I'm a teacher and each month we have a character education theme. January's theme is goal setting. I give my students a little football helmet to write a paragraph about the goals they have and we go over the steps it takes to accomplish a goal. The twin girls I have in my class that are Jehovah witnesses said they can't do the paragraph on the helmet. I by no means want to have them do anything against their religion but a football helmet is not a holiday. What gives? They wrote the paragraph but not on the helmet. Also, our school color is green and we have spirit day on Friday and students are encouraged to wear any green shirt they have. The girls won't do that either. IT'S NOT A HOLIDAY!!! Why can't they do that? I do not want to seem insensitive but I don't understand. Please, someone that really knows, please clarify. Thanks!
Answers (2)
What they won't do isn't a holiday against their religion. It's what they're parents tell them to avoid in school. Certain materials and non-objects can be considered evil symbols to them.
For example, writing on the the helmet may symbolize making a pact with an entity or whatever. Metaphorically, the helmet is a new head placed on their body controlling them.
The 'spirit day' is against many religions though. Certain ones consider, cheering spirit to be coming from something or someone, non-holy.
Also, it depends upon the impulse of their conscience or what we called gray area. As long as they feel that they will not satisfy Jehovah with a decision, they will not do such things like what the examples you gave. It is not like how small things are but for what or whom why they will do such things. Christmas, birthday celebrations, Holy week, All saints day, Halloween, April Fool's day, Easter Sunday, New Year and all pagan celebrations and all celebrations that are not based on the Bible are some of JWs not doings.
Thank you for your thoughtful, insightful comments.