tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22707201582936728512024-03-14T11:01:05.593-07:00Search For Bible TruthsThis site examines many Bible subjects. Find what you are looking for by using the highlighted category links below or by using the search boxes.Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comBlogger878125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-14123217650249301752014-06-16T16:47:00.000-07:002014-06-16T16:47:45.889-07:00Jehovah's Witnesses and the Gregorian Calendar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some have suggested that because the Watchtower Society has adopted the use of the Gregorian calendar which uses the names of pagan Roman gods, that they are not totally untouched by the influence of paganism. <br />
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However, this is purely specious reasoning <em>used as an excuse</em> to participate in customs which are truly pagan celebrations with all the trimmings.<br />
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The calendar currently used by the Watchtower Society is the Gregorian calendar. This calendar is named in honour of Pope Gregory XIII. Its months are named in honour of the pagan Roman kings/gods Augustus (August), and Julius (July) as well as having months named in honour of Roman and Greek gods and goddesses such as Janus (January), Mars (March), Maia (May), Juno (June), and a pagan ritual- "febura" (February).<br />
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And some of the days of the week are named for Norse gods (and others): Woden's Day; Thor's Day; Freya's Day - but it is obtuse to think that, although these names are involved, that we are honoring these pagan gods by using the common day and month designations for our society. <em>We have no practical option but to use them</em>.<br />
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<u>But as for <em>customs</em> which are devoted to honoring these gods, we<strong> do</strong> have a choice</u> and, according to Scripture, we should take advantage of that choice.<br />
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There are many things which originated, necessarily, under paganism. Pharmacies, Doctors, and who knows what all, but that doesn't make these necessary things a <em>celebration</em> of pagan gods. What is being spoken to by Jehovah's Witnesses is the <strong>participation</strong> of Christendom in paganistic <strong>customs and celebrations</strong> which were deliberately borrowed by the Church from pagan celebrations and ceremonies honoring their gods.<br />
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There simply is no honest comparison between using necessary information such as the universal use of pagan names for days, months, cities, personal names, etc. with the personal <strong>CHOICE</strong> to <em>celebrate</em> completely nonessential pagan celebrations. <br />
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The early Christians didn't see the need to use their own alternate names for (nor to avoid going to) cities and places which had pagan-related names, nor using the paganistic personal names of individuals. (See Luke and Paul's examples below.) There is a place for reasonable avoidance of actual customs and celebrations devoted to pagan gods and the everyday use of common words.<br />
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It is the <em><strong>use</strong> of pagan things associated with pagan <strong>worship</strong></em> that is at the heart of the issue. It would be wrong to incorporate anything used for pagan worship, into our worship or related activities. Holidays, for example, are "Holy Days" and are a part of "worship", by their very name. The mere reference to a day or month on a calendar is<em> not</em>.<br />
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<strong>Biblical Examples</strong><br />
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The mere reference to a day or month on a calendar cannot possibly be equated to the making of unusual efforts to participate in customs with known pagan origins (like celebrating holidays). <br />
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For biblical examples, when Luke wrote in Acts mentioning the Areopagus ('Ares Hill' - Ares is the Greek god of war; 'Mars' is the Latin god of war), he didn't feel the need to change its already established name to something no one would recognize. Furthermore, Paul actually went to this place devoted to a pagan god and <em>preached</em>.<br />
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And Paul accepted the Areopagite, Dionysius (Greek name for 'god of wine') and had him join him - Acts 17:19-34. Luke and Paul certainly did not become participants in something associated with pagan origins.<br />
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The following article is taken from the 5/15/67 <em>Watchtower</em>, Questions from Readers: <br />
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<strong>"Why did the Jews use the name of the pagan god Tammuz as the name for one of their months?</strong><br />
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"Tammuz was the name of a Babylonian deity. (Ezek. 8:14) And though the Bible does not apply the name in this way, postexilic works, such as the Jewish Talmud, use the name for the fourth Jewish lunar month of the sacred calendar, the tenth of the secular calendar. (Ezek. 1:1) So it would correspond to the latter part of June and the first part of July.<br />
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"The use of the pagan name Tammuz as applying to the fourth month of the sacred calendar may have been only a <em>matter of convenience</em> among the Jews. We should remember that they were then a subjugated people, obliged to deal with and report to the foreign powers dominating them. So it is understandable that they might utilize the names of the months employed by these foreign powers. <em>Similarly, the Gregorian calendar used today has months named after the gods Janus, Mars and Juno, as well as for Julius and Augustus Caesar. Yet it continues to be used by Christians who are subject to the "superior authorities."</em> - Rom. 13:1." (Emphasis mine.)</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-80361097164816958712014-06-09T16:25:00.000-07:002014-06-09T16:25:08.327-07:00Do Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Father's Day?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqe23XBUh5w/UjJMw7vthwI/AAAAAAAACk0/f85JhHGTFq8/s1600/Father's-Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqe23XBUh5w/UjJMw7vthwI/AAAAAAAACk0/f85JhHGTFq8/s200/Father's-Day.jpg" height="101" width="200" /></a>Jehovah's Witnesses treat Father's Day as any other, and will love their Fathers just as much that day as any other day.<br />
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Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs, their standards for conduct, and organizational procedures on the Bible. Yes, the Bible does command children to honor, obey and respect their parents. (Eph. 6:1, 2) But nowhere does it advocate the commemoration of a special "Father’s Day".<br />
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True Christians follow Jesus Christ as their Exemplar and realize that to Jesus, <em>every</em> day was Father's Day. He did not set aside only one particular day out of the year to bring praise to his Father. He did so every day.<br />
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It is also worthy to note that the main purpose for the creation of Father's Day was to complement Mother's Day. Jehovah's Witnesses do not formally celebrate Mother's Day - mostly for the same reasons as stated for Father's Day above. But they also do not celebrate it because Jehovah's Witnesses avoid participating in any celebrations with non-Christian religious origins. Some may counter that by saying that Mother's Day does not have roots in ancient paganism and that it is presently considered a largely secular event. But the earliest Mother's Day celebrations <i>can</i> be traced back to the spring celebrations of ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the mother of the gods. The Bible makes it clear that if a holiday or custom is being deliberately participated in by a Christian, it must have absolutely no known pagan religion associations. (Exodus 20:3; Luke 4:8; 2 Cor. 6:17) (See: <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-formally.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Formally Celebrate Mother's Day?</span></a>)<br />
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<b>Also see:</b><br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/holidays.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Jehovah's Witnesses and Holidays - Links to Information</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-69070286164602922202014-06-04T16:35:00.000-07:002014-06-04T16:35:32.938-07:00Trinity And Pagan Influence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong><span style="color: red;">1.</span></strong> "The trinity was a major preoccupation of Egyptian theologians .... Three gods are combined and treated as a single being, addressed in the singular. In this way the spiritual force of Egyptian religion shows a direct link with Christian theology." <span style="color: blue;">- <i>Egyptian Religion</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: red;">2.</span></strong> "The Egyptians believed in a resurrection and future life, as well as in a state of rewards and punishments dependent on our conduct in this world. The judge of the dead was Osiris, who had been slain by Set, the representative of evil, and afterwards restored to life. His death was avenged by his son Horus, whom the Egyptians invoked as their "Redeemer." <b>Osiris and Horus, along with Isis, formed a <u>trinity</u>, who were regarded as representing the sun-God under different forms</b>." <span style="color: blue;">- Trinitarian scholar Dr. M.G. Easton; <i>Easton's Bible Dictionary</i>, Thomas Nelson Publ.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>3</strong>.</span> "This <b>triad</b> of Abydos [Horus, Isis, and Osiris] is apparently much older than even the earliest records .... These 3 main gods were skillfully incorporated into the Great Ennead or State religion of Egypt .... <b>particularly during the first 5 [3110-2342 B.C.] or 6 dynasties when the worship of this triad was prominent</b>." <span style="color: blue;">- <i>The Ancient Myths</i>, A Mentor Book, Goodrich, p. 25, 1960.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEthY_VxoNCcyt-ocPs6zLgwZEkUZgSCRgHdsgIWiK_iksg7J0Aok9o6JRlt4KhLOnDdWXAs-i2Bl7zlvcNFRX70gbr3ZlCudvL-Y2-TKcIa_SLffZgIeXFKAblPRmDYaAInfNKcSKYY/s1600/osiris_isis_horus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEthY_VxoNCcyt-ocPs6zLgwZEkUZgSCRgHdsgIWiK_iksg7J0Aok9o6JRlt4KhLOnDdWXAs-i2Bl7zlvcNFRX70gbr3ZlCudvL-Y2-TKcIa_SLffZgIeXFKAblPRmDYaAInfNKcSKYY/s320/osiris_isis_horus.jpg" yr="true" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: red;">4.</span></strong> <span style="font-size: small;">Alexandria, Egypt, had even developed a <b>trinity doctrine of its very own </b>long before Christian times. It appears to have been a blend (not surprisingly) of Egyptian, Hindu, and Greek philosophy/mystery religions. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">"This fusing of one god with another is called theocrasia, and nowhere was it more vigorously going on than in<b> Alexandria</b>. Only two peoples resisted it in this period: The Jews, <strong>who already had their faith in the one God of heaven and earth, <u>Jehovah</u></strong><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>, </strong>and the Persians, who had a monotheistic sun worship [<strong>Mithras</strong>]. It was Ptolemy I [who died in 283 B. C.] who set up not only the Museum in Alexandria, but the Serapeum, devoted to the worship of a<strong> <u>trinity</u></strong> of gods which represented the result of a process of theocrasia applied more particularly to the gods of Greece and Egypt [with a distinct Hindu flavor].</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">"This trinity consisted of the god Serapis (= Osiris + Apis), the goddess Isis (= Hathor, the cow-moon goddess), and the child-god Horus. In one way or another almost every god was identified with one or other of these <b>three aspects of the one god</b>, even the sun god Mithras</span><span style="font-size: small;"> of the Persians. <b>and they were each other</b>; <u><strong>THEY WERE THREE, BUT THEY WERE ALSO ONE</strong></u><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>."<span style="color: blue;"> -</span></strong><span style="color: blue;"> <i>The Outline of History</i>, Wells, vol. 1, p. 307, 1956 ed.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: red;">5.</span></strong> The book <i>The Symbolism of Hindu Gods and Rituals</i> admits, regarding the ancient Hindu trinity that was taught centuries before the first Christians:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Siva is one of the gods of the Trinity. He is said to be the god of destruction. The other two gods are Brahma, the god of creation and Vishnu, the god of maintenance.... To indicate that these three processes are one and the same the three gods are combined in one form." <span style="color: blue;">- Published by A. Parthasarathy, Bombay. (As quoted in ti-E, p. 12.)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: red;">6.</span></strong> <i>The Encyclopedia Americana</i> tells of the fully developed "<u><strong>Hindu Trinity</strong></u><strong>"</strong> existing "from about 300 B. C.," p. 197, v. 14, 1957<strong>. Brahmana writings, probably from 800 B. C. or before, frequently include the Vedic triad concept.</strong> <span style="color: blue;">- <i>Encyclopedia Britannica</i>, 14th ed., v. 3, pp. 1014-1016, and 34, also see <i>The Portable World Bible</i>, The Viking Press, pp. 23, 25.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>7.</strong></span> "Vishnu, Brahma, and Siva together form the <u><strong>trinity</strong></u><strong> of the Hindu Religion. At one time these were distinct Hindu deities.</strong> Their rival claims for recognition were finally met<strong> by making them <u>three</u> forms of the <u>one</u> supreme god.</strong> This was, however, a creation of the priests and ecclesiastical students." <span style="color: blue;">- <i>Encyclopedia Americana</i>, 1957 ed., v. 28, p. 134.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>8</strong>.</span> "There is a tendency in [pagan] religious history for the gods to be grouped in <b>threes</b> .... Even in Christianity, the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost reflects the underlying tendency. In India, the great Triad included Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer. These represent the cycle of existence, just as the <b>Babylonian</b> <b>triad</b> of Anu, Enlil and Ea represent the materials of existence: air, water, earth." <span style="color: blue;">- <i>An Encyclopedia of Religion</i>, Ferm, p. 794, 1945.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>9</strong>.</span> Not only did the ancient Babylonians have the major <u><strong>trinity</strong></u><strong> of Anu, Enlil, and Ea, but they worshiped more than one trinity of gods. <span style="color: blue;">-</span></strong><span style="color: blue;"> <i>Babylonian Life and History</i>, Sir E. A. Wallis Budge, 1925 ed., pp. 146, 147.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: red;">10.</span></strong> "On the basis of <strong>Pythagorean</strong> and gnostic theories, each number [in the Medieval Number Method] was assigned a root meaning and diversified representations. Some root meanings were: 1 = UNITY OF GOD, ... <strong>3 = TRINITY</strong>, extension of Godhead, ... 10 = extension of Unity, Perfect Completeness." - <em>An Encyclopedia of Religion</em>, Ferm, 1945, p. 755.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>11</strong>.</span> "... the doctrine of the Trinity was of <b>gradual</b> and comparatively <b>late formation</b>; that it had its origin in a source <b><u>entirely</u> <u>foreign</u> from that of the Jewish and Christian scriptures</b>; that it grew up, and was <b>ingrafted</b> on Christianity, through the hands of the Platonizing Fathers."<span style="color: blue;">– p. 34, <i>The Church of the First Three Centuries</i>, Alvan Lamson, D.D. (see <i>WT</i> 15 Oct. 1978, p. 32.)</span></span></span></div>
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"<strong>All things are <u>three</u>, and thrice is all</strong>: and let us <strong>use this number in the worship of the gods</strong>. For as the <strong>Pythagoreans</strong> say, everything and all things are bound by threes, for the end, the middle, and the beginning have this number in everything, and these compose the number of the <strong>trinity</strong>." <span style="color: blue;">- Aristotle, as quoted in <em>Paganism in our Christianity</em>, Arthur Weigall, p. 198, Putnam, NY. (Weigall is quoting from <em>On the Heavens</em>, Bk I, ch. i., by Aristotle who died 322 B.C.)</span></div>
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So it appears that this "holy" number <strong>three</strong> used to "<strong>worship the gods</strong>" in unity came down from the extremely influential <strong>Pythagoras</strong> to the ancient Greek philosophy/mystery religions and even to <strong>Plato</strong> himself.</div>
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"NEO-PYTHAGOREANISM...appeared during the first century B. C. [the faithful Jews were still clinging to their faith in a single one-person God, Jehovah the Father] in Rome, whence it traveled to <strong>Alexandria</strong> (the sect's chief center) where it flourished until <strong>Neo-Platonism</strong> absorbed it in the 3rd century A. D." <span style="color: blue;">- Encyclopedia Americana, p. 98, v. 20, 1982 ed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>12</strong>.</span> Weigall relates many instances of the trinity concept in pre-Christian pagan religions and then states: "The early Christians, however, did not at first think of applying the idea to their own faith." And, "Jesus Christ never mentioned such a phenomenon, and nowhere in the New Testament does the word `trinity' appear. The idea was only adopted by the Church <b>three hundred years after the death of our Lord</b>; and the origin of the conception is <strong>entirely <u>pagan</u></strong>." <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>-</strong> <i>The Paganism in our Christianity</i>, pp. 197,198, Arthur Weigall.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>13</strong>.</span> "If Paganism was conquered by Christianity, it is equally true that Christianity was <b>corrupted by paganism</b>. The pure Deism of the first Christians (who differed from their fellow Jews <u><strong>only</strong></u><span style="font-size: small;"> in the belief that Jesus was the promised Messiah) was <strong>changed</strong> by the Church at Rome, into the incomprehensible dogma of the trinity. Many of the pagan tenets, invented by the Egyptians and idealized by Plato, were retained as being worthy of belief." <span style="color: blue;">- <i>The History of Christianity</i>, (Preface by Eckler).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>14</strong>.</span> "Christianity did not destroy <strong>Paganism</strong>; it adopted it .... From Egypt came the ideas of a divine trinity, …. the adoration of the Mother and Child…." <span style="color: blue;">– p. 595, <i>The Story of Civilization</i>: vol. 3, Simon & Schuster Inc., by noted author and historian Will Durant.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: red;">15.</span></strong> The Trinity "is a corruption borrowed from the <strong>heathen</strong> religions, and ingrafted on the Christian faith."<span style="color: blue;"> - <em>A Dictionary of Religious Knowledge</em></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: red;">16.</span></strong> "<span style="font-size: small;">When Newton was made a fellow of the College, along with an agreement to embrace the Anglican faith, the Trinity fellowship also required ordination within 8 years. <strong>During his studies Newton had come to believe that the central doctrine of the church, the Holy and Undivided Trinity was a <span style="color: #c00000;">pagan</span> corruption imposed on Christianity in the fourth century by Athanasius</strong>." </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">-</span><span class="title"><a href="http://www.skyscript.co.uk/newton.html#twg"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Sir Isaac Newton And The Ocean of Truth; "Theology and the word of God"</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-18698108443352160692014-05-21T17:34:00.001-07:002014-05-21T17:34:56.418-07:00Are Jehovah's Witnesses Creationists?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe That the Earth Was Created in Six 24-hour Days Some 10,000 Years Ago?</b><br />
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A careful study of the Creation account in Genesis reveals no conflict with established scientific facts. For that reason, Jehovah’s Witnesses disagree with “Christian” Fundamentalists and many Young Earth Creationists. (Also see: <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102006326"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Bible’s Viewpoint - Does Science Contradict the Genesis Account?</span></a> g 9/06 pp. 18-20; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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The following is an excerpt from the g 9/06 p. 3 "Whom Should You Believe?":<br />
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ARE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES CREATIONISTS?<br />
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Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the creation account as recorded in the Bible book of Genesis. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not what you might think of as creationists. Why not? First, many creationists believe that the universe and the earth and all life on it were created in six 24-hour days some 10,000 years ago. This, however, is not what the Bible teaches. Also, creationists have embraced many doctrines that lack support in the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses base their religious teachings solely on God’s Word.<br />
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Furthermore, in some lands the term “creationist” is synonymous with Fundamentalist groups that actively engage in politics. These groups attempt to pressure politicians, judges, and educators into adopting laws and teachings that conform to the creationists’ religious code.<br />
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Jehovah’s Witnesses are politically neutral. They respect the right of governments to make and enforce laws. (Romans 13:1-7) However, they take seriously Jesus’ statement that they are “no part of the world.” (John 17:14-16) In their public ministry, they offer people the chance to learn the benefits of living by God’s standards. But they do not violate their Christian neutrality by supporting the efforts of Fundamentalist groups that try to establish civil laws that would force others to adopt Bible standards.—John 18:36.<br />
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<b>For more, see:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/creationism-belief/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe in Creationism?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201401/creation/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did God create the earth in just six 24-hour days, as some creationists claim?</span></a> (AWAKE! JANUARY 2014; JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/08/does-science-contradict-genesis-account.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Does Science Contradict the Genesis Account?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-creative-days-how-long-was-each-day.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Creative 'Days' - How Long Was Each 'Day' and Were All 'Days' Uniform in Length?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
<b><br /></b><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-does-bible-show-that-creative-days.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How Does the Bible Show That the Creative Days Were Longer Than 24 Hours Each?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/genesis-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Genesis - Links to Information</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<strong style="font-size: 100%;">John 1:1 Primer</strong><b></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>For<i> </i>Grammatical<i> </i>Rules<i> </i></b></span><b>That Supposedly "Prove" the Trinity</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">John 1:1c - English translation: "The Word was God [or '<b>a god'</b>]."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">- NT Greek: <b><i>Qeos</i><span style="font-size: 100%;"> <b><i>nv o loyos</i></b></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">--------------"god was the word."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">(The NT Greek above is an approximation of how the Greek letters actually look. For the rest of this study we will transliterate the Greek into English letters. In that way the above Greek would be written as "<b><i>Theos en ho logos</i></b>".) Here is another attempt to show the actual Greek: <strong>καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">.</span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The NT Greek word for "God" and "god" is <i>theos.</i> In the writings of the Gospel writers (including <b>John</b>) when an unmodified <i>theos</i> (the form used for subjects and predicate nouns) is accompanied by the article, "the" <em>(<b>ὁ</b> [</em>pronounced<i> ho]</i> in Greek), and has no added phrases (e.g., "the god <b><u>of</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> <b><u>this</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> <b><u>world</u><span style="font-size: 100%;">"<b>)</b>, </span></b></span></b></span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">then it always refers to the only true God.</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span></b></span></b></span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">- See DEF study. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">But Jn 1:1c has an unmodified "theos" <b>without</b> the article. Therefore, even some trinitarian scholars are forced to admit that this passage may be literally translated as "the Word was <b><u>a</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> god"!</span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"> This includes W. E. Vine <i>(An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words);</i> Dr. C. H. Dodd (director of the <i>New English Bible</i> project); Murray J. Harris <i>(Jesus as God);</i> Dr. Robert Young <i>(Young's Analytical Concordance</i>, <i>Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible</i>, etc.). Of course, being trinitarians, they often insist that the correct <strong><u>interpretation</u></strong> of such a literal translation must be, somehow, trinitarian.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The usual trinitarian interpretation for John 1:1c ("the Word was <u><b>God</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;">") is based on the fact that an unmodified <i>theos</i> is used as a predicate noun (predicate nominative) without a definite article (anarthrous) and comes <u>before</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> the verb in the original New Testament (NT) Greek. When you find an anarthrous predicate noun in that position, some trinitarians will say, it is to be interpreted differently ("qualitative" or "definite": i.e., as though it actually had the definite article with it) from a predicate noun which normally comes <u>after</u> the verb. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Although such a "reversed" word order is extremely rare in English, it is common in NT Greek because word order within a sentence has little significance in NT Greek! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">In fact, one of the first things a beginning student of NT Greek learns is that word order has very little, if any, significance as far as the meaning is concerned. For example, respected NT Greek authorities, Dr. Alfred Marshall and Prof. J. Gresham Machen tell us in their NT Greek primers that, unlike English, <b>NT Greek does not use word order to convey meanings </b>but instead uses the individual endings on each word (inflections). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">"The English translation must be determined by observing the [Greek word] endings<b>, <u>not</u> by observing the [word] order</b>." - p. 27, <i>New</i> <i>Testament</i> <i>Greek</i> <i>For</i> <i>Beginners</i>, Machen, The Macmillan Co. (Cf., pp. 7, 22, <i>New Testament</i> <i>Greek</i> <i>Primer</i>, Marshall, Zondervan) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Professor Machen, in fact, when giving an example of a predicate nominative in NT Greek, placed the predicate nominative ("man") <u><b>before</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> the verb</b> ("the apostle man is") and translated it <b>"</b>the apostle is <u><b>a</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> <u>m</u></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>an."