Hogwash. In order for anyone to really understand how this whole thing came about they'd have to either have been there when it happened or read the threads that led to my split with her. Intentionally or otherwise, she made coments contrary to Oneness doctrine when she tried explaining her position. I was not the only one who saw that either.
Belief or disbelief in celebrating Christmas is not what led to our falling out. I have debated Christmas with people every year since I started coming to these forums and have never cut someone off over what they believed about the holiday. I realized a long time ago that there aren't many people with this conviction in the apostolic church. If I were to cut off everyone I know who celebrates this holiday and defends their belief in it, I'd have very few people to post with online.
You continue to claim this convo was a result of our 'falling out', but I have to ask, why didn't you have a 'falling out' with those who agreed with me on that thread 'over there'?
There were several posts from people supporting my position, and the poll shows 17 of 23 votes in my favor.
You may not care about the numbers, but I'm far more being supported than not in my belief and even how I word it.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
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"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
They will only celbrate the death of Christ. No holidays or Birthdays of any kind..
Jehovah's witnesses
This section on Jehovah's Witnesses is subdivided into:
introduction to Jehovah's Witnesses
healthcare-related issues
introduction to Jehovah's witnesses
In 1869, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Charles Taze Russell began a Bible study that led to the movement that later (in 1931) became known as the Jehovah's Witnesses. He was brought up as a Presbyterian, but joined a Congregational Church at the age of fifteen. By seventeen, he had become a skeptic who was very unhappy about the interpretations of the Bible that he had encountered. However, he joined a Second Adventist Bible study, which helped to re-establish his faith and led to him starting up his own group and eventually publishing his own influential periodical, 'Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence' (from 1897). 'The Watch Tower' has become the most widely distributed religious magazine in the world.
Jehovah's Witnesses consider their religion to be a restoration of original first-century Christianity. They accept both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as inspired by God. They do not, however, use the symbol of the cross because they believe it to be of pagan origin.
Jehovah's Witnesses meet up to five times a week in their local Kingdom Hall (i.e. large meeting place of Jehovah's Witnesses; also known as Assembly Hall in some countries) or in private homes. Jehovah's Witnesses claim to have over 6 million active members worldwide, and that over 15 million people attend their meetings. There are thought to be ~150,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in the UK and Ireland.
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beliefs and practices
Jehovah's Witnesses believe in one god (known as Jehovah), a spiritual being with a non-human body who created and controls everything. They believe that Jehovah created Christ, his human son, to redeem mankind from sin and death, and resurrected him to be our lord and saviour, but not an equal to God. They do not believe in the Trinity.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that man is born with sin because of the disobedience Adam and Eve showed towards God. They believe that Satan, an enemy of God who afflicts pain and sorrow, is an active force, and responsible for the world's many problems. Witnesses do not get involved in politics, take part in military activities or salute a nation's flag because they believe that nationalism is a temptation set by Satan to lead people astray. Satan's temptations can be resisted by learning about God. Salvation can be achieved only by fulfilling all of God's requirements.
The commands of God in the Bible are very important and Jehovah's Witnesses try to live their lives by them, exhibiting a high degree of commitment to their religion. Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for sharing their faith with others: 'witnessing' is a fundamental part of their lives.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe in Armageddon, the holy war between Christ and his forces and Satan and his forces in which the world will be destroyed. They believe it to be imminent and have so far predicted its start on five different dates, all of which have passed without event. They admitted the error of these prophecies, but such failure has not escaped the attention of the world, and Jehovah's Witnesses are one of the most criticised religious groups in today's society.
The family is extremely important to Witnesses, and the father is seen as the head of the family. Men also lead the congregation, but the importance of the role of women is recognised. Witnesses tend not to socialise with outsiders, but when this does occur, for example at work or school, they may exploit the opportunity to carry out informal 'witnessing', starting conversations about their beliefs.
Witnesses are generally law-abiding, providing that the law does not clash with their beliefs.
worship
Jehovah's Witnesses worship in Kingdom Halls as many as five times a week, and at very large gatherings three times a year in Assembly Halls or other large venues. Because all Jehovah's Witnesses are committed to spreading the faith, there are no appointed clergy; instead, Elders or Overseers lead the congregation voluntarily. There is no church organisation as such.
In hospital, Jehovah's Witnesses are likely to prefer to pray in private with the curtains drawn around their bed. They may also wish to listen to taped recordings of congregational prayer meetings.
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healthcare-related issues
This subsection contains an alphabetic listing of specific healthcare-related information and advice for Jehovah's Witnesses.
baptism
Jehovah's Witnesses are baptised by complete immersion in water. This does not usually take place before the age of twelve because it is necessary for a child to understand fully the implications and responsibilities that baptism carries before being committed to it.
blood transfusions and other blood-related issues
Jehovah's Witnesses are totally opposed to taking blood or blood products into the body because the Bible refers to blood as 'the soul of the flesh' and forbids the consumption of it. This has often led to Jehovah's Witnesses being seen in a very unsympathetic light, particularly when they withhold consent for life-saving operations on their children.
They will usually co-operate with healthcare staff to find alternative treatments. In fact, they are very proactive and have formed an international network of Hospital Liaison Committees to encourage the consideration of what alternatives are available and the enlistment of medical staff who are willing to perform 'bloodless surgery', etc. Bloodless surgery does not involve the use of blood or blood products.
In the case of some modern treatments, biblical guidance leaves room for interpretation, and individual Witnesses are left to make their own choices. Bone marrow transplants may be acceptable to some individuals, as may be albumin, immune globulin or clotting factors.
Because blood represents life to Jehovah's Witnesses, it must be handled with respect and not stored or reused. This is most important when their blood is taken for testing. Dialysis may be acceptable to some individuals providing that they are confident that only their own blood is involved and that the extra-corporeal circulation is continuous within the body circulation.
A group of Witnesses, the Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood, is attempting to clarify and reform the religion's position on blood and blood products.
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contraception
Preventative contraception is acceptable to Jehovah's Witnesses, but not the 'morning-after pill' or any method that effectively terminates a pregnancy.
death and dying
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that, in the years since 1914 when Christ returned invisibly to the earth, some faithful Christians have ascended to heaven to be with Christ and help him to rule over the earth. They believe the number of places available in heaven is restricted to 144,000. Apart from these chosen few, sometimes referred to as the 'little flock' or 'great crowd', people and their souls cease to exist after death.
Although no particular rites and rituals are associated with death and dying, a dying Witness patient may appreciate a visit from one of the Elders of their faith. They may be distressed or disappointed at the prospect of dying before Armageddon.
Individual Witnesses can choose to be buried or cremated.
diet, drugs and alcohol
The issue of blood is also relevant when it comes to diet: anything that contains blood or blood products is unacceptable, as is meat from an animal that has been strangled, or shot and not bled properly. In fact, some Jehovah's Witnesses do not eat meat at all.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that tobacco and other recreational drugs are incompatible with Christian principles. They are allowed to drink alcohol but do not condone drunkenness.
holidays
Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays and holidays, with the exception of the anniversary of the death of Christ, the date of which varies from one year to the next. They believe that holidays originate from false religions and that God strongly disapproves of them. Although wishing a Witness 'Happy Birthday' or 'Merry Christmas' is likely to cause offence, they do respect the right of others to celebrate holidays. up ^
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