False Dates Slideshow

Monday, October 20, 2008

Are Holidays Really Not Biblical For Jehovahs Witnesses?

I was raised to believe that all holidays (Archaic: HOLY DAYS) are evil. In fact anything that is festive or celebrated by non-JWs is off limits and if a JW partakes in any of the festivities, and the elders find out about it you can be shunned and even put out of the congregation.I was researching this teaching and comparing it with the Bible and I found an interesting point that Paul wrote in Collosians 2:16
"So don't let anyone judge you because of what you eat or drink. Don't let anyone judge you about holy days. I'm talking about special feasts and New Moons and Sabbath days."

Now I don't like to cherry pick scriptures so in reading the entire second chapter I find that the context of verses 6-23 seems to be not allowing yourself to be forced into following people's rules or rather being free from the rule of men through Christ Jesus.How would you interpret this scripture in the context of chapter two? Am I right or am I way off base here by having Thanksgiving Dinner here at my home and doing the whole Christmas celebration at my brother's house this year?

1 comment:

Me said...

Welcome to your new freedom in Christ!

Four things to keep in mind:
1) We have freedom in Christ.

2) Each one needs to be FULLY convinced in his own mind, so as not to sin against his own conscience. Otherwise, play it safe.

3) We need to be conscious of Christians who might be stumbled by excersing a particular freedom.

4) Do not judge your brother for making a different decision than you.

If one doesn't see it as wrong, then I say, celebrate it! God has given us the freedom to do so. But if it's bothering your conscience, then it would be sinful to do it anyway.

(Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8.)