what to say to when someone says happy bday?

by tsunami_rid3r 22 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  El blanko

  Still don't do the birthday thing myself and doubt I ever will, but I just say thanks for the thought and avoid confrontation over this ritual.
• 

  rebel8

  whenever people tell me happy birthday tomorrow what do i say?

  Rule of thumb: Whenever these questions arise in the future, ask yourself what basic good manners dictates, and do that. (Unlike what you were taught growing up.) Someone wishing you well=say thanks.

  So happy birthday. You're welcome.
• 

  cruzanheart

  Sing "Happy Birthday To Me" during the songs at the meeting that night! It's YOUR special day and it's wonderful that you have lived another year! Birthdays are TERRIFIC!!! (And this is coming from someone who is going to be 50 this year.)

  Nina
• 

  love2Bworldly

  As far as your birthday, just say thanks a lot. I used to say that even when I was an active JW. It's just being polite.

  Good luck with the girl you like. I have a teenage son, and he is constantly falling in love with different girls at school. Just remember that everyone gets their heart broken a few times in their life. Sad but true.
• 

  nicholas

  Wow, seems as though this particular subjects resides somewhat heavily and possibly spiritually upon this person...

  As for myself, considering what a Christians true birthday would entangle, would mean that my birthday surely wouldn't be something I could celebrate just yet... as our salvation from our Lord Y'shua(Jesus Christ) has not brought the New Jerusalem and reigned over the Earth for the appointed times; likewise created a ressurrection for both the just and unjust(also have both of these, I mean all people, confess that He is God and also have every knee bow before Him).

  The previous posts do bring up the naturality of the observing "custom" within most North-American and I'm sure most other societies' mannerisms in politely responding "Thank-you."; I just personally believe that we ought to take into consideration the fact that we have not yet been "born-again"(John 3:3), which would truly be a day to celebrate :)

  I guess my question would be if "tsunami..." wondered if he would be promoting paganism, worldly effects, or what a "Christian" should do to really become a Christian under these circumstances...
• 

  JAVA

  I just personally believe that we ought to take into consideration the fact that we have not yet been "born-again"(John 3:3), which would truly be a day to celebrate :)

  I agree. We know god did such a rotten job the first time around, it's important to forget about that mess and move on to the second try. So when someone says, Happy Birthday, be sure to ask which one. The one god screwed up the first time, or his second try? :)

  Good luck tsunami; it's not easy being young and in love. Most of us old farts forget what it was like, but I'm sure you'll do just fine. I wish you well, and many Happy Birthdays!
• 

  nicholas

  Absolutely,

  We can thank God for his salvation, that is from the lack of truth and understanding which the world has been blinded by. After all, Isaiah 45:7 & Matthew 18:7 both indicate, directly or indirectly, the necessity of evil in our world. Just be glad you're not one of those who pessimisticly, cynicly, and/or blatantly misrepresent what is the love of God for those whom he chooses to ressurrect as "just".

  I'm sure, at least by now, we've been accustomed to hearing the ideosyncrasies of what damnation could very well be...

  Attempt to look ahead to the spiritual answers which God can provide for your life, instead of choosing to blind yourself by the vain philosophies and doctrines so easily flaunted in this so-called secular society. Colossians 2:8 "8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

  So what do you say... Thanks :) but keep in your mind and heart that a better birthday could easily be yours... Even Nicodemus, a man who was considered a "master" of the doctrine did not understand what it means to be "born-again"...

  Y'shua's answer was John 3: 10-12

  "10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
  11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
  12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
• 

  JAVA

  So what do you say... Thanks :)

  
  I think you've just signed onto this forum, and you're trying to highjack this thread, and use it to preach.
  
  Highjacking threads is never in good taste* and preaching is not appreciated. You're new here, and you might not know that--now you do.
  
  *See "Posting Guidelines" 10.
• 

  nicholas

  Guideline 10 "Posting an off-topic comment."

  The context which Java had taken my from my earlier statement obviously needs to be fully displayed, for some odd reason, again...

  "So what do you say... Thanks :) but keep in your mind and heart that a better birthday could easily be yours... "

  Wasn't the topic birthdays!? Isn't this a JW forum!? I thought JW celebrate Christianity... scriptures from the Christian doctrine could hardly be, in any context, an off-topic comment... I'm sure it could be relatively insulting for those who do not celebrate Christ as a part of their lives, and this could perhaps be, in some relative way, an example of "Inciting hatred on the basis of race, religion, ..." (Guideline 2) if the party, which is insulted or feels hatred is being incited on the basis of Guideline 2's policy, is so inclined to feel or think this way... but, on the other hand... wouldn't that be the very basis of hatred based on the fact that I'm a Christian and being that as it is, Christian doctrine is a heavy part of my life and opinion... implying that I'm "preaching" could be an example of inciting hatred towards my free-speech, as well as towards my religion...

  But I digress... Birthdays :) Indeed, we ought to customarily apply ourselves.
• 

  LMS-Chef

  I will never undrestand what is wrong with birthdays. Why are wedding aniverseries ok. "shaking my head" I was in the JW's for 20 years and i still dont understand. The only thing I remember being told is that there was never a good birthday in the bible. We were not told to celebrate birthdays so we don't for those reasons. Anniverseries are ok 'cause God set up the first marriage. It is a perfect union by God himself. Were humans ever told to celebrate aniv. like we were told to celebrate Jesus death?