jw's not celebrating anything

[John89]

Ive always wondered why jehovahs witnesses dont celebrate bdays,Christmas,halloween etc. my friend who was a jehovahs witness was never aloud to go to any type of gathering. Whenever i asked why he couldnt go to a brithday he would say Jesus never went to any.

What i was wondering is where in the bible do they feel like they have proof to support their claim? I couldnt find any, im curious as to what you all have to say God Bless

 

[GeorgeSword]

Well, we know He attended a wedding, and then there is Passover…

 

[SingleMomMonica]

Ive always wondered why jehovahs witnesses dont celebrate bdays,Christmas,halloween etc. my friend who was a jehovahs witness was never aloud to go to any type of gathering. Whenever i asked why he couldnt go to a brithday he would say Jesus never went to any.

What i was wondering is where in the bible do they feel like they have proof to support their claim? I couldnt find any, im curious as to what you all have to say God Bless

They are currently allowed to celebrate Wedding Anniversaries.

They now claim that because St. John the Baptist was beheaded on Herod’s Birthday, that it is the reason they do not celebrate Birthday’s today.

In the early writings (late 1800’s and early 1900’s) of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, previously called the Bible Students, shows that they originally did celebrate Christmas and other holidays as the founder’s (Charles Taze Russell) photograph along with his office staff was often included in their magazines showing them celebrating the holidays.

As far as whether or not Jesus may have or may not have attended people’s birthdays - the Bible is silent, not saying one way or the other leaving it possible either way. It may be interesting to speak with a Rabbi of the Jewish Faith and ask him about the history of the Jewish people celebrating birthdays. I do know that today, Jews do celebrate birthdays, but not sure if that was common of the Jews under the Roman Empire. I do know that the Roman’s did since that is recorded in the Bible. It certainly seems reasonable that they did considering the Roman’s did then and the Jews do now. Celebration of Birthdays has never been a religious celebration, but a secular one and the secular society of Jesus’ time did celebrate birthdays. Without digging deeper, I’d say that the evidence is leaning that it is most likely that Jesus did celebrate Birthdays.

 

[Beachcomber]

This is what a JW told me when I asked the very same question. She said they did not celebrate birthdays because in Matthew 14:1-12, Herod’s birthday party was the occasion of the beheading of John the Baptist. Also, about not celebrating Christmas or Halloween, they believe they are pagan festivals. She also had a quote from the book of Ezekiel regarding worshiping trees (I don’t have the citation). And, they celebrate weddings because Jesus went to one (Cana).

 

[ML561]

Jesus celebrated a wedding, and Passover. We don’t know whether or not he attended birthday parties. However, there is nothing wrong with celebrating birthdays, Christmas, or any other holiday…especially Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection!

If you feel uncomfortable around Jehovah’s Witnesses or wish to answer them, there is an excellent book called “Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses” which you can find at Catholic Answers as I am sorry I do not know the name of the author, although I have read it and it is very good. This book will enable you to answer in a respectful way and give the Catholic answer to their arguments.

(I love being Catholic as we have so many celebrations! Even each ordinary day we can celebrate the Mass. Deo Gratias. ) Peace be with you.