Can a Jehovah's Witness attend a Halloween party?

Hello, first off, thank you for asking this question. It's a good one! I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and hope I can provide a thorough, yet succinct answer to your question.

With the celebration of national holidays being so rampant in today's society, it could be hard to imagine anyone not participating. However, Jehovah's Witnesses still elect not to celebrate national holidays despite what the majority decides to do. This is not something we do to get attention or to merely be different. However, in our study of the Bible, we have learned the origin of these holidays and know that they are not pleasing to God. For example, consider the origin of Halloween as stated in the Encyclopedia Britannica: "“Elements of the customs connected with Halloween can be traced to a Druid [ancient Celtic priesthood] ceremony in pre-Christian times. The Celts had festivals for two major gods—a sun god and a god of the dead . . . , whose festival was held on November 1, the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The festival of the dead was gradually incorporated into Christian ritual.” Notice how the citation stated that the festival was GRADUALLY incorporated into Christian ritual. This was not something that true first century Christians participated in (no mention of this in the Bible) or faithful prophets or servants mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures. Furthermore, Jesus Christ himself also did not encourage or participate in such celebrations himself. Additionally, notice that the celebration of Halloween was done in honor of the sun god and the god of the dead, but not Jehovah God, our heavenly father (Psalm 83:18) who is a God exacting exclusive devotion (Nahum 1:2). Since we as Jehovah's Witnesses strive (in our imperfect states) to imitate the qualities of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ and knowing that we are to attribute worship only to Jehovah God, we must stay as far away as possible from anything that could be tied to the holidays, even attending parties labeled after them. We don't look for loop holes.

Of course, everything is not always black and white. There are some gray areas in which a Christian might have to individually examine the circumstances while making a decision based on his or her own Bible trained conscience. For example, my coworkers recently invited me to what they called a Winter Break Celebration at a restaurant. However, I knew that they had previously labeled the celebration after a Christmas party in years prior. Therefore, I made a decision based on what I knew about the situation not to go. I thought about the fact that although they might have changed the name, this party still had the same purpose. I also thought about the fact that since it happens on Dec. 15th, close to the holidays, what would most of the conversation be about? When thinking about it that way, I found that it would be useless for me to go because I would not feel comfortable in an environment where such things are being discussed, and I in no way want to be associated with such customs. That is what my own Bible trained conscience helped me to conclude.

With that being said, do we judge other people who elect to celebrate the holidays? No, we respect everyone's God-given right to make their own decisions (including what they celebrate), we just can not in any way be tied to such celebrations ourselves while professing to be Christians. If you're interested in learning more about the origins of the holidays and our beliefs, please visit our website at www.watchtower.org or you can contact me through here and I'll be happy to answer other questions you have. On our website, you can fill out a form requesting someone from a local congregation in your area stop by and visit you personally. We offer free home Bible studies as well.

In any case though, I hope that this answered your question. Thanks again for asking.

To reply your query: No, Jehovah's Witnesses don't seem to be allowed to wait Halloween events, or have whatever to do with the party of Halloween - or whatever else for that topic, adding Christmas, Easter, and individuals's birthday's. This comes as a commandment from the Watchtower Bible and Tract society, and stems from a worry of collaborating in festivities which might to any measure be categorised as "pagan". It is viable that the Jehovah's Witness in query legitimately had a clash in agenda, however it is some distance much more likely that he/she did not wish to mention why he/she may not move - now not that he/she would technically move besides, clash or no clash. I desire this solutions your query thoroughly. Have a exceptional day and God bless you. ------------------------------------- truthebearer does now not in any respect constitute mainstream or orthodox Christian opinion; she without doubt does now not constitute any type of a laugh-loving spirit.

I went to elementary school with a kid who was a Jehovah's Witness, and he always stayed home on the days that we had holiday parties (along with the day of his birthday), and when I asked my teacher, she said it was because their religion doesn't celebrate any holidays. I don't know why though.