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P1234567890
Emperor of the Universe
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 6772
Location: Toronto, Canada
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 Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:45 am Post subject: What's up with the birthday party ban? |
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Apparently JWs don't allow the celebration of birthday parties. Is this correct?
If so, what possible justification can there be for not letting children have parties and presents on their own birthdays? Why aren't they allowed to celebrate other kids' birthdays?
What possible justification is there for disenfranchising children of such a simple and innocent pleasure? |
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FFT
Emperor of the Galaxy
Joined: 26 Mar 2005
Posts: 5880
Location: Memphis
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| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:56 am Post subject: |
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| Wikipedia wrote: | | Practices that connote nationalism or false religion are avoided. Weddings, anniversaries, and funerals are typically observed; however, common celebrations and religious or national holidays such as Birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are regarded as unchristian and not celebrated. |
I'm not really certain how birthdays qualify as "unchristian." |
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Pondering
Lion King
Joined: 15 Sep 2005
Posts: 1296
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| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:50 am Post subject: |
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| Again, I'm no expert, but I believe that conceptually they hold that sort of thing as a kind of idoltry...I know that's why they don't pledge allegiance to the flag.... |
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P1234567890
Emperor of the Universe
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 6772
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Pondering wrote: | | Again, I'm no expert, but I believe that conceptually they hold that sort of thing as a kind of idoltry...I know that's why they don't pledge allegiance to the flag.... |
Not pledging allegiance to a flag and vowing loyalty to a country is one thing... Not letting a kid blow out candles on a cake and tear open presents is something entirely different. |
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Ana
King of the Jungle
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 1549
Location: BC
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| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject: |
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I find it odd that anniversaries of weddings are observed but that anniversaries of being born are not.
On the other hand, this almost complete lack of formalized gift-giving might actually be a good thing. For one thing, it means that you're never getting a gift just because you expect one, so giving gifts means all the more. For another, it means you're not getting snookered into buying presents just because consumerism is making you feel guilty for not...
However, I had a JW friend when I was growing up, and I always felt sad when he had to sit out of the fun days at school (such as Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, etc), or when he wouldn't even get invited to other kids' parties (because they knew he wouldn't be able to go). |
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P1234567890
Emperor of the Universe
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 6772
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Ana wrote: |
However, I had a JW friend when I was growing up, and I always felt sad when he had to sit out of the fun days at school (such as Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, etc), or when he wouldn't even get invited to other kids' parties (because they knew he wouldn't be able to go). |
This is exactly my point. If everyone else gets to do it and be part of fun and festivities, then it's not nice to be excluded. It also turns the poor kid into an outsider.
If someone disagrees with the whole consumerism tilt on birthdays (and I agree that this is a legitimate objection), then simply don't get presents and don't expect any on your birthday. But that's no reason from being excluded from all of the fun and games.
Some of my fondest memories from childhood are from birthday parties; it would be a real shame to miss out on that. |
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Yehushuan
King Kong
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 2455
Location: Charismatic
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| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:26 am Post subject: |
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| (Colossians 2:20) If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, (21) Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (22) (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? (23) Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will–worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. |
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P1234567890
Emperor of the Universe
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 6772
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Yehushuan wrote: | | (Colossians 2:20) If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, (21) Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (22) (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? (23) Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will–worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. |
Meaning what exactly? I'm going to need you to spell this out for me. |
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RR
Little Guppy
Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 37
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:10 am Post subject: |
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I know this is an old thread, but really, who wants to be reminded that they're getting old?  |
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FuzzyTurret
Newbie Alert
Joined: 16 Jun 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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| JW's don't celebrate birthdays because the pharoah who imprisoned Joseph did as well as King Herod. (these are the only two references to birthday parties in the Bible). Therefore birthday parties are wicked. |
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TBax
King of the Jungle
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 1937
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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Add to that the fact that no Christians is recorded as celebrating their birthday, neither the one we are to follow, the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ. The early Christians also regarded it as a pagan celebration.  |
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Ana
King of the Jungle
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 1549
Location: BC
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| TBax wrote: | | Add to that the fact that no Christians is recorded as celebrating their birthday, neither the one we are to follow, the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ. The early Christians also regarded it as a pagan celebration. |
Jesus was never recorded blinking either. Or using a computer. Or wearing pants.
And, for what it's worth, Jesus did get presents on his very first birthday (gold, frankincense, myrrh).
Plus, I would like to see a source or two for your assertion that early Christians regarded birthday celebrations as pagan, please. |
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Zathrus
King Kong
Joined: 28 Aug 2002
Posts: 2202
Location: WI USA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:03 am Post subject: |
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| Ana wrote: | | Jesus was never recorded blinking either. Or using a computer. Or wearing pants. |
Maybe the Amish have it right. 
Though even they are compromising, using more and more technology these days. |
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TBax
King of the Jungle
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 1937
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | “The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4. |
Plus the day on which Jesus was born was not even recorded. Yet the day on which he died is. Which does the Bible tell us to commemorate? |
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