Answered By: Wandering Stranger - 11/26/2010 |
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Christmas is based on the pagan winter solstice. No, the JW church has too many added doctrines, and false teachings, one being that Jesus is actually the Archangel Michael... You see my hesitance?
Answered By: Shae - 11/26/2010 |
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Jehovah's witnesses are false teachers, so the answer is no.
No Christian I know believes that Jesus was born on Dec. 25. It is an observance.
Answered By: Esther - 11/26/2010 |
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Answered By: Milan J - 11/26/2010 |
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Excellent point. But "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one" so no one's gonna listen much like the Jews who by and large rejected Jesus as the Messiah and went ahead murdering him. Jesus preached the truth but the Jews did not want the lies exposed. They covered themselves up by creating more lies against God's anointed king saying he was a glutton, a drunkard and his powers came from the Devil [1John 5.19; Matt 12.24].
Despite the overwhelming evidences that most of Christendom's holidays offend God because of their idolatrous [worship of false god] origin hundreds of millions of worshipers claiming to be Christians carry on with their futile worship. No wonder the Bible says:
(Revelation 12:9) So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and SATAN, who is MISLEADING THE ENTIRE INHABITED EARTH..
[CAPS mine]
(2 Corinthians 4:4) among whom THE GOD OF THIS SYSTEM OF THINGS has BLINDED THE MINDS of the unbelievers, that the illumination of THE GLORIOUS GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE CHRIST, who is the image of God, MIGHT NOT SHINE THROUGH.
(1 Timothy 2:3-4) This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and COME TO AN ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.
(John 4:23) Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the TRUE WORSHIPERS will worship the Father with spirit and TRUTH, for, indeed, the Father is LOOKING FOR SUCHLIKE ONES TO WORSHIP HIM.
These test the faith and meekness of those who put their hands on the Bible and believe they are Christians. God wants an EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION, one that is based on Bible truth, one which is not tainted with idolatry which is detestable to our grand Creator [Matt 5.5; Psalms 37.9-11, 29; Ex 20.5; 1Tim 2.3-4].
Paul advises Christians to have their “loins girded about with truth.” (Eph 6:14) Surely, those who are honest-hearted and meek will accept the truth readily. On the other hand, the Bible exposes those who really have no love for God and His truth.
Paul lovingly admonishes:
(Hebrews 4:11-13) 11 Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, for fear anyone should fall in the same pattern of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and [their] marrow, and [is] able to discern thoughts and intentions of [the] heart.
13 And there is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.
Great Q...thanks
Answered By: touch me not - 11/26/2010 |
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As an atheist, i realize all this.
Answered By: punch - 11/26/2010 |
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Jehovah Witness is a false christian religion.
Answered By: FROG E - 11/26/2010 |
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Well, while all Christians shouldn't be witnesses(there is more to them than what holiday's they celebrate,) they shouldn't observe those holidays either.
Answered By: WhiteHat - 11/26/2010 |
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No Sweety:-),Amazingly, some of the most prominent doctrines of Protestantism today are not found in the Bible at all. They have been brought into the Protestant churches by the mother church of Rome, who received them from paganism. A few of these false teachings are that:
A. The law of God has been amended or repealed.
God's law can never be changed or repealed (Luke 16:17).
B. The soul is immortal.
The Bible mentions "soul" and "spirit" 1,700 times. Not once is either referred to as immortal. People are mortal (Job 4:17), and none receive immortality until Jesus' second advent (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).
C. Sinners burn eternally in hell.
The Bible teaches that sinners will be completely consumed (put out of existence), both soul and body, in the fire (Matthew 10:28). An eternal hell of torment is not taught in the Bible.
D. Baptism by immersion is not necessary.
Baptism by immersion is the only baptism recognized by Scripture.
E. Sunday is God's holy day.
The Bible teaches, without question, that God's holy day is the seventh-day Sabbath--Saturday
Note: These false teachings, once believed, tend to bring "confusion" (which is what the term "Babylon" literally means) and make understanding Scripture much more difficult.
A Sobering Thought
It's sobering to think that some might unknowingly be drinking Babylon's wine. Perhaps this is all new to you. If so, please ask God to guide you (Matthew 7:7). Then search the Scriptures to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11). Promise that you will follow where Jesus leads, and He will not permit you to end up in error (John 7:17).
We ask the papacy, "Did you really change Sabbath to Sunday?"
She replies, "Yes, we did. It is our symbol, or mark, of authority and power."
We ask, "How could you even think of doing that?"
