Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays because they believe that the Bible does not support the observance of birthdays. Their stance is based on a few scriptural references and principles.
One of the main reasons is that birthday celebrations have pagan origins and are associated with idolatry in some instances mentioned in the Bible. For example, the Pharaoh of Egypt and Herod Antipas are described as celebrating their birthdays in the Bible, and both events were associated with negative outcomes, such as the execution of John the Baptist. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that such accounts highlight the negative aspects of birthday celebrations.
Additionally, they believe that early Christians did not celebrate birthdays, and there is no explicit command or example in the Bible indicating that Christians should commemorate birthdays. They emphasize the importance of following the teachings and practices of the first-century Christian congregation, which they believe are outlined in the Bible.
Jehovah’s Witnesses prioritize celebrating religious events, such as the annual commemoration of Jesus’ death (known as the Memorial), which they observe in accordance with their interpretation of the Bible. They also focus on promoting their core beliefs and engaging in activities that they consider to be in line with their faith, such as evangelism and regular worship.
It’s important to note that practices and beliefs can vary among individual Jehovah’s Witnesses, but the general consensus within the Jehovah’s Witness community is to abstain from celebrating birthdays based on their biblical interpretations and principles.
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