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Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN?

 
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Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN?


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(last vote on : 11/10/2009 1:34:39 PM)
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Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 12:31:24 AM   
Mollymouser


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SHOULD CHRISTIANS PARTICIPATE IN HALLOWEEN?

Let's face it ... it's a pagan holiday centered around some pretty dark stuff -- and the decorations and costumes get darker and more gory every year. Should christians have ANYTHING to do with Halloween celebrations? (Giving out candy, trick or treating, dressing in costumes, carving Jack O Lanterns?) What about church "harvest festivals" and "Halloween alternatives?" Are those OK ... or are we just telling our kids that some sort of candy-and-costume celebration is necessary at the end of every October?

Some scriptures to consider ....

James 1:27 ("keep oneself from being polluted by the world")

3 John 1:11 ("do not imitate what is evil")

Romans 12:9 ("abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.")

Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (do not learn to imitate detestable ways, including spiritists, sorcerers and witchcraft)

Ephesians 5:11-12 ("Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness" / "live as children of light")

1 Timothy 4:1 (don't "follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons")

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 ("what fellowship can light have with darkness?")

Philippians 4:8 (think about pure, lovely, noble things)

1 Corinthians 11:1 ("follow the example of Christ")

1 Corinthians 10:31 ("whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God")

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 ("what fellowship can light have with darkness?")

Romans 13:12 ("put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.")

MULTIPLE SELECTIONS ALLOWED

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 1:02:04 AM   
OneOfHisJewels


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Growing up, we weren't allowed to do Halloween, but we did Reformation day parties at church.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 1:05:17 AM   
LCannon


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Please. I(we)pass out treats at our door and our church uses it as an opportunity for outreach. Our pastors' house and helpers even have treats to the trick/treaters and hot chocolate/coffee/cookies to their parents. Think outreach not isolation.

< Message edited by LCannon -- 10/5/2009 1:13:32 AM >


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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 1:21:56 AM   
betterisoneday


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Can I post the same thing I did in last year's thread?
We never kept Halloween growing up for a couple reasons; first because we lived in the middle of nowhere. After we moved to a small-ish town we didn't because even among the Christians children would dress up as demons or such and many/most were involved in egging people's houses or throwing split pumpkins and other trash in yards.


I personally don't think it's a sin to dress up (not demon costumes) and get candy; I've talked to people who only knew Halloween as an innocent kid's sugar holiday. Never saw anyone's house or yard vandalized; never saw demon or witch costumes and don't think anything about it. I can understand someone's thinking from that view and am not convinced I should 'ruin' it for them (if that makes sense). Myself I think it's wrong but I see it (the church parties or 'princess/knight' costumes as opposed to demons/vandalism) similar to issues such as wearing only dresses; allowing kid's to play with Barbie/GI Joe; listening only to Christian music; etc.

My sons are not allowed to keep Halloween because I see no need for it and would much prefer them to study the history of it.


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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 2:14:24 AM   
keithyhuntington


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IMO, Christians who avod Halloween just gives david letterman another joke to tell at 10:35. "so my neighbors are Christians and they are so anti-Halloween...." *America laughs at Christians* I just dont see what the big deal is. EVERYTHING is evil to these types, and Christianity turns into a bigger joke each year because of which. Just have a sound mind. Yiu can celebrate Halloween without sacrificing virgins on a pentegram.

My 2 cents.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 2:39:21 AM   
ManimalX


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Harmless fun. To everyone except for a handful of devout pagans, it is a celebration of candy, if anything. No imaginary "evil" about it.

P.S. You had better give out some good candy. If you pass out fruits, vegetables, or tracts without candy, I will T.P. your house.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 2:40:25 AM   
Ps103


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I don't have a problem with trick or treating, jack-o-lanterns, etc. To me, it is just a day for kids to have fun and get candy. I think it was invented by dentists to drum up business

In 2004 (I think it was 2004, anyway) they changed the day of trick-or-treating to the 30th so the kids that went to church on Sunday night wouldn't miss out.

We didn't get that memo...

