Originally posted by menace71this is the greatest post evah, an honest man, honest enough to face the reality and brave enough to tell it! thumbs up for that.
I don't care or condemn those who celebrate Christmas but we're being intellectually dishonest if we don't recognize some pagan elements in the holiday. I think the modern holiday is fairly godless it's more about materialism and how much money we can spend. it's a sad time of year for many also.
Damn I'm scaring myself I sound like a J-Dub now
Manny
Originally posted by robbie carrobieHe always answers our questions with other questions, never answering or explaining from the sciptures why he justifies what he does in God's eyes and from God's word the Bible. Ever!!!!!!
why? because i respect the conscience of others that is why, i would never dream of imposing my conscience on them nor deprive them of the joy of giving, if they want to celebrate Christmas its up to them.
I noticed that you could not provide a single example of an instance where you have put scriptural principles above self concern yet deem qua ...[text shortened]... to call others out for failing to do so in your opinion, interesting, when you can, let us know.
Originally posted by galveston75Who me? i don't even know you? And show me this question you and Mr sensitive have for me today!.
He always answers our questions with other questions, never answering or explaining from the sciptures why he justifies what he does in God's eyes and from God's word the Bible. Ever!!!!!!
Originally posted by menace71Kind of..Lol. Many do not like the truth of these holidays or customs but would rather go along and do them for mostly selfish reasons or from pressure the world puts on them. If one is a friend of the world, they all like you....
I don't care or condemn those who celebrate Christmas but we're being intellectually dishonest if we don't recognize some pagan elements in the holiday. I think the modern holiday is fairly godless it's more about materialism and how much money we can spend. it's a sad time of year for many also.
Damn I'm scaring myself I sound like a J-Dub now
Manny
Originally posted by robbie carrobieDoesn't the word "Christian" imply something of a belief in Christ? or Jesus as supreme? Why not call a J. W. a Jehovahain???
Four things, we have love among ourselves, we preach the Good news of Gods Kingdom, we make manifest Gods name and we are no part of the world, if you do all of these things you are a true Christian.
As far as J.W.'s celebrating birthdays, who cares!
BIBLICAL LIGHT ON BIRTHDAYS
Even though the birth of a baby has always been a cause for much joy, the Bible makes no reference to a birthday celebration for a servant of God. (Psalm 127:3)
Was this simply an oversight? No, for two birthday celebrations are mentioned—that of a Pharaoh of Egypt and that of Herod Antipas. (Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6:21-29) Both events, however, are presented in a bad light—especially the latter, which saw John the Baptizer beheaded.
“The early Christians,” notes The World Book Encyclopedia, “considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.” The ancient Greeks, for instance, believed that each person had a protective spirit that attended the person’s birth and thereafter watched over him. That spirit “had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born,” says the book The Lore of Birthdays. Birthdays also have a long-standing and an intimate link with astrology and the horoscope.
Besides rejecting birthday customs on account of pagan and spiritistic roots, God’s servants of old likely rejected them on principle as well. Why? These were humble, modest men and women who did not view their arrival in the world as so important that it should be celebrated.* (Micah 6:8; Luke 9:48) Rather, they glorified Jehovah and thanked him for the precious gift of life.*—Psalm 8:3, 4; 36:9; Revelation 4:11.
At death, all integrity-keepers are safe in God’s memory, and their future life is guaranteed. (Job 14:14, 15) Says Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born.” Our “name” is the good reputation we have gained with God through faithful service. Significantly, the only commemoration commanded for Christians involves, not a birth, but a death—that of Jesus, whose excellent “name” is the key to our salvation.—Luke 22:17-20; Hebrews 1:3, 4.
Originally posted by galveston75This is just throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
BIBLICAL LIGHT ON BIRTHDAYS
Even though the birth of a baby has always been a cause for much joy, the Bible makes no reference to a birthday celebration for a servant of God. (Psalm 127:3)
Was this simply an oversight? No, for two birthday celebrations are mentioned—that of a Pharaoh of Egypt and that of Herod Antipas. (Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6: ...[text shortened]... hat of Jesus, whose excellent “name” is the key to our salvation.—Luke 22:17-20; Hebrews 1:3, 4.
Yeah. See what I did there?