JW's Floundering Over Thanksgiving?

Englishman

Thanksgiving don't mean a thing to us ignorants Brits, however, a little birdie tells me that it is a big thing over that side of the pond, so I hope that you all have a good time.

It's interesting to see the celebration - or lack of it - being discussed on a pro - witness forum here: http://www.touchstoneforum.org/~dchoi/dcforum/DCForumID1/1119.html

Seems that even the big guns over there are floundering about why it shouldn't be celebrated and resorting to cracking jokes. One of 'em might only post on FRIDAY!

Englishman.

Thanks for the kind wishes, Englishman! It IS a big deal over here, to the point of our local grocery stores giving away a free turkey with each $50 purchase. That was always the excuse I heard as to why so many Witnesses had turkey on Thanksgiving Day - but of course they weren't celebrating the holiday. Oh, no, never that! We do our celebration on Friday instead of Thursday because Thursday is an SFD at our house: Sacred Football Day. Big Tex doesn't like to be disturbed by conversation whilst cheering or villifying Da Boys, so it's a lot more fun to have the big dinner on Friday. I'm getting a head start on dinner preparations tomorrow, though, and may sneak out during half-time to see the latest Bond movie.

Peace be with you!

Nina

Gopher

I think the organization prohibits the celebration just to be different, to keep that artificial "wall" between themselves and the outside world. After all, if you have a "Thanksgiving" prayer on the same day that the "world" has theirs, then are you not sharing in an interfaith of sorts? And you know JW's have no toleration whatsoever with sharing any faith customs with anyone else!!

But secretly many JW's I know DO in fact celebrate Thanksgiving here in America, even if they don't call it that. Their excuse: the turkeys are on sale this time of year, and you know we just had to treat ourselves on the day off! (And they do OVEREAT on that day too -- I guess it's tolerated because so many do it.)

RunningMan

Of course, the giving of thanks is a Satanic plot, designed to trap God's chosen ones, who are currently the center of universal attention. See how the Devil changes himself into a seemingly innocent "angel of light"?

It's just like Mother's Day.

Nathan Natas

Englishman said, "JW's Floundering Over Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving don't mean a thing to us ignorants Brits..."

Well, traditionally flounder is not the featured comestible, but we know how fond you guys are of yer fish 'n chips...

Stephanus

Is carving the turkey the really big issue that the TV shows seem to make it? Would it be sacrilege to use an electric knife?

ThiChi

Funny, but we always had Dub friends over on Thanksgiving Day, with turkey and all the sides. Our rationalization was that turkeys are on sale, and this would be the best choice to feed a large amount of friends.....no one ever complained!

Big Tex

Is carving the turkey the really big issue that the TV shows seem to make it? Would it be sacrilege to use an electric knife?

Not to me. My wife just hands me the knife and says, "Go for it!"

Faraon

http://www.touchstoneforum.org/~dchoi/dcforum/DCForumID1/1119.html

6. "RE: What's Wrong With Thanksgiving?"
In response to message #5

Hello bdalby here is an article about it.

Naturally, many dedicated Christians will not be working secularly on that day. Some may choose to take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy fellowship with family and friends. Yet, what "spirit" will a Christian manifest? It is true that God created turkeys and other foods, so these are not in themselves objectionable. But undoubtedly one who is a true Christian will want to be careful not to stumble others.
Consider what the apostle Paul says, as recorded in First Corinthians, chapter ten. He reasons that Christians should wisely avoid eating before others a perfectly acceptable food if doing so would stumble them. 'Respect your brother's conscience' is the message.
So on November 25, the declared "day of thanks" in 1976, personal decisions need to be made. Dedicated Christians certainly will not want to convey to others the idea that they believe in one-day-a-year gratitude. Really, should not all who profess Christianity encourage a spontaneous spirit of thanksgiving-from the heart-the year around?

In other words, this is left to your conscience, but you should not do it because it would bother someone else's conscience.

What a nice way to follow your conscience.

Conformity

Yeah, Right

caligirl

We always called it my Mom's "unthanksgiving" because she always does a big dinner on Friday - It's kind of a joke to me and my siblings because it is so transparent.