Am I wrong?

Question

On Friday, a coworker, who is a jehovah's witness, began putting a group of us down for celebrating Christmas, she was making some really insulting comments, telling us we don't know the "truth" and badgering us for our beliefs(she's done this many times) everyone was getting mad , so I said "if you feel that strongly about it, give your Christmas bonus back to the boss". She said if we get it, she should too. I asked "why, if you don't believe in Christmas and don't celebrate it and its so wrong, then you are a hypocrite to accept the bonus, and as a matter of fact, you are a hypocrite to accept our holiday pay since you don't celebrate our holidays". She said if we get those perks, she should too, and that she shouldn't be singled out or penalized for her beliefs, So I said its like a vegetarian accepting meat, even though they don't eat it, even though they don't agree with it, taking it simply because everyone else got some. Should I have just shut up and let her put us down?

Answer 1

Yes
(to the first question in bold).

A typical Jehovah's Witness would understand his brother or sister's decision to be his or her own, to make according to his or her conscientious and actual understanding of the "bonus". It is well-known that Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate pagan holidays, but they also do not superstitiously reject something merely because it has been tagged by someone else with a holiday nickname. For example, fruitcake does not become unacceptable simply because it is sometimes called Christmas cake.

Of course, Jehovah's Witnesses work to please God and Christ, and understand that no seeming "loophole" could ever deceive the divine judges who can read the heart.
...(1 Samuel 16:7) Mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.
...(Jeremiah 17:10) I, Jehovah, am searching the heart, examining the kidneys, even to give to each one according to his ways
...(Mark 2:8) Jesus, having discerned immediately by his spirit that they were reasoning that way in themselves, said to them: “Why are you reasoning these things in your hearts?
...(Genesis 18:25) Is the Judge of all the earth not going to do what is right?


A Jehovah's Witness may choose to accept a bonus or a gift if he sincerely believes that the giver intends it to be something other than an aspect of a pagan celebration. It would seem that a critic who pretends some special insight into the conscientious thoughts of another may benefit from professional counseling and the bible's practical advice.
...(Psalm 119:69,70,78) The presumptuous have smeared me with falsehood. As for me, with all my heart I shall observe [God's] orders. Their heart has become unfeeling... Let the presumptuous ones be ashamed
...(Proverbs 11:27) He that is looking for good will keep seeking goodwill; but as for the one searching for bad, it will come upon him.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/

Answer 2

I worked two jobs with J.W.s and they NEVER shoved their beliefs or religion on anyone. If she is a true J.W. she would have kept her tongue. Tell her to read her bible again. In any arguement where there are two "truths", it is better to just say lets agree to disagree. I do agree with her, in the fact of, she is intitled to bonuses. Instead of thinking of them as "christmas bonuses" think of them as "a job well done bonus". Please have peace this holiday season.

Answer 3

not at all. Christians need to stand up for our beliefs, but there is a right and a wrong way to correct someone. it should be done out of love not anger

Answer 4

I disagree with you. Getting paid for working hard has Nothing to do with holidays.

If this person was putting you down, don't talk with her, or report her.