I've tried to find it in print while I was a JW about Thanksgiving and couldn't find it. I actually convinced my relatives that the society never said Thanksgiving was wrong.
Have you seen it? Where??
Does the Society actually condemn Thanksgiving in print?
by reneeisorym 10 Replies latest watchtower bible
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nvrgnbk
I'm almost certain it was mentioned in a negative way in the old School brochure.
Not sure about the new one.
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reneeisorym
It says something about not celebrating "national holidays" but that's it.
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blondie
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sjp.21HolidaysandCelebrations***National
HolidaysOther holidays are somewhat different in nature. These are not so universally celebrated, but may be unique to a particular country. For example, there may be national days of thanksgiving. In some places there may also be a certain day set aside to memorialize a nation’s war dead, or a day to remember the birth of a country or certain prominent presidents, rulers or national heroes.
Jehovah’s Witnesses also respectfully refrain from participating in such national holidays. Though we respect the authorities in whatever country we may reside, for conscientious reasons we do not give them what we view as worshipful honors. We remain neutral toward all such celebrations. This is in keeping with Jesus’ words regarding his followers: "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world."—John 17:16.
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w6011/15p.704QuestionsFromReaders***However, taking part in holiday parties or celebrations, which are not educational but primarily recreational, is something else. Such holidays as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day and Easter have their roots in paganism. The Christian Greek Scripture writers do not mention any of such celebrations. Regarding them the words of the apostle Paul apply: "I say that the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons. You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of ‘the table of Jehovah’ and the table of demons. Or ‘are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy’? We are not stronger than he is, are we?" "What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols?"—1 Cor. 10:20-22; 2 Cor. 6:15, 16.
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reneeisorym
TY blondie ...
"I say that the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons. You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of ‘the table of Jehovah’ and the table of demons. Or ‘are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy’? We are not stronger than he is, are we?" "What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols?"—
Sounds like JWs shouldn't use the same bathroom as the rest of us ... LOL
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NeonMadman
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g7611/22pp.12-13ANational"DayofThanks"—TheDreamandtheReality***A
BibleHoliday?Sarah Hale, in campaigning for a national festival, wrote: "Can we not then, following the appointment of Jehovah in the ‘Feast of Weeks,’ or Harvest Festival, establish our yearly Thanksgiving?" To what was she referring? The belief, still held by some, is that observing a ‘thanksgiving day’ is a Bible command, since Jehovah God instituted a harvest festival with the Mosaic law given to the Jews. (Lev. 23:15-17) Actually, all three of Israel’s primary festivals were directly associated with harvests.—Ex. 23:14-17.
However, with the teachings of Jesus Christ came a new view of the prescribed Jewish celebrations. Just before his death, Jesus commanded but one celebration. He required his followers to memorialize his death. This observance was made all the more outstanding by its being the only one.—Luke 22:19, 20.
The apostle Paul, in fact, became concerned about Jewish Christians who still were "scrupulously observing days and months and seasons and years." He remarked: "I fear for you, that somehow I have toiled to no purpose respecting you." (Gal. 4:10, 11) Why was Paul so concerned? Because, despite his hard work, these former Jews were clinging to religious observances that God no longer desired. They were missing the "spirit" of Christianity.
The early Christians were admonished to apply the principle found at Ephesians 5:20. In the name of Jesus Christ, they were to ‘givethanksalways for all things to their God and Father.’ Yes, an attitude of constant appreciation for God’s provisions and protection was emphasized repeatedly. The words "thanks" and "thanksgiving" are used over forty times in the Christian Greek Scriptures.
On the contrary, the idea of a single day of thanks undoubtedly would have reminded the early Christians of the pagan Romans, who held an annual thanksgiving celebration in December. A writer of the second century noted: "We [Christians] are accused of a lower sacrilege, because we do not celebrate along with you the holidays of the Cæsars in a manner forbidden alike by modesty, decency, and purity."
