Halloween...

jacob_g · Oct 19, 2019

The pagan rituals of celebrating the dead go back to Bible times for the heathen. Then the "church" (term used loosely) Catholic Church honored the dead Saints and because the dates were so close they merged as one.

A few questions here...

Should Christians participate in Halloween? Especially with kids... what do you do?

Is it Biblical at all to honor the dead? Many cultures do...

Heyjude · Oct 19, 2019

I think some sense has to be used here; according to your faith so be it. In other words, if you don't see evil in letting kids cut out pumpkins etc, then its surely harmless. Yes some people go too far and its actually just a giant marketing campaign to get people to spend money on useless junk and parties that will have a lot of waste thrown in the trash. But as for little kids - I think as long as you don't take it too far or take it too seriously, then it is harmless. All my kids used to dress up and carve out pumpkins but they never thought of "evil" when they did it - more of the time of year (harvest time etc). I think the Day of the Dead thing can go further back than the Catholic Church and it was a peasant tradition as well to do with land and harvest. Its pretty obvious to see which people take the "evil" thing seriously or not as you can also split hairs over Christmas and how extreme we get about that.

jacob_g · Oct 19, 2019

Heyjude said:

I think some sense has to be used here; according to your faith so be it. In other words, if you don't see evil in letting kids cut out pumpkins etc, then its surely harmless. Yes some people go too far and its actually just a giant marketing campaign to get people to spend money on useless junk and parties that will have a lot of waste thrown in the trash. But as for little kids - I think as long as you don't take it too far or take it too seriously, then it is harmless. All my kids used to dress up and carve out pumpkins but they never thought of "evil" when they did it - more of the time of year (harvest time etc). I think the Day of the Dead thing can go further back than the Catholic Church and it was a peasant tradition as well to do with land and harvest. Its pretty obvious to see which people take the "evil" thing seriously or not as you can also split hairs over Christmas and how extreme we get about that.

We did not celebrate Halloween growing up, but we did always get a pumpkin for fall and bake the seeds and I loved it.

breno785au · Oct 19, 2019

I think it's a stupid, commercial day that is slowly becoming more popular here in Australia so people can spend more money on junk.

I can't stand it and my children won't participate.

Roughsoul1991 · Oct 19, 2019

jacob_g said:

Christians have a good history of changing cultures and turning pagan holidays into Christ centered events. The popular thing now is becoming church trunk or treat events.

Due to the craziness of the world a church trunk or treat is considered now safer feeling for parents.

Mad Genius laugh enter here ( )!

Right into our Christian web,
the parents are lovingly led,
and the kids so full of sugary joy,
are unknowingly part of our Christian ploy,
To share the love and joy,
Of Jesus Christ and the grace for all to enjoy.

gb9 · Oct 19, 2019

breno785au said:

here in America, Halloween is just as big as Christmas. and, I live in a college town, the kids are nuts about it, probably already having parties...

7seasrekeyed · Oct 19, 2019

football is worse

every Sunday

it's a religion

Nehemiah6 · Oct 19, 2019

jacob_g said:

That is a definite NO. Kids need to know this.

Honoring the dead as such is not objectionable (at the right time and place), but Halloween goes well beyond that and opens the door to evil spirits.

breno785au · Oct 19, 2019

gb9 said:

Yes I know. When I was a child, it wasn't a thing here, I knew about it from American movies etc but we never celebrated.

Dibby53 · Oct 19, 2019

jacob_g said:

In the first few centuries of christendom prayers for the dead were a part of the church. Since many of the church fathers believed in eternal, universal restoration then it was deemed efficacious to pray for departed souls.

Nehemiah6 · Oct 19, 2019

Dibby53 said:

Unfortunately the Bible makes it perfectly clear that there are no second chances after death. Many of the church fathers deveioped many unbiblical doctrines. So the Bible has to be our final authority.

Dibby53 · Oct 19, 2019

Nehemiah6 said:

Even though they were nearer to the apostles time than our own and did use the bible in which to base teachings??

Nehemiah6 · Oct 19, 2019

Dibby53 said:

Believe it or not, while the apostles were still alive, many false doctrines entered into the churches. Kindly read and study Revelation 1-3, and meditate on that.

Dibby53 · Oct 19, 2019

Nehemiah6 said:

I will. X

Miri · Oct 19, 2019

I honestly don’t know how Christian families, can encourage their
children to dress up a as vampires, zombies, witches etc. Over in the UK it’s
not very nice or healthy at all. It’s a celebration of horror.

Subhumanoidal · Oct 19, 2019

jacob_g said:

Same answer as always and yet always ignored or made excuses for.
If people want to complain about the "pagan roots" of things why isn't it Only holidays? Our daily lives have plenty of elements with pagan roots and yet no one is willing to give up those. They simply pick and choose which pagan roots elements they are willing to give up. Sounds convenient to only think the easiest ones need to be given up.
So many speak against pagan roots of holidays while wearing wedding rings, which is a pagan tradition, they still won't give them up though.
When these people live it out 100% and not just when it's an easy platform to get attention then maybe I'll take them seriously. Until then it's just people saying one thing and doing another.

tourist · Oct 19, 2019

7seasrekeyed said:

...probably a cult too. Tomorrow, Eagles over the Cowboys by a weak touchdown. Saints over the Bears big-time.

EliBeth · Oct 19, 2019

As a child, I was involved in trick-or-treating. I haven't participated in many years. It is alarming to me that more and more death, gore, darkness, ungodly power, and fear are being celebrated. In my mind, participating in Halloween is at least somewhat condoning of these things. Ephesians 5:8-10 "For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." Perhaps dressing up as an innocent teddy bear and asking candy of your neighbor is permissable. But personally I do not intend on having any future children of mine involved with Halloween. A consideration of mine is what my child may be exposed to.

Iwillfearnoevil · Oct 19, 2019

jacob_g said:

I never saw it as a way to celebrate the dead. It was a fun time to dress up and go out to get candy, or go to a party with games. My kids participated in the fun part, not the gruesome, evil stuff that is out there. It was fun for them to be a character from a cartoon or movie like Toy Story. That's what it was when I was a kid. I just never worried about my children being influenced by the evil side because I was open with them about things.

Whispered · Oct 19, 2019

jacob_g said:

I visit the cemetery or mausoleum so as to visit and bring flowers to honor and remember passed friends and family. In the case of one relative I bring birdseed during the autumn and winter months. I feed the birds at her graveside because she did that at her home for many years of her life. Therefore, I don't think I can judge anyone or any culture that does the same in their own tradition.

As for Halloween, I think if I explain to my children what Hallows is, and that there is no devil worship involved as pertains to past histories of pagan culture, nor now, and that it is for some their religious tradition but for us it is a time of costumes, fun and candy, that they'll be fully informed and ready to play.
It's fun as a grownup to costume myself as chaperone.

Halloween...

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