Can you please explain to me what your beliefs are? Also, if you teach and live by the Bible, why did your religion write a whole new one? Also, I am a little confused why you cant celebrate a holiday or birthday. Its tradition and there is no where in the Bible that states that it is a sin. You say that you dont need "one day" to celebrate something, yet you have no problem celebrating a wedding. It just makes no sense to me.
2007-12-12 03:13:42 · 11 answers · asked by clbowman06 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jehovah's Witnesses certainly do not believe that any particular translation of the bible is inspired or infallible in a manner that others are not. Each Jehovah's Witnesses is free to choose whatever translation he prefers, or which a householder or interested person prefers.
Practices such as Christmas and Easter are pagan celebrations which displease God. A wedding is not pagan, although a true Christian would avoid paganisms associated with weddings (such as throwing rice).
Jehovah's Witnesses are relatively unique among self-described Christians in that they understand the Scriptures to teach that God's Kingdom by Christ Jesus is a real government which will soon replace all earthly governments.
(Daniel 2:44) God of heaven will set up a kingdom... It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite
That Kingdom will rule over the vast majority of mankind, most of whom will have been raised from the dead after Armageddon.
(John 11:23,24) Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”
(Acts 24:15) There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
Until that resurrection, there is no suffering in "hell", or the grave. Sometime after the resurrection, death and "hell" will themselves be destroyed.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5) For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all
(Ecclesiastes 9:10) there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol ["hell"]
(Revelation 20:14) And death and Hades ["hell"] were hurled into the lake of fire
While a limitted number of humans will be resurrected to heaven to share in ruling over mankind, the vast majority (literally more than 99.9%) of Jehovah's Witnesses expect an EARTHLY hope, the same hope given to Adam and Eve.
(Genesis 1:28) God blessed them and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill THE EARTH and subdue it [caps added]
(Genesis 2:17) You must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die [so never eating from that tree means never dying]
Interestingly, the Scriptures are full of references to this earthly hope.
(Psalms 37:11) 'the meek will possess the earth'
(Proverbs 2:21) 'upright will reside in the earth'
(Isaiah 45:18) 'God formed the earth to be inhabited'
(Matthew 5:5) 'the mild will inherit the earth'
(Revelation 21:3) The tent of God is with mankind
Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_06.htm
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/trueworship.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/jt/
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
2007-12-12 06:09:55 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We didn't write a whole new Bible. That is the misconception of most people. We will use a KJV, NIV, or whatever. However we prefer to use our own (New World Translation) as the language is simplified and it restores the name Jehovah where many "versions" have replaced it with Lord or God- which is a title. (Ps. 83:18) Our Bible is a literal word for word TRANSLATION also.
Most if not all holidays have their roots in paganism. (false religion) Many people today say that where these things originally came from do not matter but I like to give the example that if origens of something do not matter, if you found a piece of candy in the gutter, would you still eat it? No, because it would be contaminated.
A wedding is a joyous occassion (the first marriage being instituted by God in the Garden of Eden) and even Jesus attended wedding celebrations or "marriage feasts". (John 2:1 "Now on the third day a marriage feast took place in Ca′na of Gal′i·lee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the marriage feast.")
2007-12-12 04:09:34 · answer #2 · answered by Earthgirl1914 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not all beliefs and customs are bad. But God does not approve of them if they come from false religion or are against Bible teachings.—Matthew 15:6.
Trinity: Is Jehovah a Trinity—three persons in one God? No. Jehovah, the Father, is "the only true God." (John 17:3; Mark 12:29) Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. (1 Corinthians 11:3) The Father is greater than the Son. (John 14:28) The holy spirit is not a person; it is God's active force.—Genesis 1:2; Acts 2:18.
Christmas and Easter: Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. (Luke 2:8-12) 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 false 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.
Birthdays: 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.
Fear of the Dead: The dead cannot do anything or feel anything. We cannot help them, and they cannot hurt us. (Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) The soul dies; it does not live on after death. (Ezekiel 18:4) But sometimes wicked angels, called demons, pretend to be the spirits of the dead. Any customs that have to do with fear of or worship of the dead are wrong.—Isaiah 8:19.
Cross: Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated "cross" in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. The symbol of the cross comes from ancient false religions. The cross was not used or worshiped by the early Christians. Therefore, do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship?—Deuteronomy 7:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14.
It may be very hard to abandon some of these beliefs and customs. But pleasing God is more important than pleasing men.—Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 10:36, 37.
New World Translation: One of the main reasons for producing a new translation was that the majority of existing Bible versions in common use employed archaic language.
The English language has undergone significant changes since 1611, when the Authorised (King James) Version was first published and many words in the KJV are no longer in common use today, or are used in a sense different from that in which the translators intended them. The intention was to produce a fresh translation, free of archaisms.
Additionally, over the centuries since the King James version was produced, more copies of earlier manuscripts of the original texts in the Hebrew and Greek languages have become available. Better manuscripts means greater accuracy what the original writers intended, particularly in more obscure passages.
