DD has a girl in her class that is a Jehovah's Witness, and goes to a Pentecostal Church. She does not celebrate Halloween, and we're not entirely sure what she does for Christmas. DD wants to get her a gift,but, is not sure how to handle that. She doesn't want to offend the girl or her parents.

Last year, DD invited her to a movie, and she told DD she is not allowed to go to the movies.

Can anyone shed some insider light on the traditions/guidelines of this religion.

Thank you.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Jehovah's Witness Beliefs

this may help from the looks of it they don't celebrate Christmas.

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

I don't think they celebrate Christmas, either.

My odest DD had I think a JW in her elementary class. The girl went to the library whenever they celebrated birthdays, didn't come to school on the days they had the Halloween, Holiday & Valentines parties, went to the library for school assemblies (even the Veterans Day one) and turned her back to the flag when the class said the Pledge of Allegience.

I always felt bad for her. I get that the parents have their views/beliefs and I respect that, but I feel bad for the kids who feel left out of the childhood fun things.

Lisa

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I think that the only thing that Jehovah's Witness celebrate is wedding Anniversarys. I wonder why they go to a Pentecostal Church? I don't think they are the same thing. My son has a friend that is Pentecostal (I think) and they celebrated everything. The women don't cut their hair and only wear long dresses or skirts no pants. They also don't have a tv but I think that was just something their pastor wanted.

thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure if DD should give her a gift or not???? We don't want to offend her, but, I know DD wouldn't feel right giving all her other friends a gift, and not this one.

What would you do???

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I would give the girl a gift wrapped in non Christmas paper and call it a friend gift. My dad worked with a JW and although they don't celebrate Christmas, he said they still bought gifts for their kids as a 'just because' present. This may be something this family does personally, but I don't see how she couldn't be allowed to accept it if it were wrapped plainly, or heck, don't even wrap it.

Is this going to be given at a school Christmas party? If that's the case, the little girl probably won't even be there, so how could she be offended? It's a touchy situation.

I'm confused. These are two different religious beliefs.

From Wiki:

Pentecostals believe in the present day manifestations of the Holy Spirit which may include ecstatic displays and 'speaking in tongues'. These are their interpretations of 'the sound of a rushing, stiff breeze' that alerted the people. Pentecostals focus on the New Testament and works of the Holy Spirit.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe they live by the entire Bible, 'Old' and 'New Testaments'. Witnesses have a strong focus on preaching door-to-door as a means of making disciples of all who will listen, preaching about God's will and purpose, His Kingdom and the coming Paradise on the Earth, with Jesus Christ as King. Acts 2:1-12. Witnesses believe that the 'tongues' spoken to the foreign worshippers in Jerusalem were merely the foreign languages spoken by the crowds. (verses 6-12) and that the 120 disciples spoke to them of the Good News of Jesus Christ, who had fulfilled the Law of Moses and all of the prophecies leading to the promised Messiah. Until Pentecost 33 C.E., persons only had the 'Old Testament' to worship God. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that verses 2-6 mean no loud prayers, shouting or dancing were necessary for them to receive the Holy Spirit and that no-one spoke in unknown or mystical languages that needed interpreters. They believe no-one was 'overcome' by the Holy Spirit and driven into an ecstatic state. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that if they want to preach in foreign languages, they need to learn them. This is being done by many Witnesses around the world, in fulfillment of Matthew 28:19, 20.

If you do give a gift give it early, or late and wrap in in plain paper. Let your dd know not to feel bad if she doesn't accept it. I understand how you dd feels but I don't think I would give her a gift.

I'm from a pentecostal background and it is nothing like the JW religion; however we did have neighbors that were JW and she was very offended when I offered her our usual homebaked goodies for Christmas. I told her it was just an offer of friendship (no card or any holiday themed plates) but she said 'No thank you, we don't celebrate holidays.' So I wonder if each family is different.

Maybe you could put it in a brown lunch sack and have your dd color pretty pics on it, that aren't holiday related and include a note: "Just for being such a good friend." Just prepare your dd for the possibility that the gift might not be received so she doesn't get hurt feelings.

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I agree that there is a difference between the Pentacostals and the JW.

DH had an aunt that joined the JW. I don't recall whether she was OK with Halloween, but I know they don't celebrate Christmas. They don't send or want to recieve christmas cards either.

We had a neighbor that was Pentacostal and they wore dresses, never slacks or jeans. They didn't cut their hair.
They thought that Halloween was wicked.

While the Pentacostal people have churches, the JW call their chuches Kingdom Halls. They refer to their members as friends.

I worked w/ a girl years ago that was a JW. She was kind enough to take part in the office gift exchange and her Secret Santa gave her a shoebox with candy in it. No festive wrapping paper, just the box and candy. It worked out fine and no offense was taken at the gift. Hope something like that works for your daughter. I commend her, by the way (and you, too!) for wanting to include that child in your giving. Very sweet!

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All the JW's I have ever known do not celebrate any holidays or birthdays. A gift would be offensive to the ones I have known. I always feel like it's really hard on the kids. My DD had a JW in her 1st grade class and the girl wasn't able to participate in a lot. They did a big holiday singing performance and so she had to be opted out of music and the program since "holiday" songs were deemed "Christmas" songs. She eventually left school to be home schooled. She was just sitting out on too much. Her parents didn't like the decorations in class or learning about Kwanza and Hanukuah (I know I spelled that wrong...sorry!). I was saddened for the girl...

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All the JW's I have ever known do not celebrate any holidays or birthdays. A gift would be offensive to the ones I have known. I always feel like it's really hard on the kids. My DD had a JW in her 1st grade class and the girl wasn't able to participate in a lot. They did a big holiday singing performance and so she had to be opted out of music and the program since "holiday" songs were deemed "Christmas" songs. She eventually left school to be home schooled. She was just sitting out on too much. Her parents didn't like the decorations in class or learning about Kwanza and Hanukuah (I know I spelled that wrong...sorry!). I was saddened for the girl...

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

JW and Pentecostal are totally different.At least around here.JW's would be highly offended by any type of gift.They seem to think you have to go door to door and try to get new members(one said they have a quota to meet).They pretty much stay away from anything that could be seen as fun.(IMO)
The Pentecostal mostly all wear dresses,no make up, long hair and pretty much believe whatever the husband says is law.I have a friend that is Pentecostal and she wears long sleeves year round.Even in July and Aug.when the temps get close to 100 she wears them.But most of them do celebrate Christmas.

Hmm this is a tough one, personally from school I know there are several children whom are JW and they do not celebrate nothing nada sip. However about 6 years ago, my dd Caitlin was in 6th grade and they were having special days at school to come in and dress in different ways. For example pajama day, crazy hair day, dress up day etc etc. They also had a say which was called twin day where you and a best friend would dress up the same as best you could.Needless to say my Dd Caitlin's friend Katy decided they were going todo twin day. I remember them being in my dd's room and trying to decide what they could wear. They agreed on some things and then decided they should both wear the same colored t-shirt. My dd Caitlin had a few plain purple shirts from old navy. They thought it was a great idea if they had the same shirt. Long story short, after Katy left, Caitlin asked if we could go to Old Navy and buy Katy the same shirt, it was only 6.99 I believe.We purchased it and when over to Katy's house to give her the shirt it was a gift we thought no harm mean;t. However her mom Benita was extremely upset and said we do not exhange any type of gifts on any level we are JW and we do not exchange nor celebrate any holiday nor any gift giving. So I personally would be careful and consider the outcome. I sincerely hope its a negative outcome afterall it is a small gesture of a gift being exchanged between children. Peace. Catherine Edited to say she gave me back the shirt and sadly my dd did not go to school dressed as a twin that day..

