JW Birthdays

AuntieJane

I have a family member with a special birthday coming up; but he is a JW. We have no connection other than internet anymore. I'm really wanting to wish him well on his birthday. So, any former JW's, how did you feel when a friend or family wished you Happy Birthday...offended or pleased ? Suggestions ?

freedom96

I liked it when I was a witness, but felt uncomfortable if I was around other witnesses when others said I happy birthday to me. But then again, I was never happy as a witness, so I don't know how many "gung ho" witnesses would appreciate it.

It is human to feel good when remembered though, so maybe this family member will appreciate it. If the only contact is by e-mail anyways, then they should have no issue of whether or not some other witness will "catch" them reading the birthday message.

DHL

My parents - die hard jws - always loved to receive birthday greetings although they would never admit it. But I saw it in their eyes. It made them as happy as any of us.

mtbatoon

Uneasy. Birthdays, Christmas and any other band celebration of life were just something I wanted to get through with minimum fuss and forget about. That's just me though. I was young so anything reminding me I was different was a drag.

Freedom Fighter

It didn't really bother me to be honest - however as a kid it always reminded me of what I was missing out on.

FF

Mamacat

I loved to get a birthday card from someone when I was growing up, because it meant someone remembered me and my birthday! Someone that worked with my dad would send me cards for Easter and Christmas too, and I loved getting them. It also meant that I got mail, which I usually never got anything.

A few years ago, I sent everyone in my family (even the JW's) Christmas cards! LOL I had gotten professional pictures taken of my boys, and since we lived so far away and I already had bought the Christmas cards, I wasn't about to go out and buy regular cards just in order to send the pictures so they wouldn't get bent. No one ever said anything about it either. They all knew by that time that my family celebrated Christmas.

There is no harm in sending the card and seeing what happens. If the person gets offended, you could just apologize and say you just wanted to let them know you were thinking of them.

seattleniceguy

I felt uncomfortable when someone wished me happy birthday, because it was awkward to explain that I didn't celebrate birthdays, but thanks. If it was someone that already knew that I didn't celebrate birthdays, it was possibly stranger, because it made me wonder whether they were trying to send me some kind of weird message.

SNG

Country_Woman

as a witness, I accepted all best wishes from non JW's: You can't expect the non-JW-world to act according the JW-rules after all.

..... and I always enjoyed the idea that "they" valued me....

AuntieJane

Thank you all so much, I think I will find a neat email greeting to send, with a personal message. Or I suppose I should compose my own or she might not follow the link to open it...hmmm..SO much to think and worry about when you just want to wish a Simple Happy Birthday. Makes me sad to think about that.

rebel8

Some are not offended and just do the polite thing--say thanks and appreciate the thought.

Others use it as an opportunity to assert their moral superiority to people who celebrate "pagan" things.

JW Birthdays

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