Because they feel if something is not noted in the bible, its not something you should do. They also do not recognize birthdays. They feel you should celebrate a person 365 days a year, not one special day. The only holidays they celebrate would be a wedding, a wedding anniversary, or they have their own Easter type celebration. That is all.

This is really two questions, so I will answer them both and add details and references: Christmas: Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas for many reasons. For one thing, it isn't Jesus' birthday. The Bible says there were shepherds out in the fields with their sheep. In Jerusalem it is very cold in the winter and often snows. It is very unlikely that the shepherds would live outside during these months. . . . There is more to it, though. Not only was Christmas not Jesus' birthday but it was never observed by first century Christians. Its origins lie in the ancient Roman festival Saturnalia, beginning Dec. 17 and ending Dec. 25, the "birthday of the unconquered sun" In the fourth century, some Roman official decided to celebrate Jesus' birthday Dec. 25, perhaps to sanctify their pagan holiday. Most scholars agree that December 25 was assigned by the Catholic Church as Jesus' birthday. Why? "Most probably the reason" says The New Encyclopedia Britannica", is that early Christians wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the "birthday of the unconquered sun". But why would Christians who were viciously persecuted by pagans for over two and a half centuries all of a sudden yield to their persecutors? In the first century, the apostle Paul warned Timothy that "wicked men and impostors" would slip into the Christian congregation and mislead many. (2 Timothy 3:13) This great apostasy began after the death of the apostles. see (Acts 20:29, 30) Following the so-called conversion of Constantine in the fourth century, vast numbers of pagans flocked to the form of Christianity that then prevailed. With what result? The book Early Christianity and Paganism states: "The comparatively little body of really earnest believers was lost in the great multitude of professed Christians." It is very important for modern Bible readers to understand the impact of this time period in the early Christian church. Just as Satan attacked and on several occasion was successful in corrupting God's people in ancient Israel, so he attacked and was successful in corrupting the Christian Congregation, just as was prophesied. This is the reason today that church's that claim to be "Christian" are so involved in politics and are many times even behind the wars of the nations. This is why these churches have allowed pagan customs to creep into their festivals. This is all very well documented. How true Paul's words proved to be! It was as if genuine Christianity were being gobbled up by pagan corruption. And nowhere was this contamination more apparent than in the celebration of holidays. Actually, the only celebration that Christians are commanded to observe is the Lord's Evening Meal. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) Because of the idolatrous practices associated with Roman festivals, early Christians did not share in them. Christmas soon absorbed many features from the profane harvest festivals of northern Europe. Merrymaking remained more common than piety as revelers indulged in gluttonous eating and drinking. Rather than speak out against the loose conduct, the church endorsed it. (Compare Romans 13:13; 1 Peter 4:3.) In 601 C.E., Pope Gregory I wrote to Mellitus, his missionary in England, telling him "not to stop such ancient pagan festivities, but to adapt them to the rites of the Church, only changing the reason of them from a heathen to a Christian impulse". Thus reports Arthur Weigall, who once was inspector general of antiquities for the Egyptian government. The Watchtower of 12/15/97 reports: Christmas Make-Over: The 19th century brought unprecedented changes to humankind. People, goods, and news began to travel much faster as a network of roads and railroads emerged. The industrial revolution created millions of jobs, and factories churned out a steady supply of merchandise. Industrialization also introduced new and complex social problems, which ultimately affected the way Christmas was celebrated. People have long used holidays as a means to strengthen family ties, and so it is with Christmas. By selectively reworking some of the older Christmas traditions, its promoters effectively changed Christmas from a wild, carnivallike festival to a family-based holiday. Indeed, by the late 19th century, Christmas came to be viewed as a sort of antidote to the ills of modern American life. "Of all holidays", says Dr. Restad, "Christmas was a perfect agency for transporting religion and religious feeling into the home and for righting the excesses and failures of the public world." She adds: "Gift-giving, gestures of charity, even the friendly exchange of a holiday greeting and the decoration and enjoyment of an evergreen tree set in a parlor or, later, a Sunday school hall, linked members of each nuclear family to one another, to church, and to society". Regarding Easter: Proclaimed the Vatican: "Every week, on the day which she has called the Lord's day [Sunday], [the church] keeps the memory of His resurrection." Additionally, "in the supreme solemnity of Easter she also makes an annual commemoration of the resurrection."The Documents of Vatican II. Nowhere, however, does the Bible indicate that early Christians observed either a weekly Sunday or a yearly Easter to commemorate Christ's resurrection. The night before he died, Christ ordered quite a different celebration. He served his disciples a simple meal of wine and bread and commanded them, 'Keep doing this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:19. It was thus Christ's death, not his resurrection, that Jesus wanted memorialized. And how often? Jesus served this meal on the night of the Jewish Passover meal - a yearly celebration of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. (Matthew 26:19, 20, 26-28) Obviously, Jesus intended to replace the Passover with a yearly serving of this memorial meal. Neither Easter nor any other celebration was commanded by Christ. Fifth-century church historian Socrates said: "The apostles had no thought of appointing festival days, but of promoting a life of blamelessness and piety." Easter Hares and Rabbits: In Europe, the hare has long been a traditional symbol of Easter. (In North America, the animal is a rabbit- a close relative of the hare.) Yet The New Encyclopaelia Britannica explains that the hare was ";the symbol of fertility in ancient Egypt." Thus when children hunt for Easter eggs, supposedly brought by the Easter rabbit, "this is not mere child's play, but the vestige of a fertility rite." Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend, volume 1, page 335. Sunrise Services: Says The Book of Festivals and Holidays the World Over: "It was a common belief among the early Christians that on Easter morning the sun danced in honor of the Resurrection and people rose long before the sun to see the feat. Perhaps this ancient belief is the inspiration for the many sunrise services that take place on Easter morning in all parts of the United States and Europe." But says Walsh's Curiosities of Popular Customs: "This idea of the sun dancing on Easter Day may easily be traced back to heathen customs, when the spectators themselves danced at a festival in honor of the sun, after the vernal equinox". Sincere Christians are concerned that the Bible says: "For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? . . . "Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves, says Jehovah, "and quit touching the unclean thing." (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) Surely that would include customs that are clearly derived from,or unmistakably resemble,false religious practices. These customs are very popular in the world, and sometimes Jehovah's Witnesses expose themselves to ridicule because they refrain from participating in them. However, they remember the words of Jesus at ON THE NIGHT before he was impaled, Jesus prayed earnestly on behalf of his disciples. Knowing that they would be put under tremendous pressure by Satan, he said to his Father: "I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." (John 17:15, 16) Why is separateness from the world so important? Because Satan is its ruler. Those who are part of the world are under his control. (John 14:30; 1 John 5:19) Also see Awake! 12/8/94 page 31 for reference.