Now, someone stop me before I tell the African Children's Choir story again

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 4:27:27 AM   
bondserv65


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Christians participate in christmas and easter. Why not Halloween too?
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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 10:08:41 AM   
Tinkerbell_


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quote:

ORIGINAL: keithyhuntington

IMO, Christians who avod Halloween just gives david letterman another joke to tell at 10:35. "so my neighbors are Christians and they are so anti-Halloween...." *America laughs at Christians* I just dont see what the big deal is. EVERYTHING is evil to these types, and Christianity turns into a bigger joke each year because of which. Just have a sound mind. Yiu can celebrate Halloween without sacrificing virgins on a pentegram.

My 2 cents.

You know...this is a very good point. As much as we don't want to be of world we sure aren't showing people why being a follower of Jesus is a good thing.

Not that that's what it's all about...it's just...I don't know. Hard to explain the difference between some people calling them personal convictions and others saying it's hard core scripture.

We celebrate Halloween every year and treat it just like any other silly holiday; Valentine's Day, St. Patricks Day...whatnot. I have orange twinkle lights up, an adorable black cat wearing an orange costume standing up in my living room, and a smiling ghost on my porch.

And I'm making bat cookies this year.

I personally feel it's a personal conviction. If you don't want to, that's fine. If you want to, that's fine too. Just don't criticize or condemn those who don't agree with you.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 11:55:30 AM   
stampinlady


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I picked Halloween is harmless fun."

I been up here for awhile and have waffled back and forth on this for many years. I believe that the Holy Spirit will tell you if you should or shouldn't participate when you are learning to be obedient. That being said I have come to the conclussion that it can be hearmlesss fun and a good way to get to know neighbors, have a clean party for your teens or just enjoy all the little cuties that come to your door. I like using Philippians 4:7,8 when I get conflicting messages on whether or not to do something. I bought in to much "christian" myths about this day over the years and find that many christians mean well, but are really ignorant as to history and facts. It's well worth the time to do a good study on why we celebrate certain holidys and why we shouldn't.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 12:08:37 PM   
StephK


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It really is harmless fun if handled the right way. I also think that if you feel led to hand out tracks at least attach them to a some good candy.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 12:25:56 PM   
Mollymouser


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quote:

ORIGINAL: bondserv65

Christians participate in christmas and easter. Why not Halloween too?


Point well-taken, bondserv65 ... but some Christians DON'T participate in those holidays.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 1:01:57 PM   
cow451


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Harvie

quote:

ORIGINAL: bondserv65

Christians participate in christmas and easter. Why not Halloween too?


Point well-taken, bondserv65 ... but some Christians DON'T participate in those holidays.


Actually, they're just mad because Santa and the Easter Bunny shorted them when they were kids.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 2:14:17 PM   
MrFribbles


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quote:

Yiu can celebrate Halloween without sacrificing virgins on a pentegram.


Wait, really? ...Oh my. I have some apology cards to send out.

But seriously, I have no problem with Halloween. July 4th is a secular holiday, but I don't see many American Christians nay-saying that day.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 3:01:29 PM   
Nate79


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The gory decorations get a bit annoying, but I don't mind passing out candy to be friendly to the neighbor kids. I prefer to take my kids to the alternative our church provides, but I'm not going to tell others what to do.
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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 5:35:25 PM   
GrahamCracker


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I picked "Halloween is harmless fun." I know I am not worshiping the devil, saints, ghosts, demons, or pagan gods. I will hand out candy. I may or may not dress up.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 5:39:15 PM   
bondserv65


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Harvie

quote:

ORIGINAL: bondserv65

Christians participate in christmas and easter. Why not Halloween too?


Point well-taken, bondserv65 ... but some Christians DON'T participate in those holidays.


True. Please forgive my overgeneralization. i am still working on that. It is one of my weaknesses.
Post #: 17
RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 7:07:06 PM   
3cappuccinosmom


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We don't participate in Halloween.

While I think there is harmless dressing up and harmless candy gathering, and I'm sure some Christians do all that harmlessly....I cannot get away from the centrality of violence, death, gore, horror, and blood with this holiday.

