Understanding Jehovah

[-SharonA-]

Can someone explain why Jehovahs do not celebrate in any form.

My granddaughter had a party and invited her classmate who's mum declined on the grounds that they were Jehovah Witnesses and did not celebrate such occasions.

My granddaughter was put out as this girl is among her best friends and was disappointed she could not come.

Sounds stupid to me, but what do I know!?!!!

[Buenchico]

https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/birthdays/

[Old_Geezer]

Perhaps because they're all a bunch of miseries ?

[-SharonA-]

Too right Old Geezer!!!

[Buenchico]

Many years ago, I decided to give all of the children in my class a big bar of chocolate as a Christmas present on the last day of term. However I knew that one of them was a Jehovah's Witness, so I explained to the class that I couldn't give them Christmas presents, as Angela wouldn't be able to accept one. Therefore what I was giving them was purely an end-of-term present. Angela beamed a big smile at me and happily accepted the chocolate ;-)

Perhaps you could take your daughter to the cinema and ask her to invite a friend who, by some happy circumstance, just happens to be the same one who missed out on the party?

[RATTER15]

They really do screw up peoples lives!!!

[237SJ]

A bit like Buenchico`s story - my best friend at junior school was a Witness and she was never allowed to come to the school Christmas party. She couldn`t come to school and recite the morning prayer either. She and her brother used to arrive 10 mins later. The last year that I was there, the headmistress was retiring and wanted the girl to come to the Christmas party. She sent her out on an errand and told the rest of us that we weren`t going to call it a Christmas party, we were going to call it an end of term celebration. None of us ever spilt the beans which was quite impressive seeing that we were so young. My friend came along and had a great time. Sad really.

[woofgang]

I have only ever knowingly known one JW and she was anything but miserable and always up for a party.

[ToraToraTora]

because, like all religions they are completely raving bonkers.

[Mamyalynne]

I think Chris's idea of a cinema or similar trip for your daughter and this friend is a lovely compromise.

[-SharonA-]

I agree Mamya, Buenchico this is a fantastic idea. Thank you for the suggestion.

[237SJ]

Apparently, they believe that birthdays have pagan roots https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/birthdays/

[Mamyalynne]

Yes Chris posted that above.

[237SJ]

Thanks for the correction

[Orderlimit]

"because, like all religions they are completely raving bonkers."

Very true indeed, but why aren't the usual left limp suspects crying Jehovahphobia (apart from the fact that the Bbc or the guardian hasn't told them what or how to think about this subject).

I think I know why but genuine question ?

[melv16]

My nephew and his wife are Jovo's. He's a managing director of an engineering company and he's a smart cookie. They never celebrate birthdays or Xmas, but get round it by recognizing anniversaries. BTW, his 3 children are the most polite and pleasant kids I've ever met.

[-SharonA-]

So I guess they don't drink and live a pure life.

[Mamyalynne]

Well we can try to understand and accept if we wish to stay friends with someone who is from a differing belief - or we can stand in the corner shouting 'You're bonkers' , I choose the former course of action.

[melv16]

They do drink, Sharon, but they don't party on birthdays or at Xmas.

[jomifl]

/Perhaps because they're all a bunch of miseries ?/


That would have been my view but it seems that they are really a laugh a minute.

[-SharonA-]

So melv, you don't share their beliefs?? Do you agree with their beliefs??