Christianity
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redelmarca
Why are some Christian religions not allowed to celebrate Christmas , birthdays, etc. They are considered pagan.
My daughter in law is involved in such believes (World wide church of god) and I want to discuss with her but all she does in quote the bible. any suggesting on how to reach her?
Marilyn
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replied to:  redelmarca
DearLeader
Replied to:  Why are some Christian religions not allowed to celebrate Christmas ,...
She has different beliefs than you do, and that means she must die. You know what you must do.
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replied to:  redelmarca
silverglass
Replied to:  Why are some Christian religions not allowed to celebrate Christmas ,...
It seem this organization has gone through some fundamental changes from its beginnings under the leadership of the late- by Herbert W. Armstrong. Under Armstrong’s leadership biblical teaching and doctrine came under criticism and what was once believed has now changed under the new leadership.
Just prior to Armstrong's death in 1986, Joseph W. Tkach, Sr., assumed the title of "Pastor General" of the WCG. (Tkach died in September, 1995, at the age of 68. He was succeeded by his son, Joseph Tkach, Jr.) Since the 1986 leadership change, observers of the cult's affairs can list some 40 changes in WCG's doctrines, as well as a withdrawal from circulation of a number of Armstrong's written works. The leadership of the WCG has issued a new statement of faith, which, on the surface, appears to accept traditional Bible doctrine in many areas. The major changes are toward a more orthodox position on the Trinity and salvation through the grace of God alone and not through good deeds. The WCG has also declared that tithing and observing the Sabbath are no longer mandatory. [Of the Sabbath, it says, "Though physical Sabbath keeping is not required for Christians, it is the tradition and practice of the Worldwide Church of God to hold its weekly worship service on the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday)."] And though the WCG continues to hold annual festivals based on the Old Testament feasts, they no longer claim that these are binding upon Christians. (Despite the doctrinal changes, many still question the sincerity of the WCG leadership in making them
Without doubt, under the new leadership, the legalism of this cult has been moderated. Gone are the prohibitions against the use of cosmetics, celebrating birthdays and holidays, seeking medical treatment, and interracial marriage. However, when examining the WCG's new doctrinal statement, one has trouble considering it to be an Evangelical, much less Fundamentalist statement on basic doctrines -- namely, the Scriptures. For example, the WCG depicts the Bible as "the fully reliable record of God's revelation to humanity." One can ask if the Bible is "God's revelation to humanity" or is it just a "record" of it? A reliable record to tell us about God's revelation is not the same as God's revelation. A Fundamentalist would declare that "the Bible is God's revelation of His Person, His works, and His will for humanity."
There are serious questions concerning the influence of Armstrong that critics say still pervades this organization and so therefore one needs to be careful to see that although there have been doctrinal changes that have brought WCG within the beliefs of mainline church doctrines there still remains some leftover influences concerning early statements of faith that are outside of sound doctrine which were instituted under his leadership.

A Personal Note from a Former Worldwide Church of God Member#
David Covington was a member of the WCG for 25 years and was in the full-time ministry for five of those years. He was pastor of the Roanoke and Lynchburg, Virginia, congregations and was a contributing writer to the WCG's Plain Truth magazine. In May 1996, Covington resigned because, "after 19 months of addressing these issues with [the WCG's] administration, it became apparent that I was actually enabling a sick system that does not desire genuine change for Jesus."

Referring to pastor General Joe Tkach Jr., Mike Feazell, director of Church Administration, and Greg Albrecht, editor of The Plain Truth, Covington writes:
"... I am convinced you aren't even capable of seeing, much less addressing the genuine problems. I compare the 1996 WCG to a husband who used to beat his wife seven days a week and now has cut back to four. And, the wife is supposed to be satisfied with his progress! Worse still, he's holding seminars on domestic violence!"
Addressing why outside observers are reporting that genuine repentance has taken place in the WCG, Covington points out, "These observers cannot possibly understand what it is like to be a member of this church. They miss the dynamics of this system which remains abusive."

Covington also points out continuing doctrinal problems: "The WCG still rejects the doctrine of eternal punishment, holds observances on the Jewish Sabbath and festivals ... and teaches as doctrine the debatable matter of post-mortem evangelization [i.e., those who are not saved in this life still have a chance to be saved in a future resurrection]. I would add that the abusive heretic, Herbert W. Armstrong, continues to be regarded as a minister of Jesus Christ." Covington also disputes the WCG's profit motive:
"I have long said that the WCG exists to perpetuate itself and profit its leaders. Observers might argue that this is not true of the new WCG as evidenced by the loss of members and income due to its doctrinal correction. But while employed by the WCG, I was told that the charges were being made to shed the cult image and to shift Plain Truth readership to a market more likely to donate. ... I know you [Tkach] say that you have lost members and income by the changes you have made. However, your power and prestige have not been abated. In fact, you have now had opportunity to speak before hundreds of denominational leaders, be interviewed on radio with James Kennedy and Hank Hanegraaff, obtain several book contracts, and that in addition to your planned radio program (and aforementioned pay increase). You did not possess anywhere near this kind of prominence before."
Covington concludes that he "... hope[s] that observers of the WCG will begin to see the complexity of the issue of an abusive cult becoming a healthy, Orthodox Church. It is not as simple as changing a few doctrines and mouthing some evangelical sounding phrases."

[# This personal note has been excerpted and/or adapted from an article in the 1Q97, PFO Quarterly Journal: "The Two Faces of the Worldwide Church of God.]

I would suggest you appeal to your daughter in-law’s sense of intellectual curiosity and have her do some unbiased research into the origins and evolutions of this organization. If she is reasonably intelligent she will see the problems that this church has had right from the get –go. I would further suggest that she approach her religious beliefs with enough critical analysis to warrant her putting her beliefs to the test of sound doctrine which can be found simply doing sample readings of the tenants and faith statements found in all mainline Christian churches. Christian beliefs form the core of a person's identity and as such should be practically approached by faith without committing intellectual suicide.
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replied to:  silverglass
redelmarca
Replied to:  It seem this organization has gone through some fundamental changes from...
Hi , Thanks for your response. The church that she is receiving reading material from is (The Phillidelpha Church of God) run by Flurry. It was a spin of of world wide church of god.
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replied to:  redelmarca
Stealthjet
Replied to:  Why are some Christian religions not allowed to celebrate Christmas ,...
DEUTERONOMY 12:28 "Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God. 29 When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' 31 "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. (NKJV)

Birthday is not a religious festival then you may celebrate it.
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