celebration of birthdays...a matter of conscience?

by Angst 15 Replies latest jw friends

  • AlanF
    AlanF

    Valis:

    You can find the complete book online here: http://home2.inet.tele.dk/carloc/

    You can find the section listing the various infractions here: http://home2.inet.tele.dk/carloc/unit5a.htm

    Here's the infraction list from that link, beginning on page 92 of the Flock book:

    ******======******======******======******======******======******

    Uphold Jehovah's Righteousness

    Wrongdoing is increasing in frequency and in depravi-
    ty; such can infiltrate and affect the Christian congrega-
    tion. (2 Tim. 3:1-5, 13; .Jude 3, 4, 11-13)

    The Scriptures clearly show that Jehovah forbids certain
    conduct among his clean people; brothers need to up-
    hold Jehovah's righteous standards regarding the follow-
    ing:

    Manslaughter.

    A degree of guilt could result from careless driving, care-
    less maintenance of one's automobile, or other careless or
    thoughtless action that causes injury or death. (Compare
    Deuteronomy 22:8. )

    Being a professional boxer may be viewed in a similar
    way. (w817/1 pp. 30-1)

    Attempted suicide may be the result of deep despair or
    major depression; deal carefully and compassionately with
    such a person. In most cases a judicial hearing is not
    required. (Ps. 88:3, 17, 18; Prov. 15:13; Eccl. 7:7; g90
    9/8 pp 22-3; w90 3/15 pp. 26-30; w90 3/1 pp. 5-9; w83
    8/1 pp. 3-11)

    Sexual misconduct, including; adultery, fornication, and
    other forms of "por.ne'a.."

    Uncleanness includes an intentional momentary touching
    of sexual parts or caressing of breasts. ( I Thess. 4:7, 8;
    1 Tim. 5:1,2)

    "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock"

    92

    Such minor uncleanness can be handled at the discre-
    tion of an elder or two; it does not require a judicial
    hearing.

    There is a need for strong counsel, admonition, and
    assistance to help the individual to maintain chaste
    conduct in the future.

    If not corrected, such conduct may escalate in gravity
    and by frequent repetition become loose conduct.

    Loose conduct is a shocking, flagrant disregard for Jeho-
    vah's moral standards. (Gal. 5:19; w83 3/15 p. 31; w73
    9/15 pp. 574-6)

    It may include the willful practice of heavy petting or
    the fondling of breasts.

    The nature, circumstances, and actual extent of what
    has occurred may indicate loose conduct, which would
    require judicial action.

    Such practices can easily lead to por.nei´a.

    "Por.nei´a" involves immoral use of the genitals of at least
    one human ( whether in a natural or a perverted way ), and
    there must have been another party to the immorality<a
    human of either sex or a beast; willing participation incurs
    guilt and requires judicial action. It is not a casual touch-
    ing of the sex organs between persons but involves the
    manipulation of the genitals. (w83 6/1 pp. 23-6; w83
    3/15 pp. 30-1)

    It includes oral and anal sex or mutual masturbation
    between persons not married to each other, homosexu-
    ality, lesbianism, fornication, adultery, incest, and bes-
    tiality. (Lev. 20:10, 13, 15, 16; Rom. 1:24, 26, 27, 32;
    1 Cor. 6:9, 10)

    Also included are sexual abuse of children, including
    practices involving a catamite (a boy kept for purposes
    of sexual perversion). (Deut. 23:17, 18, Ref.: Bi., ftns.)

    Victims of sexual abuse need to be treated with
    extreme thoughtfulness and kindness. Elders should
    always do what they reasonably can to protect
    children from further abuse;
    follow the Society's directives on such matters. (g85 1/22 p. 8)

    UNIT 5 (1 )

    93

    Self-abuse, or masturbation, is not "porna'a," nor
    would one who was raped be guilty of por.nei´a. (w83
    3/15 p. 30; w74 3/1 p. 160; it-l pp. 862-4; tp p. 144)

    The term por.nei´a lays emphasis on both the lewd
    nature and the intent of the person's conduct, and it
    embraces all illicit sexual activity characteristic of that
    found in a house of prostitution.