It's a pertinent question. But the question the papacy officially asks Protestants is even more pertinent. Please read it carefully:
"You will tell me that Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath, but that the Christian Sabbath has been changed to Sunday. Changed! but by whom? Who has authority to change an express commandment of Almighty God? When God has spoken and said, Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day, who shall dare to say, Nay, thou mayest work and do all manner of worldly business on the seventh day; but thou shalt keep holy the first day in its stead? This is a most important question, which I know not how you can answer. You are a Protestant, and you profess to go by the Bible and the Bible only; and yet in so important a matter as the observance of one day in seven as a holy day, you go against the plain letter of the Bible, and put another day in the place of that day which the Bible has commanded. The command to keep holy the seventh day is one of the ten commandments; you believe that the other nine are still binding; who gave you authority to tamper with the fourth? If you are consistent with your own principles, if you really follow the Bible and the Bible only, you ought to be able to produce some portion of the New Testament in which this fourth commandment is expressly altered." 11
11Library of Christian Doctrine: Why Don't You Keep Holy the Sabbath-Day? (London: Burns and Oates, Ltd.), pp. 3, 4.
Source(s):
not PeRfecT/JustForgiven
SDA
Xcatholic
Answered By: Susanna LIVES - 11/26/2010 |
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No, they miss the mark by a mile >>>----------------> when they don't believe Jesus is God
Answered By: ἀποσπάω - 11/26/2010 |
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You are correct that Jesus was not born on Dec. 25. However, His real birth date is not known, and thus we celebrate His birth on that day anyway.
This being true, it has nothing to do with the main teachings of jehovah's Witnesses. Most of their teachings are completely non-biblical. They are completely against the teachings of Christ, and do not follow his teachings at all. Therefore, they are not a Christian religion, and Christians should not follow them at all.
Answered By: Evangelist Paul - 11/26/2010 |
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No, everyone should join in the Holy Spirit and forget about holidays altogether. Moreover, JWs have seriously flawed doctrine which essentially takes Jesus out of the picture. Jesus is Christianity.
I hope that answers your question.
Answered By: Vincent - 11/26/2010 |
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Um...no.
You've confused the fact that somethings have pagan origins with their still being pagan celebrations. That's as stupid and ignorant as saying "true" Christians shouldn't live in homes that Pagans once occupied or speak languages derived from pagan origins (like...English).
Answered By: Wesley B - 11/26/2010 |
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Yes
Edit: No Vincent they believe Jesus is God's only begotten son and saviour of the world.
No, God's Love, they said Jesus was commiting blasphemy because he was claiming to be the Messiah-God's Son!
To Romans 8:1, They refuse to kill others in war, is that really such a bad thing? And they don't salute the flag because they believe everyone should be equal, not pitted against one another because of the country they live in.
Answered By: anejo71 - 11/26/2010 |
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JWs have a much, much bigger problem than the "Christmas and Easter" thing. Ask them to consider 3 times, that Jesus clearly identified Himself as fully God, in His very nature and substance. His enemies clearly understood His words. So should you …
When Jesus healed a paralyzed man, as told in Matthew Chapter 9, He told him, “your sins are forgiven.” Jesus’ enemies also heard Him, and called it blasphemy! Why? Only God can forgive sins, that is, release the eternal punishment our sins deserve. Notice! Jesus did not correct their “misunderstanding”. Jesus’ enemies clearly understood His claim to be the sin-forgiving, miracle-working Son of God. Do you?
Another time, Jesus called God His own Father, John 5:17-18. Again, did His enemies misunderstand that He was making Himself equal with God? No! Did Jesus even attempt to correct their misunderstanding? Not at all!
One more…actually, there are several more …Jesus told His enemies, those who sought to kill Him, “Destroy this temple and in 3 days I will raise it up.” John explains that Jesus was referring to the “temple” of His body.” Only God can raise the dead and Jesus said He would raise Himself from the dead ~and then He did it ~ something no other religious leader, teacher or prophet ever did! Read John 2:19-21.
Here’s a bonus for you. Read Jesus’ clearest statement of all that He was fully God in nature and substance at Luke 22:70 when He was on trial!
He can give you abundant life now and eternal life to come if you confess your sins to Him, turn from them and ask His forgiveness, trusting that He took the punishment your sins deserved on His cross.
Be sure to read the verses ~
Matthew 9:2-7; John 5:17-18; John 2:19-21; John 10:30-33; John 8:58-59; John 14:6; Luke 4:33-35; Luke 22:70; Romans 2:4-5; Romans 3:23-24; James 2:10; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 1:8-9; Acts 3:19; Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; John 3:36; 1 John 5: 11-13; www.GodsLoveProven.com
Answered By: GodsLoveProven - 11/26/2010 |
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I dare to say it was Lambing season because, Christmas symbolizes the birth of the Lamb of God. and Ester meaning rebirth is when Jesus was raised out of the belly of the earth to be reborn as the one how sits in all power at the right hand of God as I was reborn when I excepted Christ as my Savior.
