Christian response to Halloween

xstarx05x · October 2011

**Please read the whole discussion before you respond**

I was looking for something to do with my church friends on Halloween. I don't think Christians should use this day as an opportunity to go out and spread God's love through charity.

ETA it's expected that this will happen on Christmas and Easter, but nothing really special happens on Halloween.

As a kid I remember collecting for UNICEF while trick-or-treating, but I think you reach people more with acts of love toward them. In fact, a few weeks ago we were reaching out to families in a nearby neighborhood that got hit pretty bad by Hurricane Irene, going door to door offering cleaning/living supplies, food, support & prayers, and I said it felt like we were reverse-trick-or-treating, which could be a nice idea. I know a couple families have started attending our church as a result.

Do any of you or your churches do something special Halloween?

ETA "Harvest Festivals" were intended to be included in the "Have another type of get together (what?)" poll option. I didn't realize how common they are! Also the poll is asking about what you currently do on halloween. Sorry I wasn't specific enough

DramaGeek · October 2011

This may not be a popular opinion around here, but I disagree that Halloween is a bad or evil holiday, so we don't do anything to try to counteract it. We don't have kids, so we don't go trick or treating, but if we had kids we would absolutely take them around the neighborhood.

ILs church does "trunk or treating" because they don't believe in trick or treating. Apparently handing out candy from your car in the church parking lot to kids who are dressed up in costumes is completely different from trick or treating <eye roll>.

xstarx05x · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:93d92aac-9934-4292-94dd-61d4562e913f">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]Apparently handing out candy from your car in the church parking lot to kids who are dressed up in costumes is completely different from trick or treating <eye roll />.
Posted by DramaGeek[/QUOTE]

Haha I see what you mean! Opinions are allowed! Hopefully we can all recognize that not everyone has the same knowledge or understanding of things. I've been debating about it myself. Last year I handed out candy and I would have gone to a party (if there was no drinking). But now I'm thinking, even though probably only like 1% of people celebrate Halloween in a satanic sort of way (hoping they can conjur up evil spirits) I just don't like what it's become these days. I feel like if people celebrate Halloween and when they have kids, let them go trick or treating, the kids are more likely to fall into the drunken & immoral side of it as they get older.**** Even if that isn't true, why not try to make the day more "good" than just "fun" :)<div>
</div><div>****ETA...</div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman';line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">[QUOTE]I'm also sorry because I was overgeneralizing when I said I felt like trick or treating could make kids more likely to fall into the partying/immoral side of Halloween. It's definitely more their upbringing that causes their actions. I guess I was just trying to say that I didn't like how Halloween (another example would be St Patrick's Day) creates an excuse for some people to party and act immorally.
Posted by xstarx05x[/QUOTE]
</div></span></div>

ravenray · October 2011

You should have Harvest Festivals on your polling. That is a very common option for Christians.

I didn't vote because what I do now is different from what I use to do. I used to Trick or treat. I didn't when I was a little kids (my mom was against it) When I was in high school I went quite a bit. Now I just sit at home because I am too lazy to go out

Honestly I don't have a problem with Halloween. Yes it was a pagan festival but the days that Christmas and Easter are on are pagan days as well. I know why I am doing whatever I am doing on Halloween, not to celebrate bad things. So I don't have a problem with it, but I understand and respect those who do have a problem with it. *shrugs* Different strokes for different folks.

FaithCaitlin · October 2011

I have no problem with Halloween. FI and I dress up and hand out candy. When we have our own babies, we will take them trick or treating. We'd like to have a Halloween party but we don't have a good space to do it at!

azdancer8 · October 2011

My nephew was talking about this the other day. He LOVES to wear costumes any time, so he was wearing one recently. Another little kid asked him if that was his Halloween costume. His response: "Jesus doesn't love Halloween. We celebrate Harvest." Granted, it was in his toddler speech - "Desus doesn't wove hawoween. We cewebwate Hawvest." So cute!

Our plan this year is to have a Harvest party and encourage kids to dress up as Bible characters. We'll do carnival games and such.

xstarx05x · October 2011

<div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;"><div>Thanks for everyone's responses so far! I'm interested in hearing what you do/think :)</div><div>
</div>Ravenray -- "Harvest Festivals" were intended to be included in the "Have another type of get together (what?)" poll option. I didn't realize how common they are! Also the poll is asking about what you currently do on halloween. Sorry I wasn't specific enough :)<div>
</div><div>azdancer -- that's so cute!</div><div>
</div><div>faithcaitlin & ravenray -- I do love an excuse to dress up or wear costumes! So it's tempting to participate, but like I said to dramageek:</div></div></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">[QUOTE]even though probably only like 1% of people celebrate Halloween in a satanic sort of way (hoping they can conjur up evil spirits) I just don't like what it's become these days. I feel like if people celebrate Halloween and when they have kids, let them go trick or treating, the kids are more likely to fall into the drunken & immoral side of it as they get older. Even if that isn't true, why not try to make the day more "good" than just "fun" :)
Posted by xstarx05x[/QUOTE]</div></span></div></span></div>

