I personally believe birthdays are not allowed because it's a cult and cults need members to avoid mixing with "worldly" people. This of course does not apply to anniversaries.
The Rebel
Why are anniversaries allowed but not birthdays?
by hyperpen 51 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Listener
They have made rules regarding Wedding Anniversaries. They want them to be modest and small celebrations if they are going to be celebrated in the first place.
Watchtower 9810/15
Whether they focus on this happy occasion in private, just as a couple, or they have a few relatives or close friends with them would be for them to decide. The occasion should not become a mere excuse for a large social gathering. On this occasion Christians would want to be guided by the principles that apply every day of their lives. So whether one takes note of a wedding anniversary or not is a personal matter -
steve2
I could never understand why anniversaries were allowed but not birthdays. Practically same reasoning applies to both. First century Christians did not celebrate them, draws attention to couples, shouldn't need special day, etc.
Indeed, anniversaries are like birthdays of marriages. I suspect they didn't realize all the arguments until the rank and file were so into celebrating eeddi anniversaries, thst the GB didn't dare risk alienating them by outlawing such celebrations.
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snugglebunny
It wasn't until the early 60's that anniversaries were OK'd.
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sparky1
"Birthdays are a snare and a racket"!
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Prefect
It does not make sense. Big celebration of the birth of the baby.
After that forget it. No celebrating.
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zeb
The sisters would raise hell. !
Anniversaries must be the only festivity that isn't wt programmed that jw are allowed to have.
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OneEyedJoe
I personally believe birthdays are not allowed because it's a cult and cults need members to avoid mixing with "worldly" people. This of course does not apply to anniversaries.
This. Birthdays are a threat to the invisible walls that are built up separating JWs from normal people in two ways that anniversary celebrations aren't. The first, and probably most important, is that children have birthdays - their growth depends in large part on turning JW children into adult members so it's important that they keep the children segregated from normal people in order to properly indoctrinate the phobias of the outside and prevent them from developing a support system outside the cult that they could potentially turn to when they have doubts. Second, birthdays are often recognized by normal people at work or in school, etc. Anniversaries are typically ignored unless you're close friends with someone. Again, it's about separating JWs from normal society.
That doesn't really answer the spirit of the question, though. But there are so many double standards - so many things are forbidden on the basis of pagan origins but neckties and wedding rings aren't a problem. Tattoos are bad but shaving is good. etc. etc. They'll always just ignore the contrast because when you look at it closely you realize that it's ridiculous. In most cases, too, it comes down to whether they can effectively use the rule to either reduce individuality (i.e. no tattoos and all men must shave) or reduce exposure to normal people (birthdays, holidays, etc). Forbidding an anniversary party doesn't really do either of those very well. Same goes for wedding rings. They're fine because not wearing a wedding ring isn't going to separate you from normal people and there's not much individuality expressed there in most cases.
There would also be some risk to them in forbidding anniversaries. Since many couples celebrate privately with a nice dinner or something this could generate a place where some "weak" JWs would rebel and perhaps realize that the cult was overly controlling. This is particularly a problem because this rebellion would be two people together, which could result in their discussing it and thinking about it together which would increase the odds that they discuss other issues that they have with the cult.
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LoveUniHateExams
Why are anniversaries allowed but not birthdays?
Because bad things happened on birthdays in the bible. Baaad things - John the Baptist was beheaded.
Of course, nothing bad has happened on anniversaries - all anniversary parties go without anything bad happening or going wrong.
So, brothers, the mature Christian would celebrate anniversaries but not birthdays - Genesis 1:1; Hosea 64:45; Jonah 32:23 and 4. Corinthians 34:12.
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Quarterback
I do know some that are against Anniversaries. They are shit disturbers. Please keep your mouths shut about this.
Eventually, death does dissolve marriages, and anniversaries, and birthdays.