Is it just because i was raised a JW?

by helncon 24 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  reneeisorym

  Most Chritians know that the date of Dec 25th is not accurate. It is a day to celebrate his birth and most do not care when the actual birthday was.

  I also would consider trying to recover from you JW background. I have been going to counseling and found it very helpful. Considering that your problem is a religious one, I would recommend a counselor at a church. My church has a counseling department that offers it for free even. I am very proud of you taking your daughter to church. That took great courage.

  Jesus' death is so important to us because that is when he paid the penalty for our sins -- preparing our way to get eternal life. The resurrection is so important because his bodily resurrection is what obviously made him very different from every man who ever lived. His life and ministry was important as well but his death just means the most of anything he did.

  Pahpa, you are more than welcomed to continue to not celebrate holidays. I do wish you would do some research to learn why those of us who are still Christians choose to celebrate them.
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  Pahpa

  Dear Renne

  I feel strongly that each Christian has to make these decisions. I once celebrated the holidays because it was the custom and practice of my neighbors and friends. I don't think the average churchgoer has ever considered the origins of these days. Certainly, the question is never brought up in church. I wonder why?

  For the churches, it is a lucrative time of the year since many parishoners who don't regulary attend service for the rest of the year will attend on Christmas and Easter. So, the leaders of the church have no incentive to discourage the celebrations. I've talked with many Christians who do celebrate. The only defense they offered was that they honor Christ in spite of the pagan connections. It still begs the question whether this is the Christian way of doing things? It is clear that the faithful Israelites as well as the early Christians avoided even the appearance of compromise.

  Let me ask you why you, as a Christian, celebrate the holidays knowing that most of the customs and rituals are of pagan origin and are not found in the Bible?
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  unique1

  Most of the people I know, know that Jesus was not born on Chrismas day, but most feel that it is the thought that counts and celebrate anyways.
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  avidbiblereader

  Helcon, I am surrounded by people who know that I don't celebrate holidays, too me they respect me for it, however on to your question and my observations.

  Most people that I am around at Christmas and it is into the hundreds because of my job dont even consider Christ yet alone the day he was or wasnt born on, sad but very true.

  I have opted not to celebrate not because of the JW teaching but rather focus on what Christ really taught, it is a simplistic message,

  Love God, neighbor, believe in the Good News which is the he died for us, and everything else should fall into place based on those teachings.

  abr
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  A Paduan

  i told her that this was not as important as when Jesus died and that he wasn't even born on 25th december she was taken back that he was not born on this day as i told her he was born earlier in the year and i explained how this is the reason, she was gob smacked!

  Are you sure about why she was gob smacked ?

  So i ask the question is it common knowledge that Jesus was not born on this day and it is a pagan holiday or is it a JW thing

  It's common knowledge - outside fundamentalist literalism at least
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  Deputy Dog

  Helncon

  I wonder how many JWs can tell us why they still use a pagan calendar.
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  Madame Quixote

  Have you tried to attend a Unitarian Universalist Church (NOT the unification/moonies) with your daughter? They are very understanding of all kinds of ideas and beliefs, including yours.

  I was very glad to have that available as an antidote to the JWs and as an antidote to my intolerance of religion, which has grown a great deal over the past few years (most especially since coming to JWD).

  The UUs have a very solid, age-appropriate Religious Education curriculum/program for children (if that's what you're looking for).
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  Madame Quixote
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  Mile 0

  I don't think that not wanting to have anything to do with religion is necessarily a bad thing. Religiosity and spirituality are not the same thing.

  Mile 0
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  Mad

  It is FACT! (Common knowledge) But his world- especially 'Christian' churches, in general, HATE truth with a FURIOUS passion!

  Mad