Answered By: Achmed - 11/26/2010 |
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Christianity does not teach Christmas.. however my Jesus said you are made new and made free.
Perhaps JW's should be Jews, who are under the law of Moses. Whats wrong with the rest of the law?
If your reasoning is correct.. you should be a Jew.
My Jesus atoned for sin and fulfilled the law.. I believe him.. why don't you?
Answered By: djmantx - 11/26/2010 |
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I am not a JW because they do not believe in the deity of Christ. Plus they have many other weird beliefs. They do not serve their country; they do not show patriotism to their country in refusing to salute the flag. They shun people, even their own family, when they should display the love of Christ to them. Shall I go on?
Answered By: romans 8:1 - 11/26/2010 |
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Totally wack stuff....the reason I keep coming back to R&S.
To answer your question, not all Christians should become JWs. I enjoy the vairety of the 38,000 Christian sects out there and their different ideas of Jesus, God and heaven. Also, if Christians ever banded together, they would be worse than the Taliban.
Answered By: BOB - 11/26/2010 |
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Sadly you have a few facts wrong
The Bible never says Jesus was born in December western culture has fitted that date also the Bible says nothing about lambs been their at the birth (but does refer to Sheppard's in a field)
Having a star on top of the tree refers to the star the wise men followed
The rebirth at Easter is symbolic of Jesus coming back to life again
Sadly over time a number of myths have come into the story like 3 kings, the stable etc none of which are in the Bible per say
Answered By: Just another guy - 11/26/2010 |
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A true Christian accepts the work that Jesus did on the cross and learns more from his Holy Spirit.
If a person gets concerned with holidays and doing things then it's not about what Jesus did for us. It comes down to how much can I do for God so he will be pleased with me and I can go to heaven. If that is what they are teaching you then to be honest with you they are teaching you false doctrine.
We should always focus on what Jesus did and learn how he walked and treated people on earth. We should have a relationship with God...that means I can speak to him and he can speak back to me and we know each others ways.
Colossians 2:8 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
2 tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (Christians have the power of God within them and if anyone tells you opposite...stay away from their teachings)
God bless you and be vigilant!
Answered By: miracle receiver - 11/26/2010 |
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Jw's and mormons were both founded by ranking freemasons.the one denies the deity of Jesus Christ, the other worships lucifer. the jw bible is full of deletions and distortions of scripture, many to try to fraudulently substantiate their teaching that Jesus was not God. john 1:1 and 1:14 in the king james bible disprove this heresy. 1:1 " in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God". 1:14 "and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us".
Answered By: Mr E - 11/26/2010 |
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ALL Christians are Jehovah's Witnesses, all True Christians that is !!
Answered By: Jill Durango - 11/26/2010 |
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Well, first of all, you should realize that the whole religion of Jehovah Witnesses does not revolve around not celebrating holidays. No, they don't celebrate them, but there is so much more to it than that.
Based on the point that the theologies are completely different, no, Christians should not be Jehovah's Witnesses. That would be like saying "Since Agnostics and Atheists both don't acknowledge there is a God, aren't they the same?" or even worse "Since Chaldean's and Muslims are both from the Middle East, shouldn't they be the same religion?"
To answer your second question, yes, there are pagan holidays around Easter and Christmas, but Easter and Christmas in themselves are not pagan holidays but were put in to motion by the Church to put the people who were used to celebrating at these times at ease and to overwhelm the pagan holidays.
True Christianity is not about theology strictly. Christians should be first and for most focused on what they believe is most important, their relationship with God. If the Christian person felt that the holiday was distracting them from God or causing them to sin, then the would have to make the personal choice not to celebrate that holiday. Most Christians however recognize there is no harm in celebrating a holiday, as long as they are not worshiping some foreign Deity.
Answered By: s - 11/26/2010 |
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Please be careful and take what your witness friend says with a grain of salt.
Some other thoughts:
1. True enough, the celebration of Christ's birth isn't mentioned at all in the New Testament. It was important, certainly, that Jesus be born into this world, of and by the Virgin Mary. It was very important that He be virgin born, otherwise He would have inherited the same sin nature/fallen nature that all of us got from Adam (See Romans 5:8-12). Had He been born of a human father and mother He would have needed to be saved--there was no way He could have been our Savior. Because He was born of the Virgin Mary, He had no father, and did not inherit the Adamic or sin nature.