! -</b> p. 50, Machen<b>.</b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">In Exercise 8 (p. 44) of the Rev. Dr. Alfred Marshall's <i>New Testament Greek Primer</i>, the noted <strong>trinitarian</strong> scholar asks us to translate <i>phoneus</i> <i>esti</i> into English. (Notice that the predicate noun <i>[phoneus</i>, 'murderer'] <b>precedes</b> the verb <i>[esti,</i> 'he is'].) The answer is given on p. 153 where Dr. Marshall translates it as "He is <u><b>a</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> murderer." -</b> Zondervan Publishing House, 1962.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">In <i>Learn New Testament Greek</i> by John H. Dobson we find on p. 64 two interesting Greek clauses and their translations by Dobson: the clauses are: (1) <i>prophetes estin </i>and (2) <i>prophetes en</i>. In both of these the predicate noun <i>(prophetes) </i>comes <u><b>before</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> the verb <b>('he is' </b>and<b> 'he was').</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Here is how Dobson has translated these two clauses: "He is <u><b>a</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> prophet." </b>And<b> </b>"He was <u><b>a</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> prophet." -</b> Baker Book House, 1989<b>.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">And <strong>trinitarian</strong> NT Greek experts Dana and Mantey specifically give us an example of "a <u><b>parallel</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> to what we have in John 1:1"!</b> Yes, these prominent trinitarian scholars have translated "market was the place" in the literal ancient Greek as "and the place was <u><b>a</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> <u>m</u></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>arket."</b> They even described this example as<b> <u>a parallel to John 1:1</u></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>! -</b> p. 148, <i>A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament</i><b>, </b>Macmillan Publ., 1957 printing. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">We also find <strong>trinitarian</strong> NT scholars B. M. Newman and Eugene A Nida using a similar example to describe the usage at John 1:1c - "John Smith is <b><u>a</u> <u>t</u>eacher</b>." - p. 9, <i>A Translator's Handbook on The Gospel of John, </i>United Bible Societies, 1980. (They <b><i>want</i></b> it to be <i>understood</i> in a trinitarian "Qualitative" manner, however.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Dr. William Barclay, similarly, describes the usage at John 1:1c: "If I say 'John is <i>the</i> man', I identify John with some particular man; if I say 'John is man', omitting the definite article, I simply describe John as <u><b>a man</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>." -</b> p. 205,<b><i> Ever yours</i>,</b> C. L. Rawlins, ed., Labarum Publ., 1980. (<strong>Trinitarian</strong> Barclay, too, <b><i>wishes</i></b> it to be <i>understood</i> in a trinitarian "Qualitative" manner, somehow.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">However, if truth means anything to us, instead of rejecting the trinitarian-devised John 1:1 rules strictly on the basis of the <b>wishful interpretations </b>of these NT Greek authorities, it would be much fairer and more certain to examine all the usages of a predicate noun found before its verb in John's writings that are <b>as close to the example of John 1:1 as we can find</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Before we examine all of John's uses of the predicate noun before its verb, we may need to review some basic grammar: We are dealing exclusively with nouns as found in John 1:1c. That is, a word which is a person, place, or thing and which can be used with both an indefinite article ("a" or "an" - in English only. Greek has no indefinite article) and a definite article ("the") and which can be properly changed into a recognizably <b>plural</b> form (these are sometimes called "count nouns."): </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">"<b>WORD</b>": "<u>a</u> word"/"<u>the</u> word"/"word<u>s</u>;" - </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">"<b>GOD</b>": "<u>a</u> god"/"<u>the</u> god"/"god<u>s</u>;" - </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">"<b>HOUSE</b>": "<u>a</u> house"/"<u>the</u> house"/"house<u>s</u>;" etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">So we can see that words like "pretty," "holy," or "true" cannot normally be made <b>plural</b> ("trues") and do not use <b>articles</b> ("<u>a</u> pretty," "<u>a</u> true") and are, therefore, not nouns as found at John 1:1c and cannot be used as proper examples in an attempt to prove or disprove a rule for John 1:1c. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Also, this noun, to be a proper example (equivalent to John 1:1c), must be without additional phrases joined to it: "a man <u>of the world</u>," "a house <u>of bricks</u>," etc. For a detailed examination of the improper examples, or exceptions) see the <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/definite-john-11c.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DEF</span></a> and <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/11/qual-qualitative-john-11c.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">QUAL</span></a> studies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">To be most certain, we need such proper examples to have a subject (a <b>noun</b> which is "doing" the verb) coming <b>after</b> the verb and a predicate noun (a <b>noun</b> as described above which is <u>the same thing as</u> the subject) which has no article coming <b><u>before</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> the verb in the NT Greek exactly as found in John 1:1c.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">To find such examples we need a Greek-English New Testament Interlinear Bible (available in any "Christian" book store or from any Jehovah's Witness). Then we search through all of <b><u>John's</u></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"> writings to find all the predicate nouns which come before the verb (and meet the above requirements) in the NT Greek. Since we are concerned about</span><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"> <b><u>John's</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span></b></span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">use (or non-use) of grammatical rules in order to determine the intended meaning of</span></span><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"> <b><u>John</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> 1:1c, we must use only examples from <b><u>John's</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> writings as proper evidence. (</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">For others see <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/definite-john-11c.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DEF</span></a> and <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2010/01/septgod.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SEPTGOD</span></a> studies</span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">.)</span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The easiest way to do this is to carefully read through all the full-English portion in an interlinear Bible and find all the verbs which <b>could</b> take a predicate noun ("is," "are," "am," "was," "were," "be," "become," "became"). Then determine if a noun (as described in our requirements above) comes <b>after</b> that verb in the English. If it does, and if it is "equal to" the subject, we have found a predicate noun, e.g., "the bird was an eagle." In English, then, the noun "bird" comes before and is "doing" the verb "was" and is therefore the subject. The noun "eagle," in English, comes after the verb "was" and is <u>the same thing as the subject</u> and is therefore a predicate noun (p.n.). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Then, after finding a proper predicate noun (p.n.), we must look at the NT Greek text (which has the equivalent English word written above each Greek word) and see if the predicate noun we found in the English translation on the other page actually comes <b>before</b> the verb in the original Greek. If it comes <b>before</b> the verb and if it is anarthrous (that is, without the definite article, "the") and meets the other requirements above, then we may have found a proper example to compare with John 1:1c. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">In the following list if the p.n. has no article, it has "<b>an</b>." (anarthrous) written before it. "<b>Art</b>." means the article "the" <b><i>is</i><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;">with it </span><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">(</span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><u>art</u>icular</span><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">). </span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;">Improper examples have "prep.," "poss. pronoun" (possessive pronoun modifier), "abstract," "numeral," etc. written after them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">"Prep." indicates that the p.n. has a phrase joined to it (<u>prep</u>ositional). "Abstract #": the p.n. is abstract <b>and</b>/<b>or</b> an indeterminate <u><b>amount</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> (a 'non-count' noun - see DEF 14-15). <b>"No subject"</b> means the subject is clearly understood, but only by the verb form used<b>. "Participle"</b> means the subject is not present and is only imperfectly identified by a participle ("having," "sleeping," etc.).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>All Verses by John Where the Predicate Noun <u>Precedes</u> Its Verb</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 1:1 (verse under study) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. John 1:12 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 1:14 - plural (amount)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Jn 1:21 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 1:49 (b) - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 2:9 - accusative, not p.n</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 3:6 (a) - plural (amount)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 3:6 (b) - abstract # </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 3:29 - participle </span><br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">-an. Jn 4:9 (a) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 4:9 (b) (adj.?) </span><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">#an. Jn 4:19</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 4:24 - abstr. # - NO VERB </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 5:27 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Jn 6:51 (b) - prep. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 6:63 - abstract</span><br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">-an. Jn 6:70 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:31 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:33 - prep. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:34 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:37 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:39 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:42 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:44 (a) (?? no subj.??)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:44 (b) - no subject </span><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">#an. Jn 8:48 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:54 (a) - abstract </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 8:54 (b) - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 9:5 - prep</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 9:8 (a) - no subject</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 9:17 - no subject</span><br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">-an. Jn 9:24 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 9:25 - no subject</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 9:27 - prep. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 9:28 (a) - prep.</span><br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">-an. Jn 10:1 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 10:2 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 10:8 - plural </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 10:13 - no subject </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Jn 10:21 - prep.</span><br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">-an. Jn 10:33</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 10:34 - plural </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 10:36 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 11:49 - prep. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 11:51 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 12:6 - prep</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 12:36 - prep. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 12:50 - abstract</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 13:35 - (poss. pronoun)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Jn 15:1 (b) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 15:14 - prep. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 17:17 - abstract</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 18:26 - prep.</span><br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">-an. Jn 18:35</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">#an. Jn 18:37 (a)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">?an. Jn 18:37 (b) - no subject (except in <em>TR</em> and 1991 Byzantine text)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Jn 19:21 - prep.an. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Jn 20:15</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Jn 21:7 (a)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Jn 21:7 (b)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 1:5 (b) - abstract #</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 2:2 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 2:4 - participle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 3:2 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 3:15 - participle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 4:8 - abstract</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 4:16 - abstract</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 4:20 - no subject</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. 1 Jn 5:17 - abstract</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. 2 Jn :6 (b)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 1:20 (a) - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 1:20 (b) - numeral</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 2:9 - accusative, not p.n.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 3:9 - accusative, not p.n.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 13:18 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 14:4 - no subject/plural</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 17:9 - numeral </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 17:10 - numeral</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 17:11 - numeral</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 17:12 - numeral</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 17:14 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 17:15 - plural</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 18:7 - no subject</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Rev. 19:8 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Rev. 19:9 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 19:10 (a) - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Rev. 20:14 - numeral</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 21:3 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 21:22 - prep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">art. Rev. 21:23 - prep. - NO VERB </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">an. Rev. 22:9 - prep. </span><br />
<u></u><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">_______________________ </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">90 total (excluding John 1:1c) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">The 3 (or 4 if we use the Received Text or the 1991 Byzantine text) closest examples to Jn 1:1c have the anarthrous predicate noun <b>before</b> the verb and the subject <b>after</b> the verb. These 3 proper examples are shown above with a numeral sign (#) before them. And they also exclude personal names, abstract nouns, numerals, prepositional constructions (prep.), "time/season" nouns, clauses in which the subject is missing [but clearly understood by the verb], clauses in which the subject is only uncertainly "represented" by a <b>participle</b> ["having," "stealing," "hating," etc.], plurals [<b>especially</b> plural/amount: 'blood,' 'wine,' 'flesh,' 'fat,' 'honey,' etc.]. These are proper exceptions to the rule. They must not be included among examples where the rule is being properly used.<b><span style="color: red;">[1] </span></b></span><br />
<div style="color: black;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Here, then, are all the most-proper examples (truly comparable to Jn 1:1c) from the writings of John (W and H text)<b><span style="color: red;">[2]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> for an honest examination of "Colwell's Rule" (or any related rules, including Harner's "qualitative" rule, concerning the simple, unmodified anarthrous predicate noun coming before the verb): </span><br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b> 1. John 4:19 - ("a prophet") - all Bible translations</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b> 2. John 8:48 - ("a Samaritan") - all translations</span><b> </b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 100%;">H,W</span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"> 3. John 18:37 (a) - ("a king") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>[H,W</b> 4. John 18:37 (b) - ("a king") - <u>from the Received Text (<i>TR</i>) and the 1991 Byzantine text<strong>]</strong></u></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 100%;"></span></b><b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H</b>: Also found in Harner's list of "Colwell Constructions"</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>W</b>: Also found in Wallace's list of "Colwell Constructions"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">These are all indefinite nouns. <b>All </b>modern trinitarian Bible translations I have examined render them as indefinite!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">If we wish to supply more examples, we must include some which are less perfect than these three (or four). The best we can do is to include all those constructions (Westcott and Hort text) which comply with the other qualifications above but which, unlike Jn 1:1c, have the <b>subjec</b>t noun <i><b>before</b></i> the verb also. Since trinitarian scholars themselves include such examples, they should not object if we also include all such examples. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">When we add those constructions to our list, we have: </span><br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H</b>.....1. John 4:9 (a) - indefinite ("a Jew") - all translations</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b>...2. John 4:19 - indefinite ("a prophet") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b>...3. John 6:70<b><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> - indefinite ("a devil"/"a slanderer") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b>...4. John 8:48 - indefinite ("a Samaritan") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b>...5. John 9:24 - indefinite ("a sinner") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b>...6. John 10:1<strong><span style="color: red;">[4]</span></strong> - indefinite ("a thief and a plunderer") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b>...7. John 10:33 - indefinite ("a man") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b>...8. John 18:35 - indefinite ("a Jew") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>H,W</b>...9. John 18:37 (a) - indefinite ("a king") - all</span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>[H,W</b>.10. John 18:37 (b)<b><span style="color: red;">[5]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> - indefinite ("a king") - <u>Received Text and 1991 Byzantine text</u><b>]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">These are <b>all</b> indefinite nouns (not definite<strong><span style="color: red;">[6]</span></strong>, not "qualitative"). <b>All</b> trinitarian Bible translations I have examined render them as indefinite! We should have enough examples to satisfy the most critical (but honest) scholar now. (And I wouldn't strongly resist the use of the "no subject" examples above which <i><b>clearly</b></i><span style="font-size: 100%;"> intend the subject as being a <u>pronoun</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> <b>included</b> with the verb, e.g., "[he] is," which would then bring our total of proper examples to nearly 20.)<strong><span style="color: red;">[7]</span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">So when <b>all</b> the proper (those most closely equivalent to the actual usage found at John 1:1c) examples found in John's writings are examined in various trinitarian Bibles <i>(KJV, NASB, RSV, NIV</i>, etc.), we find they are always translated with indefinite concrete nouns such as "you are <u>a</u> prophet" (Jn 4:19) which perfectly corresponds with a rendering of John 1:1c as "The Word was <u><b>a g</b></u>od"! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Such a rendering is not only a grammatical probability (perhaps a certainty) as we have seen above, but it is not such a surprising concept as many modern members of Christendom might think. Other righteous persons and faithful angels have been called "gods" or "a god" by the inspired Bible writers - see the <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/definite-john-11c.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DEF</span></a> </span>(pp. 4-9); <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/08/only-true-god.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TRUE</span></a> (f.n. #1); and <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/11/god-and-gods-from-bowgod-study.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">BOWGOD</span></a> studies. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">It is only in lands whose people are <b>ignorant</b> of the NT Greek language that trinitarians can convince them that the original NT Greek of Jn 1:1c means "the Word was <b>God</b>"! I have been told that in Greece itself the trinitarian churches carefully avoid using Jn 1:1c as evidence for the trinity doctrine or as proof of the "Deity" of Christ because the people there would scorn such an obvious misuse of their language. Even if this is incorrect, the most knowledgeable of the early Christian Greek-speaking scholars, Origen (died 254 A.D.), tells us that John 1:1c actually means "the Word was <u><b>a god</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>"! -</b> See <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2011/06/note-1-to-definite-john-11c-def.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DEF f.n. #1</span></a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
We also find in very early Coptic language translations of John 1:1c that it is rendered “and the Word was <strong><u>a</u></strong> god.” - <a href="http://nwtandcoptic.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">http://nwtandcoptic.blogspot.com/</span></a> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">In fact, even certain trinitarian scholars have correctly admitted that those very first readers for whom John wrote his Gospel were already aware of the 'Logos' concept even before John wrote to them. This was the concept of famed Jewish scholar and writer, Philo. In this best-known Jewish concept of the Logos of that time, the Word ("Logos") was "the Son of God" and "with God" and "<u><b>a</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> <u>g</u>od"</b> in his own right, but that he was certainly not<b> <u>God</u></b><span style="font-size: 100%;"> nor equal to the one true God! (See the <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/11/qual-qualitative-john-11c.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">QUAL</span></a> and <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/logos-word.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LOGOS</span></a> studies.) </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">The fact that John provided no further explanation of the Word proves that he intended the Logos concept that his readers already knew: "The Word was a god."!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">And, of course, John himself recorded the following prayer by Jesus: "<b>Father</b>, .... This is eternal life: to know thee who <u><b>ALONE</b></u><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b> art truly God..."</b> - John 17:1, 3, <i>NEB</i><b>.</b> </span></span><br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">......................................................................</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">NOTES</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">1.</span></strong></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">There are many rules (and their exceptions) found in all languages. For example, a well-known rule in the English language is that </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">the pronoun “I” is used for subjects and the pronoun “me” is used for objects.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">
So, to use familiar examples with subject and direct object: “</span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">I</span></span> </b><span style="font-size: 100%;">saw the boy.” And “The boy saw </span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">me</span></span></b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;">.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">
But what about this?: “It was </span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">me</span></span></b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;">.” Most of us use this kind of wording, but it is incorrect, because we are not familiar with an apparent exception. That is: when we are using a predicate noun after its verb, we must use subject pronouns. Since “was” in the sentence is a verb of “being” which makes the following pronoun ‘the same as’ the subject (actually, a predicate noun), a ‘subject’ pronoun must be used: It was </span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">I</span></span></b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: blue;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;">.” </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Or,<br />
<br />
Most native-English speakers are aware of the differences in the <u><strong>singular</strong></u> past tense plural verb “was” (“I <strong>was</strong>,” “She <strong>was</strong>,” etc.) and the <u><strong>plural</strong></u> past tense verb “were” (“They <strong>were</strong>,” “We <strong>were</strong>,” etc.)<br />
<br />
So what if an English grammar expert decided to further his religious or philosophical beliefs by writing the following in a journal or textbook:<br />
<br />
“Whenever a <u>singular</u> noun or pronoun is used as the subject and is followed by a <u>plural</u> verb, it means that the subject is a <u>multiple-person</u> being [or something similar].”<br />
<br />
Of course there are enough English grammar experts and textbooks available to us <strong>today</strong> to prove this is a purposely false ‘rule.’ <br />
<br />
But imagine if English were an old, poorly understood language and some future language expert were outlining its grammar and syntax for speakers of his language of the future. Not knowing the exceptions that we grew up with today, and <em>wanting</em> this to be true, many of these future people would believe this man’s ‘rule.’<br />
<br />
This might even be convincing to a number of English-speaking people today who never learned (or ignored) the <strong>exception</strong> to the general rule of verb agreement: the <u><strong>subjunctive mood in English</strong></u> ("If I <strong>were</strong> king," "He wishes he <strong>were</strong> somewhere else." Look up in an on-line search). But imagine how convincing it might be if this scholar were teaching future non-English speaking people who had no access to the common understanding of the English of today!<br />
<br />