On another note about JW's most of them will not accept any type of blood transfusion.While working at the Post Office we had a customer to die because he needed blood and would not accept it.Sad

I have a family of jw that live right behind me and my kids grew up with them. They could recieve gifts but not wrapped so that it in no way way christmasy. nancy

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Hello, allinaugust...

I definitely can clarify things for you concerning Jehovah's Witnesses. Firstly, Jehovah's Witnesses don't attend Pentecostal Churches. Their places of worship and instruction are called Kingdom Halls. The two religions have little in common.

Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc. No holidays at all. Some Witnesses do celebrate their wedding anniversaries.

Most Jehovah's Witnesses are very well used to not taking part in the customs of each holiday, and if offered gifts or holiday treats, usually will politely decline without taking offense. Gift-giving is very much enjoyed among Jehovah's Witnesses and they are not averse to having parties and having a good time as long as the good time doesn't involve holiday customs or the party is not being given because of a holiday.

DD need not feel badly about not giving a gift to the Jehovah's Witness classmate. Obviously you both have a generous giving attitude, so if you would really like to give the classmate a gift, perhaps you could wait until a later time not associated with a holiday and extend a "just because" gift then.

Giving is a very fulfilling thing, as the following scripture says:

(Acts 20:35) 35*I have exhibited to YOU in all things that...YOU...must bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’”

I hope this information helps!

Wishing you a good day....

[quote=itzme91;3113621]JW's would be highly offended by any type of gift.They seem to think you have to go door to door and try to get new members(one said they have a quota to meet).They pretty much stay away from anything that could be seen as fun.(IMO)
QUOTE]

Not so at all. Jehovah's Witnesses are not highly offended when offered a gift (they love giving and getting gifts, just not for holidays). They don't have a "quota" of "new members" to meet. And Jehovah's Witnesses have a lot of fun (perhaps not your idea of fun, but fun nonetheless). All you would have to do to recognize this is attend one of their meetings and then listen to the happy chatter before and after the meeting. Hard to believe, perhaps, but very true. Check it out some time!

Thank you. I appreciate the information. I could be mistaken by her attending a Pentecostal Church, this is what another person has told me. She is a Jehovah's Witness, tho, and DD and I appreciate and respect that. The girl will not be at school on Thursday, when all the celebration type stuff will occur, so I am discussing with DD when she will be giving her the gift. We have decided just to wrap it very plainly and tell her it is because she is such a special person we want her to have this and enjoy it.

On a side note, I have also noticed that she does not salute the flag or sing the Star Spangled Banner. I don't mind that. I would have a problem with blatant disrespect of our flag, which I have never seen demonstrated by a Jehovah's Witness.

Thanks again. This has been very helpful.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Jehovah Witnesses and Pentacostal are 2 entirely different things. Witnesses do feel it is part of their duty to go door to door and spread the word as they see it. Most of them are very polite and are not looking for arguements when they are out on service. A simple I am not interested is the best response. Kids in school do not take part in the holiday parties and will be excused from participation in holiday programs. Kids raised in this religion are not to be pitied for missing out on these activities any more than Jewish kids should not be pitied for not celebrating Christmas. It is simply a part of their faith. Passover is the most important day for them, not Easter.No they do not accept blood transfusions because they see it as consuming blood from another person, and that is strictly prohibited. They do not salute the flag as they see that as worshiping an "idol".They use the same bible as other religions they just interpret it their own way. They have a very close sense of community. You should see them raise a Kingdom hall in a mere weekend, with donated labor, materials and food for all the volunteers. They do have fun, picnics, trips, assemblies and more. They are not caught up the materialism that so many holidays have. Halloween is a pagen holiday and not celebrated. I know all of this first hand. I was raised in this religion. I do not belong now and was never baptised in. But I do know that my Mom finds great comfort and faith in the Kingdom Hall. They believe in the same 10 commandments as most other religions. They are often singled out because of the Christmas thing. They do not deny Christ was born, they simply believe the date is wrong (true) and that his death was far more important. Some parents might not let their child accept a Christmas gift. I know I would not have been able to accept it. In fact if you know she is a Jehovahs Witness I think that buying a Christmas gift for her is rude. You know that is not a celebrated holiday in her faith and should be respected.

