some recent threads on christmas celebrations got me to thinking about birthdays.
do jws forbid any aknowlegement of birthdays at all, or just the trappings of birthdays, such as cake, gifts and singing happy birthday?
what specifically is forbidden and what is ok?
Yes, wedding showers are allowed... I just don't see why - since they are - baby showers wouldn't be. At least they have some sort of reason for birthdays, although I think personally Witnesses recognize and internally celebrate their b-days. I know a Witness who, despite being compliant with the faith, got really excited on each birthday and watched the clock for the "exact time" she was born. No cake, but certainly recognition.
anyway...
SLM
i have had a new grand baby born this last week and have been told that i will only be allowed to have a relationship with my granddaughter if i am in good standing with jehovah{elders}.this is my only grandchild since this same daughter when not a jw had a little boy who passed away .i was the one to be there holding her hand then.and now im not allowed!
i am so hurt and angry.. then my mother has now decided that she will not allow me at my parents 50th wedding anniversary.my dad is not a witness.i am being closed out.i want to lash out at the elders and my mother.she has been a great influence on my daughter and her new husband.. i want to write her a letter,but i think no matter what i write she will feel "just" in her "persecution".
kat
I'm so sorry to hear that. I agree that writing a letter might be helpful, if just for your own sake... I think there are also cases in which grandparents have been given some rights in some states -- do a search on this board and you might find some helpful posts. Best of luck to you.
SLM
my mom was telling me about this new family that moved in next door.
they have a bunch of kids and one, my sister's age.
they are devout catholics and forbid their children to watch any disney movies; as disney has made fun of the pope (i've never heard of this).
Amen.
I had a classmate in high school who belonged to a non-denominational church, which usually is a bit less retrictive. Not hers, though. She wasn't allowed to listen to any secular music. That meant if a teacher permitted the class to have the radio on during a study hall or something, she had to leave the room and work elsewhere. I thought that was a bit extreme.
SLM
... i know that some here very generously post the most recent articles (e.g.
"comments you will not here..." which is a great post).
i was wondering if there is an archive anywhere online?
Thanks all. Are there any "apostates" (bwahaha) who have posted them? I know Blondie does the weekly post... I guess I was wondering if that sort of material is available anywhere else.
... i know that some here very generously post the most recent articles (e.g.
"comments you will not here..." which is a great post).
i was wondering if there is an archive anywhere online?
LOL I'm sure, but then I would have to explain why I want them. :) Or they might think I want to become a Witness! They don't need any encouragement!!!
Edited to add:
One of these days I'm going to have to stick with one avatar... :)
some recent threads on christmas celebrations got me to thinking about birthdays.
do jws forbid any aknowlegement of birthdays at all, or just the trappings of birthdays, such as cake, gifts and singing happy birthday?
what specifically is forbidden and what is ok?
That's insane. How are baby showers different from wedding showers? Aren't wedding showers "worshipping" the engaged couple?
I know. Preaching to the choir. :)
SLM
... i know that some here very generously post the most recent articles (e.g.
"comments you will not here..." which is a great post).
i was wondering if there is an archive anywhere online?
... I know that some here very generously post the most recent articles (e.g. "Comments you will not here..." which is a GREAT post). I was wondering if there is an archive anywhere online? I'm actually trying to use some articles for a paper I'm doing for school (rhetoric class, of course). Thanks in advance. :)
SLM - who is getting so damn close to being a junior member!!!
it was funny, just now i was thinking about that term witnesses always use, "spiritual paradise.
" and i thought, things are more paradisaic for me now than they ever have been.
and for an instant, i thought back to how i imagined paradise would be, meeting people from all over the world, creating real friendships based on respect and honesty, and i realized, that's exactly what we have here in the real world!.
Beautiful post, and I absolutely agree. Kindness, love, compassion, consideration... those are the makings of "spiritual paradise". Some Witnesses express these - others don't. Just like in the real world.
i've had a few people ask me to post this letter.
this was sent to a small group of people whole friendship i have valued over the years.
all in all, i sent only about 12 copies of this letter worldwide.
Thank you for sharing. Very poignant letter - you express yourself very well.
SLM
some recent threads on christmas celebrations got me to thinking about birthdays.
do jws forbid any aknowlegement of birthdays at all, or just the trappings of birthdays, such as cake, gifts and singing happy birthday?
what specifically is forbidden and what is ok?
Spin off question: I've never actually known a JW when they had a baby. Are baby showers okay? Is it okay to celebrate the birth?