They consider themselves as the correct version of Christianity. Of course, nobody else thinks so...

They follow false doctrines of demons. My 2 cents.

Quote: Identification of the religion as Christian is disputed due to rejection of the Trinity, which most Christian religions regard as a fundamental doctrine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_witness

Most consider the catholics & jw's as cults for various & differing reasons. Take some time & read up on both of these dangerous groups histories, it will make Ur skin crawl!!! John

Jehovah's witnesses dont celebrate christmas for the reason of in the bible it say's the virgin mary's cousin elizabeth was 6months pregnant in january & that's when mary became pregnant so if it was january she became pregnant by the gift of God then she would not concieve in december, it would be september early october, that's the other reason they do not celebrate it because hey say that it isnt the real birth date of Jesus Christ plus the church used a pagan holiday & passed it off as Jesus Christ's Birthday, I am Rman Catholic & i do not believe this as i have faith in my religion....

There is a big difference between a birthday and an anniversary. First off, Marriage is still sacred to Jehovah's witnesses. Also, birthday celebrations have pagan routes. We try to follow Jehovah's word as closely as possible. We do so, via the bible. We also, do this by constant bible study. There is, in a Christian view.. No way to make a pagan celebration sacred. Actually, most holidays have pagans routes (ie Birthdays, Halloween). Hence, the reasoning for not celebrating it. Ask yourself, especially if you are a Christian.. What does a Tree, chocolate eggs, or dressing as a devil have to do with God? Or, even better celebrating him? We, as Jehovah's Witnesses try our hardest to live our lives in Jesus Christ's example. Would Jesus Christ defy his father by recognizing a day that is clearly in celebration of an opposing religion? No, he would not. So, neither will we!! Right now, I am in the process of converting. I have plenty of information for all those interested!!

In a nutshell both have pagan origins, and were simply 'adopted' and given Christian labels. You can check the answers above, (Perryman's was good), or better yet hit the library for more specific references.