The rule of verb agreement is merely determined by a rule <strong>and its proper <u>exceptions</u></strong> which have nothing to do with a “plural oneness.”<br />
<br />
<strong>If you don’t know the exceptions, you don’t know the rule!</strong></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><strong><br /></strong></span>
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><strong><br /></strong></span>
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">2.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 100%;">A correspondent asked me about the earliest manuscripts and also asked: </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 100%;">"Do we know if the original writers understood, or used, the proper rules of composition?" </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">My response:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">It really doesn't matter. In the investigation of John 1:1c, for example, I am interested in the grammar, syntax and usage of <b><i>John</i><span style="font-size: 100%;"> only. If the original writer did not fully understand the "rules," it does not matter since I am looking for parallel usages <b>by <u>him</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> to see what <b><u>he</u><span style="font-size: 100%;"> intended by them.</span></b></span></b></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">I am not talking about the 1000-year old (and even later) manuscripts (used for the Received Text), nor even manuscripts made 500 years after the originals. I am speaking of those made from about <b>50 years </b>after the original and up to about 300 years after the original. And yes, even the 4th century manuscripts were still in the NT (Koine) <b>Greek</b>, as a comparison with the older papyri show.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Copies of the NT Greek (Koine) manuscripts were copied to follow the original. The copyists of the first three or four centuries, at least, were made by those who understood the language. And the copies thereafter, when copied with the care we should expect for such work, should have also retained the grammar and syntax of the original in most cases.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Origen, <b>185-254</b> A.D., not only had access to extremely early manuscripts (possibly even originals), but actually spoke the NT Greek language and even taught it professionally. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">He wrote a "Commentary on John" in which he quotes the Greek of John 1:1 (and more) just as we have it in all early manuscripts still existing today. And, moreover, he tells us in this same Commentary that the language of John 1:1 shows Jesus to be <strong>a god</strong>, not God (as the parallel constructions by John in a proper study also prove)!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">And the John 1:1c parallel of "king are you" at John 18:37 is found in p66, p90 (150-200A.D.), and the earliest complete "letter uncial" manuscripts of the 4th and 5th centuries show the same.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">If an error has been made in John 1:1c (or any of its parallels in John's writings), it is very strange that it hasn't shown up in any of these very early manuscripts! The evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of the text we have of John's writings matching the original (at least in the places which parallel his usage at John 1:1c)! And that is all we need for an examination of this important scripture.</span><br />
<br />
Not only did the earliest Christian writers, like Origen, not understand John 1:1c as intending that the Word was <strong><u>G</u></strong>od, but even as late as 325 A.D. (when Constantine forced the beginning of the official 'trinity doctrine' on his subjects at the Council of Nicea), <u>trinity-pusher Athanasius and fellow trinitarians did <strong>not use this scripture as evidence for Jesus being God</strong></u>.<br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">3.</span></strong><span style="font-size: 100%;"> John 6:70 - "out of you one devil is" - NT Greek text. - "... one of you is </span><strong style="font-size: 100%;"><u>a d</u></strong><span style="font-size: 100%;">evil" - </span><em style="font-size: 100%;">RSV</em><span style="font-size: 100%;">. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
</span>
<span style="color: black;">"One who sins <strong>belongs</strong> to the devil, like Cain (1 Jn 3:8, 12); or he is <strong><u>a d</u></strong>evil himself, like Judas, the betrayer (Jn 6:70). .... Jesus' enemies are called children [and sons] of the devil, i.e. those who share his nature and behaviour (Jn 8:44) [Acts 13:10; 1 Jn 3:10]." - p. 472, Vol. 3, <em>The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology</em>, 1986, Zondervan.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">"#Joh 6:70 'One of you is a devil'. … diabolical, or under the influence of the evil one." - <em>People's New Testament Notes.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">So a man who is from [literally "out of," <em>ek</em>] the Devil (1 Jn 3:8), and is a 'son of the Devil' (Acts 13:10), and who is "with the Devil (whether physically or figuratively) may also be called "a devil" (Jn 6:70)! So Judas, for example, could be described in NT terms: "Judas was with <em>ho diabolos</em> [the Devil], and <em>diabolos</em> was Judas." And no matter how anyone wants to interpret it, it would be incredibly wrong to insist (as many trinitarians do about Jn 1:1c) that this meant Judas was literally, equally <strong><u>the D</u></strong>evil himself! Whether you translated it literally ("Judas was with the Devil, and Judas was <strong>a</strong> devil") or 'qualitatively' ("Judas was with the Devil, and Judas had the "nature" of the Devil"), it would mean essentially the same thing: Judas simply shared to some degree some (or one) of the qualities of the Devil, or is under the Devil's influence, but he is not equally the Devil with Satan himself! No reasonable person would accept this as evidence for some mysterious 'Satanity'! </span><span style="color: blue;"><strong>This is precisely the same as the use of 'god' (<em>theos</em>) at John 1:1c !!!</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Also examine John 4:24 (<strong>no verb</strong>!) If word order and verb placement is really so important for understanding predicate nouns, how could John possibly leave the verb out in such a case?</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">4.</span></strong> "That one thief is and plunderer." The problem here is that Jesus uses 'thief' <strong>before</strong> the verb and 'plunderer' <strong>after</strong> the verb. Do we really think he intended us to understand the thief to be a 'qualitative' p.n. ('thiefish,' 'having all the qualities of thiefdom') and also "a plunderer"? "That one has all the qualities of thieves and is a plunderer"? </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">5.</span></strong> The ancient manscripts for the second use of 'king' in John 18:37 (18:37b) are without punctuation and could just as easily be understood to say "a king am I" in the NT Greek. In fact it seems that this is the correct understanding here to be more parallel with the first half of the verse. This would mean that it truly is a fourth proper example (or 10th in the second list of proper examples) as indicated in the Received Text (translated by the <em>KJV, NKJV, MKJV</em>, and others following the <em>KJV</em> traditions) and in the 1991 Byzantine text).</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">6.</span></strong> For those who believe that constructions like that of John 1:1c (where the predicate noun comes before its verb) mean the predicate noun has an understood definite article: why would there be any such constructions actually using the definite article (if it is really understood anyway)?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>John 1:21 - definite article used</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">John 15:1(b) - definite article used</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">John 20:15 - definite article used</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">2 John :6 (b) - definite article used</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">7.</span></strong> Colwell and Harner use this type of construction in their <em>JBL</em> articles. And Daniel B. Wallace uses it also in his <em>Grammar</em>. Wallace and Harner, in fact, list these proper examples which I have listed in the Gospel of John: John 8:44b; 9:8, 17, 25; 10:13; 12:6. I have also listed 1 Jn 4:20 and Rev. 18:7 in this ‘understood subject’ category. Adding these Colwell/Harner/Wallace-approved constructions to our list of proper examples would leave us with:</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">1. John 4:9 (a) - indefinite (“a Jew”) </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">2. John 4:19 - indefinite (“a prophet”) </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">3. John 6:70 - indefinite (“a devil”/“a slanderer”) </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">4. John 8:48 - indefinite (“a Samaritan”) </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">5. John 9:24 - indefinite (“a sinner”) - all</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">6. John 10:1 - indefinite (“a thief and a robber”) </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">7. John 10:33 - indefinite (“a man”) - </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">8. John 18:35 - indefinite (“a Jew”) - </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">9. John 18:37 (a) - indefinite (“a king”) - </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">10. John 18:37 (b) - indefinite (“a king”) - in TR and 1991 Byzantine text</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">11. John 8:44(b) - (“a liar”)</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">12. John 9:8 - (“a beggar”)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">13. John 9:17 - (“a prophet”)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">14. John 9:25 - (“a sinner”)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">15. John 10:13 - (“a hireling/hired man”)</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">16. John 12:6 - (“a thief”)</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">17. 1 John 4:20 - (“a liar”)</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">18. Revelation 18:7- (“a widow”)</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">---------------------------------------------</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><b>For more concerning John 1:1, see:</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/06/john-11-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">John 1:1 - Links to Information</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses Category)</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-59248649010771457052014-05-09T11:27:00.000-07:002014-05-09T11:27:57.402-07:00Why Don't Jehovah's Witnsses Formally Celebrate Mother's Day?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGFIkQ_XnaJTGTWxWst63JnAVTeKDLphkJNYg0-TYMu-CdMrA5JkjSgg2rbCrXkkGSyUP-CiFg1u8PmqVhxlyRHFNJhPujuUpO5veqRFjyeBNTOs9q_Ayxda2cZllpIQYfshfRMjsUB8/s1600/Disney-Aristocats-Mothers-Day-Card2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGFIkQ_XnaJTGTWxWst63JnAVTeKDLphkJNYg0-TYMu-CdMrA5JkjSgg2rbCrXkkGSyUP-CiFg1u8PmqVhxlyRHFNJhPujuUpO5veqRFjyeBNTOs9q_Ayxda2cZllpIQYfshfRMjsUB8/s200/Disney-Aristocats-Mothers-Day-Card2.jpg" dea="true" height="107" width="200" /></a></div>
Jehovah's Witnesses treat Mother's Day as any other, and will love their mothers just as much that day as any other day. <br />
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Yes, the Bible does command children to honor, obey and respect their parents. (Eph. 6:1, 2) But nowhere does it advocate the commemoration of a special "Mother’s Day".<br />
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Jehovah's Witnesses avoid participating in any celebrations with non-Christian religious origins. Some may say Mother's Day does not have roots in ancient paganism and that it is presently considered a largely secular event. But the earliest Mother's Day celebrations can be traced back to the spring celebrations of ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the mother of the gods. On the origin of such observance, the <em>Encyclopædia Britannica</em> states:<br />
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“A festival derived from the custom of mother worship in ancient Greece. Formal mother worship, <em>with ceremonies to Cybele, or Rhea, the Great Mother of the Gods</em>, were performed on the Ides of March throughout Asia Minor.”—(1959), Vol. 15, p. 849.<br />
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Regarding the adoption of Mother’s Day in the United States, the <em>New York Times</em> of May 10, 1953, reported:<br />
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“<em>In spite of the</em> <em>popularity of Cybele</em>, . . . and sporadic occasions honoring mothers during the Middle Ages, it was not until 1914 that the proper combination of sentimentality, idealistic promotion and hard business sense impelled the United States Congress to designate the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.”<br />
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And according to the Website "<em>Mothers Day Central</em>" (which appears to have an unbiased view of Mother's Day), it says:<br />
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"Only recently dubbed “Mother's Day,” the highly traditional practice of honoring of Motherhood is rooted in antiquity, and past rites typically had strong symbolic and spiritual overtones; <em>societies tended to celebrate Goddesses and symbols rather than actual Mothers</em>. In fact, the personal, human touch to Mother’s Day is a relatively new phenomenon. The <em>maternal objects of adoration ranged from mythological female deities to the Christian Church itself</em>. Only in the past few centuries did celebrations of Motherhood develop a decidedly human focus."<br />
- <a href="http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/</span></a><br />
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Further adding to this, the website <em>Mother's Day 123 Holiday</em>, under the heading "Mother's Day History", agrees by saying: <br />
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"Contrary to popular belief, Mother's Day was not conceived and fine-tuned in the boardroom of Hallmark. <em>The earliest tributes to mothers date back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele.</em> Christians [?] celebrated this festival on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ. In England this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday."<br />
- <a href="http://mothers-day.123holiday.net/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://mothers-day.123holiday.net/</span></a><br />
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So in view of the false religious background of Mother’s Day, is it not clear that Christians in the first century would not have commemorated these days? So, then, is it not right to shun such observances today and thus obey the Bible’s command to “quit touching the unclean thing”? (2 Cor. 6:17) If a holiday or custom is being deliberately participated in by a Christian, it must have absolutely no known pagan religion associations.<br />
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<strong>For more, see:</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989235#s=36:0-45:0"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What is the origin of the practice of setting aside a day to honor mothers?</span></a> (rs p. 176-p. 182; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/03/paganism.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Paganism - Links to Information</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/holidays.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Holidays - Links to Information</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-43354838905368272002014-04-21T20:41:00.000-07:002014-04-21T20:41:29.160-07:00Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Baby Showers But Not Birthdays?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKBzOOxQPqbLOQ1FIHtiUXIrFer9YzVM9IiBmGLGhMAApyi4xRSd3bEeCNfTQRXjGibN17uosgFoyQtQbTLAzRJtS0dwTpGqzGNDyvWli2_wHvKQLihYQ9lp2msWq6RY3hoxj_APXQ3g/s1600/Jehovahs_Witnesses-baby_showers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKBzOOxQPqbLOQ1FIHtiUXIrFer9YzVM9IiBmGLGhMAApyi4xRSd3bEeCNfTQRXjGibN17uosgFoyQtQbTLAzRJtS0dwTpGqzGNDyvWli2_wHvKQLihYQ9lp2msWq6RY3hoxj_APXQ3g/s200/Jehovahs_Witnesses-baby_showers.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a>The reason that we celebrate showers is because from the earliest Bible times God’s people have rejoiced and “celebrated” the birth of their children, especially their firstborn. Similarly, God’s people have always given gifts. Even Jesus showed that childbirth was a blessed, happy event among God’s people (Lk 1:57, 58; 2:9-14; Jn 16:21).<br />
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Witnesses properly rejoice and give each other gifts when the occasion is appropriated and it does not include unscriptural, pagan customs or practices that go contrary to Christian principles. (While there may in some areas be false religious customs associated with the celebrations of the birth of a baby, Christians do not include these customs in their rejoicing.)<br />
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<br />
Just looking at the birth of Christ would tell you that it was OK for God’s people to rejoice and gather together in celebration of a birth (Luke 2). God Himself rejoiced when Jesus was born. The angels rejoiced and gathered together and even invited the shepherds to gather! Granted, this celebration was for more than just a child’s birth, but there are many other scriptural examples of parents and friends rejoicing at the birth of a child.<br />
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On the other hand, you will also note that there is not even one example in the Bible of God’s faithful servants who commemorated the “birthday” of anyone. Jehovah’s people celebrated other anniversaries but they did not memorialize the date of birth (Jn 10:22, 23).<br />
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Further, even the idea of elevating an individual just because he was born is contrary to Christian principles. Birthdays are rooted in selfish pride and all about “Me.” Jesus gave us a guiding principle of humility not self-exaltation (Mat. 23:12; Gal. 5:26).<br />
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While we might be able to avoid the egotistical aspect, a bigger principle is involved. It is a matter of practicing unadulterated True Worship as taught in the Scriptures. Celebrating birthdays was unheard of by God’s people for hundreds of years after Christ and only came about with the corruption of True Christianity by false teachers.<br />
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Just the slightest research would tell you that celebrating birthdays is not a practice for True Christianity:<br />
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"The celebration of birthdays has been borrowed from the practices of other nations, as no mention is made of this custom among Jews either in The Bible, Talmud, or writings of the later Sages. In fact, it was an ancient Egyptian custom."--<i>Customs and Traditions of Israel</i><br />
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<i>The World Book Encyclopedia</i> states: “The early Christians did not celebrate [Jesus’] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”<br />
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“Early Christians did not celebrate the birth of Christ. Birthdays in themselves were associated with pagan practices; the Gospels say nothing about the actual date of Christ’s birth.”--<i>The Making of the Modern Christmas</i>, by Golby and Purdue<br />
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"The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days."--*<i>The Imperial Bible-Dictionary</i><br />
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One periodical stated: "The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating - complete with lighted candles - in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom."<br />
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"Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . originally the idea was rooted in magic. The working of spells for good and evil is the chief usage of witchcraft. One is especially susceptible to such spells on his birthday, as one's personal spirits are about at the time. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day....The keeping of birthday records was important in ancient times principally because a birth date was essential for the casting of a horoscope."--<i>The Lore of Birthdays</i><br />
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Celebrating birthdays was adopted from superstition and false religion which corrupted true Christianity.<br />
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The Israelites also adopted a religious practice which they renamed as "a festival to Jehovah" and "sat down to eat and drink and to have a good time" (Ex.32:1-35). Even though the Israelites used this festival to worship the True God, God still viewed this as idolatry, and that is also true of customs today that are clearly derived from false religious practices (Lev.18:3; Deut.12:30, 31; Jer. 10:2; 1Cor.10:6- 11). True Christians will listen to what God's thinking and avoid any association with idolatrous, corruptive non-Christian practices in their pure worship of the True God.<br />
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We are told: "Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves, says Jehovah, and quit touching the unclean thing; and I will take you in."-2 Cor. 6:14-18, Isa.52:11; Gal.5:9)<br />
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The only birthday celebrations of Biblical record are of pagans and linked to instances of cruelty. Hence, the Scriptures clearly place birthday celebrations in a negative light, a fact that sincere Christians do not disregard.<br />
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Consequently, while it is entirely a private matter if Christians choose to take note of baby showers or wedding anniversaries, there are good reasons why mature Christians abstain from celebrating birthdays.<br />
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**As a side note, pointing to the “wise men” as a reason to celebrate birthdays requires us to be ignorant of the Scriptures. First, they were not “wise men” but “magi” or astrologers and thus were not worshipers of the True God. Second, they were not even around at the time of Christ’s birth and so their gifts were not for his “birthday.” Notice that he was in a “house” and is described as a “young child,” not as a newborn baby.—Mat 2:1-10.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">SOURCE</span>: This is an answer provided by <span style="color: red;">BAR_ANERGES</span> to a question at Yahoo Answers.</b><br />
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<b>Additional Comments to BAR_ANERGES answer:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
1.)<b> Distinction between Baby Showers and Birthdays.</b> Baby showers today are a way to celebrate the pending or recent birth of a child by presenting gifts <u>to the parents</u> at a party. It is <u>not</u> a celebration of the specific birthdate of the child by presenting gifts to the child itself.<br />
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2.) <b>Baby showers are </b><u style="font-weight: bold;">not</u><b> of pagan origin. </b>The origin of baby showers is unknown: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Baby-Shower-History&id=300331"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Baby Shower History</span></a> (Ezine @rticles)<br />
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Although something like baby showers were practiced by people in the past, it appears modern baby showers are not connected to ancient baby showers in any way.<br />
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So "baby showers" as we know them today are a modern invention, and cannot be of pagan origin. Besides, (and most importantly) the Bible describes God’s people as having rejoiced and “celebrated” the birth of their children whereas there are good reasons why mature Christians abstain from celebrating birthdays.<br />
<b><br /></b>3.) <b>The holding of baby showers is nowhere <i>promoted</i> in literature produced by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society</b>. It is not an <u>official</u> practice of Jehovah's Witnesses; it is at best a personal choice. We don't have to "stop" doing something we do not officially promote in the first place. "Jehovah's Witnesses" do not have baby showers, individuals do, if they so wish. And even then the emphasis is on helping the parents, <u>not celebrating a birthday</u>.<br />
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<b>For more concerning Birthdays, see:</b><br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-do-jehovahs-witnesses-not-celebrate.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Jehovah's Witnesses and Birthdays - Why Don't They Celebrate?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2005006"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What Are Some Customs That Displease God?</span></a> (w05 1/1 pp. 27-30; Watchtower Online Library)</div>
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-171161701871542312014-04-11T09:18:00.000-07:002014-04-11T09:18:51.143-07:002014 Memorial of Jesus Christ's Death - Jehovah's Witnesses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0V6j56UCHA"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>VIDEO: Invitation to the Memorial of Jesus Christ's Death - April 14th 2014 - Jehovah's Witnesses</b></span></a></div>
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<b>This video is also available in: </b> <b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U24o-GzJI7A"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Spanish (español)</span></a> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99nqZZSacdM"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Italian (italiano)</span></a> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9s8h30YA0k"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Portuguese (Português)</span></a> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYzHAuT68z8"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Russian (русский)</span></a> </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLgZKap46ME"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Ukrainian (українська)</span></a> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gLNBc0k5rI"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">German (Deutsch)</span></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJdaoM0RTVc"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Polish (polski)</span></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzIzypEFCQs"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Greek (Ελληνική)</span></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctJ76xWRQDE"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">French (Français)</span></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSHqgI0GPHA"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Arabic (العربية)</span></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fatjIcllHiE"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Dutch (Nederlands)</span></a> </b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ya1_KqyLYs"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Filipino (Tagalog)</b></span></a>.</span><br />
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<b><br /></b></div>
On the night before he surrendered his life, <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/jesus-christ-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Jesus</span></a> instructed his faithful followers to remember, or commemorate, his sacrifice. Using the <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2003241?q=unleavened+bread&p=par"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">unleavened bread</span></a> and the <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2003123?q=red+wine&p=par"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">red wine</span></a> before them, he instituted what has been called the Last Supper or the <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/04/lords-evening-meal-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lord’s Evening Meal</span></a> and commanded: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”—<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/luke/22/#v42022019"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Luke 22:19</span></a>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5ID5Iaf1CM/UuhVNhGnajI/AAAAAAAAHO4/LmFddeKplxg/s1600/memorial+invitation+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5ID5Iaf1CM/UuhVNhGnajI/AAAAAAAAHO4/LmFddeKplxg/s1600/memorial+invitation+4.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Each year, <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200273077"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Jehovah’s Witnesses</span></a> worldwide gather to commemorate Jesus’ death on its anniversary. <b>In 2014, the Memorial falls on Monday, April 14, after sundown.</b><br />
