Can anyone tell me why JWs don't celebrate TG??

by lavendar 17 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Emma

  Because they didn't think of it first, therefore, it must be pagan.
• 

  lavendar

  To ask the question is to admit that the inquirer really does not understand the mind - set of J W's, at all.

  You are absolutely right, Bluesbrother. I don't understand them, but I'm trying.....because our son is being sucked into the WTS (at his JW wife's prodding). And I want to gain as much knowledge as humanly possible, so I can help him see the WTS for what it really is.

  Thanks much!

  Lavendar
• 

  Amber Rose

  It promotes nationalism. We should have no pride in our nation or anything else except for Jehovah. So that means you can get together with your JW friends on Thanksgiving and have a big dinner but just make sure you don't have a big dinner with non-witness relatives.
• 

  VanillaMocha73

  *** w97 9/15 pp. 8-9 Do Harvest Festivals Please God? ***
  Pagan Links
  

  Disturbed by the secular nature of the traditional harvesttime banquet and the drunkenness associated with the celebration, an Anglican clergyman in Cornwall, England, decided in 1843 to revive a medieval harvest custom. He took some of the first grain harvested and from it made bread for the communion celebration in his church. Doing so, he perpetuated the festival of Lammas—a “Christian” celebration that some say had its origin with the ancient worship of the Celtic god Lugh. Thus, the modern Anglican harvest festival has a pagan origin.

  What about other celebrations that take place at the end of the harvest season? According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, many of the customs that mark these festivities trace their origin to “the animistic belief in the corn [grain] spirit or corn mother.” In some regions the farmers believed that a spirit resided in the last sheaf of grain to be harvested. To chase out the spirit, they beat the grain to the ground. Elsewhere they wove some blades of the cereal into a “corn dolly” that they kept safe for “luck” until seed-sowing the following year. Then they plowed the ears of grain back into the soil in hopes that this would bless the new crop.

  Some legends associate harvesttime with the worship of the Babylonian god Tammuz, consort of the fertility goddess Ishtar. Cutting off the ripe head of grain paralleled Tammuz’ untimely death. Other legends even connect harvesttime with human sacrifice—a practice that Jehovah God detests.—Leviticus 20:2; Jeremiah 7:30, 31.

  What Is God’s View?

  God’s dealings with ancient Israel clearly reveal that Jehovah, the Creator and Source of life, demanded the exclusive devotion of his worshipers. (Psalm 36:9; Nahum 1:2) In the prophet Ezekiel’s day, the practice of weeping for the god Tammuz was a ‘great detestable thing’ in Jehovah’s eyes. This, along with other false religious rites, caused God to shut his ears to the prayers of those false worshipers.—Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 14, 18.

  Contrast this with what Jehovah God instructed Israel to observe in connection with the harvest. At the Festival of Ingathering, the Israelites held a solemn assembly during which young and old, rich and poor, lived in temporary dwellings decorated with the lush foliage of splendid trees. This was a time of great rejoicing for them, but it was also a time to reflect on the deliverance God had granted their forebears at the time of the Exodus from Egypt.—Leviticus 23:40-43.

  During the Israelite festivals, offerings were presented to Jehovah, the only true God. (Deuteronomy 8:10-20) As for the aforementioned animistic beliefs, the Bible nowhere speaks of produce, such as sheaves of wheat, as having a soul. And the Scriptures clearly show that idols remain inanimate, unable to speak, see, hear, smell, feel, or offer their worshipers any help.—Psalm 115:5-8; Romans 1:23-25.

  Christians today are not under the Law covenant that God concluded with the ancient nation of Israel. Indeed, God ‘took it out of the way by nailing it to Jesus’ torture stake.’ (Colossians 2:13, 14) Jehovah’s modern-day servants live by “the law of the Christ” and respond appreciatively to all that God provides.—Galatians 6:2.

  The apostle Paul plainly stated that the Jewish festivals were “a shadow of the things to come,” adding, “but the reality belongs to the Christ.” (Colossians 2:16, 17) Consequently, true Christians accept the Scriptural reasoning: “The things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God . . . You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:20, 21) Moreover, Christians heed the directive to “quit touching the unclean thing.” Do harvest festivals in your neighborhood have pagan or false religious overtones? If so, genuine Christians may avoid displeasing Jehovah by declining to have any involvement in such contaminated worship.—2 Corinthians 6:17.

  When an appreciative child receives a present from his father, whom does he thank? A complete stranger or his parent? By heartfelt prayer God’s worshipers daily thank Jehovah, their heavenly Father, for his bounteous generosity.—2 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18.
• 

  Gopher

  Thanks for finding that 1976 article, Bluesbrother.

  This reasoning is stunning to a non-JW:

  So from Holland they sailed on The Mayflower to the "New World." But, argue some, the time in Holland would have brought them in touch with European harvest festivals.

  "But, argue some .." -- Exactly who are these "some" arguing that the pilgrims were poisoned by the evil influence of European harvest festivals? This is another attempt by Watchtower writers to induce fear using vague logic.

  Why don't they ever apply the Bible verse 'One man views one day as above all others, another man views one day the same as all others. Let each one be convinced in his OWN MIND."

  That being said, a lot of American JW's eat turkey on Thanksgiving anyhow. I don't think that they buy the Society' s reasoning on this.
• 

  LongHairGal

  I have always considered Thanksgiving to be a neutral holiday and it bothered me that they didn't celebrate it.

  While there are those who would say it is about "nationalism", I have a sneaking suspicion the REAL reason the JWs don't want you to celebrate it is that it is about family and good will celebration. They simply do not want you to be celebrating anything or associating with your family or relatives. They are simply jealous of whatever time you spend with anybody away from their brainwashing session meetings. They are afraid you will RE-discover the love and friendship you gave up like a sap in order to join this vacuum of a religion. They are afraid that once you see this you will leave.

  I feel it is more about this than any other reason.

  LHG
• 

  undercover

  Just another evidence of mind control over the followers.

  I wouldn't have a problem if the WTS/JWs, from the leadership stance, were to remain completely neutral when it comes to all "worldly" holidays, but without coercing members to follow a strict code of conduct about it.

  They could easily point out the origins of Xmas and Easter and claim that since modern celebrations are strife with "pagan" influences the religion as a whole will not participate in the holidays. As far as non-religious holidays, like Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, they could easily just not make mention of them and by their non-comments on holidays it would be apparent soon enough that the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, as a whole, sets itself seperate from the world and does not promote the holidays of any kind.

  Then, they could leave the decision as to whether to celebrate or not celebrate certain holidays on a personal level up to each individual person...you know, a conscience matter.

  But that means that people have to think for themselves and make a decision based on their own thoughts and feelings. The WTS can't have that. All must obey and give up free thought.

  Personally, even though I've been out for a while, I still don't celebrate the holidays that much. I go to Xmas parties and enjoy the holiday spirit. I accept glad tidings and presents and drinks and kisses under the mistletoe, but don't get into all the trappings of decorating, gift purchasing, etc. The only two holidays, three if you count Super Bowl Sunday, that I actually look forward to and participate in to some degree is Halloween and St. Patrick's Day.
• 

  reneeisorym

  we're supposed to be thankful to god every day not just on one specific day of the year

  That's what I was always told. My argument was, "Then why do we celebrate the memorial once a year? Shouldn't we be thankful every day for it?" .. They would say, "Because Jesus said so." ... But I think they realized then that their answer wasn't good enough.