & islands, we respect the flag of each country unlike most christian religions, Why do you think, the prisons are full of so-called Christians, why is it that so-called Christians are the ones that "burn, spit, step on the "flag" and show disrespect not only to the flag but to the country they live in?
Christmas supposedly commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, and nearly every religion that claims to be Christian celebrates it. Yet, there is no evidence that the first-century disciples of Jesus observed such a holiday. The book Sacred Origins of Profound Things states: “For two centuries after Christ’s birth, no one knew, and few people cared, exactly when he was born.”
Even if Jesus’ disciples had known the exact date of his birth, they would not have celebrated it. Why? Because, as The World Book Encyclopedia says, the early Christians “considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.” The only birthday observances mentioned in the Bible are those of two rulers who did not worship Jehovah. (Genesis 40:20; Mark 6:21) Birthday celebrations were also held in honor of pagan deities.
THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS
It was not until several hundred years after Jesus lived on the earth that people began to commemorate his birth on December 25. But that was not the date of Jesus’ birth, for it evidently took place in October. So why was December 25 chosen? Some who later claimed to be Christian likely “wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the ‘birthday of the unconquered sun.’” (The New Encyclopædia Britannica)
Of even greater concern to Christians, however, is the fact that Halloween and celebrations like it are steeped in paganism. The apostle Paul wrote: “I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” The Bible thus condemns the whole idea of putting a Christian mask on a pagan practice!
The Bible says: “For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? ‘“Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,” says Jehovah, “and quit touching the unclean thing.”’” (2Â Corinthians 6:14-17) Surely that would include customs that are clearly derived from,or unmistakably resemble, false religious practices. True, clerics argue that such practices become acceptable when brought into the church. However, it was this same line of reasoning that once nearly led the Israelites to ruin!
Easter customs, eggs, bunnies, and bonfires, are therefore not cleansed by being practiced by Christians. Rather, they defile anyone practicing them. Compare Haggai 2:12, 13.
These are just a few examples why we do not celebrate holidays.
2007-05-28 01:50:54 · answer #2 · answered by BJ 7 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Hi. As for birthdays it is because, among other things, some of the traditions of birthday celebrations have Pagan overtones, also only twice are birthdays mentioned. Both times the Bible puts them in a very unfavorable light. As for Christmas, it is a pagan celebration. As for any other things you want to know just ask:D
2007-05-28 13:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
NO. Our beliefs are not different than other Christians. Christians do not have differing beliefs as 1 Cor 1:10 says.
Could you explain to us why you and these other so-called Christians celebrate birthdays and holidays?
2007-05-28 08:06:00 · answer #4 · answered by sklemetti 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
They are followers of Christ and worshipers of Jehovah God.
They believe in the entire bible and any bible.
As followers of Christ they will not participate in:
Man-made traditions that Jesus or his followers did not partake in that have pagan elements in them.
Short History of Birthdays:
Where did birthday celebrations come from? The astonishing answer is from the pagan practice of astrology! Thousands of years ago, when men looked up into the night sky and charted the stars, they invented calendars and calculated the birth dates, to the very hour, of kings, rulers and their successors. These ancient pagan astrologers meticulously examined horoscopes and birthday omens because they believed that the fate of the rich and powerful might affect an entire society. Even to this day, men have been putting their trust in horoscopes instead of God.
2007-05-28 10:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by keiichi 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
We do our best to please God.
When he says have no other Gods before my face nor bow down to them, nor be induced to serve them....He is commanding...not suggesting.
We are to have no crosses, statues, holy pictures, patriotic flags, and not sacrifice our children to the war god. We are not to pledge honor, allegiance or devotion to anything or anyone but Jehovah.
We are never to elevate ourselves over Jehovah even for a moment much less a day (birthday) When bad men decided to merge christian holidays with pagan festivals...we did not take part.
Jehovah wants our pure worship.
Jesus told his disciples at the last supper...keep doing this in remembrance of me....not his birth but his death because he had done a good thing.
We done care if other religions celebrate but we do not..of course we try to warn them..and if they listen they could possibly gain their life...There is rabbits and chickens associated with Jesus resurrection. Why make a circus out of something so solemn?
2007-05-28 00:58:27 · answer #6 · answered by debbie2243 7 · 6⤊ 2⤋
In a nut shell, they feel that Christmas, Easter, and birthdays are from a pagan background and should not be celebrated as this puts pagan gods ahead of the true God. They do not think that Jesus is God, but they think that Jesus is actually Michael the Archangel. They do consider him a god, but not God. They do not believe in the Trinity. They believe the Holy Spirit is just God's active force, and not a separate entity. They believe that there is no such thing as the eternal fire of hell, and at the end you are destined to either not be resurrected, live forever on earth, or be elected to one of the 144k to rule with Jesus. They also believe that they are the one true religion, and spend a bazillion hours every week going door to door and having meetings at the Kingdom Halls. They are mostly very nice people. However, I disagree with their doctrine. Hope that helped!
Moises......... May the Lord be with you
2007-05-28 00:39:42 · answer #7 · answered by ~♥Anna♥~ 5 · 5⤊ 4⤋
Because celebrating such things is not written in the Bible and Jesus didnt asked his deciples to celebrate his B-day instead the day of his death.
Moses say or explain it very clear!
Thank you!
2007-05-28 19:06:47 · answer #8 · answered by faith 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Simple Jesus didn´t do it. ask you why? nor his disciples and before Christ none of Followers of God didn´t do it also.
Eclessiastes 7:1 "A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born"
Jesus knew that that is why he gave more important to his death rather than his birthday. (Luke 22:19)
the bible only record two birthdays (Genesis 40:20 and Mark 6:21) and both of them were celebrate by nonbelievers but of course that doesn´t mean that we are not happy when a baby born, what we don´t do is the pagan feast that were pretty similar than now.
by the way we don´t think Jesus is Michael the bible says that with any bible in any place of the world I can prove that no matter what version but you have to read the whole bible not only the gospel, but the whole book, since Exodus to Revelation says that and I can prove that anywhere in this world and in front of the Pope if is necessary.
and thanks God with do not support the war look in Wikipedia for "Land letter" and see why I am glad.
2007-05-28 00:34:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 4⤋
Curiosity killed the cat - an expression worthy of your attention when it comes to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. They are lovely, Bible believing, God fearing, honest and sincere people. This is not a personal attack. I love Jehovah's Witnesses. I used to be one. My parents were Jehovah's Witnesses. The bit about not celebrating birthdays or Christmas is only the tip of the iceberg. Look below the waterline to observe the huge, massive difference between them and Christianity.
They claim to be Christians, but do not worship Christ.
They claim to be Christians, but twist the Gospel message.
They claim to be Christians, but must earn their salvation through works.
They claim to be Christians, but denigrate the Holy Spirit to a mere "it", a power or force.
They claim to be Christians, but have taken bits from the Bible (especially John 1:1) and changed them to suit their beliefs.
Searching for God and the truth is between you and God. Go direct to the source of truth and ask God, in prayer, to show you his truth. Pick up the Bible. Start to read. If you are sincere in your search for truth, God will show you the way. You need Jehovah's Witnesses like you need a hole in your head. Not that I have anything against them, personally. They are nice people. Just misguided.
2007-05-28 14:16:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 4⤋