I would like to debate the holiday called Halloween.
I understand All-Hallows Eve and its history - Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and other traditions. We did remember All-Saints Day Sunday by remembering those who had passed since last November 1st.
I understand that most people simply see it as a holiday to dress up and collect candy, so what is the fuss. Because we don't understand the true nature of something, do we simply make own plans?
I also understand the religious holiday it represents - it is a Druid holiday (Satanic - witchcraft).
I had to change my workout routine because the workout theater at my gym played horror films during the week.
Why would a church family - trying to offer some alternative event for their children - bring children dressed as demons, devils, witches, etc. and dress that way themselves?
Is this no big deal? Is it a non-issue with most? Should it be? Should it not be?
Debate on!
Debate on Christmas to follow...
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8 comments:
In my opinion it's no big deal. Halloween is just fun, simply. There will always be people who make a big deal and start saying that we are celebrating a Pagan holiday. I would say be convicted about that only if you are celebrating that same style that the Pagan's use to. Dressing up and asking for candy is exciting and shouldn't be made out to be anything other than that. I have class so I got to shut up now. haha
Okay, Halloween IS a big satanic holiday, and I know this in more personal ways than I wish to share. As a pastor, I try to teach folks that while having an evening of dress-up and collecting candy can be a positive "role play" kind of fun, there should be no participation in activities that play up the horror, violent, ghoulish, demonic or evil side of the night. Only positive roles, such as superheroes, angels, athletes, even robots or technologies is fine, but Christian parents should steer their kids away from anything that pretends to be evil, harmful, violent or frightening. Reformation Day is also the 31st, and its a chance to talk about transformation and change, and making a difference in our world to correct the wrongs in our society and in our church.
A comedian once said, "If Satan is going to take over the world, he's not going to do it with fun-sized Snickers." I couldn't agree more. I haven't ever experienced anything 'satanic' about Halloween. I'm sure that the celebration of Halloween could be abused, but so could anything for that matter. Our Christian freedom, and our Christian confidence, allow us to enjoy the things of this world in moderation, without any fear of hell. Christian pastors introduce that more than enough. When I celebrate Halloween, I see children laughing. There is no laughing in hell. Halloween can be a great way to allow children to confront their fears by dressing up as scary things, and then stripping them of their power by turning them into nothingness. As a Christian, I'm not offended by Halloween. I AM offended at the mockery and commercialization of Christmas. Byron E. Brought
I have never liked this day and do not feel that it is a holiday in any form. I really do not approve of begging for candy and think that it is such a foolish waste of energy. I opposed it as I was growing up and still do. I am grateful for the way that Rev Ray honored those that have gone before us for All Saints Day. All the movies and scary stuff that we so strongly try and keep our young from viewing all year goes out the window once a year--WOW--that does not even make sense! Just because it is Halloween and it is all okay. There are plenty of other things that are fun and exciting than dressing up and begging for candy. Just my take on a day that is not a holiday for me. I did allow my kids to dress up when they were young and go begging for candy as I waited from the road and I truly despised each and every year. I even made a Miriam and Moses costume for them to wear to school one year. So I did not make them feel too odd. They are now old enough to make their own decisions on the day called Halloween. Lorie Lowery
I agree mostly with Rev Jones. It is a satanic holidy and if our little ones think it is OK for a Christian family to celebrate a satanic holiday then will they think that Christian worship Christ and Satan?
I think this issue will be viewed very differently depending upon your Christian experience - and not just your experience with Jesus, but your experience with Satan and demons as a Christian.
For some, our image of the devil is the comic character with red horns and trident - he doesn't really look like that though. For others, our experience in delivering people from demonic possession and oppression has given us a much uglier image.
For me, the acceptability of Halloween and scaring people has the potential to desensitize us to the truth that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for who he can devour. If we reduce the devil to a laughable character then he has convinced us that he is not powerful, and by doing so exerts control over us.
I think that we need to be mindful of the footholds we allow the devil to have through the movies we watch or the music we listen to or the costumes we dress up in.
Am I against us having fun with our kids and allowing them to dress up - not at all, our kids did just that. However, our kids were also told what things we don't do - like read stories about witches, vampires and dead things.
I'll maybe write more later - off to teach.
Do we really want to teach our children that it is OK to beg for something that is not healthy for them to eat? And then teach them that if they are unsuccessful getting what they demand, they are to retaliate with a "trick". I can't think of any Christian teaching that approves of such behavior, can you?
I agree with Rev.Jones. There ARE forces at work on this day and every day. Satan isthemaster of deception and he has deceived us very well on this day.
Our church here in Florida hosts a "harvest party" in place of halloween, but I do not support even that. To me it is the same thing under a different name (even though they claim it to be somthing totally different). Kids still dress up (non-horror theme costumes only of course) and it is during the same time as Halloween, so what is the difference othan the masking of the costumes. Kind of like "Chiristian heavy metal music", but that is another discussion for another time! :-) It is what it is and changing the title to make it more acceptable does not change anythingin my book. Just my opinion.
Mike
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