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You are cordially invited to attend this meeting, during which further information on the significance of Jesus’ sacrificial death will be presented. Attendance at this event is completely free. No collections will be taken. <a href="http://www.jw.org/apps/E_FRNsPnPBrTZGT"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Contact</span></a> your local <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2010/11/kingdom-hall.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Kingdom Hall</span></a> of Jehovah's Witnesses for the time and location of the Memorial that will be held in your area, or you may consult our Web site, <a href="http://www.jw.org/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">www.jw.org</span></a>. More information regarding the <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/04/lords-evening-meal-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lord's Evening Meal</span></a> can be found by clicking <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/04/lords-evening-meal-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">this link</span></a>.<br />
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-50640524294931012542014-03-23T16:33:00.000-07:002014-03-23T16:33:19.283-07:00What Evidence is There That God Exists?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNsuXyDm-1E/UjOiwVyfonI/AAAAAAAACms/_IRn2vjBr7Q/s1600/Hebrews_3-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNsuXyDm-1E/UjOiwVyfonI/AAAAAAAACms/_IRn2vjBr7Q/s200/Hebrews_3-4.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a>The belief in God comes from evidence found in the created order and proven scientific laws.<br />
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For example, the writer of Hebrews 3:4 presented a logically and scientifically sound argument for there being a Creator (Heb.1:1,2,10; 3:12).<br />
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The basic logical principal is "Every house, of course, is built by someone—and God is the one who has built all things."<br />
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The design in the universe gives irrefutable evidence that there must be a Creator. You cannot escape the basic logical and scientific Principle that "where there is a design, there is a designer."<br />
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We may not have seen anyone build our house, but we have no doubt that it was build by a human because of the evidence in its design. If I insisted that some building just happened by accident or through some blind act of nature you'd say I was crazy. Yet, the creation around us is so much more precise in its design. Still, people want us to believe it "just happened" without a designer? A house requires a builder. This fundamental, incontestable principle applies at every level of matter. Whether you're discussing the universe or the smallest particle of matter, this principle still applies! If it has a design there must be a designer.<br />
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"From the infinitely large to the infinitesimally small, from galactic clusters to atoms, the universe is characterized by superb organization. We cannot get around it: Superb organization requires a superb organizer."<br />
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"Faith in order, which is the basis of science, cannot reasonably be separated from faith in an ordainer, which is the basis of religion."--Asa Gray<br />
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In a person's creation, we can even see evidence of the builders qualities. This is why Romans 1:20-22 says: "Ever since the creation of the world, the invisible existence of God and his everlasting power have been clearly seen by the mind's understanding of created things. And so these people have no excuse: they knew God and yet they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but their arguments became futile and their uncomprehending minds were darkened. While they claimed to be wise, in fact they were growing so stupid."<br />
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That is, any thinking person can just look at all the evidence in creation and know that there is a Creator. The creation is the proof of the existence of the Creator.<br />
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"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."--Ralph Waldo Emerson<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OkLLdIatQ0/UjOhOnYUJHI/AAAAAAAACmk/ZOlZc-PhjRo/s1600/xdf_hubble_960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OkLLdIatQ0/UjOhOnYUJHI/AAAAAAAACmk/ZOlZc-PhjRo/s200/xdf_hubble_960.jpg" height="174" width="200" /></a>His existence is obvious, and only through willingly accepting the deceptions of this world can a person stop seeing the glory and majesty of God. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork" (Ps.19)<br />
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There are many specific examples of creative design which gives irrefutable evidence of a creator. (You should get the books "Life How Did It Get Here?" and "Is There A Creator Who Cares About You?" from any one of Jehovah's Witnesses.)<br />
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Those who don't believe God inevitably believe in something else.<br />
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"Professor T. L . More, University of Cincinnati said: "The more one studies palaeontology, the more certain one becomes that evolution is based on faith alone; exactly the same sort of faith which it is necessary to have when one encounters the great mysteries of religion."<br />
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Most have accepted evolution on the basis of authority, because their professors told them so which is blind faith. Faith in evolution is also demonstrated by the attitude, "We can't explain it now, but give us more time and we will." That is a faith claim, not one founded on fact."<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Source:</span> This is an Answer given by <span style="color: red;">Bar_Anerges</span> to a question from Yahoo! Answers.</b><br />
<strong><br /></strong><strong>Also see:</strong><br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/creation-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Creation - Links to Information</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-universe-did-it-come-about-by.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Universe — Did It Come About by Chance or by Design?</span></a> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/04/earths-perpetual-habitable-zone.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Earth's Perpetual 'Habitable Zone' - Accident or "Remarkable Fine-Tuning"?</span></a> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-likely-is-it-for-basic-dna-molecule.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">How Likely is it For a Basic DNA Molecule to Form Spontaneously?</span></a> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-29186175791362319472014-02-22T16:00:00.000-08:002014-02-22T16:00:40.563-08:00Would God listen to the prayer of someone else on a person's behalf more, or would it be the same as if the person prayed for themselves?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Bible encourages us to offer prayers in behalf of others. The disciple James even wrote: "Pray for one another." - James 5:16.<br />
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The apostle Paul set a good example of this:<br />
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"To that very end indeed we always pray for YOU, that our God may count YOU worthy of [his] calling and perform completely all he pleases of goodness and the work of faith with power." - 2 Thess. 1:11 <br />
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But the question is: <em>"Would God listen to the prayer of someone else on a person's behalf <u>more</u>, or would it be the same as if the person prayed for themselves?"</em><br />
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Psalm 65:2 tells us that Jehovah is the "Hearer of prayer" and from the Scriptures above, we can be sure that he listens when prayers of those wholeheartedly devoted to Him pray for one another. Jehovah hears "the prayer of the righteous ones." - Proverbs 15:29. (See: <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102002651"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Bible's Viewpoint - Prayers That Are Heard by God</span></a>)<br />
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So there are some questions that need to be asked about the person praying on behalf of another:<br />
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Are they "righteous" in God's eyes? Do they really know who they are praying to? Do they incorrectly believe that God is a Trinity? Do they incorrectly believe that Jesus is God instead of his Father? Do they incorrectly believe that God inhumanely allows eternal torment for unbelievers? Do they even know that God's name is (Jehovah)? And on and on. (See: <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-could-make-persons-prayers.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What could make a person's prayers unacceptable to God?</span></a>)<br />
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Which prayer would Jehovah logically be more receptive to: The one who really knows who God is and who has a personal relationship with, or the one who is praying for the "righteous" one but doesn't even know who they are praying to?</div>
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<strong>For more, see:</strong><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/09/prayer.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Prayer - Links to Information</span></a> </span>(Search For Bible Truths)</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-68575736686163434102014-02-19T07:25:00.000-08:002014-02-19T07:25:44.238-08:00Extraterrestrials - What Does the Bible Indicate?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Astronomers have not discovered life of any kind in our solar system or in the cosmos beyond. Yet after considering the <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/features/F_How_Big_is_Our_Universe.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">overwhelming size</span></a> of the Universe, some have concluded that the odds are great that we are not alone. Also, some influential religious figures have insisted that God would not create any world without purpose and that all habitable worlds must therefore be inhabited.<br />
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But since no life has been discovered beyond our world thus far, are astronomers on solid ground when they assert that the universe is teeming with populated worlds? What does the Bible indicate on this matter? According to the Bible, is anyone out there? </div>
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<strong>Spirit Creatures</strong><br />
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According to the Bible, extraterrestrial life not only exists but exists in <em>abundance</em>. (Rev. 5:11; Matt. 26:53) It is more complex, more interesting, and more believable than anything that evolutionists, science-fiction writers, and moviemakers have dreamed up. After all, an extraterrestrial is simply a being who originates outside this earth and its atmosphere.<br />
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Scientists wonder if there might be life-forms beyond our ability to detect. The Bible assures us that such beings do indeed exist. But they are not the products of evolution. Like all life in the universe, in whatever form, they came from the Source of life, Jehovah God. He is a spirit Being, and he has created myriads of other spirit beings of different types: angels, cherubs, and seraphs. They perform different work and functions in his intricate heavenly organization. (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 19:14)</div>
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<strong>What About Extraterrestrial Intelligent Physical Beings on Other Planets?</strong><br />
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The Bible also gives us some indication as to whether or not other <em>intelligent</em> <em>physical</em> beings exist beyond the Earth. The Bible indicates that it is very unlikely that God at this point has created intelligent physical creatures on any planets other than our own. How so?<br />
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If God did create such intelligent physical beings, He most likely did so before He created Adam and Eve. Such beings either remained faithful to their Creator, or like Adam and Eve, they sinned and fell into imperfection.<br />
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But if they became imperfect, they needed a redeemer. One essayist put it: “One has this dreadful thought that on Friday [the day Jesus Christ was executed], every Friday, somewhere in the universe Jesus is being hanged high for someone’s sins.” But that is not Scriptural. The Bible tells us that Jesus “died with reference to sin once for all time.” (Romans 6:10)<br />
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But what if these beings had remained perfect? Well, when Adam and Eve sinned, they were, in effect, questioning God’s right to rule over a world of intelligent physical beings. If another planet existed at that time, a world full of intelligent physical beings who were living harmoniously and loyally under God’s rule, it would be reasonable for them to have been called in as witnesses to testify that God’s rule does indeed work.<br />
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So in this context, the Bible indicates that, considering the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, Earth is the <strong>only</strong> planet to which the Creator sent his only-begotten Son to become a man and die sacrificially to recover the planet’s inhabitants from sin and its penalty death. The Bible also shows that the Earth will be the <strong>only</strong> planet on which God, by means of his Son Jesus Christ, will have fought the ‘war of the great day of God the Almighty’ to show his power over all his enemies in heaven and on earth and to vindicate himself as the Universal Sovereign. (Rev. 16:14)<br />
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<strong>What About Non-intelligent Life on other Planets?</strong><br />
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The Bible gives us no indication as to whether God created any non-intelligent<em> </em>life (i.e. animals, insects, vegetation, microbes) on other planets. Some subscribe to the theory of <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/11/abiogenesis.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Abiogenesis</span></a> which is <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Abiogenesis"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">defined</span></span></a> as "living organisms (that) can arise spontaneously from inanimate matter". It is the idea that life arose naturally - by itself - from chemical compounds. However, if one truly considers <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/04/could-life-have-occured-spontaneously.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">the enormous odds of life spontaneously arising</span></a> even under the most favorable of circumstances, it should give one pause to this theory. Scientists Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe estimate that the odds against life’s vital enzymes forming by chance is 1 in 10 to the 40,000th power (1 with 40,000 zeros after it). Scientists Feinberg and Shapiro go still further. In their book <em>Life Beyond Earth</em>, they put the odds against the material in an organic soup ever taking the first rudimentary steps toward life at 1 1 in 10 to the 1,000,000th power (1 with a <em>million</em> zeros after it). It also should be noted that Science, with even the best labs and equipment cannot even replicate <em>on purpose</em> what they claim happened by accident on Earth long ago. Certainly <strong>if</strong> there is any non-intelligent extraterrestrial life out there it is because <strong>God originally created<em> </em>it</strong> and not through the process of abiogenesis. </div>
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<strong>Would God Create The Universe Just to Accommodate Humans?</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ912tV83IcCp9BPfi44gqQLOcT8sxqG5az2GN3RT_6eHalgi9oKGBd8zhKWVz4b2xn5o0xLpXrCwvJPqyA9yujYuIu8GEgARnOXrVpiZU95KRvhbMH4b_GuHtbo5rhhyMCQJRCMWVm5o/s1600/Hickson44_leshin1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ912tV83IcCp9BPfi44gqQLOcT8sxqG5az2GN3RT_6eHalgi9oKGBd8zhKWVz4b2xn5o0xLpXrCwvJPqyA9yujYuIu8GEgARnOXrVpiZU95KRvhbMH4b_GuHtbo5rhhyMCQJRCMWVm5o/s200/Hickson44_leshin1200.jpg" height="135" width="200" yda="true" /></a>But if we are the only intelligent physical beings in the known Universe, does that mean, then, that God created all those countless billions of suns (and presumably billions of planets) for no purpose? Why, one may ask, would God create the entire Universe seemingly just to accommodate humans on Earth? <br />
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But consider, is it really so difficult to believe that God created the entire universe just for our benefit and wonder? After all, despite the enormity of the universe, it is still 'just' the mere "works of [His] fingers"! (Ps. 8:1) His vast power is so staggering to the imagination that His physical creation is but "the fringes of his ways". (Job 26:14) Putting it in this perspective, creating the entire universe just for us is comparatively insignificant when compared to <em>how much</em> God gave us in another way by means of allowing His own Son to die because of His love for us. (John 3:16,17)<br />
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<em>But what would be the point</em> of creating all of those countless billions of suns and planets if humans aren't even able to visit, explore or utilize them? First, while we understand that, considering the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the earth is the only inhabited planet in the universe right now, what<em> the future holds</em> for us we do not know.<br />
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Another thing to consider is that the Bible points out that God "has put a sense of eternity in people's minds." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) - <em>God's Word Translation.</em> Because of this, God’s creation is so rich and complex that it constantly intrigues us and fills us with awe of Him. The universe is so grand that it serves as a constant reminder of how much there is to be learned from the One who created it and a desire to do so. It serves as a testament of "His eternal power and Godship" and gives us a glimpse of His "invisible [qualities]". (Rom. 1:20) NWT. Trying to grasp the sheer immensity of the Universe can, when seriously pondered, promote an overwhelming admiration and gratitude toward the One who has also given so much in another way by means of His Son on our behalf. (John 3:16,17) No doubt we could begin to feel as did the psalmist who wrote: “Many things you yourself have done, O Jehovah my God, even your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us; there is none to be compared to you. . . . They have become more numerous than I can recount.” (Psalm 40:5) NWT<br />
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<strong>For much more concerning Extraterrestrials, see the 4/8/90 <em>Awake!</em></strong><br />
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<strong>Also see: </strong><b><a href="http://jimspace3000.blogspot.com/2012/11/life-on-other-planets-discovery-of.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Life on Other Planets?</span></a> (Jimspace)</b></div>
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-7779623693348174792014-02-04T16:32:00.000-08:002014-02-04T16:32:47.562-08:00Why Did David and Bath-sheba's Son Have to Die?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>After David and Bath-sheba sinned, why did their son have to die, since Deuteronomy 24:16 and Ezekiel 18:20 say that a son is not to die for his father's error?</strong><br />
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David and Bath-sheba were both married persons when they committed adultery and she became pregnant. Their adultery was a grave sin punishable by death under God's law. (2 Samuel 11:1-5; Deuteronomy 5:18; 22:22) <span style="color: blue;">So if God had permitted them to be dealt with by humans under the Law, the son developing in her womb would have died with its mother.</span> But Jehovah chose to handle their case differently, which "the Judge of all the earth" certainly had a right to do.—Genesis 18:25.<br />
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When confronted with his guilt, David acknowledged: "I have sinned against Jehovah." Then God's spokesman told David: "Jehovah, in turn, does let your sin pass by. You will not die." (2 Samuel 12:13) David was shown mercy because of the Kingdom covenant. Moreover, since God is able to read hearts, he must have evaluated the genuineness of David's repentance and concluded that there was a basis for extending mercy to David and Bath-sheba. Yet they would not escape all the deserts of their error. They were told: "Notwithstanding this, because you have unquestionably treated Jehovah with disrespect by this thing, also the son himself, just born to you, will positively die."—2 Samuel 12:14.<br />
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God `dealt a blow' involving their child to whom they were not entitled; the boy became sick and died. A person today might tend to focus on the child's death and feel that a harsh judgment was executed. However, it is good to bear in mind that had the adultery been handled by and proved before human judges under the Law, all three (David, Bath-sheba, <span style="color: blue;">and the son in her womb</span>) would have lost their lives. Viewed in that light, God's permitting two of them to survive was merciful. Furthermore, at this late date we do not have all the facts, such as information about the health of the infant immediately after birth. We can, nonetheless, accept God's handling of the matter, confident that what he did was impartial, wise, and righteous. Even David later acknowledged: "As for the true God, perfect is his way."—2 Samuel 22:31; compare Job 34:12; Isaiah 55:11.<br />
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That is consistent with David's reaction after he heard God's judgment. While the child was sick, David grieved and fasted. But once death occurred, David appreciated that the matter had ended. (2 Samuel 12:22, 23) So, trusting God's judgment, David proceeded to comfort Bath-sheba (now his legal wife), assuring her that their marriage relationship would continue. Later Solomon was born to them and became David's successor." -<em>Watchtower</em> 3/15/86<br />
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(Because the Bible does not fully inform us as to who God will <em>definitely</em> provide the hope of a resurrection to, the following additional comments have certain words that are highlighted in <strong>bold</strong> to emphasize that this is what the Bible <em>indicates</em> on the matter.)<br />
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Highlighted above (in <span style="color: blue;">blue</span>) are the passages where it stated that if humans dealt with this matter, not only would Bath-sheba and David be killed, but the unborn child would have been as well. If that happened, would the unborn child have had the possibility of a resurrection? <br />
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Resurrection implies a raising to life again. The examples in the Bible of persons raised to human life again <strong>indicate</strong> that the person comes back to life with the same degree of physical and mental growth possessed at death. (2 Ki. 4:17-36; Acts 20:9-12) Applying that to miscarriages and stillborn deliveries, is it reasonable that in the future Jehovah will insert back into the womb of a woman a partially developed embryo, or possibly a number of them? No, that does not <strong>seem</strong> so, nor is it <strong>likely</strong> that women who have had this sad experience actually expect that.<br />
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Also, resurrection is for persons who have lived as individuals before Jehovah. Even a child who lives for only a short time after birth has existed as a separate person. But a miscarried fetus or stillborn child, though from a Biblical standpoint considered a "soul" while it was developing, never actually lived as a separate and distinct individual. So <strong>it would</strong> <strong>appear</strong> that such situations do not fall under the resurrection provision outlined in the Bible.—Acts 24:15.<br />
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With this mentioned, <span style="color: red;">it is interesting that God</span>, in the case of David and Bath-sheba, <span style="color: red;"><u>allowed the child to have been born first</u> before the child died</span> thus <strong>perhaps</strong> providing the hope of a resurrection. We cannot comprehend fully the mind of Jehovah because His thoughts are higher than ours, but we do know that "We can, nonetheless, accept God's handling of the matter, confident that what He did was impartial, wise, and righteous. Even David later acknowledged: "As for the true God, perfect is his way."—2 Samuel 22:31"</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-53516896081920749022014-01-19T20:13:00.000-08:002014-01-19T20:13:20.082-08:00Did Jesus Have a Sense of Humor?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9ywKFvt6sEEXRmtf7LLjdZ_OyNSkXM2YEqtGPvHensZo-X2KOdbmbQqwAqENVIELCXtl3AtWT8V6-dPpfSVEltrnVAscW3txRnVfcDm-NmoiUc_F-WBwc5DuDF37ud_JivdpvnmYRSY/s1600/Jesus-existed-historical-person.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9ywKFvt6sEEXRmtf7LLjdZ_OyNSkXM2YEqtGPvHensZo-X2KOdbmbQqwAqENVIELCXtl3AtWT8V6-dPpfSVEltrnVAscW3txRnVfcDm-NmoiUc_F-WBwc5DuDF37ud_JivdpvnmYRSY/s320/Jesus-existed-historical-person.jpg" height="320" width="182" /></a>The Bible says that we were made in God's image. If we were created with a sense of humor, then it would <br />
be logical to conclude that God and His Son also have what humans would consider a sense of humor.<br />
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The details of all of Jesus' life could not possibly be covered in the gospels, however, we can glean information from what is available. For instance, some have commented that Jesus showed a touch of humor when he said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:23, 24) The very idea of a camel attempting to pass through the eye of a literal sewing needle is exaggerated. Another example is that of seeing the straw in a brother’s eye but not observing the rafter in one’s own eye. (Luke 6:41, 42) <br />
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Also, the brief account where children obviously are at ease as Jesus takes them into his caring arms tells us much about the kind of person Jesus was. (Mark 10:16) The children surely would not have felt drawn to a cold, joyless person who never smiled or laughed. People of all ages approached Jesus because they sensed that he was a warm, caring person, and they were confident that he would not turn them away. <br />
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<strong>For more, see:</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2003601"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">How Some Are Remembered</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span>(JW.ORG)<br />
"Did Jesus take himself so seriously that he lacked a sense of humor? ... Did Jesus have a sense of humor?" </div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-13970109237784581772014-01-16T17:30:00.000-08:002014-01-16T17:30:44.719-08:00Questions For Those Who Believe in the Trinity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EaXoBJNicok/T0gq_9jPSWI/AAAAAAAAA2g/TEO-wAtn81g/s1600/zzQuestionMark.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 116px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 201px;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EaXoBJNicok/T0gq_9jPSWI/AAAAAAAAA2g/TEO-wAtn81g/s200/zzQuestionMark.gif" height="140" lda="true" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>If Jesus is Almighty God...</strong> </span></div>
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1. Then why is "<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/if-jesus-is-really-god-would-he-have.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">God head of Christ</span></a> <strong>just as</strong> Christ is head of man"? (1 Cor. 11:3)</div>
