Wedding Band Homepage

Question: Jw's why do you wear wedding bands? why do you celebrate anniversaries?

(Posted by: Diggs on 2008-11-03 06:17:19)

Anything that has "pagan " roots you said is from Satan. You hold fast to this on many topics....but some you do not. Why do you wear wedding bands....is it in the bible? What are the roots of wedding bands? What about anniversaries? I still have not gotten an answer. Why make an exception to wedding rings? or anniversaries? By the way Vot...that was funny. I agree that you should celebrate anniversaries...like the anniversary of Jesus's Death and resurection. If we are to take it in this direction, isn't a birthday an anniversary of someone being born? Of Gods gift of life to us? Oops I got off topic too. If its debatable about the roots....do you want to gamble on your souls? The person being honored is pagan? So showing someone you are happy they are here is pagan? Showing them they are glad God put you into the world is pagan?Do you not give gifts to people you love? Do you not bake and get together with and for people. Didn't many Come to see Jesus..that he was born "regardless of time period ". So if something has more than one meaning you can have a celebration. Some people celebrate christmas just to get together and spend time together, some celebrate it as observing Christs birth...this has more than one meaning...Some celebrate it as giving thanks to God for giving us Jesus. So even if the roots are pagan...if its used in a meaning of good its o.k? I think births came into this world before they were used in any pagan meanings...I know that much...but rings being in existence before "pagan roots " is a far stretch don't you think? Because they are placed on you, you live with them....because of custom and society? Doesn't Jesus warn us of this? Thats my point...in no way celebrating (not worshipping) someones birthday is not false worship...celebrating Christmas is not false worship... Wearing a ring is not false worship. Thank you. God didn't institute births? common thats an easy one. So again, even if its been used for pagan reasons...if your reasons are not of pagan ideals than its o.k.

Posted by: "G" on 2008-11-03, 06:22:40

They wear wedding rings and celebrate anniversaries for one reason; their wives would kill them if they didn't.

Posted by: Anna on 2008-11-03, 06:23:29

Well, you know that a ring is just a symbol to let others know that you are betrothed and are off limits for marriage to someone else. Anniversaries? Don't we all like to celebrate? Its a celebration, that's all. Besides, gifts are involved. Like gifts?

Posted by: cyberme on 2008-11-03, 06:24:52

Actually there are conflicting ideas as to the origin of the wedding ring. Let us give a few examples: "Originally the ring was a fetter (a handcuff), used to bind the captive bride. " (For Richer, for Poorer) "The ring is a relatively modern substitute for the gold coin or other article of value with which a man literally purchased his wife from her father. " (The Jewish Wedding Book) "The wedding ring is supposed to be of Roman origin, and to have sprung from the ancient custom of using rings in making agreements. " (American Cyclopædia) "Various explanations have been given of the connection of the ring with marriage. It would appear that wedding-rings were worn by the Jews prior to Christian times. "-The International Cyclopaedia. It is thus seen that the precise origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and thus Witnesses are free to make personal decisions as to whether they wear them. Wedding celebrations are clearly not against bible principles, since Jesus participated in at least one and the remembrance of the wedding day is, to my knowledge not a pagan celebration.

Posted by: Linda on 2008-11-03, 06:28:02

According to some customs, the wedding ring forms the last in a series of gifts, which also may include the engagement ring, traditionally given as a betrothal present. Most religious marital ceremonies accept a band of any material to symbolize the making of marriage vows.

Posted by: Psalms 83:18 ♥ L o v e on 2008-11-03, 06:28:07

IN all honesty I am soooooooooo soooooooooo sooooooooo bad about wearing mine.... I am not being coy, I literally forget to wear it most of the time.... I don't even know right where it is right now... lol! I adore my hubby, he really does complete me, but I just don't wear it often.... As to the pagan roots. I will let someone else give you the answer and I will read theirs. Soooo a star * for you!

Posted by: Q&A Queen on 2008-11-03, 06:42:46

The wedding band, more than anything, is symbolic of the fact that the person wearing it is spoken for. If you go to a Witness wedding you will notice that the person performing the ceremony will make a clear point of saying that to Jehovah's Witnesses the ring has no special meaning except as an outward symbol that tells all others "back off, I'm taken " (my words LOL) Anniversaries? They do not in and of themselves have any pagan connotation. There were "anniversaries " celebrated by the ancient Israelites. They were called Festivals that commemorated various events in their history. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = (a) Why make an exception for the wedding ring? Because it does have more than one meaning. Other things that have pagan origin do not. (b) Again, an anniversary in and of itself is not pagan. It is the occasion/ person being oberved/ honored.

