Post by evilslave on May 13, 2014 22:22:31 GMT -4
The reasoning against birthdays gives insight into the manner in which the WTBS formulates doctrine. Claiming birthdays as sinful is a classic example of Watchtower dogmatism that is, misinterpreting a text to introduce one's own agenda and bias and then having that stated as law.
Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that observing birthdays is wrong, so the WTBS uses four predominant lines of reasoning to prevent Witnesses celebrating birthdays:
1. People died at the two birthdays mentioned in the Bible - "it's in a bad light"
2. Day of death better than birth – undue honour to a person
3. Not celebrated by Jews or Christians
4. Pagan origin
1. If we are to accept the "it's in a bad light" reasoning then:
Dogs are mentioned in the Bible 40 times, and in every mention they are described disparagingly. They are said to be lowly and unclean, used as an allegory for sodomites (Deut 23:17,18), and said to be no part of the New System (Rev 22:15). Yet, the Watchtower does not conclude dogs are not for Christians.
Eye paint is mentioned twice, once in reference to wicked queen Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30) and secondly to apostate Israel (Jer 4:30), yet the Watchtower does not forbid eye makeup.
Why does the Watchtower not hold birthdays to the same standard?
2. There is nothing wrong with giving an individual special attention. If this truly is a reason to avoid a birthday party or celebrations, then it should also apply to graduation parties, retirement parties, wedding anniversaries, or celebrating a good school report.
A wedding reception, such as the one attended by Jesus, elevates a newly married couple with as much importance as a birthday party.
A baby shower, which is an "advance" birthday celebration, puts a mother and child in the spotlight.
A Kingdom Hall announcement that an individual is pioneering gives importance to that individual prior to achieving their goal, but this is not considered wrong.
It is common for a Witness to receive gifts after their baptism, or even be provided a celebratory meal, yet it is unknown whether they will continue in good standing to the day of their death.
There is also the graduation ceremony and celebrations after men complete the Ministerial Training School or Bible Study School for single Brothers or after couples complete Gilead School.
3. It is inconclusive that early Christians avoided birthdays as a universal stance, as there were many sects of Christianity by the end of the first century. Those that avoided birthday celebrations did so because the practice at the time was commonly an idolatrous one, associated with lavish feasts dedicated to pagan gods. As this not the case now, the reasoning is no longer relevant.
The Jewish non-practice of birthdays does not make birthdays wrong, as the Bible neither specifically promotes nor condemns them. We do not need the Bible to sanction birthdays for them to be acceptable, anymore than a range of matters not covered in the Bible. The Bible does not state that wedding anniversaries are acceptable, but that does not make them wrong. It does not state to build kingdom halls; in fact early Christians met in homes, but that does not make kingdom halls unchristian. The Bible does not give authority to eat dessert and condemns gluttony, yet this does not imply dessert is wrong.
4. Almost everything is pagan. Pagans have done virtually everything we do, including most of what a Jehovah’s Witness does day-to-day. This extends beyond necessary daily activities, such as bathing, eating, drinking, and working. The life a of Witness is filled with pagan practice, such as the wearing of neckties and perfume, celebrations with piñatas, flying of kites, and even use of the calendar, which is named after Roman Gods.
Weddings are laden in paganism, including the ceremony, cake, dress, burning of candles and the wedding ring. For some reason a Witness is allowed to participate in most wedding practices, but forbidden to throw confetti. The giving of wedding presents is accompanied by murder in the Bible. David was required to supply the foreskins of 200 slain Philistines as a dowry to King Saul (1 Sam 18:27). Pharaoh killed the inhabitants of Gezer and gave the city as a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon's wife. (1 Kings 9:16 NIV). Should not consistency force the Watchtower to forbid these wedding traditions?
The preponderance of paganism makes it irrelevant whether a “pagan” celebrated a birthday or why. The modern view of birthdays is what counts, and people do not associate birthdays with paganism, idolatry, or murder.
Job's Example:
Job, an “upright and blameless man” celebrated with his children, in what was possibly their birthday celebration.