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2. Then why does Scripture consistently phrase Jesus as a <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/does-bible-phrase-jesus-as-separate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">separate pe</span></a><a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/does-bible-phrase-jesus-as-separate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">rson from God</span></a>? (John 20:17; John 14:1; Mark 10:18; John 17:1-3; etc. Also in heaven, 1 Cor. 11:3; Luke 22:69; etc.) </div>
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3. Then how can Jesus <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-can-jesus-have-god-and-be-god-at.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><em>have</em> a God</span></a>? Could Almighty God have a God? (Mic. 5:4; Ps. 45:6, 7; 89:26; John 20:17; Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph 1:3; Col 1:3; Mark 15:34; John 17:1-3; Also in heaven, Rev. 1:6; 3:2, 12) <br />
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4. Then why does Scripture say he was<em> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1269372958312"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">born</span></a></em><a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/is-colossians-115-really-saying-that.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> and is <em>part of</em> Creation</span></a>? (Col. 1:15)<br />
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5. Then why does <a href="http://searchforbibletruthsscriptureindex.blogspot.com/2011/03/revelation-314.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Rev. 3:14</span></a> say that Jesus is "the <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/08/beginning-wisdom-and-firstborn-bwf.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">beginning of the creation</span></a> of God"?</div>
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6. Then why is he subject to GOD, like we're subject to him? (1 Cor. 15:27, 28; Eph. 1:17)</div>
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7. Then why does Micah 5:2 say that Jesus' <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/is-micah-52-saying-that-jesus-origin.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">ORIGIN</span></a> was “from early times”? </div>
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8. Then why does Jesus <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-can-jesus-and-father-be-god-if-only.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">not know what God knows</span></a>? (Matt. 24:36, Rev.1:1; Luke 8:45)</div>
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9. Then why is Jesus still subject to God when he is as high as he will ever be? (1 Cor. 15:27, 28)</div>
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10. Then why does Proverbs 8:22-31 show that the Messiah was <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/10/prov-822-30.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CRE</span></a><a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/10/prov-822-30.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">ATED / PRODUCED</span></a> by God?<br />
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11. Then why is he not powerful enough to subject things to himself? (1 Cor. 15:27, Eph. 1:17, 22)<br />
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12. Then why would he have to be <em>given</em> any power and authority? (Mt. 28:18; 11:27; Jn. 5:22; 17:2; 3:35; 2 Pet. 1:17)<br />
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13. Then why did he have to<em> learn</em> anything? (Heb. 5:8; John 5:19; 8:28)<br />
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14. Then why is speaking against him not as bad as <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/bowmans-holy-spirit.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">speaking against the Holy Spirit</span></a>? (Mt. 12:31,32; Luke 12:10)<br />
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15. Then why did Jesus call the "<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-does-john-173-show-that-trinity.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Father...the only true God</span></a>"? (John 17:3)<br />
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16. Then why did he need to be saved? (Heb. 5:7; John 12:27)</div>
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17. Then why did he have to be <em>exalted</em> to Leader and Savior? (Acts 5:31)<br />
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18. Then how could he be <em>exalted</em> and <em>given</em> a higher name than he had? (Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:2-4)</div>
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19. Then why did he have to be<em> given</em> life in himself? (John 5:25,26)</div>
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20. Then how can the Father be greater than he? (John 14:28)</div>
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21. Then how could Jesus be tempted by Satan when God cannot be tempted with evil? (James 1:13)</div>
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22. Then why did he worship the Father? (John 4:22)<br />
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23. Then why can he <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/02/is-god-always-superior-to-jesus.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">not do anything on his own</span></a>? (John 5:19; 6:38)<br />
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24. Then why would he pray to anybody? (Luke 22:44; John 17:1,2; Heb. 5:7)<br />
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25. Then why do John 1:18 and 1 John 4:9 say that Jesus is God's "<a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/only-begotten-god-obgod.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">only BEGOTTEN Son</span></a>"? ASV<br />
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26. Then how can he be God's servant? (Acts 4:26,27,30)<br />
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27. Then how could he receive strength from an angel? (Luke 22:43)<br />
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28. Then how could he be a <em>mediator</em> between <em>God</em> and man? (1 Tim. 2:5)</div>
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29. Then how could he be <em><a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/if-god-is-trinity-then-how-is-it-that.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">with</span></a></em> God <em>(ton theon)</em>? (John 1:1)</div>
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30. Then how can he be <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/does-genesis-126-prove-trinity.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">God's image</span></a>? (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3)</div>
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31. Then why is he called the <em>agency</em> (<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-was-it-that-all-things-were-made.html"><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">dia</span></em></a>) of creation and not the Originator (ek)? (1 Cor. 8:6; John 1:1-3; Prov. 8:30; Heb. 2:10; Col. 1:15,16)</div>
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32. Then why did Jesus say GOD was "good" in a way that Jesus was not? (Mark 10:18)<br />
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33. Then why does he have an <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/archangel.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">archangel</span></a>'s voice instead of God's voice? (1 Thess. 4:16)<br />
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34. Then why is the only "worship" given to him the same given to humans? (Heb. 1:6, cf. Mt. 18:26; Rev. 3:9 - "<a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/08/worship-as-used-in-scripture.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Proskuneo</span></a>")<br />
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35. Then why do many who believe this rely on a <em>few </em><strong>selected</strong>, so-called '<a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/11/trinity-proof-texts.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">proof-texts</span></a>' instead of the context of the consistent teaching of the <em>entire</em> Bible?<br />
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36. Then how could he be <strong>commanded</strong> to do anything? (John 12:49; Deut. 18:18)<br />
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37. Then why did Steven see two separate entities, GOD and Jesus, and not just one God or three persons? (Acts 7:55)<br />
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38. Then how could he be seen at <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-can-jesus-be-god-and-also-sit-at.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">GOD's right hand</span></a>? (Luke 22:69; Acts 7:55; Rom. 8:34)<br />
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39. Then how could Jesus be <em>exalted</em> (not to become God Himself, but) to the position of the "<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-can-jesus-be-god-and-also-sit-at.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">right hand <em>OF</em> God</span></a>"? (Acts 2:33)<br />
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40. Then why would he have to <em>receive</em> a revelation from God? (Rev.1:1)<br />
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41. Then why is he called God's "<em>begotten</em>" Son <em>before</em> he came to earth? (John 3:16; Gal. 4:4; 1 John 4:9)<br />
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42. Then how could he have a <em><a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/if-god-and-jesus-really-are-equal-then.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Father</span></a></em>? (John 20:17)<br />
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43. Then how could he come in flesh? (1 Kings 8:27; Acts 17:24,25)</div>
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44. Then why did he not come in his <em>own</em> <span style="color: black;">name</span>? (John 5:41-44)</div>
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45. Then why did Jesus "come down from heaven to do" <em>God's will</em> and not his own will? (Luke 22:42; John 6:38; John 5:30; John 8:42) </div>
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46. Then how could he appear <em>before</em> GOD? (Heb. 9:24) </div>
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47. Then how could he die? Can God die? Can part of God die? (Rom. 5:10; Acts 5:30; 1 Cor. 15:3; Hab.1:12; cf. 1 Tim. 6:16; Num. 23:19; Ps. 90:2; Dan. 6:25-26)</div>
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48. Then why is it that <em>God</em> resurrected Jesus? (Acts 2:32)</div>
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49. Then why can we see him if "no man has seen God at any time"? (John 1:18)<br />
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50. Then why is there <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/trinity-challenges.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">not one clear Scripture</span></a> where Jesus is called "God the Son," (equal to those declaring "God, the Father)?<br />
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51. How is it that the Jews rounded up some false witnesses to make up lies to obtain a death sentence for Jesus, but neither the Jewish officials nor even one of these false witnesses made a claim that he was God or equally God? (Matt. 26:59-67)<br />
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52. John <b>summed up his whole Gospel </b>by saying that it was written that we may believe "that Jesus is the Christ, the <strong>Son</strong> <em><u>of</u></em> God." Why is there is no mention in that summary of the entire Gospel of what <i>would</i> be the most important thing of all - that Jesus is God? (John 20:31)</div>
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53. How could Jesus teach in the Jewish <b>synagogues</b> and the <b>temple?</b> This would never happen if <i>any</i> of the authorities believed he claimed to be God (or that his followers believed such a thing). - Matt. 26:55; John 7:14, 28. Matt. 4:23.</div>
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54. How could Jesus' followers teach in Jewish <b>synagogues </b>after Jesus' death and for the remainder of that first century (at least)? Again, this would not have been allowed if there were <i>any</i> suspicion that they believed Jesus to be God. Acts 9:20; 13:5, Acts 13:13-15.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">If the Holy Spirit is Almighty God...</span></strong><br />
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1. Then w<span style="color: black;">hy do <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/admittance-by-trinitarians.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">quotes</span></a> from Trinitarians admit that the Holy Spirit is not God but rather is a force from God?</span> <br />
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2. Then why would Jews instructed in the Old Testament scriptures and in the teachings of John the Baptist, NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS? (Acts 19:2)</div>
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3. T<span style="color: black;">hen why isn't the Holy Spirit given <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/if-holy-spirit-is-god-then-why-isnt.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">equal description</span></a> in the Bible?</span></div>
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4. Then w<span style="color: black;">hy didn't Jesus ever <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/did-jesus-ever-teach-that-holy-spirit.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">teach that the Holy Spirit was God</span></a> along with the Father and Son?</span></div>
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5. Then w<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">hy does the Bible describe the Holy Spirit</span> <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/is-it-true-that-bible-describes-holy.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">as an "it"?</span></a> <span style="color: black;">(Is. 34:16 ASV, KJV; Numbers 11:17, 25 ASV, KJV, RSV, NRSV, AT, LB, NEB, REB, NAB, JB, NJB; and Romans 8:16, 26 in the KJV.)</span></span></div>
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6. Then <span style="color: black;">why does the Bible describe the Holy Spirit as a thing <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/is-holy-spirit-really-thing-that-can-be.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">that can be poured out into portions</span></a>? (Acts 2:17, 18, 33; Numbers 11:17, 25)</span> </div>
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7. Then <span style="color: black;">why is the holy spirit</span><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/why-is-holy-spirit-nameless-and.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">nameless and indistinguishable from all of the other holy spirits?</span></a></span></div>
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8. Then why did the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD disregard the Holy Spirit as a member of the Godhead when they made Jesus 'God' in 325 AD? Why did they wait until the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD to include the Holy Spirit in the formula?</div>
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9. Then <span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">wouldn't the water and blood be persons too</span> <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/if-holy-spirit-is-really-person-wouldnt.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">according to Trinitarian reasoning and 1 John 5:8?</span></a></span><br />
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10. Then <span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">why is the Holy Spirit sandwiched</span> <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/if-holy-spirit-really-is-person-then.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">between a list of QUALITIES at 2 Cor. 6:6?</span></a></span> <br />
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11. Then why does the NT Greek Lexicon describes the Holy Spirit as "<a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/touto.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">this</span></a>" at Acts 2:33?<br />
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12. Then why is it that nowhere in the Bible is the <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/10/holy-spirit.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Holy Spirit</span></a> ever said to be an equal member of a trinity?<br />
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13. Then why is it that <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/08/re.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">nowhere is it mentioned</span></a> in the Bible the words, "God, the Holy Spirit," or "The Holy Spirit is God"?</div>
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14. Then why is it that there is <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/08/re.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">never mentioned</span></a> a vision, dream or clear description in scripture wherein God and the Holy Spirit are shown as the same person?</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">If the Trinity Doctrine is a Bible teaching...</span></strong><br />
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1. Then why do <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/history-of-trinity-doctrine-hist-part-7.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">NUMEROUS encyclopedias</span></a> agree that <br />
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"... the doctrine of the Trinity was of gradual and comparatively late formation; that it had its <strong>origin in a source entirely foreign from that of the Jewish and Christian scriptures</strong>; that it grew up, and was <u><strong>ingrafted</strong> on Christianity</u>"? – p. 34, The <em>Church of the First Three Centuries</em>, Alvan Lamson, D.D.<br />
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2. Then <span style="color: black;">why do many encyclopedias, dictionaries and other sources</span><span style="color: blue;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">(</span><a href="http://www.skyscript.co.uk/newton.html#twg"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">including Sir Isaac Newton</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">)</span> <span style="color: black;">agree</span><span style="color: black;"> that the "</span><a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/11/trinity-and-pagan-influence.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Trinity was a <em><strong>pagan corruption</strong></em> imposed on Christianity</span></a> </span><span style="color: black;">in the fourth century by Athanasius"?</span><br />
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3. Then why does the Bible <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/does-genesis-126-prove-trinity.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">consistently</span></a> identify God by singular person pronouns: "I, "Me," "He, and "Him" instead of "We", "<span style="color: black;">Us</span>", "They" or "Them"?<br />
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4. Then why does 2 Cor. 13:14 say that the Lord Jesus Christ is one individual, the Holy Spirit is another individual (whether a person or a thing), and that <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/01/2-cor1314-jesus-god-and-theholy-spirit.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">"GOD" IS ANOTHER DIFFERENT INDIVIDUAL</span></a>?<br />
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5. Then why is there not even one Scripture <a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/is-there-even-one-scripture-which.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">which clearly defines the Trinity</span></a>? <br />
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6. Then why is there not even one Scripture of a vision, dream, or CLEAR description wherein <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/trinity-challenges.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">God is shown as three persons</span></a>?<br />
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7. Then why is there not even one Scripture where God is described <a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/09/trinity-challenges.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">using the word "three"</span></a>?</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-26892233932238763222014-01-03T08:31:00.000-08:002014-01-03T08:31:05.059-08:00Is Proverbs 8:22-31 talking about Wisdom personified instead of Jesus? Why is Wisdom referred to in the feminine gender?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When examining Proverbs 8:22-31, some have argued that this passage isn't talking about Jesus but rather Wisdom itself personified. They further may point out that Wisdom may previously have been referred to in the feminine gender. <br />
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However, in Prov. Chap.8, Wisdom is manifest only by being expressed in some way. God's own wisdom was expressed in creation (Prov. 3:19, 20) but <em>through</em> his Son. But as for Prov. 8:22-31, many professed Christian writers of the early centuries of the Common Era understood this section to refer symbolically to God's Son in his pre-human state. <br />
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It is true that in Hebrew, which assigns gender to its nouns (as do many other languages), the word for "wisdom" is always in the feminine gender. This would continue to be the case even though wisdom is personified and so would not rule out wisdom's being used figuratively to represent God's firstborn Son. For instance, the Greek word for "love" in the expression "God is love" (1 John 4:8) is also in the feminine gender but that does not make God feminine.<br />
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Also, Jehovah God is the Creator of all things. He is uncreated, without beginning (Rev. 4:11). Job 36:26 says, "In number his years are beyond searching." It is impossible to place an age upon him, for there is no starting point from which to measure. Because He is ageless, He is properly called "the Ancient of Days" since His existence stretches endlessly into the past. (Dan. 7:9, 13) And so, since Jehovah God has existed forever, therefore wisdom had to have always existed within Jehovah forever. (Ps. 90:2) <br />
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So we could ask those using these trinitarian arguments: If Prov. 8:22-31 is really talking about literal wisdom itself, than how could wisdom even have been "begotten"? How could it have even been "produced", "set up", "created", or "made"? If this was talking about literal wisdom itself, then how could wisdom be "beside" God or "before" Him? How could wisdom be "the one He was specially fond of"?<br />
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So instead of literal Wisdom itself (<em>of which God had to already have in order to "beget", "produce", "set up", "create", or "make" anything),</em> when Prov. 8:22 also says that the subject is, "the earliest of his achievements of long ago", this corresponds more to the description of Jesus in Col. 1:15 where it says that he is "the first-born of all creation". Or when Prov.8:23 says, "From time indefinite I was installed, from the start, from times earlier than the earth", this corresponds more to the description of Jesus in Micah 5:2 where it says that his "origin is from early times, from the days of time indefinite". Or when Prov. 8:22 says, "Jehovah God himself produced me as the beginning of his way," this corresponds more to the description of Jesus in Rev. 3:14 where it says that Jesus is "the beginning of the creation by God". <br />
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And as for the Hebrew word 'qanah', it can mean either to "produce, aquire, create" or "possess". Context is key in finding out which one it means. Bibles which are biased toward the Trinity do not want to render it as "Produce" or something similar because that would mean that Jesus has a beginning, and that would contradict the Trinity doctrine. <br />
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Yet, because the context of Prov. 8:22-31 so overwhelmingly supports the translation of the word 'qanah' as "create", <b>even </b><b>scores of trinitarian bibles have decided to render it as such</b>:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">(1) "[Jehovah] </span><b style="font-family: Georgia;">created</b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> me at the beginning of his work" - </span><i style="font-family: Georgia;">RSV</i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(2) "[Jehovah]<b> created</b> me" - NRSV; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(3) "[Jehovah] <b>made</b> me" - MLB; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(4) "Yahweh <b>created</b> me" - JB; "Yahweh created me" - NJB; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(5) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me" - NEB; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(6) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me" - REB; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(7) "I was the first thing <b>made</b>" - ETRV; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(8) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me as the first of his creations" - Lamsa; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(9) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me first of all" - GNB; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(10) "[Jehovah]<b> formed</b> me as the first of his works" - AT; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(11) "[Jehovah] <b>formed</b> me first of his creation" - Mo; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(12) "Jehovah <b>framed</b> me first" - Byington; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(13) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me" - The Reader's Digest Bible; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(14) "[Jehovah] <b>brought me forth</b> as the first of his works" - The NIV Study Bible. It also explains in a footnote for Prov. 8:22: "brought...forth. The Hebrew for this verb is also used in Ge 4:1; 14:19, 22 (`creator')." - Zondervan, 1985;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(15) "[Jehovah] <b>made</b> me the beginning of his ways for his works" - The Apostles Bible;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(16) "[Jehovah] <b>made</b> me as the start of his way, the first of his works in the past. - BBE;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(17) "Yahweh <b>created</b> me first, at the beginning of his works" - Christian Community Bible;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(18) "[Jehovah] <b>made</b> me as the beginning of his way, the first of his ancient works" - The Complete Jewish Bible;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(19) "[Jehovah] <b>made</b> me at the beginning of His creation, before His works of long ago" -The Holman Christian Standard Bible;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(20) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me as the first of his creations, before all of his works. - Peshitta - Lamsa Translation;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(21) "[Jehovah] sovereignly <b>made</b> me—the first, the basic— before he did anything else." -The Message;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(22) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me as the beginning of his works, before his deeds of long ago." -NET;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(23) "I, wisdom, was with [Jehovah] when he began his work, long before he made anything else. 23 I was <b>created</b> in the very beginning, even before the world began." - New Century Version;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(24) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me as the first of his works, before his acts of long ago." - New International Reader's Version;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(25) "[Jehovah] <b>made</b> me at the beginning of His work, before His first works long ago." -New Life Bible;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(26) "[Jehovah]<b> formed</b> me from the beginning, before he created anything else. - New Living Translation;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(27) "Jehovah <b>created</b> me in the beginning of his way, before his works of antiquity." - New Simplified Bible;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">(28) "[Jehovah] <b>created</b> me as the head of His ways, to perform all of His works" - 2001 Translation.</span><br />
