Posted by ANDY [ANDY] on November 27, 1999 at 10:56:43 {nwG7wj0NI.qTvkv3njLwxhvS/hG.LU}:
In Reply to: Christmas trees question? posted by notbraindead on November 27, 1999 at 10:23:10:
Did it last year, and will do it again this year.
In answer to why, I like it. I don't worship the TREE, I don't associate anything about the tree with PAGANISM, and I don't really think that having a Christmas tree in your house has anything to do with false worship.
For me I see it this way. Which is worse, having a tree in your house, or twisting the scriptures around the way JW's do to fit their own "UNIQUE" beliefs.
Which is worse, getting together with family, and having a good time or predicting false dates for the world to end?
Which is worse, giving presents to ones you love on a certain day, or shunning those loved ones just because they don't think the same as the GB?
Which is worse, celebrating a holiday, any holiday, or telling 6 million people to abstane from blood, and die, because a group of MEN tell you to do it?
I could go on, but you get the idea.
Russell had no problem with celebrating holidays. Everybody at Bethel celebrated in Russells time. Just because the Judge wanted to do away with everything Russell taught, and because the Judge wanted to control his followers in every way, does not make these things detestable to God. It is only destestable to the society. To me they are NOT God's spoksmen here on earth. They havn't gotten much right yet, so why should I continue to follow their "UNIQUE" doctrines after I have left their ranks?
Saying these things have pagan roots is really stupid. There are so many other things that have pagan roots that they don't condem. Think about it!
Once again, it is all a matter or being in control.
What I chose to do, and what I chose to celebrate, is between myself and my creator. It has nothing to do with what 13 men in New York "THINK" is right.
ANDY: