They believe that birthdays (along with Christmas and other holidays) have pagan roots and are therefore not to be celebrated.
Because Jehovah's Witnesses look very carefully at the origin of things. We also look in The Bible for clues. We do not guide our lives by 'common practices' around us.
One clue: We realize that Christ Jesus did NOT celebrate his own birthday; nor did he suggest to his disciples that they celebrate it every year. To us, this is a clue. If we weren't told to celebrate Jesus birthday - why would we celebrate our own?
The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge: "There is no historical evidence that our Lord's birthday was celebrated during the apostolic or early postapostolic times"?
Another clue: The Bible records 2 birthday celebrations. Both celebrations were by NON-worshipers of Jehovah. Terrible things happened at both birthdays in the Bible. This is a clue to us about the light in which birthdays were written about in the Bible. There is not one record of in the Bible of Christians or the pre-Christian Israelites as celebrating birthdays.
Encyclopaedia Judaica says: "The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual." Customs and Traditions of Israel observes: "The celebration of birthdays has been borrowed from the practices of other nations, as no mention is made of this custom among Jews either in The Bible, Talmud, or writings of the later Sages. In fact, it was an ancient Egyptian custom."
Then we also give consideration to the 'effects' that comes out of celebrating birthdays.
Catholic priest Peter J. Riga pointed to one cause of the problems: "As one psychologist has said, Americans feel obliged to reaffirm the ideals of kindness, generosity and love at Christmas (and other birthdays) in order to atone for their neglect of these same ideals in their day-to-day lives. To see and to feel people return to their ordinary greed and unconcern can be devastating to lonely and sensitive persons in our society." (brackets are my addition)
Other psychologists have pointed to the problems when people 'expect' gifts, just because it's mandated by society.
But this does NOT mean we don't have parties. It DOESN'T mean we don't have fun. It DOESN'T mean we don't give gifts. You should not equate not celebrating something, with not having fun. Therein lies the misconception.
Experience of a little 6 year old boy being asked by his teacher at a school sponsored birthday party: 'Don't you mind missing out on these nice birthday parties?' He looked up at her, surprised, and said: 'Do you think that ten minutes, a few cupcakes, and a song make a party? You should come to my house and see what a real party is like!'" The boy's innocent enthusiasm made it clear-he did not feel that he was deprived or missing out!
They believe that birthdays (along with Christmas and other holidays) have pagan roots and are therefore not to be celebrated.
It can't be done. Jehovah's Witnesses don't observe their annual birthdate. You'd be doing it all alone, all by yourself. Many of us don't even know how old we are, unless we figure it out each time; because we don't celebrate birthdays we never know how old we are. (Oh did I say that already?)
no unfortunetley they dont celebrate birthdays
they dont
Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate holidays that they believe do not fit true Christianity. These include Christmas, Easter, and even birthdays. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Christ did not command his birth - or any birth - to be celebrated; he just wanted his death to be remembered.
??? I dont understand your question. Please rephrase.
I usually dont awnser questions this direct... I am One of Jehovah's Witnesses so beleive me when I say.... No, never.
You dont have to have a list everybody is welcome with open arms!
People say they heard him speaking poorly about the Jehovah's Witnesses. I dont believe everything I read on the net. There is no evidence supporting or refuting the suggestion he is a Jehovah's Witness.
In the Obituaries, yes. Sometimes their names are not included, but then there are many people who dont end up in the newspaper for their death. This has nothing to do with Jehovah's Witnesses and their beliefs, so its not really condemned. You most likely wouldn't even know the person that's mentioned is a Jehovah's Witness or not, the Obituaries dont tell that information.
Yes you can give a witnesses a card; whether the witnesses will chose to accept it will depend on several factors. Since Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas or birthdays (or other celebrations they deem as 'pagan') if this has previously been explained the witness may or may not choose to accept the card if it is for one of these occassions. He or she may accept the card in the spirit it was given, explaining the above or may chose not to accept the card. If the card is for another occassion that the witnesses finds unobjectionable they will likely accept it with thanks.
yes she is an active servant of Jehovah God. Psalms 83:18
If Birthday celebrations are linked to paganism, Why should we do it? Besides, when celebrating a Birthday, the birthday person is the center of attention for a day. Don't the Scriptures clearly states that YHWH (God the Creator) and His Word has to be in whom we meditate day and night, everyday? -Deuteronomy 6.