GB 2025 Update #4

[Dages]

2 hours ago, LeolaRootStew said:

Sorry, but there's no way I would buy someone gifts for doing the bare minimum. I will congratulate for your baptism on the day of your baptism or the next time I see you.

Same. And I would not want someone to give me anything but a "👍" for my baptism anniversary...

[blanchard]

9 hours ago, blanchard said:

Are you celebrating you birthday like JW (your date of baptism) ?

I don't speak of great fest but every year i say "happy anniversary" to my wife for her baptism in décember 1966

[Ivar]

17 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

Nope. Sure doesn't. I was asking people here, our members. I was not asking chatgtp. 

 

Of course! I aksed some of my JW family members, and they said the 5 year old explanation chatGPT gave did sum up all the reasons they think things might change in the future. So I hope this is a better reply.

 

  

On 7/14/2025 at 1:51 PM, Shawnster said:

Why do you suppose or speculate we will have an adjustment on these holidays? 

 

Could you please explain and do do simply, as if talking to a 5 year old? 

 

17 hours ago, Shawnster said:

No, ChatGPT did not answer the question. I asked WHY? What is the motivation behind this desire or urge to celebrate birthdays? ChatGPT cannot speak for anyone's motives or desires. 

 

Ah now I see. I understood the "why?" as a question about the reasoning behing it. Thank you for being precise now. 

For my family members, the motive is logical consistency. 

[Shawnster]

On 7/31/2025 at 1:26 PM, Pionner_who said:

From my point of view, the simple fact that first-century Christians did not do it is already a solid basis for not doing it today. After all, the goal of Jehovah’s Witnesses is to follow in the footsteps of the early Christians.

 

 

 

Actually, the goal is to live in harmony with Jehovah's direction. 

 

It's not like the first century Christians were a perfect model to live by. Nowhere do the scriptures say the that. 

 

We are footstep followers of Jesus. 

[Shawnster]

20 hours ago, grain of mustard said:

The cake and the gifts are not the problem, the problem is the candles in this case of the baptism anniversary. But I think that preparing a cake, inviting some friends and receiving a tie, a notepad, a picture frame would not be a problem. 

 

Why are candles a problem? 

[Qapla]

It may not be just the candles in and of themselves, but that they are usually accompanied by "making a wish and blowing them out (in a single breath) to make the wish come true.

 

[TheKid23]

On 7/31/2025 at 1:26 PM, Pionner_who said:

From my point of view, the simple fact that first-century Christians did not do it is already a solid basis for not doing it today. After all, the goal of Jehovah’s Witnesses is to follow in the footsteps of the early Christians.

 

 

I get where you’re coming from with this thought- we imitate what they did and didn’t do because we know that Jehovah approved (or disapproved) of it and were favoured by Him.
 

But at the same time, we’re footstep followers of Christ- not imperfect men.

He is the best example for us to follow, and by doing this we reach our ultimate goal of imitating Jehovah & drawing closer to Him. 

 

Edited August 1 by Qapla
Removed duplicates

[grain of mustard]

44 minutes ago, Shawnster said:

 

Por que as velas são um problema? 

No one lights candles for anyone except for a birthday (paganism) or for a deceased person. Both cases are paganism. Would you agree to light candles for yourself, even if it were an acceptable celebration? It would be mixing pagan customs with an acceptable celebration. Unless you have no electricity.  

[grain of mustard]

57 minutes ago, Shawnster said:

 

Na verdade, o objetivo é viver em harmonia com a orientação de Jeová. 

 

Não é como se os cristãos do primeiro século fossem um modelo perfeito de vida. Em nenhum lugar as escrituras dizem isso. 

 

Somos seguidores dos passos de Jesus. 

so you're saying we shouldn't imitate first century Christians? (I'm not talking about wrong practices) 

[johnnyjw01]

2 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

Why are candles a problem? 

Because you make a wish to who?

[blanchard]

I think Governing body will not be long before we have a clear position on birthdays. And if ... there is a modification will you be ready to accept a new disposition ?

[blanchard]

Humility will clearly be the key

[truce]

5 hours ago, blanchard said:

I think Governing body will not be long before we have a clear position on birthdays. And if ... there is a modification will you be ready to accept a new disposition ?

