Holidays.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that celebrating holidays is wrong. Why? Because they believe that most holidays fall into one of three categories. All three are wrong according to the Witnesses. These three categories are false religious holidays, political holidays, and holidays that honor anyone or any human organization other than God.

Religious Holidays.

False religious holidays or holidays of pagan origin cannot be celebrated by the Jehovah's Witnesses because they believe that their God Jehovah requires Christians to belong to the 'correct' religion in order to be saved.

Belonging to a 'false' religion and participating in their false holidays is thought to be wrong. Examples of false religious holidays would be Christmas and Easter. All religions are thought to be false and dominated by Satan, except for their organization. According to the Watchtower, only Jehovah's Witnesses have any scriptural hope of being saved. WT Sept 1989

Political Holidays.

Jehovah's Witnesses are politically neutral in world affairs. They are observers but do not participate. They do not vote, salute the flag, go to war to protect their homeland or do anything that would undermine their political neutrality.

Therefore Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate political holidays. They are separate from the world based on their interpretation of the Bible.

Political holidays would include independence day, memorial day, and veterans day.

Creature Worship.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that if one honors a human institution, person, or animal, this is a form of 'creature worship'. They believe that God should get all the honor and glory. The Bible says, 'Salvation comes from the Lord.' Psalms 3:8

Celebrating holidays such as Mother's Day and Father's Day are considered wrong because it honors humans to excess.

Serving Two Masters.

Critics say it's odd that human institutions, people, and animals cannot be honored once per year. Why? Because their human institution, - i.e. the Watchtower organization is honored to excess 365 days per year as God's channel of communication to the world.

Jehovah's Witnesses are completely loyal to their religious leaders. Complete trust and obedience is expected. Questioning, independent thinking, and disagreement is not allowed.

If 'salvation comes from the Lord', why is the Watchtower organization given so much importance on a daily basis? Why does God need to be obeyed AND Watchtower officials?

Here's what the Watchtower says. 'By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. On the contrary, we should cherish our privilege to cooperate with the slave class. And should we not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in our local congregation?' WT Nov 15, 2009, 'Treasure Your Place In The Congregation', par 5. (Note: 'the slave class' and 'channel of communication' refers to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Based on Matthew 24:45-51)

• Also see baptism vows of Jehovah's Witnesses

20 Holidays Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Celebrate.

1. New Years Eve
2. New Years Day
3. Martin Luther King Day
4. Groundhog Day
5. Valentine's Day
6. Washington's Birthday
7. Easter
8. Mother's Day
9. Memorial Day
10. Flag Day
11. Father's Day
12. Independence Day
13. Labor Day
14. Columbus Day
15. Halloween
16. Veterans Day
17. Thanksgiving Day
18. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
19. Christmas
20. Birthdays

Holiday's Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Celebrate.

1. ALL religious holidays
2. ALL political holidays
3. ALL holidays that honor anyone or anything other than God

Why Jehovah's Witnesses Don't Celebrate These Holidays.

• Birthdays
• Christmas
• New Year's
• Easter
• Mother's Day
• Independence Day
• Halloween

Rules On Holiday Celebrations.

• Can Jehovah's Witnesses Accept Gifts?
• 141 Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do
• 2010 Jehovah's Witness Rules

What Can Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate?

1. Personal anniversaries
2. Wedding anniversaries
3. Wedding showers
4. Baby showers
5. Anniversary of Christ's death