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<strong>For more concerning </strong><b>Proverbs 8:22-31,</b><strong> see:</strong><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002451#s=7:0-8:529"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jesus Christ / Wisdom personified</span></a> (Jesus Christ / Wisdom personified; <b>Insight-2 pp. 52-72; Watchtower Online Library</b>)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2001206#s=22:0-25:204"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">“From Time Indefinite I Was Installed”</span></a> (<b>w01 3/15 pp. 25-28; Watchtower Online Library</b>)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2006567#s=0:0-3:474"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How do we know that the description of wisdom at Proverbs 8:22-31 applies to Jesus Christ in his prehuman existence?</span></a> (How do we know that the description of wisdom at Proverbs 8:22-31 applies to Jesus Christ in his prehuman existence?; <b>8/1 p. 31; Watchtower Online Library</b>)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102007056#s=8:355-9:650"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How do we know that these words refer to God’s Son?</span></a> (<b>cf chap. 13 pp. 129-138; Watchtower Online Library</b>)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/02/does-wisdom-at-prov-822-30-refer-to.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Does "Wisdom" at Prov. 8:22-30 refer to the Messiah, and does it say that he was created?</span></a> (Does "Wisdom" at Prov. 8:22-30 refer to the Messiah, and does it say that he was created?; <b>Search For Bible Truths</b>)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1650"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Scores of trinitarian bibles have decided to render the word 'qanah' as "create".</span></a> (Scores of trinitarian bibles have decided to render the word 'qanah' as "create"; <b>Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers</b>)<br />
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<a href="http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.com/2009/10/prov-822-30.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Prov. 8:22-30 "Wisdom" and Christ</span></a> (Prov. 8:22-30 "Wisdom" and Christ; <b>Examining the Trinity</b>)</div>
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-76356199406938844222013-12-26T22:31:00.000-08:002013-12-26T22:31:24.022-08:00Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate New Year's Eve / Day?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Bible admonishes Christians to "walk decently, not in revelries and drunken bouts." (Rom. 13:12-14; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Pet. 4:3) Since New Year's festivities are often characterized by the very excesses that the Bible condemns, Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in these excesses. The Bible admonishes Christians to be moderate and self-controlled in their conduct. (1 Tim. 3:2, 11)<br />
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Granted, not everyone celebrates the New Year by drinking heavily and committing acts of violence. Many today feel that they share in New Year’s festivities without going overboard. So why shouldn't Jehovah's Witnesses be willing to participate in New Year's customs as long as they remain moderate and self-controlled in their conduct? <u>Because Jehovah's Witnesses <em>also</em> consider the <em>origin</em> and significance of this popular celebration.</u> <br />
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<strong>New Year's Celebrations are Rooted in Pagan Customs</strong><br />
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New Year's festivities are not new. Ancient inscriptions indicate that they were held in Babylon as early as the third millennium B.C.E. The celebration, which was observed in mid-March, was crucial. "At that time the <u>god Marduk</u> decided the destiny of the country for the coming year," says the <em>World Book Encyclopedia</em>. The Babylonian new year celebration lasted 11 days and included sacrifices, processions, and fertility rites.<br />
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For a time, the Romans also began their year in the month of March. But in 46 B.C.E., Emperor Julius Caesar decreed that it should begin on the first of January. That day was already dedicated to <u>Janus, the god of beginnings,</u> and now it would also mark the first day of the Roman year. So on the first of January, people "gave themselves up to riotous excess and various kinds of <u>heathen superstition</u>." - McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia<br />
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Notice what the 1966 <em>World Book Encyclopedia</em> says:<br />
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"In ancient Rome, the first day of the year was given over to honoring<strong> </strong><u>Janus, the god of gates and doors and of beginnings and endings</u>. . . . New Year's Day became a holy day in the Christian Church in A.D. 487, when it was declared the Feast of the Circumcision. At first, parties were not allowed on this day because <u>the pagans had followed that custom</u>. This was gradually changed and celebrations could again be held." - Volume 14, page 237.<br />
<b>Additional Reading:</b><br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102002008"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Bible’s Viewpoint - Should Christians Share in New Year’s Festivities?</span></a> (g02 1/8 pp. 20-21; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<strong>Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Avoid Pagan Customs?</strong><br />
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If pagan ceremonies, customs, god names, etc. are really mixed in with ceremonies, customs, etc. that we use today, they are not merely unacceptable - - - they are detestable to God. We must completely get away from these unclean things and not even "touch" them. (2 Cor. 6:17) Notice how exclusive the worship of God must be: "Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips." - Exodus 23:13, NIVSB. <br />
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But some may still wonder why Jehovah's Witnesses consider customs that have pagan origins to be so bad. "After all," they may ask, "aren't there many things which originated, or are associated with paganism - pharmacies, calendars, etc.?"<br />
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Consider the two examples concerning Luke and Paul. When Luke wrote in Acts mentioning the Areopagus ('Ares Hill' - Ares is the Greek god of war; 'Mars' is the Latin god of war), he didn't feel the need to change its already established name to something no one would recognize. Furthermore, Paul actually went to this place devoted to a pagan god and preached. And Paul accepted the Areopagite, Dionysius (Greek name for 'god of wine') and had him join him - Acts 17:19-34. Luke and Paul certainly did not become participants in something associated with pagan origins.<br />
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So these necessary things are not a <em>celebration</em> of pagan gods. But it would be wrong to incorporate anything used for pagan <u>worship</u>, into <u>our</u> worship or related activities. Holidays, for example, are "Holy Days" and are a part of "<u>worship</u>", by their very name. <br />
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While we today have no practical option but to use things like the Gregorian calendar (which uses the names of pagan Roman gods), we<strong> </strong><u>do</u> have a choice whether or not to participate in <u><em>customs</em> which were originally devoted to honoring these gods</u>. And according to Scripture, we should take advantage of that choice. <br />
<strong>Additional Reading: </strong><br />
<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/10/jehovahs-witnesses-and-gregorian.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jehovah's Witnesses and the Gregorian Calendar</span></a> <br />
(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/can-pagan-customs-of-christmas-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can the Pagan Customs of Christmas Really Be MADE Acceptable to God?</span></a> <br />
(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2007922"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can a Pagan Holiday Be Made Christian?</span></a> <br />
(w07 12/15 pp. 8-9l; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<strong>But Would Having Some Fellow Christians Over To One’s Own Home on New Year’s Eve Be Wrong?</strong><br />
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What about arranging for a group of Christians to gather together on that day because it is an occasion when they are free from secular work and are able to do so anyway? If someone is planning a gathering for December 31, or is planning to attend one, it would be good for that one to examine their motive as well as the situation involved. For instance, is the gathering being planned simply <em>because</em> it is New Year’s Eve? Is there special enthusiasm about the gathering because it 'just happens to fall on New Year’s Eve'? Will the planned activities mimic what the rest of the world does on that day? If so, regardless of how some may rationalize against it, it still would be a celebration of New Year’s. <br />
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However, if it is out of the proper motive for the gathering, and if their conduct in every way befits Christians, then they certainly do not need to avoid one another’s company <em>on any day</em> simply because it is a day that the rest of the world generally misuses. Each Christian can take into consideration their own motive in harmony with their Bible-trained conscience. (1 John 2:15-17; Rom. 14:13; 1 Tim. 1:19)<br />
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<strong>Additional Reading:</strong><br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005163"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Should We Celebrate Holidays?</span></a> <br />
(bh p. 222-p. 223; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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To those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses, please remember that if you are looking for the <em>authoritative information</em> on Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs and practices you should look to the source at <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://www.jw.org/en/</span></a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">BACK TO HOME PAGE</span></a> <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/index-sites-and-pages-in-defense-of_2379.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">INDEX</span></a> </span>
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-5388391286989634142013-12-20T07:56:00.005-08:002013-12-20T07:56:41.759-08:00Christmas - Links to Information<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>Click on any of the following links to view:</strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Christmas:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200271214"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CHRISTMAS - Links to Information</span></a> (<span style="color: black;">Index</span>; Watchtower Online Library)</div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Christmas&fc%5B%5D=bi&fc%5B%5D=it&fc%5B%5D=dx&fc%5B%5D=w&fc%5B%5D=g&fc%5B%5D=bk&fc%5B%5D=yb&fc%5B%5D=brch&fc%5B%5D=bklt&fc%5B%5D=trct"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-not-celebrate-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-about-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What Does the Bible Say About Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)</div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2000920"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas Customs - Are They Christian?</span></a> (w00 12/15 pp. 3-7; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2004921"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How Should Christ Be Remembered?</span></a> (w04 12/15 pp. 4-7; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002921"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jesus' Birth - How and Why it Happened</span></a> (w02 12/15 pp. 3-5; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/the-christmas-spirit/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">In Search of the Christmas Spirit</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/why-some-do-not-celebrate-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Something Better Than Christmas</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/remembering-jesus-christ/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Remembering Jesus Christ</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-celebrate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/11/video-why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>VIDEO:</b> Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/can-pagan-customs-of-christmas-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can the Pagan Customs of Christmas Really Be MADE Acceptable to God?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-its-origins-and-associations.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas - It's Origins And Associations</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-does-christmas-music-carols-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What Does Christmas Music Really Teach?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-does-it-have-any-known-pagan.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CHRISTMAS - Does It Have Any Known Pagan Religious Associations?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvooopmPST379lU5VdMq0QnoOC-Gh-dUF7XIpr28ph-c0M85CUSS0o-2TP4mA3emJzkiTiUzYG6LNpjclrEViwFCuthunJgbPUxHdfK6tdmZRDauSbtKbMZacY1gf2w6CnNtqe-XfqQY/s1600/JesusBirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvooopmPST379lU5VdMq0QnoOC-Gh-dUF7XIpr28ph-c0M85CUSS0o-2TP4mA3emJzkiTiUzYG6LNpjclrEViwFCuthunJgbPUxHdfK6tdmZRDauSbtKbMZacY1gf2w6CnNtqe-XfqQY/s200/JesusBirth.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/11/date-of-jesus-birth.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Date of Jesus' Birth</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/12/video-was-jesus-born-on-december-25th.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>VIDEO:</b> Was Jesus Born on December 25th?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/did-jesus-christ-or-his-disciples-or.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did Jesus Christ or his disciples or his apostles celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/did-jesus-want-his-birthday-celebrated.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did Jesus Want His Birthday Celebrated? Did His Followers Celebrate It?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://tearsofoberon.blogspot.com/2009/09/birthdaychristmas-quotes-recources.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Birthday/Christmas Quotes & Resources</span></a> </span>(Jehovah's Witnesses Redefended)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200272596"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">HANUKKAH</span></a> (<strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200272141#s=53:0-53:0"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah)</span></a> (Index; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1215"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hanukkah—Is It a “Jewish Christmas”?</span></a> (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1217"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hanukkah (Festival of Dedication) - Significance for Christians</span></a> (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)</div>
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-1385605736503280972013-12-17T08:00:00.000-08:002013-12-17T08:00:06.668-08:00Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT a Cult - Links to Information<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfkq2ZueGqI/Uq4JjRTbYpI/AAAAAAAAE_w/j2OlNiAT6sk/s1600/Discover-Jehovah's-Witnesses1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfkq2ZueGqI/Uq4JjRTbYpI/AAAAAAAAE_w/j2OlNiAT6sk/s320/Discover-Jehovah's-Witnesses1.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>Click on any link to view:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/are-jehovahs-witnesses-a-cult/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a Cult?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989239#h=24:0-24:525"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult?</span></a> (rs p. 199-p. 208; Watchtower Online Library)</div>
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/04/why-jehovahs-witnesses-are-not-cult.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Why Jehovah's Witnesses Are NOT a Cult</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-jehovahs-witnesses-really-cult.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Are Jehovah's Witnesses Really a Cult? - Showing How This Label is Incorrect</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2010/11/are-jehovahs-witnesses-sect-or-cult.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Sect or a Cult?</span></a> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://jehovahswitnesses21.blogspot.com/2011/07/jehovahs-witnesses-are-not-cult.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a Cult</span></a> (Jehovah's Witnesses in the 21st Century)<br />
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<a href="http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/9595741"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Why do people say Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult when all they do is follow what the Bible teaches?</span></a> (Answerbag)<br />
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<a href="http://en.az24.info/jehovahswitnesses/are-jehovahs-witnesses-a-sect-or-a-cult.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What is a sect and a cult? Are Jehovah's Witnesses a sect or a cult?</span></a> (en.az24.info)<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN5bkE6nyJg"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">VIDEO: Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult?</span></a> (You Tube; by Maria Botes)<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jKFkKGOLDI"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">VIDEO: Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult? Exploding the MYTHS</span></a> (You Tube; by sunshineuk1965)<br />
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-47836946590782743112013-12-16T08:17:00.000-08:002013-12-16T08:17:58.073-08:00What Does Christmas Music Really Teach?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XR4fZ7PKT-Ac26bnS6O8zR5G4xLCNcs0SQcOZ-rPfzCWwtH1SziIz06cEg7xX4I2QJZZcnFuNOIU4tUIW3JcFzPWSQFsa_YNOquYi9Zg4qafUNlutTWQKkEZEE93Voysjp21U65jT0c/s1600/Christmas_sheet_music_with_bells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XR4fZ7PKT-Ac26bnS6O8zR5G4xLCNcs0SQcOZ-rPfzCWwtH1SziIz06cEg7xX4I2QJZZcnFuNOIU4tUIW3JcFzPWSQFsa_YNOquYi9Zg4qafUNlutTWQKkEZEE93Voysjp21U65jT0c/s200/Christmas_sheet_music_with_bells.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Whether sung by one voice or many, played on an organ or by an orchestra, the emotion-charged music of Christmas tends to program people for its celebration. On the surface, the power inherent in this music may seem good and beneficial. After all, many verses of these Christmas songs deal with religious themes and encourage kindness, generosity, goodwill and peace. Nevertheless, when Christmas music and its words are examined in the light of God’s truth as revealed in the Holy Bible, some startling facts come into view.<br />
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<strong>Are They Truthful?</strong><br />
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It might surprise you that anyone would raise questions about the truthfulness of popular Christmas songs (carols). But as you will see, some oft-overlooked facts deserve our honest attention. ‘What facts?’ you may wonder.<br />
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For example, a number of carols declare that Jesus was born on Christmas Day, December 25. Is this true? To be frank, the facts answer no! Do not these musical verses about Christmas amount, then, to errors or distortions of truth? They might even be described as falsehood set to melody.<br />
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Obviously, these songs are not teaching the truth about the Christmas season. Could they be pleasing, therefore, to the One about whom the apostle Paul said, ‘God cannot lie’? (Titus 1:2) Further, is singing them the way to worship God “with spirit and truth,” which Jesus said is so important? (John 4:24) Actually, “Jehovah the God of truth,” and his Son, Jesus Christ, who is “the way and the truth and the life,” are honored by truth, not by melodic falsehoods. (Psalm 31:5; John 14:6) Furthermore, at Christmastime when these carols are sung, many clergymen quote Luke’s words about the shepherds as a basis for the December 25 celebration of Christmas. (Luke 2:8-14) However, neither this nor any other scripture gives support to the Christmas festive season. The Bible makes it clear that manipulating God’s Word to make it say something it is not saying leads to his adverse judgment. In the extreme case of the false prophets in Israel who “changed the words of the living God,” they paid with their lives.—Jeremiah 23:16-22, 29-32, 36; Deuteronomy 12:32; 18:20; Proverbs 30:5, 6.<br />
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Hence, no matter how beautiful Christmas music may sound, we cannot ignore the seriousness of its lyrics that contradict God’s Word. Jehovah is repelled by untruth, especially when it runs directly counter to his revealed truth. (Psalm 5:4-6) Many humans may be so moved by glorious harmonies and delightful melodies that they ignore any falsehoods being sung, but we can be sure that that is not the case with God and with his Son, Jesus. They do not desire praise to the extent that they will approve of lyrics peppered with flattering falsehoods.<br />
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<strong>Should We Commemorate?</strong><br />
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Here is another aspect to consider: Do you know of any Biblical evidence that Jehovah God and Jesus Christ want us to commemorate Jesus’ birth, even if we intended to do it at the time of year that corresponds to Biblical evidence?<br />
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Like the good Father that he is, Jehovah God is always very specific about what he requires of his worshipers. He carefully spells out what we must do to gain his favor and blessings. He often repeats things to avoid any misunderstanding on our part. Why, then, do we find in God’s written Word no direct command or even a hint that we should commemorate his Son’s earthly birthday? Because Jehovah places emphasis on Jesus’ death and resurrection, requiring Christians to celebrate annually the Memorial of his death only. (Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8; 11:23-26) Thus, Christmas carols that presumptuously call for the celebration of Christ’s birth “go beyond the things that are written” in the Bible. (1 Corinthians 4:6) So do you think that people who know this and yet sing these lines are pleasing Jehovah God? No matter how sincere a person may be, presumptuousness and disobedience never win God’s favor.—1 Samuel 15:22, 23.<br />
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<strong>Customs and Beliefs</strong><br />
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Jehovah God explicitly warns against mixing pagan practices and beliefs with his pure worship. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) Pagan practices? Yes, as we shall now show, many pagan practices are tied in with Christmas. Such practices are repulsive to God, like the practices of the Canaanites of whom Moses said: “Everything detestable to Jehovah that he does hate they have done.” (Deuteronomy 12:31) Since ‘Jehovah does not change,’ how do you think he would view Christmas carols that, in the name of Christianity, encourage a mixture of pagan practices and pure worship?—Malachi 3:6; Deuteronomy 12:1-3, 29-32.<br />
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For example, the musical call to “Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly” is rooted in ancient pagan superstition. In the booklet Discovering Christmas Customs and Folklore, Margaret Baker pointed out that decorating homes with evergreens was a Roman and a Norse custom. She further observed:<br />
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“Greenery brought into the house at the winter solstice seemed to be a charm to ensure the return of vegetation to the earth. . . . Holly had many associations with good fortune. In Louisiana berries were kept for luck. . . . A piece kept back from church decorations was especially lucky. . . . And a tree planted outside the house protected it from thunder, lightning, fire and the evil eye.”—Pages 29, 32.<br />
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If you study the lines of other Christmas carols, you will find that they endorse various superstitious customs. Jehovah God cannot approve of these practices, for they enslave people to fear and ignorance, which keeps them from turning to him. Music that teaches or promotes superstitions is simply not fitting for Christians seeking his favor.<br />
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Christmas music that deals with Santa Claus touches a very sensitive area—little children! Emotions may be stirred up, but the question must be asked, What do these tunes teach little ones? Misconceptions such as that a white-bearded mythological figure in a red suit is practically omniscient. He knows when all children are good or bad. And he brings toys to only good boys and girls, so they are encouraged to behave to get these materialistic gifts.<br />
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Here we must let our reason rule and not our deceptive hearts. (Jeremiah 17:9) Santa Claus is just another product of pagan tradition, and sparkling melodies with lyrics telling children that he is real do not change that fact. Furthermore, such music ascribes to Santa the all-knowing quality that only Jehovah God possesses. Should God-fearing parents teach their children to believe and sing such things? Should they pretend to their children that the pagan Santa Claus is linked to the Christianity of the Bible?<br />
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Wise parents do not bribe their children to be good. Yet Christmas music leads children to believe that if they behave an imaginary Santa Claus will leave them toys. The bribery is there—subtle, but unmistakable. You can appreciate that such ideas can damage the moral fiber of children in their formative years. Jehovah declares that “foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy; the rod of discipline [not bribery with Christmas toys] is what will remove it far from him.” (Proverbs 22:15) The conclusion should be clear—Christmas songs about Santa Claus are a gross deception. They can only undermine respect for true Bible principles.<br />
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Idealistic, starry-eyed little children need to feed on the “bread” of God’s truth. Their inquisitive minds cannot be satisfied with ‘stones’ of falsehood.—Matthew 7:9. <br />
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-<strong>12/15/83 Watchtower, "<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">What Does Christmas Music Really Teach?"; WBTS</span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">More Articles Concerning the Inaccuracies and Pagan Connections to Christmas Carols:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/282940"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Bishop says Christmas carols are nonsense</span></a> (Digital Journal)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-its-origins-and-associations.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas - It's Origins And Associations</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Christmas+Music&p=par"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas Music</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library)</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-27877970813294598082013-12-10T22:21:00.003-08:002013-12-10T22:21:39.599-08:00VIDEO: Was Jesus Born on December 25th?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>For much more, see:</b><br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/11/date-of-jesus-birth.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Date of Jesus' Birth</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/when-was-jesus-born/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">When Was Jesus Born?</span></a> (JW.org)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/was-jesus-born-in-december/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Was Jesus Born in December?</span></a> (JW.org)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102008441"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Bible's Viewpoint - When Was Jesus Born?</span></a> (JW.org)