So what yall are saying is that witnesses don't celebrate because its not in the bible ? Well is knocking on my door giving me all these pamphlets in the bible? How can you say that you don't celebrate birthdays or christmas ? If you don't celebrate christmas you don't celebrate...CHRIST! A birthday is another year on this earth why not be thankful you made it through some people didn't . I feel that jehovah witnesses need a big wake up call in get out that "kingdom hall" and get in a real church ! I myself am christian under the apostolic faith. Anyone who disagrees is welcome to reply . Have a blessed christmas :)

aww but they do love a good christmas bonus. I think they think that heavon is their reward.

easter = false worship just like most holidays do. the easter rabbit is the symbol of the god of fertility(pegan worship). so onece again its a clear merging of christian and peagan beliefs . something all true christians should steer very clear of.

Yes it is in the bible . But does the bible say"COME 2 THE SAME PERSONS HOUSE EVERY SATURDAY MORNING . FORCE YOUR RELIGION ON THEM. QOUTE SCRIPTURES 2 THEM THRU THE DOOR. KNOCK FOR 5 MINTUES. PUT PAMPHLETES IN THEIR MAILBOX"? No it doesn't . So until the bible says that the "JW" are wasting their time . I believe that we should celebrate each other . If not your life will be gray(boring) . I know many witnesses they don't even live life to the fullest . Why? Because this isn't in the bible that isn't in the bible. THE BIBLE WAS MADE 2 SHOW HOW TO LIVE! Emphasis on LIVE . Not how to spend all ur days in a "hall" . If god didn't want us 2 celebrate he would have said in the bible . DO NOT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS,YOUR BIRTHDAYS, OR EASTER ! But he didn't . But it isn't my life so all u witnesses out there enjoy ur weekend in the "hall" . :)

jw's enjoy all kinds of gatherings and parties , weddings,anniversarys,and just good ol fation parties, even with alcahol sometimes.( jw's can drink in moderation, theres no set limmit, each persons sets his or her oun limmit.)but they live very normal clean lives. Yes the bible doesnt mention these holidays by name, but it does tell us to steer clear of false worship.(as in the mixing of the pegan son worhip in christmas , and the fertility god mixed in the easter celebration.) And they r also not mention in the bible because the names and costoms of these holidays as we know them today didnt exsist in the days the bible was written. God is a loving father . if we all followed his laws on alcahol abuse and pre maritial sex and not cheating on our spouse, how much heartbreak and death and broken homes would not exsist . he sets these laws for our oun good , just as a father sets rules for the good of his children.

To all jehovah witnesses : PLEASE REMOVE THE WOOL FROM YOUR EYES ! -this has been a Public Service Announcement

Ok, garry - seems like JWs love to have "loop-holes", instead of clear-cut convictions! "its only a christmas bonus if its spent on christmas..So acceptance would not mean the recipient was celebrating Christmas, for a bonus is what is paid to an employee above his regular pay"... So... by that reasoning, it's only a birthday present if I accept it on the birthday, but on the day before or after, its just a present to celebrate my life, and its ok? Doesnt that give your members a "loophole" to participate w/out participating, by reaping the "benefits" of xmas, but still condemning everyone else? So you and I got bonuses for xmas, same money, same boss, same department - I say "thanks" and buy a gift for my wife on Dec 25th, and I'm condemnd - you say "thanks", and buy a gift for your wife on January 15th, and you're ok? Another question - If a parent, who always buys gifts for his child in whatever format, gives a gift, daily celebrating the life of that child and meeting his/ her needs, and does it on the day before his birthday, the day of his birth, and the day after - what makes one day different from the next? And if they ae not different, what makes one wrong and the other right - or waht allows you to tell that parent that one has "pagan" roots - but doing the exact same thing on the day before or the day after, is perfectly acceptable to Jehovah?

Thank you frenzy you hit it right on ! I've been trying to explain this but these "wittnesses" think they are soo much with 'Jehovah' that they're religion is the rite choice. Finally someone is getting where I am coming from. AND WHO ARE YOU WITNESESS WITNESSING? If its jehovah then why don't 85% of jw's act saved.....?????

Also garry when you said it wasn't in the bible because it doesn't exist nowadays. GOD SAYS THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN. YES IT MAY BE UPGRADED.BUT THE ROOTS ARE ALL THE SAME. THE BIBLE HAS EVERYTHING IN IT THAT WE FACE TODAY IN OUR SOCIETY THAT THEY DID IN THE BIBLE AGES SOCIETY.

frenzy= (the question you posed at the end of your coment ) =from what i can tell we agree . As far as celebrating your child everyday. We have strong beliefs on loving and not harshly disaplining our children ( only disapline out of love). So ofcorse we love and care for our childrens every need every day whether its their birthday or not , we give them gifts when they do good things or acomplish somthing, or just because. but what we dont do is the celebration costum to birthdays ( the key is the celebrating of birthdays) we do not act any diffrent on their birthdays , we may say things such as "wow your 5 now! big girls' or something in that manner , but its the cake and the candles and the customs we do not do for reasons already discussed.