2. On the other hand, the idea that Jesus rose, bodily, from the grave, was always on the mind of the early Christians. Just read the Book of Acts and on nearly every page, you will read that the apostles and others preached--you guessed it--Jesus and the Resurrection! They believed it as fact, and many--Paul said that even years after fact, nearly 500 people could say that they had seen Jesus--ALIVE!--after He rose from the dead.
3. Readily agreed that the world's definition of Christmas and Easter have no basis in the Christian faith at all. Easter, I heard someone say, had another derivative, namely "Ishtar", a pagan goddess whose role in the life and death cycle I don't recall. The Truth is that nobody knows for sure, and all we have is second- or third-hand reports of what really happened.
4. The facts are that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, He lived a sinless life, died an atoning death, and rose from the grave--bodily. I refer anyone who wishes to dispute these to read Lee Strobel's works called "The Case For . . ." series. No need to reply to me--I won't get into an argument.
Answered By: Brother Jonathan - 11/26/2010 |
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The vast majority of Christians know that there is no biblical basis for celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25th and that date corresponds with the Pagan celebration of the winter solstice. What I find really interesting is that although mainstream Christianity will admit to this fact, Jehovah's Witnesses will never admit to the fact of their own past and false beliefs. They claim their organization is the only line of communication between God and man and yet that same organization has been responsible for false claim after false claim. God does not lie or change His mind and yet the JW organization does it on a regular basis and yet still claims to speak for God. They have no shame..
Answered By: Donny - 11/26/2010 |
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1) In theory, shouldn't all Christians really be Jehovah's Witnesses?
That would be a Jehovah's Witness theory. To provide a counter-example: Roman Catholics believe that all Christians should be Roman Catholic.
2) Christmas has nothing to do with Christianity
Clearly you do not understand the meaning of the term "Christmas" - or, alternately, you do not understand the meaning of the phrase "has nothing to do with".
3) December in Jerusalem is not lambing season (and yet the Nativity depicts lambs at Christ's birth?!)
You are confusing nativity scenes - an artistic rendering that (naturally) displays considerable artistic license - and history. That's like saying that the movie "Tora Tora Tora" has nothing to do with the attack on Pearl Harbor because everything wasn't black and white back then like it is in the movie.
4) Yule is a pagan festival
*Originally* Yule was a pagan festival. Those British who still celebrate Yule generally do so in honor of Jesus - not in honor of any pagan deity.
5) Christmas was placed the same time to make the religious transition easier for people going from Pagan to Christian
More than to make it easier: to sort of enforce the transition. The celebration was going to be celebrated regardless of religion because it was a cultural custom. Changing it from a celebration in honor of a pagan deity to a celebration in honor of the Christian God eliminated one of the last bastions of pagan worship - the customary pagan celebration. Once the celebration came to be understood by all commoners as honoring the Christian God, the last vestige of actual pagan worship was eliminated. Even though the celebration was originally pagan, people (at least, all Christians) were now celebrating it in honor of the Christian God.
6) Similarly, Easter, derived from "ester", meaning oestrogen
Ridiculous. The word "Easter" predates knowledge of "estrogen" by centuries. The word "Easter" is well-known to have been adopted from the name of the Germanic goddess "Eostre". Nearly all languages other than English use a very different word to describe the Christian celebration of Easter.
7) Based on these theories and many more, is it not correct to say that those who truly believe in Christ, should join the Witnesses and avoid celebrating Christmas and Easter?
No - and this is why. This very, very short passage is from the Bible.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rom 14:5-6&multilayout=cols&version1=49&version2=9
In other words: if a Christian considers a day to be special, it does not matter what day it is as long as the Christian considers that day to be special **to the Lord** (that is, to Jesus or to God). This is from the Bible - not a belief taken from some unknown Christian teacher, but from an actual author of one of the Biblical books.
Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/
Answered By: http://www.bible-reviews.com - 11/26/2010 |
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Yes you are right, Jehovah's Witnesses are the true Christians among the thousands of religions that exist today. Besides Christmas and Easter not being Christian celebrations also the Trinity,Hell and Immortality of the soul are not doctrines taken from the Bible.rather they are teachings of men.
Answered By: Rolando C I - 11/26/2010 |
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I agree with brother Jonathan and the RR guy.
Paul had roots in Judaism and destroyed the church at that time but God used him, although he was used for evil, to do good. In the same way, some things that were originally used for evil can in turn be used for good.
Answered By: KJ - 11/26/2010 |
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We prefer things the way they always have been, not to suit a new trendy branch that makes themselves a weekly nuisance on the doorstep. Any group that would let a child die rather than administer medical care to save their life is despicable.
Answered By: Allantheboy - 11/26/2010 |
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