On another thread, a poster alluded to the Witness prohibition on uttering the word "lucky," as the word "lucky" is associated with dreaded paganism. As I recall, instead of saying "lucky", Witnesses are "counseled" to employ the term forunate. The problem is this - The Roman goddess of good luck was named Fortuna; her Greek equivalent was named Tyche. Thus, it seems that the word "fortunate" is as closely - or even more closely - asociated with paganism as the word "luck" or "lucky." On what basis do the Witnesses forbid use of the word "lucky," while suggesting use of the word "fortunate." Is this yet another example of their picking and choosing among supposed "pagan" customs. After all, don't they wear wedding rings? Don't they throw rice? In English, French, and Spanish, the days of the week and names of months are all derived from "pagan" [either Roman or Germanic] sources. For example, Wednesday is none other than "Wotan's day." And Thursday is "Thor's day."
J.W's Forbidden To Use The Word "Lucky"
by Rapunzel 27 Replies latest jw friends
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jaguarbass
I think its an example of dingbats painting themselves in the corner. Plus the faithful are not to question their decisions.
Thats like questioning God.
Whenever we give responsibility to somebody for something that is important, something we dont want to or cant do for ourselves, often times they become dingbats.
Of course in this case they pleaded and begged for us to give them the responsiblity and we fell for it hook line and sinker, or our parents did.
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blondie
And the WTS does use the words "fortunate" and "fortunately" often in its publications.
*** w04 6/1 p. 3 Should You Belong to a Church? ***
Were the Flood survivors simply individuals fortunate enough to have randomly escaped destruction?
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inkling
After all, don't they wear wedding rings?
Yes, they do. The "pagan connotation" has been lost over time.
Don't they throw rice?
No they do not. It has a "pagan connotation"
Welcome to the twilight zone....
? We are an engaged couple that expect to get married soon and we would like to know if it would be proper for Witnesses to have one of the popular wedding marches played and to throw rice after the bridal party.—J. B., United States.
If one desires to have music at a wedding, it would seem to be more fitting to have Kingdom songs at a theocratic wedding than one of the popular wedding marches, which have pagan or mythological backgrounds. However, Kingdom music should not be used for dancing.
As for throwing rice, The Encyclopædia Britannica, 1959 edition, Volume 4, page 122, states: “The throwing of rice, a very ancient custom but later than the wheat, is symbolical of the wish that the bridal may be fruitful.” Since this is of pagan origin and, in effect, an invoking of magic, a performing of a rite in the hope of beneficial results, it should be avoided by Christians. As regards other wedding arrangements, moderation is indicated; and it would always seem best to err on the conservative side, exercising more restraint than needed rather than less than what is necessary.—See The Watchtower, June 15, 1952.
[inkling]
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Open mind
Blondie, you never cease to amaze me.
Good thing you weren't born with a "Y" chromosome or you would have kicked some serious elder booty in our congregation.
Come to think of it, I'm sure you already have.
OM
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bigmouth
In one of my congs. 'lucky' and 'fortunate' were both 'bad' words. People referred to these events as 'blessings'.
The Wedding Ring hypocrisy really bugged me so I wrote a spoof letter last year in the form of a letter to the congregations about New Light. New ones might find the research interesting:
How Do You View The Wedding Ring?
Jehovah's modern Witnesses live in exciting times do we not?! We are deep within 'The Last Days' of this wicked system and have been privileged to witness the fulfillment of Jesus words regarding the composite sign. (Matthew 24:3-14, Mark 13:4-13, Luke 21:7-19 )
For more than a century Jehovah has entrusted his slave class to disseminate and dispense spiritual food to his earthly servants. However, from time to time clarification or readjustment needs to be made as to our understanding of Gods will. ( Matthew 24:45-47 )
For example,at one time, Gods organization would join with the world in celebrating Christmas until, on December 12, 1928, The Golden Age thoroughly exposed its God-dishonoring roots. For many years the Bible Students wore a cross and a crown as a badge of identification but in 1928 it was emphasized that not a decorative symbol but ones activity as a witness showed he was Christian. In 1936 it was pointed out that the evidence indicates that Christ died on a stake, not a two-beamed cross. Other matters that have been clarified over the years have included Christian neutrality, the celebration of birthdays and abstaining from the misuse of blood.
Since then,the pagan roots of many of these customs have become general public knowledge, but few people make changes in their way of life as a result. On the other hand, Jehovah's Witnesses are willing to make needed changes in order to be more acceptable as servants of Jehovah.When made aware of the instruments and appendages of pagan customs, Jehovah's Witnesses promptly and permanently stop having any part of these customs.
In light of the aforementioned, some have asked, 'What of the use of the wedding ring?' Does the history of the wedding ring give us a cause to adjust our point of view? What is its meaning? Is it tied to a superstition such as good-luck or as a fertility wish? Is it connected with false religion? Could it stumble others? If doubts exist on any of these points, it would be better to avoid that tradition would it not?