What, then, is the modern-day Christian likely to conclude as he views this national holiday? Looking at many of the present practices, he may be reminded of Second Corinthians 6:14, where we read: "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have?"
Naturally, many dedicated Christians will not be working secularly on that day. Some may choose to take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy fellowship with family and friends. Yet, what "spirit" will a Christian manifest? It is true that God created turkeys and other foods, so these are not in themselves objectionable. But undoubtedly one who is a true Christian will want to be careful not to stumble others.
Consider what the apostle Paul says, as recorded in First Corinthians, chapter ten. He reasons that Christians should wisely avoid eating before others a perfectly acceptable food if doing so would stumble them. ‘Respect your brother’s conscience’ is the message.
So on November 25, the declared "day of thanks" in 1976, personal decisions need to be made. Dedicated Christians certainly will not want to convey to others the idea that they believe in one-day-a-year gratitude. Really, should not all who profess Christianity encourage a spontaneous spirit of thanksgiving—from the heart—the year around?
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nvrgnbk
It says something about not celebrating "national holidays" but that's it.
The old blue one?
From the late 70's or the early 80's?
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drew sagan
Blondies quotes sum it up.
IMO the Watchtower is much more concerned with rejection of "the world" around them much more so than any kind of pagan roots that could infect them (pinatas article anyone?) By rejecting the practices of the culture in which they live they become separated from friends and family engaged in such customs. This helps build up the 'community' of people loyal to the rejection of the culture since they all together share in their struggle to 'resist the world'.
I think this is why the WTS comes down much harder on actual events of celebration while leaving other more personal things (like wedding rings) alone. -
Clam
Ironic when you think that the Society has been flogging an enormous turkey for years.
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Marvin Shilmer
The February 15, 1932 Watchtower journal (p. 57) had this to say:
“In almost all lands of Christendom one day is specifically set aside and designated as “Thanksgiving Day”. Why should any of God’s anointed people observe such a day? It is a day fixed by men who are under the control of Satan, and the practices in connection with the day by them are hypocritical. God’s kingdom is here. It is a time of joy and thanksgiving for his people every day. If, however, it seems well to observe a specific day of thanksgiving, the appropriate day would seem to be the day of the celebration of the Lord’s memorial. The proper day for the celebration of the Lord’s memorial for the year 1932 will be March 20, after 6 p.m. If it please the people of the Lord God now on the earth let this day be now set aside and henceforth designated and observed as a thanksgiving day unto Jehovah.”
Most Jehovah’s Witnesses today in developed nations are aware of the almost carnival atmosphere among Jehovah’s Witnesses on the occasion of the memorial each year. Men and women dressing to the hilt. Late night feasting and gatherings after the memorial meeting. Etc. But probably very few here recall how this started.
A result of the above quoted Watchtower article was that throughout the decade of the 1930s Jehovah’s Witnesses designated the memorial date as “the anointed’s Thanksgiving,” and the week of the memorial as a period as “the International Thanksgiving Testimony Period of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
The Watchtower presentation on this subject had the effect among the Witnesses of them transferring holiday festivity associated with any holiday (Thanksgiving, in this case) over to “the anointed’s Thanksgiving” day, the memorial. Prior to the 1930s the memorial celebration was strictly a solemn occasion. Since the 1930s the memorial meeting itself remains a solemn occasion, but with accompanying festivity and gathering that has nothing whatsoever to do with celebrating the Lord’s evening meal and everything to do with the ever present urge to revel. Give people an excuse to party, and guess what usually happens?
The reveling got so out of hand in some areas during the 1930s that the Watchtower organization ceased advocating the memorial day as a special “Thanksgiving day” in the early 1940s in an attempt to undermine the festival atmosphere it had unwittingly encouraged. But the stage was already set, actors and all.
The pomp, pageantry and reveling still seen today among Jehovah’s Witnesses on this occasion got its start during the 1930s.
Marvin Shilmer