Posts by juswondering

11

Birthday Parties etc (some questions)

by juswondering in

now i know the birthday issue has been laboured to death, but... as a 17 year old living in a non-witness family,it's kinda hard for me to never question beliefs.

now, i've spent the past hour or so scanning through the 07 watchtower library on my family pc, and havven't found a definitive answer, so would appreciate some input on this.

basically: the bible shows bday's in a unfavourable light, the pagan roots have been highlighted, and the worldly side too, i know all this.

juswondering

Thanks a lot for the replies people.
I'll take it all in mind and read the articles etc.
Thanks.

11

Birthday Parties etc (some questions)

by juswondering in

now i know the birthday issue has been laboured to death, but... as a 17 year old living in a non-witness family,it's kinda hard for me to never question beliefs.

now, i've spent the past hour or so scanning through the 07 watchtower library on my family pc, and havven't found a definitive answer, so would appreciate some input on this.

basically: the bible shows bday's in a unfavourable light, the pagan roots have been highlighted, and the worldly side too, i know all this.

juswondering

sorry to bump, but any chance of some further insight? even if it's by private message.

11

Birthday Parties etc (some questions)

by juswondering in

now i know the birthday issue has been laboured to death, but... as a 17 year old living in a non-witness family,it's kinda hard for me to never question beliefs.

now, i've spent the past hour or so scanning through the 07 watchtower library on my family pc, and havven't found a definitive answer, so would appreciate some input on this.

basically: the bible shows bday's in a unfavourable light, the pagan roots have been highlighted, and the worldly side too, i know all this.

So, what people are getting at is that it's a personal choice and is kinda open to interpretation?
depending on a person's own mental fortitude/faith etc whether or not we do such things?
Because personally i still am of the opinion that if it's stemming from pagan beliefs etc, it's bad, which is why i'll never agree with christmas (the idea might be something meant to be good, but the whole concept is pagan to the core as i can see). But, basically the gist is that it's personal choice as long as ou feel that you feel you're faith is strong enough?

Can i ask, by the way, what the religion/faith/set of beliefs for the people answering my question is? Not that i have a problem whether you're pagan/muslim/JW or catholic. It's just something i was wondering, as there is a lot of anti-jw/wts stance here, but then some people still seem to share the beliefs. and thanks a lot btw.

11

Birthday Parties etc (some questions)

by juswondering in

now i know the birthday issue has been laboured to death, but... as a 17 year old living in a non-witness family,it's kinda hard for me to never question beliefs.

now, i've spent the past hour or so scanning through the 07 watchtower library on my family pc, and havven't found a definitive answer, so would appreciate some input on this.

basically: the bible shows bday's in a unfavourable light, the pagan roots have been highlighted, and the worldly side too, i know all this.

juswondering

Now I know the birthday issue has been laboured to death, but... as a 17 year old living in a non-witness family,it's kinda hard for me to never question beliefs. Now, i've spent the past hour or so scanning through the 07 watchtower library on my family pc, and havven't found a definitive answer, so would appreciate some input on this.
Basically: The Bible shows Bday's in a unfavourable light, the pagan roots have been highlighted, and the worldly side too, i know all this. Yet i can't help having a nagging doubt that, well, some things aren't clear. The Bible highlights that numerous celebrations are acceptable (a harvest, a circumcision etc) without pagan roots.. but what about for example:
Celebrating the fact someone is 18, not as a birthday in the "its that time of year again" sense, but as the fact they are now an adult? now legal?
or a party. what about a party that's for a birthday (not on the day), doesn't require all the gift giving and cake eating etc, just the occasion being used as an excuse for a party?
or being invited and brought to a party of somoene you do not personally know, only to find that the occasion is a birthday?
special birthdays? (double digits, 16/18/21 (depending on area), big numebers like 50?)
Being a casual observer at others, just there for the party etc?
Can i recieve gifts, if people simply wish to give them, just out of tradition or habit, rather than for the birthday sake (my family on one side is aware of my beliefs but like to give a gift after the date anyways)?
what about things like Debuts? in some cultures where it's a big deal?
Also what about aniversaries/birthdays of things.. clubs.. places etc?

I've always wondered these things, and could do with some light being spread on them. Though i'm not exactly a practicing witness due to misplaced priorities (i'll admit i have them badly) i do try not to do things displeasing to Jehovah, and would appreciate any insight.
Thanks in advance
ps. i realise i may have repeated a few times, so sorry..