Interestingly, the Bible does not indicate that rings were used by true worshipers as a symbol of betrothal or marriage. It does, however, mention the proper use of signet rings. It was worn on the right hand and was used to seal various contracts. It was a symbol of authority, dignity and social status. - Compare Genesis 38:17-19, Jeremiah 22:24, James 2:2. Pharaoh gave his signet ring to Joseph as a symbol of authority. ( Genesis 41:42) The prodigal son received a ring from his father as a symbol of dignity.( Luke 15:22) So where did the custom of exchanging wedding rings come from?
The oldest recorded exchange of wedding rings comes from ancient Egypt about 4800 years ago.The ring is of course a circle and this was the symbol of eternity for the Egyptians as well as many other ancient cultures. It had no beginning and no end, like time, and the hole in the center was the symbol of the gateway or door leading to events known and unknown. Later the custom was taken up by the Greeks when they conquered Egypt under the generalship of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.E. ,and from them to the Romans who continued the belief that the ring should be placed on the third finger of the left hand because this was connected to the ' vena amoris ', which is Latin for ' the vein of love '.
Appleton's Journal of Popular Literature, Science and Art of July 1869 provides an interesting insight; ”...the ring originally worn among the Anglo-Normans on the right hand of the bride was changed to the left, or inferior hand, in token of subjection. The particular finger is also said to be favored from an old custom of placing the ring on the first finger in the name of the Father, on the second in the name of the Son, and on the third in the name of the Holy Ghost. “
There is , however, another theory behind the ring's shape. Many religions consider marriage as “half of the religion.” Some historians say that the wedding ring represents two halves coming together to form a united whole. By completing the circle, ancient worshipers completed their religion. Superstitious ideas formed around this circular shape. At a time when mortality rates were high and life spans short it was believed that a persons spirit could just flow out of the body, ending his life. Wrapping twigs and threads around a wifes extremities was thought to prolong her life.
So what of the Biblical command for a husband to assign honor to his wife? Would the wedding ring symbolize this? Well, sadly, this romantic notion is not confirmed as evidenced by the attitude of the ancient Egyptians. Though they would make rings of twisted reeds and apply them to the fingers of their wives as a symbol of undying love it didn't represent marital fidelity as many of them were polygamous. The Romans were little better. Wives were considered a possession and the ring on the fourth finger was a sign of ownership. Never would we want to view our wives, our ' fellow workers', as mere possessions! -compare Ephesians 5:28-30, 1 Peter 3:7.
In view of the foregoing history of the wedding ring it is apparent that its origin and use is to be found in pagan superstition and idolatrous practices.( 1 Corinthians 10:14 )
The pagan meaning of the ring raises questions about the legitimacy of its adoption by true Christians to represent marital commitment. In the Bible the value of symbols is determined by their origin and meaning. The Sabbath, the Passover lamb and blood, the Lords evening meal and baptism are all valuable symbols established by Jehovah to help us understand and visualize spiritual realities. Their value comes from divine origin. ( Exodus 31:13, Exodus 12:13, 1 Corinthians 11:20, Matthew 28:19,20 ) By contrast, the meaning of the wedding ring as a symbol of marital commitment finds its origin not in scripture, but in pagan mythology and superstitions. To give a pagan symbol a sacred Christian meaning would be grossly disrespectful of the true God.
With a clear understanding of how the Christian use of the wedding ring has introduced a leavening effect upon God's Organization, the Faithful and Discreet Slave has felt it necessary for those who are fellow servants of Jehovah to consider carefully from the foregoing whether he or she could, in good conscience, continue to wear a wedding ring. - compare Galatians 5:9.
After prayerful consideration we believe this adjustment will have the blessing of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah as we look forward to eternal life in a purified new earth free from the vestiges of this 'old system'! ( Revelation 21:4 )
Your Brothers,
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York.
( Elders should allow congregation members a short 'amnesty' as this new understanding is embraced. Six months should be sufficient before priviliges of service are removed from any not submitting to theocratic order.) -
minimus
I was the poster saying the lucky/fortunate thing. A lot of words should be forbidden, per WT. thinking, wouldn'y you say?
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sir82
Kingdom music should not be used for dancing.
Oh my....
What on earth kind of dancing could possibly be done to any of the "Kingdom Melodies"?
I have this image of Peter Boyle, dressed as Frankenstein's monster from "Young Frankenstein", lurching about to the strained "melody" of "From house to house, from door ot door, the KINNGGGdom news we sprea-a-a-a-d..."
Make it stop, make it stop!
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GermanXJW
Sorry, I could not resist.
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NewYork44M
In addition to lucky you can't say gee, heck, and a few other euphemisms. You also can't say any of these words in your thoughts. Because jehober can read minds and is offended when you think things other than wt speak.