Where can I find information regarding jehovah's witnesses beliefs and how that impacts on their schooling?

Question

I have a student in my special needs class who is a Jehovah's Witness. Rather than continually contacting the family for confirmation, I would like to obtain "official" information regarding what is (not) ok for them to participate in. Thanks

Answer 1

While it may be inconvenient for an educator to actually communicate with the parents of a student, there seems no alternative in this case.

Individuals and family heads among Jehovah's Witnesses differ widely regarding the details of how they practice their faith, and many issues are technically conscientious rather than religious (such as details around so-called "holiday" activities). Jehovah's Witnesses are guided by the bible, rather than some rulebook, and the bible does not plainly address each and every possible circumstance.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/200604b/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970222/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970808/article_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050408/article_03.htm

Answer 2

Well your best bet is to ask the parents. Do not worry about being a bother, the very fact that you care enough to worry/wonder is amazing and so refreshing. If you ask the parents, they should be able to provide you with a copy of a Broscure specificly designed for teachers of Witness students. We all make mistakes. The fact that you are trying to minimize the chances of a problem should go a long way towards making things go smoothly when/if an issue should arise.

Answer 3

Their parents are ultimately responsible for their children. http://www.WatchTower.org can give you a lot of information but it is the parents’ decision as to what their children participate in while they are still under 18 years of age. Please do not seize from continually contacting the family for confirmation. The website above will not say Jehovah’s Witness 'do not do this...do not do that" it will only guide you to the scriptures and point out it meaning. The rest is up to.... who....you? No, in this specific case it’s up to their parents.

Answer 4

Official information? That is up to the parents as they train the child in the ways of Jehovah.

Answer 5

two of my children where in special ed. I told the teachers, that we do not celebrate any holidays and when the holidays come up, either they will stay at home or if they want to go to school, they would go to the library and sit in there. or go to another class. also talk to the parents, they would be glad to help you. the teachers always called me on the phone or asked me to come in. www.watchtower.org

Answer 6

Although it is applaudable that you are interested in becoming familiar with our belifs to better serve your school, it is better that you ask the parents of the child because unfortunately, some parents will allow things that others will not and it is soley up to the discretion of the [arents. As a [arent, i can assure you that they will readily welcome you to call and or visit them........This act alone will make them happy

Answer 7

actually, i comprehend the 1st Jehovah's Witness who grew to become into killed because of fact of his ideals. first of all Jehovah's Witness is a descriptive call that we took interior the 1930's. yet we are no distinctive from any servant of God alongside with human beings like Moses and Noah. the 1st servant of God that grew to become into ever killed grew to become into Abel. Cain grew to become into jealous of him because of fact he grew to become into righteous and had God's approval.

Answer 8

no holidays..just give them something else to do without you or the children humiliating them. have a different snack for them when the class celebrates a birthday.
even though they are taught these things are wrong spiritually and they feel they have to avoid them...they are normal kids and still feel left out.
Be kind to our children please.

Answer 9

--The brochure --"SCHOOL & JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES"(1983 Deals with our beliefs and concerns our young people have in school)! WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL:
*** sj pp. 2-3 The Reason for This Brochure ***

This brochure is published to promote understanding and cooperation between Jehovah’s Witnesses and school authorities. It is our desire to cooperate with all who are working for the success of basic educational programs offered in school.

Parents who are Jehovah’s Witnesses want to contribute to a favorable environment for the learning process. They want their young ones to receive the greatest benefit possible from their schooling. And they want teachers and other school authorities to know that they will do all that they reasonably can to help achieve this.

Jehovah’s Witnesses generally have a reputation for excellent moral conduct wherever they live. They are noted for their obedience to governmental authorities. Yet, some teachers may feel that Witness youths are uncooperative because they do not share in every school program or function. However, this refusal to share is not because the youths are rebellious or antisocial. Their actions are based on religious and moral convictions.

In this brochure we would like to acquaint school authorities with the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses that affect participation in school activities. Additionally, we want to explain why, as a result of such beliefs, Witness youths do not share in certain school functions and programs that are common in many places throughout the world. At the same time we want to make it clear that it is not our intention to impose our views on others.

--AND THIS ONE --"JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES & EDUCATION"(2002-Deals with our place in the field of education and how our young ones are guided to have a positive view of education)

*** ed pp. 2-3 The Purpose of This Brochure ***

DUTCH philosopher Spinoza wrote: “I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, nor to hate them, but to understand them.” As an educator, you face the challenge of trying to understand the views, backgrounds, and convictions of the students in your care, including pupils who are children of Jehovah’s Witnesses. At times, such students may take what seems to be an unconventional stand on certain issues. But when such actions clearly spring from a student’s religious and moral convictions, they merit your attention. This brochure is produced by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (the publishing agency of Jehovah’s Witnesses) and is designed to help you better understand Witness students. We hope you will take the time to read it carefully.

Understanding the religious beliefs of another does not require that you accept or follow them, and to inform is not to proselytize. This brochure does not seek to impose the Witnesses’ religious views on you or on your students. Our desire is simply to inform you about the principles and beliefs that some of your students are being taught by their parents so that you will find it easier both to understand Witness children and to work with them. Of course, what children are taught and what they do may not always harmonize, as each child is learning to develop his own conscience.

Like most parents, Jehovah’s Witnesses want their children to make the most of their schooling. To that end, they teach their children to cooperate with their teachers. In return, Witness parents and their children appreciate it when educators treat them with understanding and respect.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christians who are known worldwide. However, they are at times misunderstood. Our hope, therefore, is that this brochure will help you to understand better the Witness children you have in your care. In particular, we hope you will see why, in certain specific situations, they may claim the right to be different

[Picture Credit Line on page 2]

COVER: Pharaoh: The Complete Encyclopedia of Illustration/J. G. Heck. BACK COVER: Pyramids: From the book The Pictorial History of the World; Butterfly: The Complete Encyclopedia of Illustration/J. G. Heck

--You can obtain these 2 --32 page brochures from any Jehovah's witnesses locally or order , with no charge off of our OFFICIAL web page.

Answer 10

www.watchtower.org