Thoughts on Halloween...
I've been thinking about Halloween today because of a discussion I read on another blog. As a child, I innocently participated in Halloween by dressing up in costume and collecting candy from our friends and neighbors. I allowed my children to do the same. We never focused on the "occult" issues or it's pagan origins. Just had some innocent fun. To this day, I don't focus on the "ghosts or monsters" stuff. But I sure do love the scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns! And who doesn't love "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"? ; ) I know some Christians believe that we should have nothing to do with Halloween because of it's origins.
Personally, I see no harm in costumes, candy and carved pumpkins. I see this as innocent fun. And can't we as Christians be an example to the world by enjoying the fun parts of this holiday while shunning the "pagan" or "occult" aspects of it? I see it as a good opportunity to teach our children and others the difference between what is real and what is make-believe; what is true vs. what is false.
To quote someone from the other blog, "Can one really unwittingly celebrate evil and honor the devil if their motive is not evil?"
Interesting! What do you think?
posted by Elizabeth C. @ 10:22 AM
5 Comments:
At 12:09 PM,
Josh said…
I like Halloween too, especially since we moved out to AZ where the seasons are Summer and Good Lord it's HOT!
Halloween reminds me of Fall, hay rides, pumpkins, candy, fellowship, etc.
I see no harm in it and I like what you said about being a Christian example by enjoying the fun parts...reminds me in a way of be in the world and not of it.
I have even found it odd that everyone changing the names of these festivals/times. Halloween is now "Fall Festival" and Christmas is something even more strange.
Are we teaching our kids to be neutral to everything? Not pick sides? Not be able to decide what's good and bad about something, like Halloween? That's were I have a problem. Otherwise, let the kids play dress-up, give them something sweet for one night...and Heaven forbid if you join them and have fun too. You can still be Christian and Have fun at the same time.
There, that's what I think.
At 12:32 PM,
Shawn White said…
Love Halloween - dressing up, watching scary movies and just having fun with friends. I think I'm over my candy comas - my sweet tooth ain't so sweet anymore.
I do think there is just as much danger in segregating ourselves from all worldly activities as participating in them to the extreme. I have come to a much more moderate view that we should inoculate and not isolate. Isolation seems to have a boomerang effect later in life while inoculating seems to lead to a much more balanced life with a holistic approach.
You question, "Can one really unwittingly celebrate evil and honor the devil if their motive is not evil?" is a good one. I think my first reaction is "yes, I think that is possible" but the more I think about it, the more I'm uncertain that I have a good answer for it. Good question though - it does have some interesting concepts attached to it.
Shawn
At 12:20 AM,
Laura said…
I have been thinking about this lately as well. Since our move to Anthem, I feel like we are really an example in our little start-up community. Everyone here is from somewhere else, so we are able to give a first impression to everyone in our neighborhood.
My choice to decorate only with pumpkins/jack-o-lanterns might prompt my neighbor to ask or comment on the lack of witches and ghosts in my yard. At which point I can talk about where those things come from and what they really mean.
I don't think abstaining from "pagan" holidays is a very good example. It is possible that it could contribute to labeling us as religious fanatics. Our lost friends might distance themselves further from us and then greet any comments on real salvation issues as more ranting from the weirdo next door.
Kate's first grade class is having a Fall Festival party on Tuesday. She came home and said "Mommy, can you come help at my Halloween party next week?" The kids know what's going on... why don't we just stop playing games!
At 8:50 AM,
Stephen said…
"True that" to all these comments.
As far as your question, "Can one really unwittingly celebrate evil and honor the devil if their motive is not evil?"
It seems to me the first blush answer, like Shawn points out is "yes" however, this cannot really be possible. For someone/something to "really" (really) receive honor, this must be an intentional act for that person. Let's turn this question around and see how it works in another area:
"Can one really unwittingly celebrate good and honor the Lord if their motive is not holy?"
Amos 5:21-23 says:
21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
Seems to me thans answer is no one can "go through the motions" and produce anything meaningful--wether it is a holiday event, our work, our marriage, our family, or even our worship.
At 4:17 PM,
D.L. White said…
Awesome discussion!!! This is the most sensible, calm, rational discussion I've ever read about the subject of Halloween and Christians. I don't have much to add, because everyone else has said it all. Personally, I've always seen it as a day where we make a mockery/joke of those things that we are supposed to fear: death, ghosts, goblins, make-believe monsters. And we have a good laugh that we don't really have to fear those things.
Anyway - if you'd like to read an interesting, balanced article about this, check out this article on the Stand to Reason website.
http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5284
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