Any Jehovah's Witnesses out there? I have a question.

[mickeysgal]

What I am curious about, is they can celebrate anniversaries.

I'm curious about this too. A friend of mine that I work with is a Jehovah's Witness and I made the mistake of wishing her a Happy Birthday once. She very kindly told me that she doesn't celebrate birthdays, yet her and her husband do go out and celebrate their anniversary.

 

[mirmartinez]

It has to do with the origins of the holidays. For example, as regarding Christmas, Jesus was not born on December 25, this was actually the date of an ancient pagan festival celebrating the rebirth of the sun. The Bible is clear that Jesus was 33 1/2 when he died, in the spring (March or April). Therefore he would have been born in the fall (probably September or October). The Bible never gives the date of his birth. It would be in there if it was that important for his followers to celebrate. On the other hand, the date of his death is in the Bible, and his followers were commanded to commemorate this date.
Also, the traditions associated with Christmas are not in the Bible, such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, etc. To accept a "Christmas gift" would be hypocritical, because they do not celebrate the holiday.

As for birthdays, they are only mentioned twice in the Bible and both times were not favorable. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that everything is in the Bible for a reason, so there is a reason why those two events are there. This does not mean that they are against gift giving. They just prefer to give gifts to one another at any random time, not just because the date on the calendar dictates it.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not try to stop others from celebrating the holidays or birthdays. For example, you won't find Jehovah's Witnesses picketing town hall because they have a nativity scene out front.

Hope this answers your questions.

oops

 

[Card Painter]

Are there any Disney park attractions/activities that are shunned by Jehovah's Witnesses? I've read online that visiting the Disney parks is acceptable, and enjoying the various attractions is left to each person's conscience. However, I've always wondered about the Haunted Mansion (especially Madame Leota's sceance room scene) and Snow White's Scary Adventures (witchcraft), and how these themes would be handled by a witness guest.

 

[Missy1961]

zombie thread!

 

[castleview]

Just ask. My DD10 has one Jehovah Witness in her class. I found out when I handed her dad a birthday party invitation and he looked a little hesitant. Her mom had called my about a playdate and I asked her if she had received the invite I gave her hubby. She said "We're Jehovah Witness, I don't know why he has such a hard time telling people that." Anyway, they will pick up their child if there is a party, but lately have been letting her do any crafts affiliated (ie.e Gingerbread houses) as the elementary schools keep the holidays pretty secular.

 

[sissy_ib]

Are there any Disney park attractions/activities that are shunned by Jehovah's Witnesses? I've read online that visiting the Disney parks is acceptable, and enjoying the various attractions is left to each person's conscience. However, I've always wondered about the Haunted Mansion (especially Madame Leota's sceance room scene) and Snow White's Scary Adventures (witchcraft), and how these themes would be handled by a witness guest.

When I was a kid my family were JW. I don't remember us steering clear of anything at DL. In fact we used to go in a big group every year on Halloween to get away from trick or treaters and back then it was the slowest day of they year at DL! I remember one year my parents taking me to the HM but I was too much of a baby and my mom had to take me out! For my family at least the rides and attractions were looked at as make-believe, so not need to avoid them. YMMV however.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

wow....a 2007 thread bumped up?

 

[Missy1961]

wow....a 2007 thread bumped up?

I knew it was old, since we really can't discuss religion anymore.

 

[Disneyland1084]

wow....a 2007 thread bumped up?

That's what I thought.

 

[MIGrandma]

wow....a 2007 thread bumped up?

Are there any Disney park attractions/activities that are shunned by Jehovah's Witnesses? I've read online that visiting the Disney parks is acceptable, and enjoying the various attractions is left to each person's conscience. However, I've always wondered about the Haunted Mansion (especially Madame Leota's sceance room scene) and Snow White's Scary Adventures (witchcraft), and how these themes would be handled by a witness guest.

Why, OP, would you dig up a thread that is more than 4 YEARS old? Why not just start a new thread to ask your question?

 

[bushdianee]

I have had several students who are JW and this year I have a Muslim child. I have even had a few Simple Christians (similar to Amish or Menonites).

I usually buy pencils & erasers for different holidays. If I have students who do not participate I try to get some in their favorite sport or character. I don't make a big deal about it. At Christmas time I give a book, coloring book and crayons. Again I don't give holiday themed. I buy gift bags that have snowmen on them. They are activities for the break. I've yet to have a parent or child refuse.

I also make sure to ask the parents what the child can and can't do. I also tell thechildren that if they aren't comfortable with an art project or activity to let me know. for example if we are making black cats for Halloween decorations I will provide other colors so they are making a cat not a halloween cat. Usually everyone ends up asking for different colors!

 

[HamTown]

Hey at least we know that the search function is working now!

 

[Eliza32]

I think this is a lovely thread where everyone who has posted has kept their post factual and pleasant. Shame not all threads can stay like this!!! I've certainly learned stuff I didn't know about JW and am happy that I have done so. Well done everyone.

 

[Card Painter]

Oops! I've been away from the group for a while, and was not aware of the ban on religious discussion and "zombie threads"....

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Braaaaiiiinnnnssss.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I knew it was old, since we really can't discuss religion anymore.

Which is really a shame, because this was an informative and respectful thread that I enjoyed reading. I've seen threads about the most benign topics go sour and need to be closed, so I really don't understand the ban on "religious topics", flat out. But then...who am I? I don't make the rules...I just (mostly) follow them.

 

[Card Painter]

Which is really a shame, because this was an informative and respectful thread that I enjoyed reading. I've seen threads about the most benign topics go sour and need to be closed,QUOTE]

Key word: WAS an informative and respectful thread... I was hoping for intelligent responses from fans that actually know about the topic!

("braaaiiins"????? Yep, real nice answer.....)

 

[Schmeck]

Having JW in the family, and having a JW friend who stops by once a month to give me some flyers, I've found that they are nice people, but a little quirky. My JW family members would always accept gifts, but never give them.

I've also found it odd, and have discussed it with my JW friend, that almost every story/myth in the bible has an identical pagan/ancient religious root, even the Jesus parts. So how do they choose what to follow? The bible has been re-written, edited, translated, and purged so many times - which version do you follow?

I don't know, I guess any religion that puts man in power over woman has me questioning its validity.

 

[Missy1961]

Which is really a shame, because this was an informative and respectful thread that I enjoyed reading. I've seen threads about the most benign topics go sour and need to be closed, so I really don't understand the ban on "religious topics", flat out. But then...who am I? I don't make the rules...I just (mostly) follow them.

I agree with you, but most people weren't this nice back in the day. Sadly.

 

[Mermaid02]

Which is really a shame, because this was an informative and respectful thread that I enjoyed reading. I've seen threads about the most benign topics go sour and need to be closed,QUOTE]

Key word: WAS an informative and respectful thread... I was hoping for intelligent responses from fans that actually know about the topic!

("braaaiiins"????? Yep, real nice answer.....)

That's just a reference to this being a zombie thread- and old thread that has seemingly come back from the dead. It's not derogatory- it's just a joke. Lighten up- I hope the thread helped you!