Received 7-16-99
Subject:
Birthdays
Dear believers- I am blessed to have found your site. I just
recently realized I needed to keep the commandments. I have much to learn
and not much time left to accomplish that. Could you tell me if birthdays
should be celebrated? If there is scriptural reference, please give
me that as well.
Thank you for your help. Carl Owens
Answer from Qumran Bet (7-17-99):
Dear Carl Owens,
We are doubly blessed that you have found this site. Your participation can be valuable to all of us here, including you. We are looking for truth. We know some answers but as yet we don't even know all the questions. Birthday celebrations are mentioned Scripturally only in a derogatory light. We are cautioned not to be respectors of persons.
James 2:9
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law
as transgressors. (KJV)
Even the celebration of the legendary birthday of 'Jesus' was a latter day addition to the 'christian mythology' of the R.C.C.
From Encyclopedia Britannica: One of the best-known festivals of ancient Rome was the Saturnalia, a winter festival celebrated on December 17-24. Because it was a time of wild merrymaking and domestic celebrations, businesses, schools, and law courts were closed so that the public could feast, dance, gamble, and generally enjoy itself to the fullest. December 25--the birthday of Mithra, the Iranian god of light, and a day devoted to the invincible sun, as well as the day after the Saturnalia--was adopted by the church as Christmas, the nativity of Christ, to counteract the effects of these festivals. (to seduce more converts to the new state religion of Rome by the decree of Constantine, (circa 300 C.E.).
We see no benefit in holding up or celebrating our personal statistics or accomplishments. He tell us He is a jealous Elohim demanding exclusive devotion, why would we test YHWH our Elohim by lifting ourselves up? We, in this western world have a real problem with self aggrandizement. Why promote or contribute to this problem? We hold these beliefs until we can be shown that YHWH would have us do it some other way. Sincerely hope this helps, Carl.
Love in YHWH, Br. Jerry of Qumran Bet Community
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