DramaGeek · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:517fe861-6aae-4e91-bd13-6a9085c047f3">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]You should have Harvest Festivals on your polling. That is a very common option for Christians. I didn't vote because what I do now is different from what I use to do. I used to Trick or treat. I didn't when I was a little kids (my mom was against it) When I was in high school I went quite a bit. Now I just sit at home because I am too lazy to go out :) Honestly I don't have a problem with Halloween. <strong>Yes it was a pagan festival but the days that Christmas and Easter are on are pagan days as well. </strong> I know why I am doing whatever I am doing on Halloween, not to celebrate bad things. So I don't have a problem with it, but I understand and respect those who do have a problem with it. *shrugs* Different strokes for different folks.
Posted by ravenray[/QUOTE]

<div>Absolutely! That is exactly my thought. In fact, several of our Christmas traditions come from pagan rituals (red and green, anyone?)</div><div>
</div><div>I'm not trying to be disrespectful, I just think it's so funny that a Halloween party isn't ok but a "Harvest party" on the same day is. Now, in my world, a harvest party is exactly that - a party where everyone gets together in someone's field or orchard and helps harvest the crop, so you can see why the new version makes me laugh. It's not a harvest party, it's a Halloween party that someone gave a new name to so it wouldn't be offensive to Christians.</div><div>
</div><div>I don't have a problem with people doing what they feel is best, I just think it's funny that the church, in many different things, tells us we shouldn't participate in XYZ, then does something that is exactly the same as XYZ but with a new name.</div>

xstarx05x · October 2011

<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">[QUOTE]Honestly I don't have a problem with Halloween. Yes it was a pagan festival but the days that Christmas and Easter are on are pagan days as well.
Posted by ravenray[/QUOTE]
</div><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">
</div></span><div>Definitely. Our Christian holidays were purposefully put during Pagan holidays to give new Christians something better to celebrate on those days, probably so they wouldn't feel left out and give into their old habits. I think they succeeded with Christmas and Easter, but I guess All Saints Day didn't have as much significance and it just became a meaningless holiday: Halloween. I don't really know where I was going with that haha</div><div>
</div><div>[QUOTE]I just think it's funny that the church, in many different things, tells us we shouldn't participate in XYZ, then does something that is exactly the same as XYZ but with a new name.
Posted by DramaGeek[/QUOTE]</div><div>
</div><div>I agree! That's why I think it would be great to do something different like going out to do charity. Something that demonstrates Christian values :)</div><div>
</div><div>ETA: Also, I don't think it's so much "Should we celebrate Halloween?" because being a Christian isn't about what we should or shouldn't do. That's legalism. It's how we respond to God's grace and the life he gives us, so I'm just contemplating how I'd like to respond to Halloween as a Christian :)</div>

DramaGeek · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:92ff3fd9-93de-40b6-951e-06358da6b2a6">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]Definitely. I agree! That's why I think it would be great to do something different like going out to do charity. Something that demonstrates Christian values :) ETA: Also, I don't think it's so much "Should we celebrate Halloween?" because being a Christian isn't about what we should or shouldn't do. That's legalism. It's how we respond to God's grace and the life he gives us, so I'm just contemplating how I'd like to respond to Halloween as a Christian :)
Posted by xstarx05x[/QUOTE]

<div>yes yes yes! If someone truly doesn't feel comfortable participating, then either don't participate or do something totally different that day. Just don't do the same thing with a different name. Wolf in sheep's clothing and all that.</div><div>
</div><div>And I agree re: the legalism, which is probably why I have such a hard time with the "replacement" celebrations. My non-Christian friends don't celebrate something else in place of Christmas because they simply don't celebrate Christmas, why is it so hard for Christians to understand that if you don't believe in it you just don't celebrate?</div><div>
</div><div>Sorry, I get a little riled up about this stuff because it's a hot button issue with the church H was raised in. He was raised with some extreme views on these things and has since found that he feels lied to, which hasn't helped his relationship with his parents or the church.</div>

iamjoesgurl · October 2011

I don't have children but if I did, I would probably do what my parents did with us. We would dress up in costumes and they would bring us to homes where we knew the people at the home. They just didn't let us grab a pillow case out of the closet and go door to door to see how much candy we could possibly get.