(thetruth) would god consider the mixing of pegan worship with the birth of his son an upgrade?Your right theres nothing new under the sun , and yes the bible was very similar to what we go through now.False worship was a huge problem in those times , and jesus and even before jesus in the hebrew scriptues such men as david , moses , noah... warned against false worship. Mixing other ideas and customs with jesus birth exspecialy pegan customs is similar to false worship in our day. It can be researched and its very easy to find that these customs r infact mixed with pegan idol worship.We are very happy to have what jesus taught us , and he died for our sins , what a wonerfull man , and what a wonderfull father jehovah is to give that to us. So i wont mix pegan worship with the worship of this wonderfull provision god gave us.

we dnt worship a tree. nor do we worship a bunny. we keep god in our hearts during those holidays. we worship god. and the trees are just tradition. do you see us sitting there praying to a tree? no so we are not worshipping a false idol. ok Garry.

but does god see it as just tradition ? how did those traditions start? pegan worship , so too you it may very well be just tradition . but is it to god?

if god didn't want us to have trees wouldn't you think he'd say so? its somethng called propicies where god speaks through people. IF GOD DIDN'T WANT IT HE WOULD SAY SO.....HAS HE SAID ANYTHING???? no.

he doesnt want you to worship falsely, bottom line is he is telling you not to celebrate christmas when he says do not worship other gods , christmas was a mixture of the solstic sun god worship and jesus birth the the solstic sun god worship was on dec. 25th. whatever christmas means to you , it still means the same thing to god. we are to be imatators of christ , he never celebrated his birth and niether did he very close friends the deciples. Even after he died besides the annual passover that jesus told them to comemorate did they ever celebrate on jesus birthday? no. only that one day that jesus told them to remember.

yeah.suree..we dnt imitate god...we live in the image of him..no man can do what he can...also yu witnesses swear yall have an answer for everything...

&& yu jws also swear yall are so saved&noble. which is sooo wrongg.

(thetruth) First off, let me jump in and say that, in your zeal, i dont think its right to make the kinds of comments you are making about "you JW's"... I believe that Gary, just like you and me, is a seeker of the truth! Unlike the Pharisees and Saducees of Jesus day, who tried to "trick and trap" in their conversations, we are haing open, honest and frank discussions about our faith - lets be willing to be civil. Im not a JW, but im not fearful or offended by them; we must be willing to "test the spirits" with the heart and compassion of our Lord - understanding that we all have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Be encouraged! I appreciate your zeal - however, be a bit more loving, my brother! (Gary) Back to the discussion - doesn't the scripture teach (I think it was the prophet Samuel) that "God looks at the heart" of our actions? This was the problem why the law was not able to provide salvation, because even though the "actions" were changed, the heart was still far from God! This is the main problem with the Jews and Gentiles.. the Jews still believe in holding to a written code; meanwhile, God has said we are "set free" to worship Him, as long as our hearts connect to him in spirit and truth! So it is a matter of faith! (One man eats only vegetables, another man who has stronger faith eats everything, which God said should be received with thanks giving!) Now, as a father, my heart for my child in giving a cake or a gift at christmas or on her birthday is not steeped in "pagan" religion - my faith in God tells me that He will judge me for what is in my heart - my love and gratitude to him for her life, the same way I feel each and every day of her life! I was never a student of pagan religion, and so God will not judge me for anothers sin (Ezekiel 18). As for Christmas, as a child I read how God caused "wise men" (His words, not mine) to travel over hundreds of miles to give gifts in celebration of Jesus birth! I know they didnt get there on his birthday - just as I dont believe that December 25th was the exact date he was born - but in the Holy Scriptures - God used men to share gifts, and honor his birth! Further to that - the heavenly hosts (Cherubim and Seraphim, maybe?) sang the most beautiful songs ever - all in proclamation and celebration of Jesus birth! All my life - that has been my reason for celebrating Christmas - because I have an example in the scriptures! That's what I teach my friends, and my children; that is what I have in my heart, as do I believe most if not all who celebrate Jesus birth, and his gift to the world by sharing and giving to each other at this time of year! If we decided to investigate Jesus "exact" date of birth... or the "exact" date the wise men presented the gifts, and we subjected ourselves to only sharing gifts of "gold, frankinsence and..." - now, would that then be acceptable to God? And if so - if the REAL ISSUE the actual DAY... or GIFT... or it it the HEART? Think on these things... because my friend, it truly is a matter of your understanding of God, and faith in His divine nature!