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-17680379200987803212013-12-08T21:44:00.001-08:002013-12-08T21:44:04.303-08:00Video: Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>For more, see:</b><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200271214"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CHRISTMAS - Links to Information</span></a> (<span style="color: black;">Index</span>; Watchtower Online Library)</div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Christmas&fc%5B%5D=bi&fc%5B%5D=it&fc%5B%5D=dx&fc%5B%5D=w&fc%5B%5D=g&fc%5B%5D=bk&fc%5B%5D=yb&fc%5B%5D=brch&fc%5B%5D=bklt&fc%5B%5D=trct"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-not-celebrate-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-about-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What Does the Bible Say About Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-celebrate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)</div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2000920"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas Customs - Are They Christian?</span></a> (w00 12/15 pp. 3-7; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2004921"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How Should Christ Be Remembered?</span></a> (w04 12/15 pp. 4-7; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002921"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jesus' Birth - How and Why it Happened</span></a> (w02 12/15 pp. 3-5; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/the-christmas-spirit/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">In Search of the Christmas Spirit</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/why-some-do-not-celebrate-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Something Better Than Christmas</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/remembering-jesus-christ/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Remembering Jesus Christ</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/can-pagan-customs-of-christmas-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can the Pagan Customs of Christmas Really Be MADE Acceptable to God?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-its-origins-and-associations.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas - It's Origins And Associations</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-does-christmas-music-carols-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What Does Christmas Music Really Teach?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-does-it-have-any-known-pagan.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CHRISTMAS - Does It Have Any Known Pagan Religious Associations?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvooopmPST379lU5VdMq0QnoOC-Gh-dUF7XIpr28ph-c0M85CUSS0o-2TP4mA3emJzkiTiUzYG6LNpjclrEViwFCuthunJgbPUxHdfK6tdmZRDauSbtKbMZacY1gf2w6CnNtqe-XfqQY/s1600/JesusBirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvooopmPST379lU5VdMq0QnoOC-Gh-dUF7XIpr28ph-c0M85CUSS0o-2TP4mA3emJzkiTiUzYG6LNpjclrEViwFCuthunJgbPUxHdfK6tdmZRDauSbtKbMZacY1gf2w6CnNtqe-XfqQY/s200/JesusBirth.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/11/date-of-jesus-birth.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Date of Jesus' Birth</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/did-jesus-christ-or-his-disciples-or.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did Jesus Christ or his disciples or his apostles celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/did-jesus-want-his-birthday-celebrated.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did Jesus Want His Birthday Celebrated? Did His Followers Celebrate It?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://tearsofoberon.blogspot.com/2009/09/birthdaychristmas-quotes-recources.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Birthday/Christmas Quotes & Resources</span></a> </span>(Jehovah's Witnesses Redefended)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200272596"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">HANUKKAH</span></a> (<strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200272141#s=53:0-53:0"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah)</span></a> (Index; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1215"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hanukkah—Is It a “Jewish Christmas”?</span></a> (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1217"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hanukkah (Festival of Dedication) - Significance for Christians</span></a> (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-31693674460777830532013-11-29T16:58:00.000-08:002013-11-29T16:58:51.257-08:00Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLcSehXrAltJwemKW5fcqrIn9wRi5Ec0zmhUEkYV-MjPhzFtCSb-pMC-Hz3s6EgUby2pFvHG4TvGtFBHdu_jXNkq6KcppJJTWhzQYD8UmlnoaUH8XYlsinqFH0iUt2lNxuAsgUKsximc/s1600/christmas-tree-fireplace.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLcSehXrAltJwemKW5fcqrIn9wRi5Ec0zmhUEkYV-MjPhzFtCSb-pMC-Hz3s6EgUby2pFvHG4TvGtFBHdu_jXNkq6KcppJJTWhzQYD8UmlnoaUH8XYlsinqFH0iUt2lNxuAsgUKsximc/s200/christmas-tree-fireplace.jpeg" width="200" /></a>Jehovah's Witnesses only celebrate the one event that Jesus commanded his followers. The <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989248"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">memorial of his death</span></a> (1 Cor. 11:23-26). They also celebrate other events which are referred to favorably in the Scriptures such as marriages, anniversaries, the birth of a baby, graduations and many other happy occasions. </div>
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<em>But why don't Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate Christmas?</em> Jehovah's Witnesses take their worship very seriously and insist upon keeping their worship of God undefiled (James 1:27). So Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas simply because Christmas has pagan origins and associations; Christmas is based upon falsehoods and Christmas also promotes idolary, a practice the Bible condemns. Jehovah's Witnesses do not want to offend God by imitating these celebrations which incorporate so much falsehood and are associated with the most horrible beliefs from the past.<br />
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This article will further address these reasons why Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas. </div>
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<strong>Christmas Has Pagan Origins and Associations</strong></div>
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Christmas is a corruption of Christianity and was adopted from terribly pagan customs and celebrations:<br />
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"<u>December 25 was already a major festival in the pagan Roman world</u>, the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or `Birthday of the Unconquered Sun,' a feast honoring the renewal of the sun at the winter solstice. <strong>Pagan celebrations</strong> on December 25 had included feasting, dancing, lighting bonfires, decorating homes with greens, and giving gifts. So when this became a Christian [?] festival, the customs continued, but with a Christian [?] meaning imparted to them." - p. 414, Vol. 4, Encyclopedia International, Grolier, Inc., 1966.<br />
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"Most of the Christmas customs now prevailing in Europe [and America] ... are not genuine Christian customs, but <strong>heathen</strong> customs which have been absorbed or tolerated by the Church... The Saturnalia in Rome provided the model for most of the merry customs of the Christmas time.... Christmas inherited the general merriment in a more restrained form (excessive only in eating and drinking) [but see 1 Pet. 4:3, 4]: games, giving of gifts (especially to children), abundance of sweet meats and, as more ceremonious elements, burning of candles..." - Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Hastings, Vol. III, pp. 608, 609.<br />
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Concerning Christmas trees:<br />
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"It is believed that the custom is a survival of the tree worship of ancient German tribes." -- "Tree worship was common in Scandinavian countries.... When the pagans of Northern Europe became Christians [?], they made their sacred evergreen trees part of the Christian festival, and decorated the trees with gilded nuts, candles (a carry-over from sun worship), and apples to stand for the stars, moon, and sun." - pp. 1429, 1425, The World Book Encyclopedia, 1958 ed. <br />
<strong>Additional Reading: </strong><br />
<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-its-origins-and-associations.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas - It's Origins and Associations</span></a> <br />
(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2000920"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas Customs - Are They Christian?</span></a> <br />
(Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<strong>Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Avoid Pagan Customs?</strong><br />
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If pagan ceremonies, customs, god names, etc. are really mixed in with ceremonies, customs, etc. that we use today, they are not merely unacceptable - - - they are detestable to God. We must completely get away from these unclean things and not even "touch" them. (2 Cor. 6:17) Notice how exclusive the worship of God must be: "Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips." - Exodus 23:13, NIVSB.<br />
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But some may still wonder why Jehovah's Witnesses consider customs that have pagan origins to be so bad. "After all," they may ask, "aren't there many things which originated, or are associated with paganism - pharmacies, calendars, etc.?"<br />
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Consider the two examples concerning Luke and Paul. When Luke wrote in Acts mentioning the Areopagus ('Ares Hill' - Ares is the Greek god of war; 'Mars' is the Latin god of war), he didn't feel the need to change its already established name to something no one would recognize. Furthermore, Paul actually went to this place devoted to a pagan god and preached. And Paul accepted the Areopagite, Dionysius (Greek name for 'god of wine') and had him join him - Acts 17:19-34. Luke and Paul certainly did not become participants in something associated with pagan origins.<br />
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So these necessary things are not a <em>celebration</em> of pagan gods. But it would be wrong to incorporate anything used for pagan <u>worship</u>, into <u>our</u> worship or related activities. Holidays, for example, are "Holy Days" and are a part of "<u>worship</u>", by their very name. <br />
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While we today have no practical option but to use things like the Gregorian calendar (which uses the names of pagan Roman gods), we<strong> </strong><u>do</u> have a choice whether or not to participate in <u><em>customs</em> which were originally devoted to honoring these gods</u>. And according to Scripture, we should take advantage of that choice.<br />
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<strong>Additional Reading: </strong><br />
<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/10/jehovahs-witnesses-and-gregorian.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jehovah's Witnesses and the Gregorian Calendar</span></a> <br />
(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/can-pagan-customs-of-christmas-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can the Pagan Customs of Christmas Really Be MADE Acceptable to God?</span></a> <br />
(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2007922"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can a Pagan Holiday Be Made Christian?</span></a> <br />
(Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<strong>Christmas is Based on Falsehoods</strong><br />
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First, consider what is regarded as the basis for the Christmas celebration. Was Jesus really born on December 25th? No, it's a total falsehood:<br />
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"Neither scripture nor secular history records the date of Jesus' birth. .... In A. D. 350 Pope Julius I formally designated December 25 as Christmas. He chose that date because it coincided with important <em>pagan festivals</em>. These, in turn, were linked with the winter solstice [the shortest day of the year]." - <em>How it Started</em>, p. 54. <br />
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The Bible never mentioned that Jesus nor his followers ever celebrated his birth. In fact, the early Christians and Jews of Bible times did not celebrate birthdays at all:<br />
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"Christians of the first century did not celebrate the festival honoring the birth of Jesus - for the same reason they honored no other birthday anniversary. <u>It was the feeling at that time by ALL Christians that the celebration of all birthdays (even the Lord's) was a custom of the PAGANS</u>." - The <em>Christian Book of Why</em>, by Dr. John C. McCollister, Jonathan David Publishers, Inc., 1983, p. 205.<br />
<strong>Additional Reading:</strong> <br />
<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/11/date-of-jesus-birth.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Date of Jesus' Birth</span></a><br />
(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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Many of the details of Jesus' birth that are widely accepted as heartwarming facts are untrue and are actually sinister in nature. For instance, when Joseph, Mary, and Jesus received an unexpected visit from a number of foreigners, the Bible writer Matthew does not specify how many of these men came, nor does he call them "wise men," much less "three kings." He uses the Greek word ma'goi, which means "astrologers." This alone should give us a clue that something evil is at work here, for astrology is an art that God's Word condemns and that faithful Jews scrupulously avoided. (Deut. 18:10-12; Isaiah 47:13, 14)<br />
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And the "star" that these astrologers followed? It first drew them to Jerusalem and to Herod the Great who had great motive to harm young Jesus. Disturbed to hear of the birth of a future "king of the Jews," he dispatches the astrologers to find that One. The "star" then lead these pagan worshipers right to Jesus. The unwitting astrologers likely would have reported back to Herod, leading to Jesus' destruction. But God intervenes through a dream and sends them back home by another route. - Matthew 2:9-12.<br />
<strong>Additional Reading:</strong> <br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010442"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Truth About Christmas</span></a> (Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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And what about the popular myth that so many parents <em>intentionally</em> tell their children? Many adults feed children dishonesties and distortions which eventually may lead to atheism. The anticipation of a mythical gift-giver ends up taking on much more importance to young ones than Jesus Christ. And when children eventually realize that they have been lied to, they very well could also conclude: "Since Santa is a myth, why couldn't Christ be also?"<br />
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"But," some may ask, "why should it matter if not all of the details are correct?" <br />
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Because if true Christians<em> really</em> wished to celebrate an occasion in honor of Jesus Christ, matters should be presented truthfully. Jesus said at John 4:23 that true worshipers shall worship "in spirit and <strong>truth</strong>". So anything to which Christ's name is attached should therefore be factual. Christmas really does not measure up to this primary identification of Christ's teachings and true Christians.<br />
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Those who honestly wish to be true worshippers of God would do well to consider - Would the "God of <strong>truth</strong>" (Ps. 31:5) really appreciate having people worshiping Him with so many lies and distortions? <br />
<strong>Additional Reading: </strong><br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2000920"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas Customs - Are They Christian?</span></a> <br />
(Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<strong>Christmas Promotes Idolatry</strong><br />
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Regardless of what the motivation may be, participating in Christmas customs perpetuates practices rooted in ancient idolatry, something that is also forbidden in the Bible. (1 John 5:21) Santa, stars, solar worship, birthdays of Gods, tree worship... they are all idols that were and are still used by non-Christian worshipers. <em>Many of these are still used by Satan worshipers today</em>. (1 Cor. 11:14)<br />
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The celebration of Christmas has also promoted the worship of Jesus in place of his Father, Jehovah God. This is another form of idolatry since the glorified Lord Jesus Christ never claimed to be God Almighty. Instead Jesus declared: “The Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28) He directed all worship to his Father, saying: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Matthew 4:10) <br />
<strong>Additional Reading:</strong><br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005145"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Worship That God Approves</span></a><br />
(Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses) <br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2009083"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Is Jesus Almighty God?</span></a> <br />
(Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2009094"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Not Use Images in Their Worship?</span></a> <br />
(Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<strong>How Should "True Worshippers" Respond When Learning The Truth About Christmas?</strong><br />
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There are many who, before becoming Jehovah's Witnesses, celebrated Christmas at one time in their lives. They fully understand how enjoyable and sentimental this time of year can be. However, after they learned the truth about Christmas <u>they <em>acted</em> upon what they knew</u>. (Eph. 5:10, 11) They accepted God's word over the desires of their hearts and the traditions of men. By rejecting the pagan associations, idolatry and falsehoods that Christmas has to offer and modeling themselves after the first-century disciples of Jesus who observed no such holiday, they can aspire to be counted among the "true worshippers" that Jesus said worship "in spirit and <strong>truth</strong>". (John 14:23) <strong></strong><br />
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<strong>Additional Reading: </strong><br />
<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005146"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Take Your Stand For True Worship</span></a> <br />
(Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<span style="color: red;">(Also see the December 2010 <em>Awake!</em> magazine "The Truth About Christmas".)</span><br />
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To those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses, please remember that if you are looking for the <em>authoritative information</em> on Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs and practices you should look to the source at <a href="http://www.jw.org/en/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">http://www.jw.org/en/</span></a>.</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-68270492682854441292013-11-26T04:45:00.000-08:002013-11-26T04:45:33.548-08:00Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Thanksgiving Day?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are many wholesome occasions that </span><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/jehovahs-witnesses-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jehovah's Witnesses</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> celebrate such as <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/why-celebrate-wedding-anniversaries-but.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">marriage anniversaries</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">weddings </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which are referred to favorably in the Scriptures. But why don't Jehovah's Witnesses formally observe the national holiday of Thanksgiving?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are several reasons why Jehovah's Witnesses do not formally observe the national holiday of Thanksgiving or many other national holidays. In fact, w</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">hen it comes to the observance of certain events, there is <u>only one</u> occasion that Jesus <i>actually commanded</i> his followers to observe. He required his followers to memorialize his death. (Luke 22:19, 20) Therefore, Jehovah's Witnesses only formally celebrate the one<i> </i>event that Jesus commanded his followers. The </span><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/04/lords-evening-meal-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">memorial of his death</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (1 Cor.11:23- 26). <strong>For more,</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>see:</strong> </span><a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005155"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Lord’s Evening Meal—An Observance That Honors God</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Jehovah's Witnesses and Thanksgiving</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To help understand Jehovah's Witnesses' position regarding the national holiday of Thanksgiving, this article will consider the following three aspects:</span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1.)</strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> How Christians are to be thankful every day - not letting political governments setting aside one day out of the year for us.</span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2.)</strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Thanksgiving and its Questionable Associations</span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3.)</strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Thanksgiving, Patriotism and Christian Neutrality</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Be Thankful Every Day</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do true Christians need to set one day aside for Thanksgiving? Should the political governments tell us what day we should give thanks?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jehovah's Witnesses give thanks <strong>every</strong> day and allow no one to tell them on which day they can thank God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also consider that <em>genuine </em>thanks should be accompanied by a deep desire to demonstrate gratitude in action. In contrast, how many observers of the national Thanksgiving holiday actually offer thanks to God? Are not their thoughts more on feasting and having a merry time than on the many gifts God has given? Can it be said that thanksgiving is offered to God by indulging in an extra-big meal? Thanksgiving to God does not come from the stomach but from the mind. It is verbally expressed. “I will praise the name of God with song, and I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” (Ps. 69:30) “In <strong>everything</strong> by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God.”—Phil. 4:6.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanksgiving and Questionable Associations</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is relatively easy to discover that holidays such as </span><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-origins-traditions-and-customs.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Easter</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, </span><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christmas</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> or </span><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/08/halloween-links-to-information.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Halloween</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> have been directly adopted from pagan celebrations. (<strong>For more, see the</strong> </span><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2010/11/holidays.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Holidays</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> category.) But what about Thanksgiving?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Note what the publication <em>Holidays Around the World</em>, by Joseph Gaer says about Thanksgiving:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Thanksgiving for the annual harvest is one of the oldest holidays known to mankind ... 'The Romans celebrated their Thanksgiving early in October. The holiday was dedicated to the <em><strong>goddess</strong></em> of harvest, <em><strong>Ceres</strong></em>, and the holiday was called Cerelia. 'The Christians took over the Roman holiday and it became well established in England, where some of the Roman customs and rituals for this day were observed ... "</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also note the following:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Throughout the world harvest has always been the occasion for many queer customs which all have their origin in the animistic belief in the corn [grain]-spirit or corn [grain]-mother. This personification of the crops has left its impress upon the harvest customs of modern Europe. .... Throughout the world, as Sir J. G. Frazer shows, the semi-<strong>worship</strong> of the last sheaf is or has been the great feature of the <strong>harvest-home</strong>. Among harvest customs none is more interesting than harvest cries; the Devonshire reapers go through a ceremony which in its main features is a <strong>counterpart of pagan worship</strong>." - pp. 231-232, <em>Encyclopedia Britannica</em>, volume 11, 14th edition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The Pilgrims, who in 1621 observed our initial Thanksgiving holiday, were not a people especially enthusiastic about the celebration of festivals. In fact these austere and religious settlers of America would have been <strong>dismayed</strong> had they known of the long and popular history of harvest festivals, of which their Thanksgiving was only the latest. .... The harvest festival, with its attendant rites, seems to have spread out from ... Egypt and Syria and Mesopotamia. The first or the last sheaf of wheat was offered to the <strong>`Great Mother' .... Astarte</strong> [equivalent to Ishtar and Eastre] was the Earth Mother of the ancient Semites; to the Phrygians she was Semele; under the name of Demeter she was <strong>worshiped</strong> by the Greeks at the famous Eleusinian Mysteries..." - pp. 271-272, Celebrations - <em>The Complete Book of American Holidays</em>, Robert J. Myers, Doubleday & Co., 1972. <strong>For more,</strong> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">see: </span></strong><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-does-it-have-any-known.html"><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">THANKSGIVING - Does It Have Any Known Pagan Religious Association?</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It would be wrong to incorporate anything used for pagan worship, into our <em>worship or related activities</em>. Holidays, for example, are "Holy Days" and are a part of "worship" by their very name. So if pagan ceremonies, customs, god names, etc. are really mixed in with ceremonies, customs, etc. that we use today, they are not merely unacceptable - - - they are detestable to God. We must completely get away from these unclean things and not even "touch" them. (2 Cor. 6:17) Notice how exclusive the worship of God must be: "Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips." - Exodus 23:13, <em>NIVSB</em>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanksgiving, Patriotism and Christian Neutrality</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was not until 1789 that the first national Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed by George Washington. And, even after that precedent, this practice was not carried on by succeeding presidents. In addition to Presidents Jackson and Taylor, it is claimed that Thomas Jefferson refused to issue Thanksgiving proclamations, <em>condemning</em> it during his two terms. In a </span><a href="http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/jefferson_miller.