Here you go. Here's two references from two different publications.
***Keep Yourselves in God's Love*** (lv) Under the chapter "Celebrations that Displease God"
Box on page 148, 149:
"Some questions to ask yourself about a popular celebration or custom
? Does it clearly have roots in a false religious practice or teaching, including spiritism?—Isaiah 52:11; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Revelation 18:4.
? Does it give undue honor or adulation to a human, an organization, or a national symbol?—Jeremiah 17:5-7; Acts 10:25, 26; 1 John 5:21.
? Does it elevate one nation or ethnic group over another?—Acts 10:34, 35; 17:26.
? Does it reflect “the spirit of the world,” which works in opposition to God’s holy spirit?—1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 2:2.
? Could my participation in it be a cause for stumbling?—Romans 14:21.
? If I choose not to participate, how would I respectfully explain my reasons to others?—Romans 12:1, 2; Colossians 4:6."
Anniversaries do that just as much as birthdays do.
Okay, now here's an exceprt from the Watchtower. I couldn't BELIEVE this when i read it:
W92 9/1 p.30 in a Question From Readers: "Do Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid celebrating birthdays because the practice had some religious meaning in ancient times?"
Paragraph 2 of that article says: " Some customs that were once religious in nature no longer are in many places. For example, the wedding ring once had religious significance, but in most places today, it no longer does. Hence, many true Christians accept the local custom of wearing a wedding ring to give evidence that a person is married. In such matters, what generally is influential is whether a practice is now linked to false religion.—See “Questions From Readers” in TheWatchtower of January 15, 1972, and October 15, 1991."
Unbelievable! Since when have birthdays been signifigant in religion today? Why can't we share in toasts? Another article:
w07. 2/15 p.30 Questions from Readers:"The Bible does not mention toasting, so why do Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid sharing in toasts?"
Paragraph 5: " Granted, the fact that an object, a design, or a practice has roots or parallels in ancient false religion does not always rule such out for a true worshipper. Consider the pomegranate. A noted Bible encyclopedia reports: “The pomegranate seems also to have been used as a holy symbol in heathen religions.” Nevertheless, God had pomegranates made of thread put on the hem of the high priest’s garment, and pomegranates decorated the copper pillars of Solomon’s temple. (Exodus 28:33; 2 Kings 25:17) Moreover, the wedding ring at one time had religious significance. Yet, most people today do not know that, considering a wedding ring a mere evidence that someone is married. "
So why is it not okay to celebrate Valentine's Day or Thanksgiving Day or pretty much any other non-religious holiday? Most people don't realize the religious signifigance of those holidays? It's okay because people don't know the signifigance?
The more I look into this, the madder and madder I get that I've been fooled all of these years. Fortunately I'm only (based on life expectance) a quarter of my life in so I still have SOME life left to live.
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