Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses discourage acting in a school play?

Answer 1

I don't know the particulars with any situation that you may be familiar with, so I cannot speak for the decisions of parents in regards to the children or plays that you are referring to, but may be able to shed some light on the thinking of Jehovah's Witnesses that should help you to see what may be involed in the decisions that were made.

Jehovah's Witnesses avoid the religious holidays that most people celebrate, because the customs associated with them, and in many cases, the holidays themselves are linked to pagan religions. Therefore, a witness parent would not want their child participating in a school play associated with a religious holiday.

We are polically neutral as far as earthly governments are concerned. We do not believe that God favors any race or nation over another, so neither do we. Therefore, we would also not participate in a school play that is nationalistic in nature.

The parents may see a potential conflict between the play's rehersal times, show times, and spiritual activities that the parents want the child to engage in like meetings and Bible study actiities.

As far as plays themselves are concerned, their is no problem with that. In fact, at our recreational social gatherings, we often have plays. Even at our large conventions, we have dramas that act out Bible stories, and make application for our day.

Evidentally, the witness parents that you are familair with had some particular reason such as mentioned above for not wanting their child to participate.