I recently researched on JW dot org why toasts are not allowed. In the article, they candidly admit that wedding bands also have pagan origins, but their modern understanding trumps this fact since they serve another function: signifying whether or not a person is married. Same with neck ties, I guess (although their pagan origins were not mentioned in the article).
What I'd like to know is, doesn't toasting have a modern understanding as a customary courtesy--a way of saying "good health," or "he/she's a jolly good fellow?" Why is toasting scorned but wedding bands aren't? And who got the final say on that decision?
If Mother's Day, Father's Day and birthdays are forbidden because they're forms of idolatry, then why are wedding anniversaries and graduation parties allowed? There are no good explanations for the contradiction.
If Pokemon, Smurfs & He-Man are frowned upon, then why does every JW I know give the Wizard of Oz and every Disney movie a free pass?
The bans on peace signs, wind chimes, dream catchers, beards, piercings, color dyed hair, and R-rated movies make no sense to me either.
When international conventions come up, it's ok for delegates to be decked out in traditional clothing from their culture. Surely, some of those have origins that could be called "pagan." And how is that not nationalism?
How are JW dot org pins not idolatry? I clearly remember JWs purposely not putting the watchtower symbol anywhere on their buildings, signs or engraving it into the podium--certainly not wearing it--but this JW dot org flair really perplexes me.
What other objects, customs & practices have you wondering why they're banned when other arguably similar things are not?