Don't we already have a clear position on birthdays? Why keep going round in circles?

Edited August 2 by truce

[Jwanon]

12 hours ago, grain of mustard said:

so you're saying we shouldn't imitate first century Christians? (I'm not talking about wrong practices) 

 

First century Christians were just like us. They tried to imitate Jesus, and so do we

[blanchard]

48 minutes ago, truce said:

Don't we already have a clear position on birthdays? Why keep going round in circles?

Toast also but we are in a period of change

[Dolce vita]

In the W October 2025 issue, study no. 43, an illustration pinpoints a school scene: a little girl is apparently faced with the question of one of her classmates' birthdays. Clearly, we are still encouraged to steer clear of this practice.

Of course, a GB's update may change our view on the subject, and we will be happy to align ourselves with the new guidelines, but let's just say that for now, that's where we are.

[carlos]

On 7/30/2025 at 1:50 PM, carlos said:

So friends, please, let's all drop the subject. 

 

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. Can we please drop this subject NOW?

 

We cannot ask a member to drop a subject and then keep replying to him. 

[Michał]

Are all the congregations worldwide scheduled to see GB#4 this week (unless CO visit, CA/RC)?

[Sofia]

17 minutes ago, Michał said:

Are all the congregations worldwide scheduled to see GB#4 this week (unless CO visit, CA/RC)?

We have seen it last week

this comming week we will discuss the convention 🤗

[sis little]

On 7/14/2025 at 3:22 PM, Sete said:

This is so lovely to read. Wish you the best my dear sister Leslie. Soon you'll open that bottle! 

Suster, thanks for sharing this special moment of your life with us all. It's a very special memory and yes, you will open that bottle.

 

AGAPE

Sis Little

[Shawnster]

On 8/1/2025 at 6:18 PM, grain of mustard said:

No one lights candles for anyone except for a birthday (paganism) or for a deceased person. Both cases are paganism. Would you agree to light candles for yourself, even if it were an acceptable celebration? It would be mixing pagan customs with an acceptable celebration. Unless you have no electricity.  

 

So, the problem is not the candles. The problem is the candles are not used properly. This really is the same with any object used in false worship. The object itself is not wrong, it's the use or misuse of the object that is objectionable. 

 

Candles are not wrong. Lighting them to appease the dead, to carry a prayer to God, or ward off evil and attract good luck is wrong. 

 

Water is not wrong. Using it to baptize infants, sprinkle baptism, or use it as holy water is wrong. 

 

A picture of Jesus is not wrong. Praying to the picture is wrong. 

 

On 8/1/2025 at 6:27 PM, grain of mustard said:

so you're saying we shouldn't imitate first century Christians? (I'm not talking about wrong practices) 

 

Does the Bible tells us to imitate first century Christians? 

 

We imitate Christ. 

We imitate the faith of those taking the lead. 

 

We imitate the first century Christians as far as their zeal and devotion to Christ. We imitate their endurance under trial. We imitate their faith. However, when it comes to whatever we should or should not do, we follow the direction in the scriptures. 

 

First century Christians weren't perfect. They had their problems like we do today. They had difficulty accepting changes in the organization in regards circumcision and association with gentiles. Jesus said some were lukewarm, some allowed evil influences in the congregation, some were dead spiritually. Others set examples in endurance, in love, and in holding fast to Jesus. 

 

When we imitate first century Christians we do so, not because they were from the first century, but because we can point to how they upheld following scripture. 

[jwhess]

We are remined in Hebrews 13:7..."Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out, imitate their faith."

[rocket]

On 8/1/2025 at 10:20 PM, blanchard said:

I think Governing body will not be long before we have a clear position on birthdays. And if ... there is a modification will you be ready to accept a new disposition ?

 

Don't we have a clear position from Jehovah on Idolatry? It was only pagan intrusion into the Christian Congregation that let birthday celebrations seep in.

[Miss Bea]

Its creepy to even think about. Bʼday celebrations.

[Dustparticle]

15 minutes ago, Miss Bea said:

Its creepy to even think about. Bʼday celebrations.

 

 True sis. Like I said before, I did research on birthdays and there is no escaping it. PAGAN!!!