Holiday Meeting Comments

Why Georgia

Last night I went grocery shopping and ran into some JW's from my MIL's KH.

When the Deli man was done cutting my cheese...(no jokes please) he said - Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

I watched to see what the JW's would say when he said this to them and they were very polite and said - Thank you very much!

I was surprised that they didn't use this an an opportunity to spread the joy of the Org.

The whole thing reminded me of sitting in those uncomfortable chairs at the KH and listening to a talk by Elder Windbag about how to zealously proclaim the good news of the kingdom. He recounted a story of how he handled people who said Merry Christmas to him. His response was that when someone said Merry Christmas he would tell them he hadn't celebrated in 10 years and this would A) prompt them to ask why... or B) He wouldn't be taking part in the pagan celebrations or some other thing.

Did they give these talks at your KH? What did you say to people who said Merry Christmas, Happy Thanksgiving or Happy ______ to you when you were a JW?

WG

tall penguin

In recent years, the standard reply encouraged from the platform is to just say thank you. So that's what I always did. Rarely did I use it as an opportunity to "give a witness."
tall penguin

Crumpet

I recall these talks well. I remember flauting the advice when I was feeling particularly rebelious and got asked on the doors what santa had brought me and looking doleful and replying "nothing" - it was a great way to place magaznes and get more contributions - although the householder didnt know I'd never see the cash again. It was always better if they gave me sweets or fruit or better still if they gave me money whilst my parents weren't watching.

VM44

Hi "Why Georgia"

This is not on the topic your started, but....is that your cat in your picture?

It looks like a nice cat. Can I get a larger picture of it?

--VM44 (of the collector of cat pictures class)

Honesty

I used to get physically sick when I was with a hardcore dub and someone would wish them "Seasons greetings" or have a "Great Thanksgiving" because I knew the judgemental comments would be the first thing out of their ~~heart~~ mouth. I think that had something to do with the beginning of my research into the WT doctrines because the following scriptures kept popping into my head everytime I heard a typical dub response to a holiday greeting from a 'worldly' person:

*** Rbi8 Romans 14:5 ***

5 One [man] judges one day as above another; another [man] judges one day as all others; let each [man] be fully convinced in his own mind.

*** Rbi8 1 Corinthians 9:2

2 -23 *** 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to people of all sorts, that I might by all means save some. 23 But I do all things for the sake of the good news, that I may become a sharer of it with [others].

*** Rbi8 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ***

31 Therefore, whether You are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. 32 Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, 33 even as I am pleasing all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage but that of the many, in order that they might get saved.

heathen

I feel awekward myself when people give me the merry christmas , first off I know they really don't care if I have a merry christmas but just say it because they feel they have to . I don't like christmas even tho I was never a dubby . normally I will change the subject and say happy new year . I mean why shouldn't people have a happy new year ? or a happy thanks giving ? Niether one requires the buying of gifts which is why I hate the whole idea of christmas that and much pagan origin of it that was christianized by the roman catholics .

VM44

The standard JW response to Holiday greetings is "Have a good day", or "Thank you"....which is OK.

The trend today is for stores NOT to say "Merry Christmas" in order to be politically correct and not offend anyone who is of a non-Christian religion.

--VM44

HappyDad

For most of my decades as a JW, my reply would be "Thank you."

I NEVER tried to turn this into a witness. For the most part, I was always uncomfortable with the so-called informal witnessing.

Somewhere in my final years as a JW my reply was............"You too!"

HappyDad

Why Georgia

Hi VM44 -

Yes, this is my cat Harley. He got into some glue down in our basement and I had to shave him down. He didn't really appreciate it. He's usually a very fluffy and big! I think this was humiliating for him.

If you want a bigger picture send me a pm with your email address and I will email it off to you!

WG

heathen

I am surprised that those of you that were dubs didn't try to push the seasonal WT on people . I notice once a year they rehash the origins of holidays and expect members to sell mags to people that mention holidays .

Holiday Meeting Comments

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