Posted by: Annsan_In_Him on 2008-11-03, 06:43:09

Even if it's debatable whether the wedding ring was originally pagan, it's Trinitarian use by the Roman Catholic Church isn't! The Priest would slip the ring onto the bride's finger saying, "In the name of the Father.... " slip it off, slip it back on saying, "In the name of the Son... " slip it off, slip it back on saying, "In the name of the Holy Spirit... " and then pronounce the couple married in the sight of God. That alone should be enough to put all JWs right off wedding rings! They hate the Trinity doctrine even more than they hate supposedly pagan customs! Why do they celebrate anniversaries? Well, what else have they got 'permission' to celebrate, I wonder? Christmas is forbidden, New Year is pagan, birthdays are pagan. The only celebration they hold collectively is the annual remembrance of Jesus death - a very sober affair. If I was a JW I'd be desperately disappointed if I wasn't married and so didn't have a wedding anniversary to look forward to.

Posted by: Zoey A on 2008-11-03, 06:43:16

There is controversey as to the true origins of wedding bands, but they were definately used in marriage ceremonies, and as a symbol of marriage, to show that two people were joined together. There is nothing in the Bible that indicates non-religious wedding traditions are bad. Rather than being of religious origins, the wearing of wedding rings and the type of rings used has been dictated more by fashions of the day. Nowadays, it is a common symbol of marriage, and also serves to show others that you are no longer available. And there is nothing wrong with celebrating an anniversary. Jesus commanded us to observe the memorial, or anniversary, of his death each year. Rather than being of pagan origins, an anniversary is simply a yearly celebration of an important, joyous event; in this case, a wedding. Such traditions were established as part of local custom, not religous ceremonies.

Posted by: Vöt Änårж on 2008-11-03, 06:44:20

Pagans wore clothes too. Shall we go nude then? Ha- bet you'd like THAT!

Posted by: angelmusic1914 on 2008-11-03, 06:56:22

Someone asked the same question two days ago. I would love to cut and paste their excellent answer but I don't think it is allowed. That being said. - has it crossed many people's minds that the rings may have come into existence before the pagans borrowed them with their incorrect definition attached? Sort of like candles. Are candles used in false worship? Surely. But candles were in existence long before the false rites involving them. Do we not use candles because of this connection? No. Jehovah instituted marriage. If we choose to observe the anniversary of a union that has Jehovah's blessing, then that is a personal choice. We are not REQUIRED to celebrate an anniversary. We MAY do so if we desire. I've been married 41 years, and my husband and I have had larger celebrations, smaller personal special dinners, AND sometimes due to circumstances, NO celebration. Once we were attending an International Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kiev, Ukraine during our anniversary. The day was already planned. The meal was arranged by the tour company. So our celebration was saying Happy Anniversary to each other that day. Do I remember that? Yes. Was it special? Yes, to me. I'm sure you recognize that days, months, constellations, names of planets, some animals and plants, names of some cities, even names of some rocks, minerals, and foods all come from a "pagan " background. We cannot get rid of those. We live with them since they are placed upon us by society and custom. EDIT: Are you listening to what you are advocating? That we change the names of days, months, cities, planets, etc. Is that even reasonable? Jesus said we would live "in the world ", not be removed from the world. They have picked those names. Our using them in no way involves false worship. Isaiah said "Come let us reason together.... "

Posted by: bongobeat25 on 2008-11-03, 08:26:59

God instituted marraige so that one is easy. And some JW's Do not celebrate anniversarys. because it is to much like a birthday. but as for wedding rings...? I had to look it up cause i am human. this is what i found. Granted, the fact that an object, a design, or a practice has roots or parallels in ancient false religion does not always rule such out for a true worshipper. Consider the pomegranate. A noted Bible encyclopedia reports: “The pomegranate seems also to have been used as a holy symbol in heathen religions.� Nevertheless, God had pomegranates made of thread put on the hem of the high priest’s garment, and pomegranates decorated the copper pillars of Solomon’s temple. (Exodus 28:33; 2 Kings 25:17) Moreover, the wedding ring at one time had religious significance. Yet, most people today do not know that, considering a wedding ring a mere evidence that someone is married.

Posted by: sillygirl on 2008-11-03, 09:45:19

Simple. The WBTS doesn't tell them NOT to! New lights are too busy shining on other matters.