Do Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate new year's eve?

Answer 1

no, we don't celebrate new years. it has some pagan ties to it. can't remember at the moment. probably was celebrated 1. to welcome the new year, 2. give honour to one of the Gods or Goddesses. that's usually the reason behind the celebrations. The World Book Encyclopedia states: "The Roman ruler Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year's Day in 46 B.C. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces-one looking forward and the other looking backward."-(1984), Vol. 14, p. 237. Because New Years Day was a celebration in honor of a pagan god, Jesus did not celebrate New Years Day, neither did the apostles, nor the first century christians. New Years Day celebrations were not tolerated by professed christians until about 2 centuries after the deaths of Jesus and the apostles. The Bible strickly forbids worshipping any god other then the God of the Bible, and since this celebration origionates in pagan worship of a god other than the God of the Bible, Jehovah, and because Jehovah's Witnesses try to imitate the example set by Jesus, the apostles, and the frist christians, we do not engage in New Years Day celebrations.

Answer 2

No. It has pagan roots just like most other holidays. That's why they don't celebrate it.

"In ancient Rome, the first day of the year was given over to honoring Janus, the god of gates and doors and of beginnings and endings. . . . New Year's Day became a holy day in the Christian Church in A.D. 487, when it was declared the Feast of the Circumcision. At first, parties were not allowed on this day because the pagans had followed that custom. This was gradually changed and celebrations could again be held." -- The 1966 World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 14, page 237

"At that time the god Marduk decided the destiny of the country for the coming year," -- The World Book Encyclopedia.

In 46 B.C.E., Emperor Julius Caesar decreed that New Years should begin on the first of January. That day was already dedicated to Janus, the god of beginnings, and now it would also mark the first day of the Roman year. On the first of January, people "gave themselves up to riotous excess and various kinds of heathen superstition." -McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia

No, this is a pagan tradition. The World Book Encyclopedia states: "The Roman ruler Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year's Day in 46 B.C. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces-one looking forward and the other looking backward."