Romans 14:14-23 - I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself, but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. etc.
If a JW does not want to celebrate Christmas or birthdays, because they think it is evil/pagan, should we not leave it alone for the sake of peace and love? What say you?
2007-11-23 12:27:26 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hi Daisymae, First of all the JWs do NOT believe that Jesus is the Son of God, just his agent that will bring us to God. So in speaking of doctrines we don't share the same doctrine, better yet the same belief. This religion was established by Charles Taze Russell in 1872. His successor Nathan Homer Knoor is the one who directed the writing of the new bible called the THE NEW WORLD TRANSLATION. They have no association with other denominations. Bible scholars disagree sharply with what they, the JW call translations of the Bible.They believe that the govts. are the allies of Satan (they may have a valid point here) and so they do not vote, or salute any flags, go to war, or vote. They believe Christ was born Oct 2, and they do not celebrate that or any other pagan holidays, which means no holidays. They consider every day a holy day.They only celebrate marriage and wedding anniversaries. Between 1967-1980 they did not believe in or allow members to have blood transfusions, not even from your own stored before a surgery. Then in 1980 they changed that rule to one of personal choice. Strange group...my ex-brother-in-law isn't allowed to visit his own mother because she is Catholic in fear of being shunned by the rest of his family and other felllow believers. ARE WE SUPPOSE TO LOVE THEM ANYWAY- YES!! Very strange stuff, my Dear Daisymae! ; )
2007-11-23 16:25:26 · answer #1 · answered by Meeshmai 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Love is everlasting, because Love is God. If we love, we are close to God. So if I differ from you in anything, and I can't show love in the way I share my disagreement, there is a serious problem. If we all loved the way the Lord commanded, there would deffinitely be a totaly different concept of religion. At least those of us that are aware of this should make the difference.
2007-11-23 20:51:40 · answer #2 · answered by garyenbaxter 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Matt 18: 16-17: "...but if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
So, the question is, which church will you go to? Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches broke away from unity with the pope in 1054. The Protestant churches were established during the Reformation, which began in 1517. (Most of today’s Protestant churches are actually offshoots of the original Protestant offshoots.) Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing.
The list of popes can be traced back to Peter himself, the first pope:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm
Jesus’ Church is called catholic ("universal" in Greek) because it is his gift to all people. He told his apostles to go throughout the world and make disciples of "all nations" (Matt. 28:19–20). For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has carried out this mission, preaching the good news that Christ died for all men and that he wants all of us to be members of his universal family (Gal. 3:28)
http://www.catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp
2007-11-23 20:31:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
When the issue is a matter of conscience. The fundamental tenets of faith as set forth by the new testament should never be compromised. As long as they preach Jesus Christ crucified and risen again covering the sins of those who accept Him as Lord
2007-11-23 20:39:29 · answer #4 · answered by David S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neither of the events that you are asking about are doctrinal.
Doctrinal means biblical.
The bible does not tell us to celebrate Christmas , nor birthdays. IT also does not forbid us from celebrating these events.
Now if you are asking if we should ignore a biblical difference (doctrine). No, we are not to ignore them.
2007-11-23 20:58:05 · answer #5 · answered by cindy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. If we could have tolerant, thoughtful discussions about our differences, then that would be best. But if not, it would be better to let Love have the final word than to let our prideful differences separate us.
Peace to you.
2007-11-23 20:33:20 · answer #6 · answered by Orpheus Rising 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If someone isn't participating for religious reasons leave them be or support them, whichever they seem to prefer.
If someone is abridging your freedoms for religious reasons, accept that they are trying to help, but you can guard your territory if it is an important issue.
If you see someone sinning, warn them in love to save them.
2007-11-23 20:58:46 · answer #7 · answered by Truth 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is the birth of JESUS IT SHOULD BE CELEBRATED THAT WAY MAN USE IT TO GIVE GIFTS YET WE DONT DESERVE IT BE LED BY GOD not man read your bible more
2007-11-23 20:38:45 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