I saw a perfectly wholesome looking little girl the other day, dabbing some decorative "blood" onto a large goul in her family's front yard. It seemed so incongruous to me, and it's not something I want my children involved in, nor do I ever want them to view this kind of grossness as fun or delightful.

And, btw, we live in small-town America currently, and Halloween is all about ghosts, ghouls, witches, superstitions, and being scary. Perhaps at some point in history it was all light and innocence, but I don't see that now.

< Message edited by 3cappuccinosmom -- 10/5/2009 7:13:18 PM >


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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 7:20:25 PM   
OneOfHisJewels


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quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451

quote:

ORIGINAL: Harvie

quote:

ORIGINAL: bondserv65

Christians participate in christmas and easter. Why not Halloween too?


Point well-taken, bondserv65 ... but some Christians DON'T participate in those holidays.


Actually, they're just mad because Santa and the Easter Bunny shorted them when they were kids.


We didn't do those either growing up (although w/my own family I would). A boy on the bus told me his dad was Santa Claus, and he was going to tell his dad not to bring me any presents, and I thought that was really why I didn't get any presents.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 8:34:06 PM   
NiceGuy


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***Incoming Message from the Big Giant Head ***

quote:

ORIGINAL: 3cappuccinosmom

We don't participate in Halloween.

While I think there is harmless dressing up and harmless candy gathering, and I'm sure some Christians do all that harmlessly....I cannot get away from the centrality of violence, death, gore, horror, and blood with this holiday.

I saw a perfectly wholesome looking little girl the other day, dabbing some decorative "blood" onto a large goul in her family's front yard. It seemed so incongruous to me, and it's not something I want my children involved in, nor do I ever want them to view this kind of grossness as fun or delightful.

And, btw, we live in small-town America currently, and Halloween is all about ghosts, ghouls, witches, superstitions, and being scary. Perhaps at some point in history it was all light and innocence, but I don't see that now.


This sums up my view exactly.


NiceGuy

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 8:36:34 PM   
stellaluna


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I'd like to see someone dress up as Santa or the Easter Bunny this year please.
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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 8:53:47 PM   
CoeurdeLeon


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I voted for about 4 choices (I LOVE polls that allow multiple votes!).

Anyway, I used to be seriously, rabidly even, anti-Halloween. But a few years ago I realized that I was basing my beliefs on other people's opinions and not thinking for myself. I've started doing that. The thinking part, I mean.

Now I let my kids dress up and we carve jack o' lanterns and eat candy and have fun with it.

quote:

it's a pagan holiday centered around some pretty dark stuff

Sorry but, no, it's not. The NEO-pagans have tried to take it for their own but October 31 always was and always will be God's own day just like the other 364. These groups have made up a history for themselves but that's all it is... a made up history.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 9:02:22 PM   
henny


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quote:

ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels

Growing up, we weren't allowed to do Halloween, but we did Reformation day parties at church.


LOL

I thought I was the only one. I went to a Lutheran school and from K-4 grade we had a Halloween party every year. Then we got a different pastor who was much more conservative and he forbade us from having Halloween parties. After that we had to celebrate Martin Luther and the 95 theses every Halloween, instead of Halloween.

We could dress up, but it had to be as Bible characters -which always confused me. Dressing up as Jesus seems way more blasphemous to me than dressing up as Dracula.

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RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 9:03:54 PM   
1redfern


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quote:

ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon
quote:

it's a pagan holiday centered around some pretty dark stuff

Sorry but, no, it's not. The NEO-pagans have tried to take it for their own but October 31 always was and always will be God's own day just like the other 364. These groups have made up a history for themselves but that's all it is... a made up history.


We don't celebrate halloween, but I do agree with this statement.
Post #: 24
RE: Should Christians particpate in HALLOWEEN? - 10/5/2009 9:08:27 PM   
MrFribbles


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quote:

While I think there is harmless dressing up and harmless candy gathering, and I'm sure some Christians do all that harmlessly....I cannot get away from the centrality of violence, death, gore, horror, and blood with this holiday.


Out of curiosity, where do you find the basis for the belief that make-believe horror is ungodly?

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