I know it's a little early, but I think I've decided to put up a Christmas tree for the first time ever this year.

I've always had this irrational fear that decorating for the holidays and celebrating is the worst thing you could possibly do as a JW.

But I'm not a JW anymore. Haven't been for a couple years. Still, that fear persisted.

But then I broke it down a little. JWs say Christmas and other holidays are wrong because they have pagan roots.

But what about the things with bad roots that JWs seemingly have no problem with?

For example, bowling - bowling was a creation of Christendom, as a game where knocking down the pins meant battling and winning against demons. You'd think a sport originating in false religion would be a no-go for the Dubs, but I guess not.

What I'm trying to say is this: I don't think a loving God would rain down fire and sulphur on me for putting a pretty tree with lights in my house and cooking a nice dinner for my family.

Edit: Removed a paragraph after fact-checking for accuracy.

I think I'm brave enough to do it this year.

TL;DR: Not afraid of dying for decorating a tree anymore.