Jehova's witnesses and Christmas

[Lou Knee]

can anybody tell me please if it would offend a Jehova's witness to receive a present in December...and if it would, why?

thanks

[Clanad]

Yes, and if he/she were a devout Witness, they would not accept it from you...

[brionon]

It won't offend me, though. would you like my address ?

[Hermia]

My aunt is a Jehova's Witness and won't accept cards or presents.

[Ewar Woowar]

Why don't they give or receive cards/gifts?

[Clanad]

Ewar, simple answer has to do with the observation of Christmas, easter or other religious based observances are not prescribed in thier version of the Bible and therefore are considered tobe pagan in origin. They do not believe in blood transfusions for themselves or children, among other things...

[Ewar Woowar]

Many thanks for your answer Clanad. Its terrible I don't have much knowledge of other religions.

[kaktus]

A Jehova's witness I went to school with said it was because the do not believe in singling one person out and giving them gifts, as they then are "higher" than the other persons there. That at least was what she said about birthdays.. We were small kids, so she or I or both could have gotten it wrong

That said I just looked on wikipedia and as far as I can understand the reason why they don't celebrate birthdays is: On Herode's daughter's birthday she wanted John the baptists head on a silver plate and that what was she got. (Mark 6: 19-29)

So I'm quite sure someone got quite wrong :) Sorry for going off topic, just thought you night want to know about birthdays too :)

[Lou Knee]

thanks for all the info............very helpful