Is it not appropriate?
2007-09-25 15:17:30 · 26 answers · asked by Stellar_Girl22 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Like just saying "happy birthday."
2007-09-25 15:20:56 · update #1
No.
2007-09-25 16:43:49 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 15⤊ 3⤋
The Jehovah's Witnesses I have met have found it uncomfortable, although when people do not know that they do not celebrate birthdays or Christmas, they will accept any wishes and presents with grace but will not be able to give presents in return. The best thing if you really want to give this person something is to gvie them a present around the time of their birthday for just being them or if they're married, make a big fuss over their wedding anniversary or just say it's great to know you.
2007-09-25 15:24:17 · answer #2 · answered by Evieve 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No. They do not believe in the celebration of birthdays so if I know that someone is a jehovahs witness, I would not wish that person happy birthday.
2007-09-25 16:26:26 · answer #3 · answered by Annie Rod 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
This is an interesting question.
I was raised in a mixed family my mother a JW (and still is) my father a drunken violently opposed church of England(dead & one of the happiest days of my life).
From the times I first remember as a kid Dad wanted to go to Birthday party's & mum wouldn't go then dad would bash mum my sister and me.I loved going to the meetings with my mum and understood why my mother wount not go to birthday parties or wish anyone happy birthday.
I keep telling everyone I have been out of the truth now for 25 years but I worked it out to be around 15.To this day I never think to wish anyone happy birthday or christmas or easter and I hate parties , it don't even cross my mine(which annoys my wife)
2007-09-27 13:35:53 · answer #4 · answered by pestie58 the spider hunter 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Although most would not be insulted by the gesture, It is inappropriate if you are aware of their beliefs and do so anyway. During Christmas season for example, numerous people will say "merry Christmas" to me. Most of these are casual acquaintances who do not know me very well such as store clerks, service people and even some whom I meet in the door to door ministry. I do not make an issue of it, but simply thank them for their kind thoughts. If the person is interested in knowing about me and/or my beliefs, I can elaborate on it at another time rather than spoil whatever joy they get out of it at the moment. Although it has been many years since anyone said happy birthday to me, I would probably react similarly. The only exception would be if the person were deliberately attempting to subvert my faith by saying or doing something like this. Then, I would choose to say nothing.
2007-09-27 09:08:52 · answer #5 · answered by babydoll 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
No, we do not celebrate b-days. There are only 2 instances in the Bible where a b-day was celebrated where wishes were granted. Hence the beheading of John the Baptist (please note Mark 6:21-28); and the hanging of Pharaoh's chief baker (Genesis 40:18-22). Why would someone want to celebrate a b-day when the only Biblical instances were negative? As Jehovah's Witnesses, we try to follow the example that Jesus set and commanded his followers to do. Jesus didn't celebrate his b-day, however, He did instruct us to observe the Memorial of his death (Luke 22:19; 1Cor.11:24
*Add* Those who know me, know my views on b-day celebrations. When someone does wish me one, I smile & say thank you. That being said, I would prefer that nobody wish me one ever again as I'm forever 29 & holding. That's my story and I'm stickin to it. ;)
2007-09-27 10:10:53 · answer #6 · answered by Meemaw's Pride & Joy 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Witneses don't CELEBRATE birthdates,but a person can have a happy birthdate as any other.Hey hey don't expect one to go jumping up and down with joy after a certain age like 60,when you are still holding to age 25,thats when U tell the well wishers to clam up before U start throaing rocks at em..~lol
2007-09-27 09:47:07 · answer #7 · answered by hunter 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses & true, we do not celebrate b-days.
BUT---- I do not usually get offended if I am wished a happy birthday. I just say thank you. I do not get offended, persay. I may say something like, Yes, I am having a good day, I hope you are, too.
I am sure it is only from good intentions. So, how can anyone get "mad"? I am sorry if that has happened to you.
2007-09-25 15:25:53 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 12⤊ 0⤋
Dear Stellar Girl,
Generally speaking i try to wish everyone a Happy Birthday when i know its their birthday. Obviously when you wish someone a Happy Birthday-- you mean well and you mean for it to be a blessing and a happy thing for that person! If i knew someone was a Jehovah's witness i would try to explain to them why celebrating birthdays is not sinful... but if they were very very adamant and would be insulted by me wishing them a Happy Birthday- then i would refrain because my purpose in wishing a person a Happy Birthday is to Bless them not start an argument and offend them.
Hope that helps. Kindly,
Nickster
2007-09-25 15:23:27 · answer #9 · answered by Nickster 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
No, since we do not celebrate birthdays, a birthday wish would not be appropriate.
2007-09-27 09:38:53 · answer #10 · answered by wannaknow 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I don't say that to any1 / body.
Nor do I make wishes, either.
Correct, it is not appropriate.
It is disrespeting their beliefs.
Would u like it if some1 directly,
disrespected your faith/ beliefs?
Like I answerer here said,
referring to a Muslim & easter.
Thx 4 asking...
EDIT: Even nowadays,
by worldly standards its not appropriate.
It being called 'politically correct'.
Some out of vainity.
Some cuz they don't have family.
Some hate their b-day.
Some don't involve themselves
in such self-praising
actitivies.
Personally, even when I did do such things.
I have Never had a good b-day celebration
in my entire life, NEVER.
I Always...Always called it my bad luck day.
So I Always hated my b-day, Always*.
Then I came into the truth,
& found out I was not obligated- (as in required by God)
to continue in such disgusting things.
That's how I see it.
*why I always hated it:
this day is suppposed to be all about me.
good things for me.
spoil me.
do for me.
remember me.
give me gifts.
get to do whatever u want day.
get the party u want.
no, no, no, no, not, not, not, and not.
Nope not my b-day, not in my life.
2007-09-27 09:01:28 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 0⤋