frenzy= The whole world is laying in the power of the wicked one satan the devil, he walks about roaring like a lion seeking to devour us . A few of the major ways he decieves us in this day in age is alot the same way he used to , he just uses other methods , he knows thast it would be harder to get someone to claim to worship another god , so he influences it in a more subtle way.( p.s I respect your respect for me and my beliefs, I as well respect yours and you.).He uses these celebrations as a mask to make us feel as if we are indeed worshiping the true god , but in fact the very customs and traditions are of pegan origination , wether we were a pegan worshipping a false god blanenly or not , the customs are the same and god still feels the same about those customs.As you may recall when god allowed satan to do whatever he wanted to Job , to see if he could break his spirit. That very thing is hapening on a world wide scale now , we are all under the satans power , he is the ruler of this world , he will do whatever it takes even trickery ( or in other words we may be worshiping a false god and not even know it), we should steer clear of anything that smells funny so to speak. The wise me did give gifts to the baby when he was bon, as do we , when a child is first born we give 'new baby gifts'. but jesus didnt celebrate that day anymore after that , so niether do we .

well for a start, they dont believe that Christ was born on december 25th, thats why they dont celebrate it, they say, the exact date of his birth is not mentioned in the bible. As for Easter, its more or less the same, they do believe that Easter, comes from a pagan celebration of a pagan God and not the Christian thing. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was created by Jehovah,[88] and that Jehovah then created everything else by means of Jesus.[89] While on Earth as a human, Jesus performed miracles, but he does not perform them now.[90] Jesus served as a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of mankind.[91] They believe that Jesus died on a single upright torture stake rather than the traditional cross.[92] They believe that references in the Bible to the Archangel Michael, Apollyon, and Abaddon also refer to Jesus.[93][94][95]

frenzy = once again i apreciate your loving aproach, thank you for having these open honest conversations, we run into alot of people who get angry with our message. Thetruth= I just want everyone to understand why we dont celebrate these things. please do not be offended.

I'm sure it's already been pointed out that they don't celebrate these holidays because they are both pagan holidays with a christian coat of paint. Very basic biblical research will make clear there is no way December 25th was the birth date of Jesus. In addition, there is no mention in the bible of such a holiday. JW's are not the only sect of christianity that rejects the unchristian nature of these holidays.

ohk.well I didn't catch offense. I just find that this is a lot of nonsense. and I find that also they believe that jehovah made jesus that is very incorrect. also I am a female not a male. and I apologize if I came off egotistical or arrogant or disrespectful

thetruth= id like you to watch this if you get a chance it explains alot of what ive been trying to say. and its from the history channel , so its not a jw publication . its history.http://www.history.com/minisites/christmas/

(thetruth)My sister, I sense your frustration, and trust your heart! Dont be discouraged, there is nothing more importnat than to seek the truth! (Garry) Now here is where you must admit the error of JWs - if you are honest, and willing: concerning the "magi" or wise men! Facts: they likely came from Persia or another surrounding Gentile or "pagan" nation - following a "pagan" tradition of presenting gifts to one born as king! They did not visit Jesus in the manger, but in Joseph's house. The scriptures do not give enough information to say exactly how long after his birth (was it a few weeks, months? A year?). According to Matthew 2:16, Herod decided to kill all the boys who were 2 years old and under "in accordance to the time he had learned from the magi". So, here are the questions: If you intend to follow the scriptures "strictly" - when do you give your "new baby gifts"... at birth? A few weeks or months after? Or at year one or two, more in accordance with the magi? Do you only give gifts to "kings"... or to everyone? More questions: if it was a "pagan" tradition, why is it followed and accepted by JWs? Well, the answer is obvious... God allowed these very pagans, who studied stars and worshipped many strange "gods", who had pagan rituals, etc, etc - to follow one of their pagan rituals by bringing Jesus gifts. It has not been condemned in the scriptures - and God even warned them in a dream not to return to Herod! So - the giving of "new baby gifts"... a pagan tradition adapted, in scripture, to honor the christ-child? Hmmm... sounds familiar... if only we knew the exact date, and exact age of the child, so we can follow it exactly.... but, suppose we miss a few days? Or years? Or do it every year? Or decide to do t at age 5 instead of three? Isnt it pagan? So, Garry - Is God interested in dates and times... or our hearts or intentions? Im sure your intentions in giving "new baby gifts" is not to follow the pagan traditions that you so despise - do your (JWs)own words condemn you? Be careful, James 3:1 teaches "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly!"

ohk I will watch it when I have time...thank you.

