joeyjo,
"Like beards, there is no clear law in the bible that disallows celebrating birthdays." Most jws don't realize there is no clear law disallowing birthdays. I didn't until I tried to explain it to a non-jw. I saw how the WTS strings scriptures together and tries to "connect the dots." But the picture they are trying to convey pictures nothing when the dots are connected. But many jws realize that if they don't go along with it, it will damage their standing and the congregation and seem to be troublemakers. It isn't until the WTS says it is okay or let your own conscience dictate your decisions, they still in qualifiers that make it seem your decision is wrong. I do believe though that the continuing revealing to the public media about cases of child sexual abuse and the WTS hiding them, resulting in big fines, is making more jws wonder and maybe even research. The WTS wants to save their so-called good reputation with non-jws who have no idea what goes on behind the closed doors of the WTS. I have seen a lot of changes over my 60 years, and the more things the more the stay the same. The difference is more and more jws are finding ways around the "rules" of the WTS. Especially PIMOs. Once the door is open, it is very hard to shut it.