Prior to the New World Translation, Jehovah's Witnesses published other bibles including the King James Version. Today, Jehovah's Witnesses use any and all bibles to show the truth about God, his son and the kingdom to come. -Mat 6:10
2007-12-12 07:50:59 · answer #3 · answered by keiichi 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES—WHO ARE THEY? WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE?
(On-line Jehovah's Witnesses Brochure from the Official JW Web Site):
http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm
2) WHY WAS THE NWT PRINTED?
The NWT Bible is NOT a "whole new Bible". That phrase insinuates a complete diversion from the Bible manuscripts. It IS, however, "the most accurate of the [8 major] translations compared" due to the reasons cited below:
There were several reasons why the NWT was printed: 1) Most of the other translations used were made by those who were influenced by the pagan philosophies and unscriptural traditions that their religious systems had passed down from long ago as well as other influences, 2) Older and more reliable Bible manuscripts were becoming available, 3) As a result of archeological discoveries, the Greek language of the first century was becoming more clearly understood, and 4) The languages into which translations are made undergo changes over the years. (For instance, who today really talks like this?: "And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?" Gen. 32:17 KJV) :)
Jehovah's Witnesses wanted a translation that was of the latest scholarship, one that was without spot by creeds or traditions, a literal translation that faithfully presented what is in the original writings and a translation that would be clear and understandable to modern-day readers.
As for it's accuracy, the New World Translation has been found to be "one of the most accurate English translations of the New Testament currently available" and is "the most accurate of the [8 major] translations compared."—Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament by Jason BeDuhn, associate professor of religious studies at Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, Arizona
3) WHY DON'T JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS OR BIRTHDAYS?
The Bible informs us that if a holiday or custom (such as a Birthday) is being deliberately participated in by a Christian, it must have absolutely no known pagan religion associations:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions_and_answers_archives/message/27
4) WHY DO MANY JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES OBSERVE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES BUT NOT BIRTHDAYS?
"There are no pagan ORIGINS connected to marriage. Marriage was DIVINELY INSTITUTED by the "one true God"...Jehovah. (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6; John 17:3)
"Unlike Birthdays, the Bible does not put marriage in a bad light. Jesus himself both attended a marriage celebration and contributed to the pleasure of the occasion.—John 2:1-11.
"It thus would not be strange that a couple might on their wedding anniversary take time to reflect on the joyfulness of that event and on their resolve to work for success as a couple. Whether they focus on this happy occasion in private, just as a couple, or they have a few relatives or close friends with them would be for them to decide. The occasion should not become a mere excuse for a large social gathering. On this occasion Christians would want to be guided by the principles that apply every day of their lives. So whether one takes note of a wedding anniversary or not is a personal matter.—Romans 13:13, 14." -Watchtower 10/15/98
2007-12-12 04:20:43 · answer #4 · answered by tik_of_totg 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
We as Christians, believe in following the Bible.
We didn't "write a whole new one". We simply did an updated translation. The King James Version was the same principle. Putting it in to a language one can understand, and making it is correct a translation as possible.
The reason we don't celebrate, for example, Christmas is because it is a pagan holiday.
2007-12-14 12:09:53 · answer #5 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ms. 6, because of one birthday celebration that went bad, why should the world be judged on that one birthday present? Its like this Christians that are in truth Pagans because of their pagan fruits; will God Almighty condemn ALL Christians? Sodom and Gommorah was damned but Lot & his family got saved by God. Jesus is sure going to have a overtime, doubletime job, separating the sheep (true Christians) from the wolves (pagan-Christians). Now is the time to make your "yes be yes" and your "no be no". Anything in between comes from evil. So how does one really know which religion is the "true religion under Jesus". The Holy Spirit knows.
UPDATE: That is funny Mr. Heiss, LOL. Down to the tiny grain of rice throwing. How could that possibly be pagan? Talk about stitching every needle hole. You must be one governing body. Oh well, I guess "white flower petals will be O.K." to rain upon the newly couple.
We learn something new everyday!
Well, now you can see that I DO read your answers all the way through. I don't back down on my words.
2007-12-12 04:14:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
nicely a similar way that we've a private call and could elect to be called by utilising our call extremely of guy, woman, Boy & so forth is the same way that God feels. Psalms 80 3:18 says "would human beings understand which you, whose call is Jehovah,You on my own are the main intense over all the earth." the certainty that his call is suggested in the Bible shows God needs his call to be prevalent & considering that we are his witnesses or followers, we are called Jehovah's Witnesses.
2016-10-11 03:22:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't celebrate birthdays because something bad happened on someones birthday in the bible. I think it was in the book of Daniel when it was the King's b-day and something went wrong so he had the baker or butcher killed, and that is why they don't celebrate b-days. But you can wish them a happy b-day, well at least some of them but no gifts or anything like that. Basically they don't celebrate anything bad, but they do hold a memorial for Jesus Christ while the rest of us are celebrating our Passovers & Easters.
