Their is this Jehovah Witness boy who always has to sit out of parties at his school...?

Question

I take him cupcakes and cookies from the party (to the library where they make him go.) Is this hurting him in any way? I would think making him go to the library for every class celebration would hurt him more than me bringing him a halloween cup cake. What do you think?

Grammer Check: There

Answer 1

No it's not but be sure to stay clear of his parents. I had personal experience with that early this year. I had very good friends who were Jehovahs Witnesses and they explained a lot to me about there beliefs. Most of it i don't agree with but I respect it. So with that said, I had a B-day party for my son who turned 4 one of his really good friends in class didn't RSVP and didn't show up to the party, my son was really hurt. So the next day at school I had my son give his friend a goody bag from the party and I had a couple of cuocakes left over. Unfortunatly I had to leave quickly after I dropped him off. I got a call about 2 ours later from my sons school saying they needed me to come there ASAP. So when I showed up I was directed to an office and in the office was my son in tears and unable to speak because of how upset he was. So when I got him to calm down and talk to me he said that when he seen his friend and gave him the bag of treats and cupcakes his parents snatched them from my son and threw them in the garbage and said their son doesn't involve himself in that kind of witchcraft(the them of the party was spiderman, they are also very sensitive when it comes to violence and super powers). Then they continued on with a speech to one of the teachers about how she specifically told them not to involve her child in those kind of evil celebrations and blah blah blah. My son just told me she hurt his feelings and took his friend away from him, the teacher explained the raw details. Well I seen this woman and asked that we have a lunch date a speak of what happened that day. Well she had a total cow and decided to recite every scripture she could think of about why my actions were so wrong and Jehovah will rendure his judgement on all of us non-beleivers. Well I left quickly and realized that maybe I should find out why a child doesn't show up for parties before I offer him party favors and to be very conspicous about it. Anyway the moral of the story is don't be too overly giving and tas long as you're not saying anything bad about what their parents beleive that is when it can get hurtful. I remember when my friends cried for a whole day because they couldn't have a class party for thier B-day, it's a sad site because those are normal childhood memeories most of us have and cherish the most. You're a very noble person for trying to keep him involved.

Answer 2

I did that when I was young. You are re-enforcing what he is being taught by his parents. I'm sure you have noticed how his school work is compared to other children, especially in reading. Later, his parents will not be demanding that he not be taught the theory of evolution, or be taught creationism by the school.

I was 7 when my mother became a JW, so I saw it both ways. Did I understand it, no. As you well know, small children do not develop the ability of conceptual thought process until puberty. But, unlike the other children, by the time he reaches that age, he will have already absorbed a basic knowledge of the Bible, and has begun learning how to teach it. There is no greater group honoring the role and purpose of school teachers than the Jehovah's Witnesses. Every member learns to be a teacher, as well as a preacher, and public speaker.

You may not agree with their beliefs, but they teach their children right along side the parents, the whole Bible, and not just Bible Stories. They also learn how to research.

If you want a comparison, consider the children of early Christians, who were formally taught Judaism. All those Jewish holidays they no longer celebrated. Do you think they should be been allowed to continue practicing Jewish traditions, instead of following the teaching of Christ? The only days Christ said to observe were wedding anniversaries, and the memorial of the Last Supper.

If fact, that might make for an interesting survey of the children's parents. As them when do they observe the Memorial. All the JW parents will say Niacin 14, at sunset on the first full moon of the vernal equinox, the memorial of the last supper. All the other Christian parents will say a day in May. With JWs, what Christ says comes first.

Answer 3

Members of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses do not share in celebrations which they believe to have unchristian pagan origins, including birthdays and perhaps especially Halloween.

A child's parents would decide for their family whether the cupcakes and cookies that had been served at such a celebration were inextricably linked with the pagan celebration itself. No other Christian should criticize that family decision, and school workers should respect that family's religious and conscientious sensibilities.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/1998/12/15/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2000/12/15/article_01.htm

Answer 4

Though your intentions are honorable are they showing respect to the child or their parents?

There is a worldly saying that hell is paved with good intentions.

Paul at 2 Cor 6:14 Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? 15 Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be´li·al? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I shall reside among them and walk among [them], and I shall be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take YOU in.’” 18 “‘And I shall be a father to YOU, and YOU will be sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah the Almighty.”


Jehovah's Witnesses view "pagan holidays" as a bottle of soda (something that looks good on the outside) that has poison in it.

Would you drink it? would you reason,
"I won't drink it, but I know this child will enjoy it."

Jehovah's people have many parties throughout the year and contary to what others have stated,

They aren't missing out, or having a terrible childhood.

== Edit ==

I thought more about this question, and my question to you and all the other who felt as you do, is

"How would you feel if a Jehovah's Witnesses meet with your child without your permission to teach them the Bible?"

Answer 5

If he accepts the cupcakes AND eats it when you bring them, I would continue to bring them. If he doesn't accept it, then you should probably not offer him cupcakes again. If he accepts it but doesn't eat it, then he probably would rather you didn't bring him one, but accepted it because he didn't want to hurt your feelings.

I used to be a JW and I probably would have felt that it was wrong to eat a cupcake which, as Achtung says, is "inextricably linked with the pagan celebration" so I would have preferred that no one put me in a position where I would have to accept it or reject their kind gesture.

Now that I've given up fanaticism, I would view eating a cupcake as eating a cupcake, not a pagan ritual. Some JW children view it that way, also; it just depends on the child in question.

Answer 6

I think that is nice & totally agree with you...when I was in school, I always felt so sorry for the kids who had to sit out duriing the celebrations.....My son is in 2nd grade now, & they find different names for the parties (Example: What would have been called a Christmas Party when I was a kid will be called "Winter Celebration", and his Halloween Party is called "Fall Fun Party")
I don't know if this changes it to where those kids can join in the fun or not, but I hope it does, although it's sad our schools have to go to those extremes.

Answer 7

It's not hurting him and probably makes him feel good that you are thinking of him. Even if he doesn't accept your offer for the holiday treat, it is great that you care enough for another person. Personal beliefs are a touchy thing respect his beliefs and don't be offended if he declines but continue to offer. It shows that you are caring person. His choosing not to participate in school activities can be hard but it's also something that he has to go through. A spiritual life isn't going to hurt him, and he will have an opportunity when he is older to choose his own spiritual path. Right now he's learning and figuring things out and has to respect his parents and their choices. He also has to listen to his own heart and do what his conscience allows him to do or not to do. Your are showing signs of being a great humanitarian and very tolerant of other people. That's great!

Answer 8

I used to be that kid. Always sent to the office to wait out the parties at school. I not only missed the good time but I felt like a freak. My parents raised me as a JW and I dropped out when I could make my own decisions and was shunned by all my friends and family. Not a loving religion. Be nice to the kid. His parents are behind his strangness.

Answer 9

I was raised as a JW.

My Mum is still a practising JW.

I would have liked it very much if you'd brought me a cake and cookies. And Mum would not have minded at all.

I dare say the kid in the library would like it too :o)

Answer 10

I think you are a great person for doing this. I feel so badly for children in this situation. Also, at that young of an age I don't think the kids fully understand the religion nor the reason for the seclusion...they may think they are not liked, not good enough, etc. This could lead to many years of therapy...Really!