I was wondering what anyones thoughts are on the subject of Christians celebrating Halloween? I personally grew up NEVER celebrating it because my mother thought it did not glorify God and celebrated everything that was evil and dark. I had other Christian friends who's parents justified trick or treating because it's just "harmless fun." My kids have never celebrated Halloween because basically I object to it and I never did it as a kid either. When I tell non-Christian friends that I do not participate in this holilday they look at me like I've lost my marbles!!! I'm just curious to see what other believers do at this time of year with their kids that attend public schools. I'm keeping my daughter home beacuse all they do in her school is parties and a huge halloween parade. I was informed by her school thatit is an excused absensce since we have religous reasons. So, what are your thoughts on this matter???? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bananas.gif" alt="" />
I don't think there is much harm in much of what is done today, with the exception of some of the pranks and such that happen. Anymore, trick-or-treating is just a way for kids to get free candy, and that is how most people see it. My fiancée and I have talked, and when we have kids, we're going to take them trick-or-treating. I don't have a problem with it and neither does she.
I agree with you that there is nothing God-honoring in Holloween. I wouldn't allow my children to participate in it either. Assimilation isn't a very positive witness to the grace of God and His transforming us from children of darkness into children of light. But what we did do was to celebrate "Reformation Day" and give thanks to God for His providential deliverance of the true Church from the heresies, superstition and oppression of the RCC.
However, we did hand out candy to those "beggars" that came to the door along with some good biblical tracts. It is funny that the number of kids that came to our door over the years diminished.
That's funny how those numbers have diminished, huh??? I wonder why? lol! I had a friend of mine tell me that she once handed out Bible tracts and candy the year after she had decided to stop celebrating Halloween with her kids. She said that this one woman became SO irrate with her and was screaming at her really loud in front of everyone on their street. She said just as it was happening an unsaved friend of her's (she was unaware of it at the time)had pulled up in a car and witnessed the whole fiasco. Her friend later told her on the phone that she had stopped by to show her her costume but drove off because she didn't know what to do witnessing this woman screaming at her! Her friend also was a bit sad that she hadn't told her that she had stopped celebrating Halloween because she would have never stopped by in the first place.
My friend now just takes her kids out somewhere instead of handing candy out to the beggars.
I like to take my kids to Chuck E Cheese or somewhere fun so they don't feel like they are missing out on anything. Bonus: The place is usually empty because most kids are trick or treating. We also do alternative celebrations at different churches.
Edited: Added the contents of your second post to this one. FYI, you have 6 hours open to you to edit any of your posts/replies here, so there was really no need to add a second reply.
This will not win me my first sour puss award as I have many on my shelf. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> BUT My thought is, why do Christians feel they need to have an alternative for this worldly day can’t we just say we don’t believe in it.
Bill <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />
William said: This will not win me my first sour puss award as I have many on my shelf. BUT My thought is, why do Christians feel they need to have an alternative for this worldly day can’t we just say we don’t believe in it.
no "Sour Puss Award" for you this time, at least from me.
I hope you didn't take my comment(s) as implying that celebrating "Reformation Day" was in any way to be used as a substitute for Halloween? Reformation Day has been celebrated for centuries on October 31st. Whether what we know today as Halloween predates Reformation Day I can't remember, but what's wrong with gathering the family together and giving recognition to that great historic event and offering prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord for His mighty providence and deliverance? Let the pagans have "their days" and we can celebrate "our days" in a way that is God-honoring.
I participated in Halloween growing up and so did my wife, but we decided we will not let our son participate. This issue was discussed a couple years ago with some Christian co-workers where I work. These were some of my observations regarding Halloween.
[*] Halloween has become a HUGE commercial business. Some cities even have Halloween "super stores". I found this from an article on the History Channel's web site: “Today, Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country's second largest commercial holiday.” I can think of numerous God glorifying ways that $6.9 billion could be spent. [*] This day is also reserved for countless acts of vandalism; from seemingly innocent acts of toilet papering homes to throwing eggs and up to arson (i.e. Devil's Night in Detroit, MI). I did a Google search on: “Halloween “crime prevention”” and got 122,000 hits. [*] Many of the masks and costumes are gorier, more wicked, and more realistic looking. [*] This day also makes light of death. Should believers lampoon death?
