Are Birthdays now OK? (page 2)

rickroll

This is thought out by the cult to minimize the putting of the individual ahead of the cult. Keep the individual one of many a borg. Nothing about you is important only the goal of the org. When I hear my cousin saying the Tower was so uplifting , Jehovah knows what we need at the right time. LMAO. She is a real stooge.

RubaDub

You can have birthdays ... just don't celebrate them.

Rub a Dub

zeb

celebrate the anniversary of someones birth?

I do.!

In recent years I have sent small gifts to grand-kids as I realize how precious kids are. My own now adults get a voucher or a cheeky sms or email. Yes dear friends it did feel strange at first but it is a delight to do this as it is to get a cheeky birthday greeting as well. But I always was oh so so selfish....

Prester John

"Technically, celebrating a birthday is not a DF offense. I suspect that with the proliferation of the previously top-secret elders manual online, kids are figuring that out and thumbing their noses at the org.

I think it has become one of those "don't ask don't tell" things. If you quietly mark the occasion with those who have the same idea as you, and are careful to avoid "stumbling" Sister Bitchy-Nose, you should be OK."

That's very interesting to me, as I've just celebrated my son's birthday. Is there a specific reference to this in the current elders manual?

I wonder if celebrating birthdays is becoming a little bit like gambling, in the sense that if it's something that you do discreetly once in a while, and if nobody in your family suffers because of it, it's difficult to argue that an act of sin is being committed.

And if you're not committing an act of sin, then how can you be DFed?

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blondie

I checked the 2019 copy of the elders manual and the word birthday does not appear in there not is it listed as grounds for df'ing the the current WT index. But I wonder if a BOE might try to use"brazen conduct" to apply to celebrating birthdays. Remember than marrying a non-jw is not a df'ing offense but jws that do marry outside the WTS are "marked." Perhaps the WTS will view it as stated in the opening sentence in point #77.

2019 elders manual

MARKING DISORDERLY ONES

Chapter 12

77. At times it may be necessary to mark those who display a flagrant

disregard for Jehovah's standards though not practicing a

grave sin that merits judicial action. (2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; w99

7/15 pp. 29-31) This could include such things as being grossly

lazy or critical or being a profitless talker who is a constant 'meddler

with what does not concern him.' (2 Thess. 3:11) It may involve

one who schemes to take material advantage of others,

indulges in entertainment that is clearly improper, dates an unbeliever,

or dates when not legally or Scripturally free.-od pp. 134-

136 pars. 9-12.

78. If the disorderly conduct is generally unknown to others and poses

no threat to their spiritual well-being, usually it is best to handle

things through admonition and counsel. The body of elders

should not be hasty in deciding to give a warning talk. However,

if the individual does not see the error of his way but continues

to be an unwholesome influence, a warning talk may be given to

the congregation. Elders must use reasonableness and discernment

in determining whether a particular situation is sufficiently

serious and disturbing to require a warning talk.

79. If he persists in disregarding Bible principles

in spite of repeated admonition, the body of elders may decide

that a warning talk should be given to the congregation. If an individual

is dating an unbaptized publisher, a warning talk may

not be needed. Much would depend on the circumstances, on the

attitude of the Christian, on the level of disturbance to the congregation,

and other factors. Nonetheless, if he is dating with a

"SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD" CHAPTER 12

DETERMINING WHETHER A JUDICIAL COMMITTEE SHOULD BE FORMED

view to marrying someone who is unbaptized, he is not obeying

the Bible's counsel at 1 Corinthians 7:39 to marry "only in the

Lord," and loving counsel should be given.

80. If the disorderly one is moved to change, the elders can individually

decide to resume personally socializing with him. This will

indicate to the congregation that they consider that the individual

is no longer marked.

WTWizard

It might be permissible in the letter of the washtowel to celebrate or at least observe a birthday if one doesn't make a big deal out of it. However, there is always the "brazen conduct" rule, which can mean anything can get you disfellowshipped. Even eating that ice cream cone instead of donating it to the washtowel could become "brazen conduct" if the hounders hound you about it once, and you do it again after.

DesirousOfChange

Seems like the new elders book doesn't say anything about Elders have to "take action" on acknowledging birthdays. I think they have soft-pedaled their stance a bit.

Same with things like petty gambling, etc.

joe134cd

I’d love to see those face book posts.

Are Birthdays now OK?

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