subject: Ancient Birthday Had No Cheap Party Supplies [print this page] Ancient Birthday Had No Cheap Party Supplies
Greek Orthodox Christianity prefers the celebration of name days (specific dates devoted to the saints after whom one was named) over birthdays, but do not prohibit birthdays outright. Jehovah's Witnesses and other "sacred name" adherents on the peripheries of mainstream Christianity do prohibit birthdays. Among Muslims, there is no prohibition against birthdays, but concern over its Western roots and connotations, especially those associated with an emphasis on the self and individualism (after all, "Islam" means "submission" or "to submit!").