Although Nativity scenes of Jesus as a baby invariably include the “three kings,” were they present at his birth? The lexicon adds: “Matthew 2:16 indicates that the visit took place perhaps one year or more after the birth of Jesus.” Indeed, verse 11 speaks of a “house,” not a stable, where they “saw the young child.”—King James Version.These astrologers came “from eastern parts,” most likely the then center of occult worship, unholy Babylon, where they worshiped false gods. Thus, they were guided by what they thought was a moving “star,” which no one else is reported to have seen. Also, Matthew shows that the “star” led them first to King Herod, who then tried to have Jesus killed.—Matthew 2:1, 2. the men left gifts for jesus , the family was not aware they were intending on going back and telling harrod so harrod could kill jesus. but god stepped in and wouldnt let them. . gift giving doesnt have pegan roots,the wise men had good intentions but didnt know they were being led by satan so harrod could find jesus. its not the gift its the intention

garry - are u sure we havent switched sides? Because now your reasoning is sounding like me! I dare say you seem to be arguing both sides: "gift giving doesnt have pagan roots,the wise men had good intentions but didnt know they were being led by satan so harrod could find jesus. its not the gift its the intention"... earlier you said "Satan uses these celebrations as a mask to make us feel as if we are indeed worshiping the true god , but in fact the very customs and traditions are of pagan origination, whether we were a pagan worshipping a false god blatently or not , the customs are the same and god still feels the same about those customs". Truth is, if we both agree that "gift giving doesnt have pagan roots, and it's not the gift, its the intention that God is concerned with" - then you must also agree that if we, like Jesus family, give and accept gifts, in your words, "because we are not aware" of an ancient pagan tradition, but again - its the intention (your words again)... which belief do you really have? Is it what you said before: "God feels the same way about the customs", OR "it's not the gift, it's the intention" that God is concerned about? To be perfectly truthful and honest, you cant swing back and forth between two positions, because your religion is caught in the middle. This has been the practice - for example, it is common knowledge that JWs used to celebrate birthdays, like everyone else. These were later rejected "due to their astrological connection to pagan worship of false gods". One wonders how they have not been consistent, as no rejection has been made to the names of the months, and the names of the week days because of their astrological connection? This information is easily retrievable in the New Encyclopedia Brittanica... And this is when it becomes silly - as the entire "rules" system of the JWs seem to lend itself to. As the Apostle Paul taught, if you intend to hold to the law, then you are a lawbreaker if you are inconsistent in your following the letter of the law! Praise the Lord, Jehovah that as Christians, we are free from these "restrictions"... because "it is for freedom that we are set free!" So I will coninue to worship Him in spirit and in truth; as you said, garry - God looks at the "intention", not the custom! I just prefer to say "he looks at the heart!" All the best to you - continue to search; keep your heart open, and the Lord will make it clear.

A wild guess? = against their religious dogma? ;-)

I have found the truth my friend. "keep seeking and you will find". it is possible to find the truth you dont have to search forever. All i ask of you is to be carefull , you know the customs of these holidays

Because it doesn't say to do so in the Bible.

Your argument regarding celebrating anniversaries but not birthdays, even the birth of Christ, is extremely weak. Do you celebrate according to the bible or according to the con artist founder charles taze russell?

Their religious cult gets off on dissing holidays that even non-Christians enjoy.... I studied with them in my youth - frankly their just a stuck up lot of miserable sanctimonious people...but at least they are usually honest and open about it.

I believe that there is no such thing as following anyone. If you read the bible on a regular basis not only when you go to church you will find answers to alot of your questions. A big problem now a days is that most people don't even own a bible and they just follow the crowd in what they say is right. Besides it's way easier to do what is in our interest than what God asks of us. I don't think that alot of christians even own a bible and if they do it's filled with dust since they don't use it. Jesus Christ said in Mathew 7:13"Go in throgh the narrow gate, becaus broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it".