2007-12-12 03:23:49 · answer #8 · answered by Miss 6 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the new world translation is just a different translation of the bible...
from Wikipedia
Until the release of the NWT in 1950, Jehovah's Witnesses in English-speaking countries generally used the King James Version or American Standard Version of the Bible. In the literature they have produced, Jehovah's Witnesses have quoted liberally from the King James Version and many other translations of the Bible over the years.
According to the publishers, one of the main reasons for producing a new translation was that the majority of existing Bible versions in common use employed archaic language. The English language has undergone significant changes since 1611, when the Authorised (King James) Version was first published and many words in the KJV are no longer in common use today, or are used in a sense different from that in which the translators intended them.[2] The stated intention was to produce a fresh translation, free of archaisms
it is just a translation of the bible that is easier to understand.. just because jehvoahs wittnesses came out with it.. doesn't mean that it was changed to fit there religion better.... we still use other bibles as well to help understand the translation better.
every holiday is different... but we dont celibrate them because they do not orginate with god. most holidays are pagan traditions that christians adopted, for fun. the question i often ask people... before you start to ask WHY we dont... ask yourself.. why you do? research each and ever holiday you'll start to see taht you are celibrating false gods and pagan traditions.
There are only two birthday celibrations recorded in the bible and they are both in a bad light....
let me explain.
we all know who pharaoh is...
he was moses brother... and he had gods chosen people ,the isrealites, as slaves.
his birthday celibration is recorded in the bible...
(Genesis 40:20)
20 Now on the third day it turned out to be Phar´aoh’s birthday, and he proceeded to make a feast for all his servants and to lift up the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers in the midst of his servants.
The Other was King Herod
which we also know to not be a worshiper of god.
Mark 6:21, 22
21 But a convenient day came along when Herod spread an evening meal on his birthday for his top-ranking men and the military commanders and the foremost ones of Gal´i·lee. 22 And the daughter of this very He·ro´di·as came in and danced and pleased Herod and those reclining with him. The king said to the maiden: “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
do you know what she asked for??
lets find out..
23 Yes, he swore to her: “Whatever you ask me for, I will give it to you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother: “What should I ask for?” She said: “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she went in with haste to the king and made her request, saying: “I want you to give me right away on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 26 Although he became deeply grieved, yet the king did not want to disregard her, in view of the oaths and those reclining at the table. 27 So the king immediately dispatched a body guardsman and commanded him to bring his head. And he went off and beheaded him in the prison
i dont know about you but that bothers me alot..
why would you want to celibrate something that the
bible puts in such a bad light?
your right the bible does not say that CELIBRATING HOLIDAYS is a sin... celibrations are fun! there are many celibrations recorded in teh bible...
but what ABOUT celibrating holidays is a sin??
(Exodus 20:3)
3 You must not have any other gods against my face. 4 “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me;
god says that HE is the only true god and he deserves all of our devotion...
we should not be celibrating other gods....
which is what most holidays are about...worshiping pagan gods and traditons.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are valueless gods;
But as for Jehovah, he has made the very heavens.
(Psalm 96:5) False gods are nothing, and worshipping nothing achieves nothing.
Psalm 135:15-18.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of the hands of earthling man.
16 A mouth they have, but they can speak nothing;
Eyes they have, but they can see nothing;
17 Ears they have, but they can give ear to nothing.
Also there exists no spirit in their mouth.
18 Those making them will become just like them,
Everyone who is trusting in them.
For example, some Bible verses allude to Jesus Christ as a god. (Isaiah 9:6, 7; John 1:1, 18) Does this mean that Jesus is to be worshipped? Jesus himself said: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Luke 4:8) Clearly, although Jesus is mighty in power and divine in nature, the Bible does not portray him as an object of worship.
The angels are also referred to as “godlike ones.” (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7) Still, nowhere in the Scriptures are humans encouraged to venerate the angels. In fact, on a certain occasion, the aged apostle John was so awestruck by the presence of an angel that he prostrated himself to worship the angel. However, the angel responded: “Be careful! Do not do that! . . . Worship God.”—Revelation 19:10.
The apostle Paul described the Devil as “the god of this system of things.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) As “the ruler of this world,” the Devil has promoted countless false gods. (John 12:31) Hence, all worship addressed to man-made gods is, in effect, worship rendered to Satan. But Satan is not a god who merits our worship. He is a self-appointed ruler, a usurper. In time, he himself, as well as all forms of false worship, will be eliminated. When that happens, all humanity—yes, all creation—will forever acknowledge Jehovah as the only true and living God.—Jeremiah 10:10.
these are all things about worshiping other gods and such...
celibrating jesus putting up a cross all over your houses and cars and things like that.. are these things not worship? are these things not idol worship??
i hope i answered some of your questions.. again feel free to email me
2007-12-12 04:08:03 · answer #9 · answered by Kyrstin 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
For some JW Doctrine and what the Bible really says.... Please see my Blog / 360.
...I have there a paper that I wrote after asking a JW to explain ... WHO RAISED THE BODY OF JESUS...? Did JESUS... Raise HIS Own Body?
Simply click onto my AVATAR... picture of the London Underground.... [subway].... and then my 360.
Thanks for Asking ! RR
2007-12-12 03:18:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