    Copulation (as in penetration) is not necessary to
    constitute por.nei'a, and neither is sexual climax.

    In borderline cases, it is the responsibility of the
    judicial committee to weigh carefully the Scriptures
    and the particular facts in the case to determine
    whether por.nei'a was involved.

    This responsibility should not be taken lightly,
    especially when Scriptural freedom to remarry is
    involved. (Mal. 2:16a)

    Apostasy.

    Apostasy is a standing away from, a falling away, defec-
    tion, rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching false
    doctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and its
    holidays or interfaith activities. (Deut. 13:13, 15; Josh.
    22:22, ftn.; Acts 21:21, ftn.; 2 Cor. 6:14, 15, 17, 18;
    2. John 7, 9, 10; Rev. 18:4)

    Those with sincere doubts should be helped, dealt with
    mercifully. (Jude 22, 23; w82 9/1 pp. 20-1;w80 8/1
    pp. 21-2)

    Apostasy includes action taken against true worship of
    Jehovah or his established order among his dedicated
    people. (Jer. 17:13; 23:15; 28:15, 16; 2 Thess. 2:9, 10)

    Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and
    speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught
    by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates.

    If it is learned that a person has taken up association with
    another religious organization, the matter should be inves-
    tigated, and if verified, a committee should be formed.

    If it is clearly established that the person has joined
    another religion and intends to remain with it, the

    94

    "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock"

    elders would make a brief announcement to the congre-
    gation that such- one has disassociated himself. (w86
    10/15 p. 31 )

    Working secularly for a false religious organization could
    put one in a position similar to that of one preaching false
    doctrine. (2 Cor. 6:14-16)

    Celebrating a false religious holiday would be similar to
    performing any other act of false worship. (Jer. 7:16-19)

    The Bible condemns the following:

    Causing divisions and promoting sects.

    This would be deliberate action disrupting the unity
    of the congregation or undermining the confidence
    of the brothers in Jehovah's arrangement.

    It may involve or lead to apostasy. (Rom. 16:
    17, 18; Titus 3:10, 11 )

    The practice of spiritism. (Deut. 18:9-13; I Cor. 10: 21, 22; Gal. 5:20)

    Idolatry. ( I Cor. 6:9, 10; 10:14)

    Idolatry includes the possession and use of images
    and pictures that are employed in false religion.

    Drunkenness. (I Cor. 5:11; 6:9,10; it-l p. 656)

    Stealing, thievery, fraud. (Lev. 6:2, 4; I Cor. 6:9, 10; Eph. 4:28; it-l p. 870)

    Deliberate, malicious lying; bearing false witness. (Prov. 6: 16, 19; Col. 3:9; Rev. 22:15; it-2 pp. 244-5)

    Reviling; slander. (Lev. 19:16; I Cor. 6:10; it-l pp. 989-91; it-2 pp. 801-2)

    Obscene speech. (Eph. 5:3-5; Col. 3:8)

    Failure to abstain from blood. (Gen. 9:4; Acts 15:20, 28, 29)

    Greed<gambling, extortion. (I Cor. 5:10, 11; 6:10; I Tim. 3:8; it-l pp. 1005-6)

    Adamant refusal to provide materially for one's ovn family<leaving wife and children destitute when having the

    UNIT 5 (a)

    95

    means to provide. ( 1 Tim. 5:8; w88 11/1 pp. 22-3; km
    9/73 p. 8)

    Nonneutral activitics. ( Isa. 2:4;John 6:15; 17:16)

    Fits of anger, violence. (Prov. 22:24, 25; Mal. 2:16; Gal.
    5:20)

    Misuse of tobacco or addictive drugs (2 Cor. 7:1; Mark
    15:23; Rev. 21:8, Int.; 22:15, Int. )