Job 1:4,5 “And his sons went and held a banquet at the house of each one on his own day; and they sent and invited their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And it would occur that when the banquet days had gone round the circuit, Job would send and sanctify them; …”
Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that observing birthdays is wrong, so the WTBS uses four predominant lines of reasoning to prevent Witnesses celebrating birthdays:
1. People died at the two birthdays mentioned in the Bible - "it's in a bad light"
2. Day of death better than birth – undue honour to a person
3. Not celebrated by Jews or Christians
4. Pagan origin
1. If we are to accept the "it's in a bad light" reasoning then:
Dogs are mentioned in the Bible 40 times, and in every mention they are described disparagingly. They are said to be lowly and unclean, used as an allegory for sodomites (Deut 23:17,18), and said to be no part of the New System (Rev 22:15). Yet, the Watchtower does not conclude dogs are not for Christians.
Eye paint is mentioned twice, once in reference to wicked queen Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30) and secondly to apostate Israel (Jer 4:30), yet the Watchtower does not forbid eye makeup.
Why does the Watchtower not hold birthdays to the same standard?
2. There is nothing wrong with giving an individual special attention. If this truly is a reason to avoid a birthday party or celebrations, then it should also apply to graduation parties, retirement parties, wedding anniversaries, or celebrating a good school report.
A wedding reception, such as the one attended by Jesus, elevates a newly married couple with as much importance as a birthday party.
A baby shower, which is an "advance" birthday celebration, puts a mother and child in the spotlight.
A Kingdom Hall announcement that an individual is pioneering gives importance to that individual prior to achieving their goal, but this is not considered wrong.
It is common for a Witness to receive gifts after their baptism, or even be provided a celebratory meal, yet it is unknown whether they will continue in good standing to the day of their death.
There is also the graduation ceremony and celebrations after men complete the Ministerial Training School or Bible Study School for single Brothers or after couples complete Gilead School.
3. It is inconclusive that early Christians avoided birthdays as a universal stance, as there were many sects of Christianity by the end of the first century. Those that avoided birthday celebrations did so because the practice at the time was commonly an idolatrous one, associated with lavish feasts dedicated to pagan gods. As this not the case now, the reasoning is no longer relevant.
The Jewish non-practice of birthdays does not make birthdays wrong, as the Bible neither specifically promotes nor condemns them. We do not need the Bible to sanction birthdays for them to be acceptable, anymore than a range of matters not covered in the Bible. The Bible does not state that wedding anniversaries are acceptable, but that does not make them wrong. It does not state to build kingdom halls; in fact early Christians met in homes, but that does not make kingdom halls unchristian. The Bible does not give authority to eat dessert and condemns gluttony, yet this does not imply dessert is wrong.
4. Almost everything is pagan. Pagans have done virtually everything we do, including most of what a Jehovah’s Witness does day-to-day. This extends beyond necessary daily activities, such as bathing, eating, drinking, and working. The life a of Witness is filled with pagan practice, such as the wearing of neckties and perfume, celebrations with piñatas, flying of kites, and even use of the calendar, which is named after Roman Gods.
Weddings are laden in paganism, including the ceremony, cake, dress, burning of candles and the wedding ring. For some reason a Witness is allowed to participate in most wedding practices, but forbidden to throw confetti. The giving of wedding presents is accompanied by murder in the Bible. David was required to supply the foreskins of 200 slain Philistines as a dowry to King Saul (1 Sam 18:27). Pharaoh killed the inhabitants of Gezer and gave the city as a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon's wife. (1 Kings 9:16 NIV). Should not consistency force the Watchtower to forbid these wedding traditions?
The preponderance of paganism makes it irrelevant whether a “pagan” celebrated a birthday or why. The modern view of birthdays is what counts, and people do not associate birthdays with paganism, idolatry, or murder.
Job's Example:
Job, an “upright and blameless man” celebrated with his children, in what was possibly their birthday celebration.
Job 1:4,5 “And his sons went and held a banquet at the house of each one on his own day; and they sent and invited their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And it would occur that when the banquet days had gone round the circuit, Job would send and sanctify them; …”