Here are the reasons I would probably do this:

1. I'm not a very trusting person so I probably wouldn't want my children eating food/candy from a home of someone we don't know (yes, I'm overly paranoid and this is irrational)

2. I wouldn't want to have my children go to strangers' homes (see my comment for #1)

3. I'm a fairly healthy person and I would want to limit the amount of sugar my children had.

4. As someone who hands out candy on Halloween, I struggle with understanding why I go out and buy all of that candy so that children I don't know come to my home and ask for it. I would be a hypocrite if I brought my kids to other peoples' homes for their candy.

This is my personal opinion and I don't judge people for bringing their children to strangers' homes on Halloween.

xstarx05x · October 2011

[QUOTE]He was raised with some extreme views on these things and has since found that he feels lied to, which hasn't helped his relationship with his parents or the church.
Posted by DramaGeek[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Yes, I can see it being hard to believe something that doesn't seem to have much purpose.</div><div>
[QUOTE]If someone truly doesn't feel comfortable participating, then either don't participate or do something totally different that day. Just don't do the same thing with a different name. Wolf in sheep's clothing and all that.
Posted by DramaGeek[/QUOTE]

</div><div>So far I see 3 things Christians do instead of the usual Halloween traditions: </div><div>1) mimick (like you say H's church does),</div><div>2) nothing, or</div><div>3) counteract with something positive... </div><div>
</div><div>Since it seems mimicking could have a negative effect, that narrows it down to either doing nothing or counteracting. But if you do nothing and people ask why, you have to try to explain that you believe such-and-such and then they'll wonder why you're a Christian, but how do you explain faith? Seeing is believing for the non-believer, and I think pretty much the only way you can see someone's faith is through their actions (there are no actions if you do nothing!) so I think doing something positive Halloween might work well :)</div>

xstarx05x · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:f4c37491-578e-4e04-a0f6-4c6cba2a7a67">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't have children but if I did, I would probably do what my parents did with us. We would dress up in costumes and they would bring us to homes where we knew the people at the home.
Posted by iamjoesgurl[/QUOTE]

<div>Just to drop by and say hi to some friends/acquaintances, you mean? </div>

iamjoesgurl · October 2011

No. We actually did trick or treating. But only at homes where we knew the people (church people or friends of my parents mostly).

My parents are very conservative (for example, we weren't allowed to go to movies or dances growing up and we were limited to the types of shows we could watch). But they didn't seem to be bothered by celebrating halloween, giving us presents from Santa or giving us Easter baskets. They DID focus on the Christian meanings behind the celebration of Christmas and Easter, but I didn't really know what Halloween is until I was an adult.

mrandmrsbrist · October 2011

I trick or treat-ed as a kid and I grew up in a Christian home. And guess what? I don't drink or do any of the things you claim people end up doing if they trick or treat.

H and I went to a costume Halloween party with church friends last year (GASP!). And we plan to go again this year (DOUBLE GASP!).

We view Halloween as any other overly commercialized holiday (Valentines Day, anyone?). If our kids want to trick or treat, we'll let them. My mom always went with us, so I'll go with them. I'll check their candy before they can eat any and moderate how much they eat afterwards.

I don't think this is a non-Christian response. And the fact that you're insuating that is kind of pissing me off. Do what you want with the holiday, but don't tell me that what I choose to do is wrong in some twisted way.

RebeccaJac · October 2011

I don't think there is a "Christian" response. Sure, séances would probably be a no-no, but I don't think putting on a Buzz Lightyear costume and ringing a door bell makes you any less of a Christian.

I grew up in a Christian home, a Pastor's home, and I am a Pastor.. marrying a Pastor... and we have every intention of taking our kids trick-or-treating. We're also going to go to Halloween Parties...

I honestly think trying to take everything that doesn't resemble Christianity and make it Christian is one of the reasons we get such a bad rap. Halloween doesn't seem right, so we'll have our own version, call it a Harvest Party and distinguish ourself from the world on an issue that, frankly, doesn't matter. Rather than seeing the holiday as an opportunity to build relationships with those outside our church (NOT EVANGELIZE. I'd be super offended if someone came to my door and said trick-or-Jesus) we once again seclude ourselves in the comfort of our church and hide from a big scary world. Christ went to where the people were, and on Oct 31 the people are out, walking around with their kids. Christ ate with the tax collecter, used endearing terms with the adulterous woman, and hung out with the least of these. Halloween is prime time for actually living like Christ, getting out without alterior motives and simply being with people and loving them for where they're at. THAT is evangelism. Your greatest way of sharing the gospel is 90% not what you say, but how you love.

