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According to a professor I used to know, he stated that Jesus was born in what we know as the summer based on the reason Joseph and Mary were in Bethleham to begin with, it had something to do with returning to the village in which you were born and taxation if memory serves. Anyway this process can be traced by history and archeology and it simply was not in December.
Frankly I don't know why that should matter, seems a little legalistic too me to care.
I do think its important to understand where a celebration comes from rather then just swallowing what someone else hands you. Learn the history and the symbolism, drop the parts that don't fit your philosophy and emphasize the ones that resonate with you. For my daughter and I, we drop the religious symbols, we don't have a manger scene and so forth. We fully embrace the commercialism and the playful nature of the shopping, the sometimes excessive decorating and so forth.
How about some scripture showing us worship coming from God.
I thought it was supposed to be going to God not from Him.
Maybe I worded the sentance wrong. How about, "any form of worship not approved by God," or, "any form of worship not commanded and told by God to be righteous and pure."
.....oh wait...maybe we're supposed to be worshiping the WatchTower....now where's that scripture???
No, I dont think I've ever worshipped the Watchtower Scociety in all my years as a JW. Funny how people think that. I wonder how many opposer believed the 1st century Christians worshipped the 12 Apostles in Jerusalem?
You have to accept that there is MORE then just YOUR way of doing things. You drive people away with your attitude that YOURS is the only way.
I am sorry if I have offended you. But no, there is not more than one way of doing things. The Bible says, "I am Jehovah, I have not changed." The Bible no where says that there myriads of ways to worship and to salvation. The Bible says there is "one truth." Not "many different paths." If we believed someone else had the true faith, would we not preach that? If we believed there were many different paths to truth and salvation, we would not preach at all. For what would be the use if everyone, no matter what they do, is saved? The first century Christians under the guidance of the Apostles on earth, did not condone still adhereing to Judaism and its ways of worship. They didnt say that Judaism was just another truth and way to salvation. And recall, please, that by refuting the wrong beliefs of the Pharisees, and by other things he said, Jesus turned many of his own country men away from him. The fact that some are turned away does not make me, or any other JW happy, for I wish that everyone would come to an "accurate knowledge of the truth." But some just dont like the message, and so turn away. Jesus did not stop when people turned from him because of the things he said, and neither do we.
Jesus did not stop when people turned from him because of the things he said, and neither do we.
But Jesus never forced himself on anyone either.
Religion gives 3 major things to people:
1. Comfort about their place in the universe.
2. Guidance through life's journey.
3. An excuse to act like a moron and pound things when they don't go your way. I know Jesus wouldn't agree with #3, since he clearly taught his followers to turn the other cheek.
But Jesus never forced himself on anyone either.
Religion gives 3 major things to people:
1. Comfort about their place in the universe.
2. Guidance through life's journey.
3. An excuse to act like a moron and pound things when they don't go your way. I know Jesus wouldn't agree with #3, since he clearly taught his followers to turn the other cheek.
We dont force ourselves on anyone either. If someone at the door says, "I'm not interested," I dont stick my foot in the door and keep pushing a Bible study. I leave.
And I and many others do have what you listed in #1 & 2.
I'm not sure if you say I'm pounding my beliefs because they're not going my way, i.e. no one agrees with me, but, is this not a forum for discussion and debate? One person says something about my comments I feel I must explain or defend. And visa-versa
What I was trying to explain is that when some 'Christians' attack a few Jews for wishing them Happy Hanukkah, instead of Merry Christmas, the majority of the Christians claim that the 'Christians' are not really Christians.
But when a few terrorist have caused 9/11, Christianity has no problem holding all of the Islam accountable for what only a few terrorists have done. It seems to me that Christians are measuring with 2 different measuring rods.
No, I dont think I've ever worshipped the Watchtower Scociety in all my years as a JW. Funny how people think that. I wonder how many opposer believed the 1st century Christians worshipped the 12 Apostles in Jerusalem?
You're funny. And you COMPLETELY missed the point.
Let me spell it out for you.
What I am saying is that I assure you that you hold this non-biblical, non God-directed organization to much more esteem than I hold Christmas. So, if you'll toss the WTS, I'll toss Christmas. Deal? And I'm serious....
We dont force ourselves on anyone either. If someone at the door says, "I'm not interested," I dont stick my foot in the door and keep pushing a Bible study. I leave.
And I and many others do have what you listed in #1 & 2.
I'm not sure if you say I'm pounding my beliefs because they're not going my way, i.e. no one agrees with me, but, is this not a forum for discussion and debate? One person says something about my comments I feel I must explain or defend. And visa-versa
You ARE forcing yourself on people by coming to their homes uninvited. Its wrong, its impolite AND its pushy.
My property, my rules. I don't even open the door to this kind of person.
You ARE forcing yourself on people by coming to their homes uninvited. Its wrong, its impolite AND its pushy.
My property, my rules. I don't even open the door to this kind of person.
Do you ever open your door to anyone then: The neighbor kid asking if they can mow your lawn. Those going door to door to campaign for a candidate. Those selling subscriptions to your local newspaper. Girl Scouts selling cookies
Do you ever open your door to anyone then: The neighbor kid asking if they can mow your lawn. Those going door to door to campaign for a candidate. Those selling subscriptions to your local newspaper. Girl Scouts selling cookies
I don't open the door to people I don't know. I yell out and if I recognize their voice then I will open the door, otherwise NO.
I learned a disturbing fact, when criminals do home invasions, they often ring the doorbell first, make up some story that they need to borrow a phone or whatever.
I live in a no soliciting neighborhood, its posted clearly with the city ordinance. If you break the rules, then don't be offended by my NOT opening the door to you.
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I know Jesus wouldn't agree with #3, since he clearly taught his followers to turn the other cheek.
One person says something about my comments I feel I must explain or defend. And visa-versa
