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Christmas
Samson:
--- Quote from: Dennis Vogel on October 19, 2008, 03:20:51 PM ---Wrong. Too harsh, manipulative, and controlling.
1Co 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
You should not force your beliefs on your family. That will only turn them off to your beliefs.
Don't make your children appear abnormal to their piers. Pier pressure is extremely powerful. Your children will grow up resenting you.
I came out of the Worldwide Church of God. They were very legalistic. So are the JW's, SDA'st, and most of all, the church. Full of rules and law's that oppress.
We are under a different, higher standard, called love.
Your husband is the head of the house. Give him a reasonable check and let him decide what to do with it.
--- End quote ---
Hello Everyone,
I share Dennis Vogels viewpoint and not because he's the Administrator of this Forum, but for what's explained in the above, because I was one of those from an EXTREMELY LEGALISTIC DENOMINATION, THE JW'S. These type of denominations want to control every aspect of one's personal life, let God and the Scriptures do that.
Eileen, I don't have the desire to celebrate Christmas to this day, even prior to becoming a JW, I didn't like it, mainly because of the GREED AND SELFISHNESS that is so apparent in connection with gift giving and " keeping up with the joneses " And that was prior to discovering the " Pagan Origin " deal. The phony actions of people during this Holiday was enough for me, but now I try to approach these Holidays in a balanced way and as Kat mentions, this varies from family to family due to ones circumstances, otherwise, as a suggestion, LET THEM BE AND DON'T TRY TO CONTROL THEM, you'll tire and wear yourself out, it's a waste of valuable energy and as Dennis mentioned in an earlier comment, " There are more important issues. "
Just my honest opinion Eileen, Samson.
Craig:
I've always marveled at why when we start learning the truths of God and taste the freedom from the bondage of religion; after a short season we once again start putting ourselves back under that bondage?
Craig
Dennis Vogel:
Marlene said: "Christmas is what you make it" to which I say "exactly"
We are not to celebrate Christmas, but those that do, do not celebrate it as the pagan holiday we know it is. And we are not to judge them for it anymore than we are not to judge anyone else on the planet for anything, because we are all what God has made us.
Well said Craig. I think people feel more comfortable in bondage, that gets them off the hook. All they have to do is perform the rituals and go to heaven.
Our journey is much more difficult.
Dennis
Heidi:
--- Quote from: Craig on October 20, 2008, 07:31:44 AM ---I've always marveled at why when we start learning the truths of God and taste the freedom from the bondage of religion; after a short season we once again start putting ourselves back under that bondage?
Craig
--- End quote ---
How very true, your words are Craig. Thank you for saying this because us newbies need reminders every now and again not to yearn back for how things were in Egypt.
Heidi
WhoAmI:
I say take advantage of the time to enjoy family or friends. People are off from work and school so why not get together and socialize.
People ask me what I am doing on certain holidays and I tell them the same thing I do on any other day. To me it is like a person who buys a Valentine day gift for their special someone only because someone else has said that on that day is when you do something special for your other half. I can't believe how many people feel totally obligated to do these things just because someone ELSE says they should. I have had a number of people ask me if I am a JW's just because I try to treat every day just as important as the next. I don't care if they call it "Magical Whoo Hooo Day" or whatever title they give it and stick a date to it, it doesn't change anything for me. Most people frown on my attitude about this but they fail to see that I am trying to live each day fully and be able to live freely without thinking I have to follow every constructed popular man made idea that comes along and is pushed on us with peer pressure and conformity.
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