Originally Posted By Yookeroo "My 9 year old daughter is really struggling with the fact that her class has a boy who is a Jehovah's Witness. She really is upset that he can't participate in any of the class celebrations for holidays or birthdays. He also can't sing when the class is singing things in music like the National Anthem." Well, not having to sing the National Anthem is probably a blessing. Kind of a crappy song. "Anyone know what the reasoning behind not singing the National Anthem, by the way? I understand holidays and birthday, etc, but can't think of why the anthem would be forbidden." Only god gets your allegiance. Not some piddling nation. "She feels so bad for him having to always leave the room, she just wants him to be able to have a cupcake with the rest of the class! And she can't bare the thought of him getting nothing for Christmas." I was raised as a JW (I got over it pretty quickly when I hit my teens and learned a bit of critical thinking). It does suck missing those celebrations. But I never was completely without Christmas presents. I did have relatives give me some. I know I liked them. Maybe my mom didn't appreciate it, but I never witnessed any anger over the gifts/cards/candies I did get. We always did accept them in the spirit they were given.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I can't imagine not celebrating my kid's birthdays. Just can't imagine it. My close cousin/friend was raised JW too. We were always really close, and I always could tell she was embarassed/sad having to miss out on things. Such a freakin waste!
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Only god gets your allegiance. Not some piddling nation." Ahhhh, I see. I don't care for the National Anthem, and I cringe when my daughter has to pledge allegiance to a flag under God, but I'm certainly not going to embarrass her for life by making her not participate.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf My sister who has a 7 year-old daughter just married a guy who has a 7 year-old daughter himself. He and his daughter are JWs and they don't do Christmas or birthdays while my sister does them with her daughter. It's bad enough for JW kids to see other kids at school celebrate birthdays and Christmas, but in your own house?! Borderline child abuse.