    Loose conduct. Term not restricted to sexual immorality.
    (Gal. 5:19, Ref.. Bi., ftn.; 2 Pet. 2:7, Ref.. Bi., ftn.; w83
    3/15 p. 31; w73 9/15 pp. 574-6; it-2 p. 264)

    SUMMARY: There are varying degrees of wrongdoing.
    At times there may have been an overlapping of sins, and
    this must be discerned in order to determine the proper
    Scriptural view of a person's conduct. In all cases, elders
    should carefully weigh each situation or circumstance.
    They need to find out what actually occurred, the extent
    and nature of misconduct, intent and motive, frequency
    or practice, and so forth. Good judgment, reasonableness,
    and balance are necessary as elders assess conduct in the
    light of the Scriptures.

  • r51785
    r51785

    I think many "spiritually mature" dubs do celebrate birthdays, but do it on the sly. One of my fellow employees is a dub while the rest of his family are worldlings. They celebrate his birthday, but I doubt he invites the elders from the hall for cake.
    My dub niece receives flowers every year on her birthday from a dub couple that formerly was in the circut work. This former CO usually gives a talk at the district assembly every year, so he is in good standing. I doubt he advertises what he does.

  • Room 215
    Room 215

    Then too, there's the question of what comprises a ``celebration.'' It does not seem that acknowledging the birthday of a mate, child or close friend by mailing a card or giving some gift, making a special meal, going to a restaurant is the same as organizing a Bacchalian feast or in any way venerates the person so honored.

    As with so many of the JW policies, I suspect that hidden agendas lurks here; in this case it's the supression of individuality and sense of self-worth that is an imperative to the mental and emotional health of any human being.

    Then too there's the JW abhorrence of standing with the majority of opinion on anything; of their near-obsession for the attention of being noticed for simply standing apart; to provoke commnet and discussion by being different for the sake of being different.

  • Pubsinger
    Pubsinger

    How can something be a "matter of conscience" or in other words, "OK if your conscience allows you to do it" if there is a penalty for doing it, such as "having all special priviledges removed"?

    If you are penalised in anyway for doing it then its not a matter of conscience.

  • Nemesis
    Nemesis

    I also noticed the point like freeman mentioned about Job’s children.

    “Every year when Job's sons had birthdays, they invited their brothers and sisters to join them for a celebration. On these occasions they would get together to eat and drink. When these celebrations ended—and sometimes they lasted several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job's regular practice.”—Job 1:4, 5 New Living Translation.

    Many other Bibles say “each one upon his day”, and then later the exact same phrase with the same Hebrew words is used for Job when he is clearly speaking of the day he was born, his birthday.—Job 3:1–3

    Funny how when we were JWs we never heard these scriptures being read out as a balance for God’s view of birthdays!

    Also the good point Lisa made is so showing. They first say “Celebrating birthdays is rooted in superstition and false religion” (Note the emotive and negative words use to switch on the JWs ‘dread’ factory, “oh it feels wrong”, hummm. . . I wonder why?), and then with their comments on wedding rings it’s suddenly becomes a neutral non-emotive usage: “For example, the wedding ring once had religious significance.” Why the flip? It should read: “For example, wedding rings are rooted in superstition and false religion.”

    Funny how different the reader would feel if they gave equal negativity to both subjects [birthdays and wedding rings]. Their religious deception and manipulation knows no bounds!

  • Scully
    Scully

    The family of the PO in the congregation where I grew up had a "special day" (à la scripture in Job) for each family member. Everyone in the congregation all knew when each other's birthdates were.

    The PO's family would always go out for dinner to a certain restaurant that would serve a free meal to whomever was having a birthday.

    His wife - my best friend's mom - would 'lip-sync' the entire "Happy Birthday" song (without the music) to me or anyone else who had a birthday.

    It was common knowledge that they carried on this way too. The first few times I saw it happen, I was quite shocked.

    Love, Scully


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