* Given all of these facts about Halloween, does God delight in these things? * Should we take part in a day that promotes the above attributes? * Does Satan delight that this day has evolved into “innocent fun for kids”? * If our children do not participate in this, are they really missing out or are fond memories of our childhood getting in the way? * Are we truly setting ourselves apart from worldly desires by taking part in Halloween?
I remember a few years ago when Halloween landed on a Sunday. The church I attended at the time canceled Sunday evening study so parents could take their kids out for trick or treating! Is trick or treating more important than Christian fellowship and Bible study?
I also believe that by not participating, it provides an excellent witnessing opportunity at work and other places because co-workers and others will surely ask what my son will dress like for Halloween. This opens a door to tell them my Christian beliefs and why I don't participate.
I hope you didn't take my comment(s) as implying that celebrating "Reformation Day" was in any way to be used as a substitute for Halloween? Reformation Day has been celebrated for centuries on October 31st. Whether what we know today as Halloween predates Reformation Day I can't remember, but what's wrong with gathering the family together and giving recognition to that great historic event and offering prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord for His mighty providence and deliverance? Let the pagans have "their days" and we can celebrate "our days" in a way that is God-honoring. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
In His grace,
No Sir I was not at all referring to your comment about "Reformation Day" that's a great day to celebrate. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bananas.gif" alt="" /> I was speaking of Christian parents coming up with an substitute for halloween.
I was wondering what anyones thoughts are on the subject of Christians celebrating Halloween?
For the last 15-20 years now our church has sponsored a "Reformation Celebration" on October 31st at our local Christian School Gym. You can look at it as a Christ-centered alternative to Halloween's "trick or treat." The Reformation Party includes: make your own taffy apples, cake back-off contest, pizza, pop, dessert, coffee, singing, games for all ages, crafts and treat bags for all the children. This is always a great time for everyone and we invite families and friends to join with us.
Ofcourse this takes a lot of volunteers depending on how much you do but once you get this going in your area it becomes a tradition which people look forward to each year. The benefits are obvious: good fellowship and good fun instead of creapy creatures knocking on your door.
Wes
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
Halloween has become a HUGE commercial business. Some cities even have Halloween "super stores".
Boy oh boy you say that again! I've seen homes in my area decorated for Holloween for some weeks now already. Some of them have obviously spent a LOT of time and money to mark this pagan holiday.
I think this trend has increased significantly in the last decade. When I was a boy you didn't see much of this at all. Of course this reflects the moral decline we see in America today and the love of evil heros.
Wes
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
My brother lets his kids celebrate, but for him he makes a distinction between his girls dressing like Snow White and getting free candy to the death and horror stuff we see everywhere, and he makes this distinction clear to his girls.
I disagree with him. I do not believe it is possible to separate the day from the evil connotations it carries (not just in its inception in history but down to the witch-and-ghost displays as Wal Mart). If we are to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness I don't see how celebrating Halloween is acceptable to Christians.
We don't celebrate halloween here at all. I talked to my son's first grade teacher and told her that I would not be bringing the kids in on Halloween day, which is next monday. I was sooo delightfully suprised to hear her say, "here at *insert school name* halloween does not exist, that's why we have 'Fall on the Farm day." That was last friday, a week and a half before halloween. This is a public charter school! Also, my sisters kids go to a public school, not a charter, and she said that most of the schools around her area, including the one she sends her kids to, also do not celebrate halloween. I was really glad to hear that too.
To me, imagine your best friend, or your father, or your pastor.. someone that you love and admire and respect very much. Imagine that he has a mortal enemy. Imagine that mortal enemy has invited you to come and have some harmless fun in his honor. I would not go! I would even be insulted at the invitation. That's how I feel about halloween. My children tell people when they are asked what they are going to be for halloween, "we don't celebrate halloween, we love Jesus." That's good enough for me! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />