>Subject: Birthday party

I would like to understand why a birthday is considered a pagan holiday? Where would we all be if we were not born? A birthday is the day of birth.

I am planning a birthday party for a friend who has a child that is a [Jehovah's] Witness. How do I have this party, not offend him, and have him join us? His mother will be 70 years on this earth.

Your help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Renee
8/27/2003<

I'm not sure if I can provide much assistance. I agree with you that there is nothing wrong with celebrating someone's birthday. There is a short section on this in the chapter on "Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses" in my Scripture Workbook.

Now JWs will say that a birthday "honors" a person too much and thus detracts glory from God. This is, of course, absurd. The real reason JWs forbid celebrating birthdays and holidays is in order to separate JWs from their non-JW family and friends. The Watchtower wants "the organization" to be the Witnesses "family." This is basic cult manipulation.

All of that said, there really nothing you can do, short of convincing the son to leave the JWs. As long as he is caught in their clutches, he will not and cannot attend a birthday party, even his own mother's.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

>Thank you for taking the time to answer.
9/2/2003<