Changes

Jehovah's Witnesses base their refraining from celebrating many popular religious holidays on II Corinthians 6:14, 17 which states: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? ... Therefore, 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate,' saith the Lord. 'And touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.'" ([[King James Version]])  <ref>The Watchtower, December 15, 1974 (p. 740).</ref>   

Jehovah's Witnesses base their refraining from celebrating many popular religious holidays on II Corinthians 6:14, 17 which states: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? ... Therefore, 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate,' saith the Lord. 'And touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.'" ([[King James Version]])  <ref>The Watchtower, December 15, 1974 (p. 740).</ref>   

Although Jehovah's Witnesses, then known as International Bible Students, celebrated Christmas during the early 1900's, this practice stopped in 1926.  <ref>Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom(p. 198)</ref>  Since that time they have published information regarding the origins of other holidays such as Easter, New Year's, Halloween and others.  Their sources have been varied, drawing upon ''The Encyclopædia Britannica'', ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'', ''The World Book Encyclopedia'', ''The Encyclopedia Americana'', and similar publicly available resources.

Although Jehovah's Witnesses, then known as International Bible Students, celebrated Christmas during the early 1900's, this practice stopped in 1926.  <ref>Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom(p. 198)</ref>  Since that time they have published information regarding the alledgedly "pagan" origins of other holidays such as Easter, New Year's, Halloween and others.  Their sources have been varied, drawing upon ''The Encyclopædia Britannica'', ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'', ''The World Book Encyclopedia'', ''The Encyclopedia Americana'', and similar publicly available resources.

Regarding their position on secular holidays, Jehovah's Witnesses reference Christ's words at [[Gospel of John|John]] 17:16, that his followers would be no part of the world.  They also refrain from most celebrations that focus on individuals, such as birthdays, referencing scriptures such as Acts 10:25, 26; 12:21-23; [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] 19:10.<ref>Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life (p. 214) </ref>

Regarding their position on secular holidays, Jehovah's Witnesses reference Christ's words at [[Gospel of John|John]] 17:16, that his followers would be no part of the world.  They also refrain from most celebrations that focus on individuals, such as birthdays, referencing scriptures such as Acts 10:25, 26; 12:21-23; [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] 19:10.<ref>Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life (p. 214) </ref>

{{See also|Jehovah's Witnesses Beliefs}}

{{See also|Jehovah's Witnesses Beliefs}}

== Controversy ==

== Controversy ==