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">letter to the Rev. Mr. Miller</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, he gave his reasons for refusing:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I consider the Government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution of the United States from meddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises.... But it is only proposed that I should recommend, not prescribe, a day of fasting and praying. That is, I should indirectly assume to the United States an authority over religious exercises, which the Constitution has directly precluded them from.... Every one must act according to the dictates of his own reason and mine tells me that civil powers alone have been given to the President of the United States, and no authority to direct the religious exercises of his constituents."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finally, it was Sarah J. Hale that influenced President Abraham Lincoln to issue his Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1863 in which Lincoln established a yearly national festival, which ensuing presidents have honored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many governors opposed the idea because they felt that it was <em>an example of state interference with religion</em>. Actually, in time the celebration itself became more political.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For example, Mrs. Hale and her supporters intended it to be both a day of <em><u>patriotism</u></em> and religion. She wrote in one article: “Then in every quarter of the globe<em> our <u>nationality</u> would be recognized</em> . . . every American . . . would thrill his soul with the <em>purest feelings of <u>patriotism</u></em> and the deepest emotions of thankfulness for his religious enjoyments.” That this idea was held by others is noted in <em>The American Book of Days</em>: “It has frequently been the custom for clergymen to preach political sermons on Thanksgiving Day. In the early years of the nineteenth century their sermons were extremely partisan.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So with all of the above in mind, what should be the attitude of Christians regarding patriotic ceremonies? Notice how the early Christians regarded patriotic or state ceremonies:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"First-century Christianity had no temples, built no altars, used no crucifixes, and sponsored no garbed and betitled ecclesiastics. <strong>Early Christians celebrated no state holidays</strong>..."—<em>The Rise of Christianity</em>, by E. Barnes, 1947, p. 333.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Concerning this, notice what the book <em>On the Road to Civilization—A World History</em> says of the early Christians: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Christians refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens. The Christians . . . felt it a violation of their faith to enter military service. They would not hold political office. They would not worship the emperor.” When the Jewish high court “positively ordered” the disciples to stop preaching, they answered: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” (Acts 5:27-29)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is a fact of ancient and modern-day history that in every nation and under all circumstances true Christians have endeavored to maintain complete neutrality concerning factions of the world. (Luke 4:8; John 17:15, 16; John 18:36)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jehovah’s Witnesses do not try to prevent others from taking part in patriotic ceremonies, for that is up to each individual as to whom or what he will serve, worship, or pledge his allegiance, but Jehovah’s Witnesses wish to remain neutral toward all national flags, symbols, or emblems and their patriotic ceremonies. <strong>For more, see: </strong></span><a href="http://jehovah.to/exe/general/neutrality.htm"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christian Neutrality</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Jehovah's Witnesses United) and </span><a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2003160"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Religious Persecution - Why?"</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>For more information concerning Jehovah's Witnesses and Thanksgiving, see the following reference and/or click on the following links:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">"A National “Day of Thanks”—The Dream and the Reality" -</span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span>Article from the 11/22/76 <em>Awake!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Link:</strong> </span><a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj00_H0ioaoG5np9QnpKeRrty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20111024073219AANfdMf"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jehovah's Witnesses, why do you not celebrate Thanksgiving?</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Yahoo Answers)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Link:</strong> </span><a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/easter-does-it-have-any-pagan-religious.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">THANKSGIVING - Does It Have Any Known Pagan Religious Association?</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Search For Bible Truths)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Link:</strong> </span><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1185"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Is there anything wrong with buying a turkey, which is on sale, and making a dinner on Thanksgiving? Is Thanksgiving pagan?</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)</span></div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-35729811178797619952013-11-23T21:27:00.000-08:002013-11-23T21:27:02.737-08:00Holidays and Jehovah's Witnesses - Links to Information<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>Click on any of the following links to view:</strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Christmas:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200271214"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CHRISTMAS - Links to Information</span></a> (<strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)</div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Christmas&fc%5B%5D=bi&fc%5B%5D=it&fc%5B%5D=dx&fc%5B%5D=w&fc%5B%5D=g&fc%5B%5D=bk&fc%5B%5D=yb&fc%5B%5D=brch&fc%5B%5D=bklt&fc%5B%5D=trct"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library) </div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2000920"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas Customs - Are They Christian?</span></a> (w00 12/15 pp. 3-7; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2004921"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How Should Christ Be Remembered?</span></a> (w04 12/15 pp. 4-7; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002921"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jesus' Birth - How and Why it Happened</span></a> (w02 12/15 pp. 3-5; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/the-christmas-spirit/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">In Search of the Christmas Spirit</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/why-some-do-not-celebrate-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Something Better Than Christmas</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/remembering-jesus-christ/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Remembering Jesus Christ</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-celebrate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-how-should-christian-view-it.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas - It's Origins And Associations</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvooopmPST379lU5VdMq0QnoOC-Gh-dUF7XIpr28ph-c0M85CUSS0o-2TP4mA3emJzkiTiUzYG6LNpjclrEViwFCuthunJgbPUxHdfK6tdmZRDauSbtKbMZacY1gf2w6CnNtqe-XfqQY/s1600/JesusBirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvooopmPST379lU5VdMq0QnoOC-Gh-dUF7XIpr28ph-c0M85CUSS0o-2TP4mA3emJzkiTiUzYG6LNpjclrEViwFCuthunJgbPUxHdfK6tdmZRDauSbtKbMZacY1gf2w6CnNtqe-XfqQY/s200/JesusBirth.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2011/11/date-of-jesus-birth.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Date of Jesus' Birth</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/can-pagan-customs-of-christmas-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can the Pagan Customs of Christmas Really Be MADE Acceptable to God?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/did-jesus-christ-or-his-disciples-or.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did Jesus Christ or his disciples or his apostles celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/did-jesus-want-his-birthday-celebrated.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did Jesus Want His Birthday Celebrated? Did His Followers Celebrate It?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://tearsofoberon.blogspot.com/2009/09/birthdaychristmas-quotes-recources.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Birthday/Christmas Quotes & Resources</span></a> </span>(Jehovah's Witnesses Redefended)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200262596"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">HANUKKAH</span></a> (<strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1215"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hanukkah—Is It a “Jewish Christmas”?</span></a> (JWQ&A)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1217"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hanukkah (Festival of Dedication) - Significance for Christians</span></a> (JWQ&A)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-does-christmas-music-really-teach.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What Does Christmas Music Really Teach?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dXbyYBCoo0RJ7GmMNpb0xoGYNvx37qPNX88_dKC6fLE0qyvOrmlFhwrc044F1NknnTgxAp-z4Rw5LQYxuDyfjS8ENMba1tzpdteUAaxUAHOokzbLhRsqe7D_dOkoSgIFWV4dhGSPOWM/s1600/TurkeyDinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dXbyYBCoo0RJ7GmMNpb0xoGYNvx37qPNX88_dKC6fLE0qyvOrmlFhwrc044F1NknnTgxAp-z4Rw5LQYxuDyfjS8ENMba1tzpdteUAaxUAHOokzbLhRsqe7D_dOkoSgIFWV4dhGSPOWM/s200/TurkeyDinner.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Thanksgiving:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-celebrate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Formally Celebrate Thanksgiving Day? </span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/easter-does-it-have-any-pagan-religious.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THANKSGIVING - Does It Have Any Known Pagan Religious Association?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://dwsilver.com/Downloads/The_Truth_Behind_Thanksgiving.pdf"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Facts Behind Thanksgiving</span></a> (From God's Word)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1185"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Is there anything wrong with buying a turkey, which is on sale, and making a dinner on Thanksgiving? Is Thanksgiving pagan?</span></a> (JWQ&A) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulBaxf7W-BpeBPIxNQ-r5sDR4OYzQ1c6HA7WAn3bvqACxlsDY4QaBVpR3VPmLE2CZJW_090tWb93bk-ywZWT0lnEuHTVEMpSQQbBd7xOP6TIeEO8Ebj2o41pXM_gHw7aajIEGfvGeLYA/s1600/easter+picture+header.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulBaxf7W-BpeBPIxNQ-r5sDR4OYzQ1c6HA7WAn3bvqACxlsDY4QaBVpR3VPmLE2CZJW_090tWb93bk-ywZWT0lnEuHTVEMpSQQbBd7xOP6TIeEO8Ebj2o41pXM_gHw7aajIEGfvGeLYA/s200/easter+picture+header.bmp" width="150" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Easter:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200271810"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">EASTER - Links to Information</span></a> (<strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)</div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Easter&p=par"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Easter</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library) </div>
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<span style="color: #445566;"><a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/should-we-celebrate-holidays/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Should we celebrate holidays like Easter?</span></a> </span><span style="color: black;">(JW.ORG)</span></div>
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-origins-traditions-and-customs.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Easter?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses) </div>
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-origins-traditions-and-customs.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Easter Origins, traditions and Customs - Christian or Pagan?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-pagan-and-unscriptural.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Easter - Pagan and Unscriptural</span></a> (SFBT; Excerpts from the 4/15/63 and 3/15/68 Watchtowers) <br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter-what-do-colored-eggs-bunnies-and.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Easter - What do Colored Eggs, Bunnies and Hot-Cross Buns Have to do With Honoring Jesus and God?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/04/does-word-easter-belong-in-bible.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Does the Word 'Easter' Belong in a Bible Translation? (Acts 12:4; KJV)</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://jehovah.to/exe/general/easter.htm"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Easter - Who Does It Really Honor?</span></a> (Jehovah's Witnesses <span style="color: black;">United</span>)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/research-are-celebrating-holidays.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Are Celebrating Holidays Acceptable to God?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths) <br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/03/paganism.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Paganism</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
Links to related subjects<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005163"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Should We Celebrate Holidays?</span></a> (bh p. 222-p. 223; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
“There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament,” states The Encyclopædia Britannica. How did Easter get started?<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/03/easter-does-it-have-any-pagan-religious.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">EASTER - Does It Have Any Pagan Religious Associations?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c-WFqq9psavDkWAVxVtiWFqi2yDpR4nkSp0hhwnKZesU9n8b2ykrl819koegFHvt98i37puUTVwFk_HjEH8EMkKvlXw4YdJ1teoppTVI9E2xziJm6Qf3Ye7AXUNRmA6D5czIZWlmYCg/s1600/C--Documents%252520and%252520Settings-fspeer-Desktop-halloween_pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c-WFqq9psavDkWAVxVtiWFqi2yDpR4nkSp0hhwnKZesU9n8b2ykrl819koegFHvt98i37puUTVwFk_HjEH8EMkKvlXw4YdJ1teoppTVI9E2xziJm6Qf3Ye7AXUNRmA6D5czIZWlmYCg/s200/C--Documents%252520and%252520Settings-fspeer-Desktop-halloween_pumpkin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Halloween:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200272573"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">HALLOWEEN</span></a> (<strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/should-we-celebrate-holidays/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Should we celebrate holidays like... Halloween?</span></a> </span>(JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-should-you-celebrate-it.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Halloween - Should You Celebrate It?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/halloween-does-it-have-any-known-pagan.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">HALLOWEEN - Does It Have Any Known Pagan Religious Associations?</span></a> (SFBT)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsP6n694oZs/T1aQQhegM6I/AAAAAAAAA2w/qzFZNf7hIWA/s1600/clover_red_leaf_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsP6n694oZs/T1aQQhegM6I/AAAAAAAAA2w/qzFZNf7hIWA/s200/clover_red_leaf_large.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">St. Patrick's Day:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Saints&p=par"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Saints</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-celebrate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate St. Patrick's Day?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/03/st-patrick-shamrock-and-trinity.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">St. Patrick, The Shamrock and The Trinity</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/st-patricks-day-does-it-have-pagan.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">ST. PATRICK'S DAY - Does It Have Pagan Religious Associations?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhN3wic7tfWqJ0DyZ11exFd_5WfvBqfqZ6GZamkbn7EwdMl6b1fERwexJnOJLxkY9n3Xmd60Dudu-2JKWqFx4pY14-X4EIweFgsN-53F9pBzbD51ZpfCnvYiBG-Gj2-NeTWN9OL2hl0I/s1600/Valentine.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhN3wic7tfWqJ0DyZ11exFd_5WfvBqfqZ6GZamkbn7EwdMl6b1fERwexJnOJLxkY9n3Xmd60Dudu-2JKWqFx4pY14-X4EIweFgsN-53F9pBzbD51ZpfCnvYiBG-Gj2-NeTWN9OL2hl0I/s200/Valentine.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">St. Valentine's Day:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200276053"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">VALENTINE'S DAY</span></a> (<strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Saints&p=par"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Saints</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2012/02/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-celebrate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate St. Valentine's Day?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/st-valentines-day-does-it-have-any.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">St. VALENTINE'S DAY - Does It Have Any Pagan Religious Associations?</span></a> (SFBT)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7WGZ3-RcOzA/UKkbgzR3UuI/AAAAAAAABAI/C5rAzlyP-rw/s1600/0401-April-fools-day_full_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7WGZ3-RcOzA/UKkbgzR3UuI/AAAAAAAABAI/C5rAzlyP-rw/s200/0401-April-fools-day_full_600.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">April Fool's Day:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-should-christian-view-april-fools.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How Do Jehovah's Witnesses View April Fools' Day?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Practical+Jokes&p=par"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Practical Jokes</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/2770"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Origins of April Fool's Day</span></a> (JWQ&A)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/2771"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">When it comes to having fun or playing practical jokes at another's expense, what scriptural principles should be kept in mind?</span></a> (JWQ&A)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGFIkQ_XnaJTGTWxWst63JnAVTeKDLphkJNYg0-TYMu-CdMrA5JkjSgg2rbCrXkkGSyUP-CiFg1u8PmqVhxlyRHFNJhPujuUpO5veqRFjyeBNTOs9q_Ayxda2cZllpIQYfshfRMjsUB8/s1600/Disney-Aristocats-Mothers-Day-Card2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGFIkQ_XnaJTGTWxWst63JnAVTeKDLphkJNYg0-TYMu-CdMrA5JkjSgg2rbCrXkkGSyUP-CiFg1u8PmqVhxlyRHFNJhPujuUpO5veqRFjyeBNTOs9q_Ayxda2cZllpIQYfshfRMjsUB8/s200/Disney-Aristocats-Mothers-Day-Card2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Mother's Day:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200273934"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">MOTHER’S DAY</span></a> <strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-dont-jehovahs-witnsses-formally.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Formally Celebrate Mother's Day?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Independence Day</span></strong> (Fourth of July) - Also see "<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/06/neutrality.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Neutrality</span></a>"<br />
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<span class="pg" data-no="212" id="pg0"></span><a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102008085"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Flag Salute, Voting, and Civilian Service</span></a> (lv pp. 212-215; Watchtower Online Library) </div>
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-bible-principles-explain.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What scriptures have a bearing on the attitude of true Christians toward involvement in ceremonies commemorating events in a nation's political history?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7O16ByhVPuehnHJKYpwYWnbH2VM2hs8G5UJXACY69GdFUtgT5mPaGUkHeZsLKzRKL2l4Zbh5pd_n3RppyyLQ8zSmEh17JrIQEsDJcpZhnS3x_YOWkSsKkTWqcbm0inAmJOsPGWJX9Pn0/s1600/fireworks-324x205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7O16ByhVPuehnHJKYpwYWnbH2VM2hs8G5UJXACY69GdFUtgT5mPaGUkHeZsLKzRKL2l4Zbh5pd_n3RppyyLQ8zSmEh17JrIQEsDJcpZhnS3x_YOWkSsKkTWqcbm0inAmJOsPGWJX9Pn0/s200/fireworks-324x205.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">New Year's Eve / Day:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-celebrate_26.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate New Year's Eve / Day?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/should-christian-celebrate-new-years.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Should A Christian Celebrate New Year's Eve / Day?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths) <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">General: </span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/research-are-celebrating-holidays.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Are Celebrating Holidays Acceptable to God?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/should-wedding-rings-and-use-of-days.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Should WEDDING RINGS and the use of days and months of the GREGORIAN CALENDAR be avoided by true Christians?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/examining-romans-146.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Examining Romans 14:6</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/683"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Candy in the gutter illustration</span></a> (JWQ&A)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2005006"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Beware of Customs That Displease God</span></a> (w05 1/1 pp. 27-30; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2007922"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can a Pagan Holiday Be Made Christian?</span></a> (w07 12/15 pp. 8-9;Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005163"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Should We Celebrate Holidays?</span></a> (bh p. 222-p. 223;Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005146"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What view do Christians take of religious holidays?</span></a> (bh chap. 16 pp. 154-163;Watchtower Online Library)</div>
Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2270720158293672851.post-38817654141045748382013-11-16T15:51:00.000-08:002013-11-16T15:51:11.198-08:00Video: Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>For more, see:</b><br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200271214"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CHRISTMAS - Links to Information</span></a> (<span style="color: black;">Index</span>; Watchtower Online Library)</div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=Christmas&fc%5B%5D=bi&fc%5B%5D=it&fc%5B%5D=dx&fc%5B%5D=w&fc%5B%5D=g&fc%5B%5D=bk&fc%5B%5D=yb&fc%5B%5D=brch&fc%5B%5D=bklt&fc%5B%5D=trct"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas</span></a> (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-not-celebrate-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-about-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What Does the Bible Say About Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-dont-jehovahs-witnesses-celebrate.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)</div>
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2000920"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas Customs - Are They Christian?</span></a> (w00 12/15 pp. 3-7; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2004921"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How Should Christ Be Remembered?</span></a> (w04 12/15 pp. 4-7; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002921"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jesus' Birth - How and Why it Happened</span></a> (w02 12/15 pp. 3-5; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/the-christmas-spirit/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">In Search of the Christmas Spirit</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/why-some-do-not-celebrate-christmas/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Something Better Than Christmas</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/remembering-jesus-christ/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Remembering Jesus Christ</span></a> (JW.ORG)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/can-pagan-customs-of-christmas-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Can the Pagan Customs of Christmas Really Be MADE Acceptable to God?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-its-origins-and-associations.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Christmas - It's Origins And Associations</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-does-christmas-music-carols-really.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">What Does Christmas Music Really Teach?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-does-it-have-any-known-pagan.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">CHRISTMAS - Does It Have Any Known Pagan Religious Associations?</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvooopmPST379lU5VdMq0QnoOC-Gh-dUF7XIpr28ph-c0M85CUSS0o-2TP4mA3emJzkiTiUzYG6LNpjclrEViwFCuthunJgbPUxHdfK6tdmZRDauSbtKbMZacY1gf2w6CnNtqe-XfqQY/s1600/JesusBirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvooopmPST379lU5VdMq0QnoOC-Gh-dUF7XIpr28ph-c0M85CUSS0o-2TP4mA3emJzkiTiUzYG6LNpjclrEViwFCuthunJgbPUxHdfK6tdmZRDauSbtKbMZacY1gf2w6CnNtqe-XfqQY/s200/JesusBirth.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/11/date-of-jesus-birth.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Date of Jesus' Birth</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>(Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/12/did-jesus-christ-or-his-disciples-or.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did Jesus Christ or his disciples or his apostles celebrate Christmas?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
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<a href="http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2009/11/did-jesus-want-his-birthday-celebrated.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Did Jesus Want His Birthday Celebrated? Did His Followers Celebrate It?</span></a> (Search For Bible Truths)<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://tearsofoberon.blogspot.com/2009/09/birthdaychristmas-quotes-recources.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Birthday/Christmas Quotes & Resources</span></a> </span>(Jehovah's Witnesses Redefended)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200272596"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">HANUKKAH</span></a> (<strong><span style="color: red;">Index</span></strong>; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200272141#s=53:0-53:0"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah)</span></a> (Index; Watchtower Online Library)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1215"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hanukkah—Is It a “Jewish Christmas”?</span></a> (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)<br />
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<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JWquestions-and_answers/message/1217"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hanukkah (Festival of Dedication) - Significance for Christians</span></a> (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">BACK TO HOME PAGE</span></a> <a href="http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/index-sites-and-pages-in-defense-of_2379.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">INDEX</span></a> </span>
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Elijah Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13053062645377291813noreply@blogger.com