I'm sorry, but I have to question any religion that would prohibit a potentially life saving, yet simple, medical treatment to be performed.

That ranks right up there with the parents that don't take their child to the doctor, because they are praying about it.
I'm a big believer in "God helps those who help themselves" and the fact that God made us a thinking being w/ reasoning skills.

I, personally, would never ever deny my child a medical treatment that could save their life for a religion.

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Forgot to add, the link provided above is full of inaccuracies by a former Jehovahs Witness. If you really want to know what they believe, you should go to an actual Jehovah Witness site, their Watchtower Society.

I'm sorry, but I have to question any religion that would prohibit a potentially life saving, yet simple, medical treatment to be performed.

That is your right to question. Just as I question any religion that would knowingly transfer a pedofile priest to another parish.

In response to Prdnme, I have absolutely no problems with about 99 percent of what you wrote about what a JW believes in and what they do not believe in. However personally as well when it comes to medical treatment there is no way on earth I would ever refuse blood which could save a life, their life, their childrens life's.Do they also not believe in any form of antidepressents as scientologists do as well. I am just wondering, because believe it or not I was watching Oprah on television the last couple of days where she was talking to Tom Cruise and about his religion and his beliefs. Again life is all about personal choices however they also do not believe in immunizations so as a result their children are homeschooled. Do JW also believe in this again just curious.However the bottom line is I draw the line when it comes to your health.Edited to say I also remember watching one of those baby shows, where a very young mom who was also a JW . She was in labor and screaming in intense pain and wanted and begged for pain medicine, however her mom and aunts were there and would not allow her anything.There would never ever come a day where I would refuse my child any child pain medicine. Catherine

Me and all of my sisters are innoculated. We had all of the recommended vaccines. I still have the scar on my upper arm to prove it!

While I'm not remotely JW, I understand their issue with receiving a blood transfusion and why they believe they do, and don't question it for the reasons expressed here. They believe that God exists, that he created the world, and therefore he lays down the rules. They believe that there is life after death, and you either end up with a fabulous eternity... or you end up in Hell.

If I was in a position of having to do something I believed would send my child to Hell for eternity or *not* doing it and risking them having a shorter earthly life, hands down I would rather my child die on earth at age five with a "Go straight to Heaven" pass than live life on earth for 100 years and then die and spend eternity in Hell.

Mind you... I have no problem with blood transfusions and have never faced such an issue, but I can understand that if they believe a blood transfusion would condemn their child to an eternity in Hell and that their child will eventually die since eventually we all do... they wouldn't risk the Hell thing just to let them have a longer earthy life. It's not about the "now" - it's about the eternity. In their eyes, the consequences of having a blood transfusion are much worse than earthly death.

I had JW kids in my classroom, and didn't pity them for non-participation. It certainly made more work for me - if I wanted to make a worksheet that had holly berries in the margins I would have to remove them with white-out for the JW child, etc. They didn't long to participate in things so far as I could tell. They interpret the scripture that says to hold no day above another day literally, and while I don't think it means what they think it does, I do respect their concern to 'get it right' with God and if that's what their conscience tells them, it's what they need to do.

We were always allowed medical attention and any medicine that was needed. Pain medication was available to us as well. Blood is truly the only (of course aside from abortion which is also strictly prohibited) problem as far as medical attention was concerned. My mother was an RN and unable to help with transfusions as well because of her beliefs. Very much the same as a pharmacist may choose not to dispense the morning after pill, or an OBYN may refuse to perform abortions.