Don't mean to rant on you, this is just a very hot button with me. I'm stinkin' tired of the Church playing church-y games instead of BEING the Church. Totally not at all at directed at you, but Christianity as a whole.

xstarx05x · October 2011

<div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">mrandmrsbrist -- I'm sorry if you thought I was attacking you, but I only suggested that it would be great to use that day as an opportunity to go out and do something good, but I never said it's not Christian to go out and celebrate Halloween. </div></span></div>
[QUOTE]I feel like if people <strong>[ETA: referring to the general public, not Christian families specifically]</strong> celebrate Halloween and when they have kids, let them go trick or treating, the kids are more likely to fall into the drunken & immoral side of it as they get older.<strong> Even if that isn't true,</strong> why not try to make the day more "good" than just "fun" :)
Posted by xstarx05x[/QUOTE]

<div>Please don't feel like I'm judging anyone because I'm not. The idea of this post was really just to see if anyone does anything interesting on Halloween instead of the usual stuff.</div>

xstarx05x · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:d93f77f8-f177-47d8-b717-7a1a76bb8304">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]Halloween doesn't seem right, so we'll have our own version, call it a Harvest Party and distinguish ourself from the world on an issue that, frankly, doesn't matter. Rather than seeing the holiday as an opportunity to build relationships with those outside our church (NOT EVANGELIZE. I'd be super offended if someone came to my door and said trick-or-Jesus) we once again seclude ourselves in the comfort of our church and hide from a big scary world. Christ went to where the people were, and on Oct 31 the people are out, walking around with their kids. Christ ate with the tax collecter, used endearing terms with the adulterous woman, and hung out with the least of these. Halloween is prime time for actually living like Christ, getting out without alterior motives and simply being with people and loving them for where they're at. THAT is evangelism. Your greatest way of sharing the gospel is 90% not what you say, but how you love. Don't mean to rant on you, this is just a very hot button with me. I'm stinkin' tired of the Church playing church-y games instead of BEING the Church. Totally not at all at directed at you, but Christianity as a whole.
Posted by RebeccaJac[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I completely agree. Have you noticed I keep talking about using the day as an opportunity to go out and serve others?

</div>

RebeccaJac · October 2011

Yes, but there's a difference between serving others and simply being with them. Overtly Christian tactics to evangelism tend to just turn people off. It sends the message that they- the way they are- aren't good enough to hang out with so you must change them, or you must be sure to distinguish yourself from them by doing very clearly Christian service projects.

That's why participating in Halloween is awesome because you can get out there with them and simply get to know them. Relationships are what change lives. When the day comes that God grabs their heart, they'll turn to you with their questions because of the built up trust and relationship.

xstarx05x · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:5d5e9a50-1b5e-4f7e-9da7-49f8d8aa7abe">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes, but there's a difference between serving others and simply being with them... Relationships are what change lives. When the day comes that God grabs their heart, they'll turn to you with their questions because of the built up trust and relationship.
Posted by RebeccaJac[/QUOTE]

<div>Certainly! Serving others and being with others would be for different occasions right? So I could either go out on Halloween and serve the community, or if a friend asked me to go trick or treating with them I could go do that. Relationships definitely change lives, which is one reason I haven't ditched any friends who aren't Christian! (that, and it would be completely un-Christ-like!)</div>

sessionswedding · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:93d92aac-9934-4292-94dd-61d4562e913f">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]This may not be a popular opinion around here, but I disagree that Halloween is a bad or evil holiday, so we don't do anything to try to counteract it. We don't have kids, so we don't go trick or treating, but if we had kids we would absolutely take them around the neighborhood. ILs church does "trunk or treating" because they don't believe in trick or treating. Apparently handing out candy from your car in the church parking lot to kids who are dressed up in costumes is completely different from trick or treating <eye roll />.
Posted by DramaGeek[/QUOTE]
This. All of it. I have taken my kid brother and some younger cousins trick-or-treating before, in fact.

sessionswedding · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:6936d525-8a79-4054-a862-1a212fea3feb">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Christian response to Halloween : Haha I see what you mean! Opinions are allowed! Hopefully we can all recognize that not everyone has the same knowledge or understanding of things. I've been debating about it myself. Last year I handed out candy and I would have gone to a party (if there was no drinking). But now I'm thinking, even though probably only like 1% of people celebrate Halloween in a satanic sort of way (hoping they can conjur up evil spirits) I just don't like what it's become these days.<strong> I feel like if people celebrate Halloween and when they have kids, let them go trick or treating, the kids are more likely to fall into the drunken & immoral side of it as they get older.</strong> Even if that isn't true, why not try to make the day more "good" than just "fun" :)
Posted by xstarx05x[/QUOTE]
My mom is a major horror buff, and my parents didn't exactly raise us in church. I can't even remember how old I was when I watched my first rated R movie, and I turned out fine. Letting kids wear costumes and have candy is NBD, IMHO.

xstarx05x · October 2011

<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">sessions -- please read below</div><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">
</div></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">[QUOTE]I feel like if people <strong>[ETA: referring to the general public, not Christian families specifically]</strong> celebrate Halloween and when they have kids, let them go trick or treating, the kids are more likely to fall into the drunken & immoral side of it as they get older. <strong>Even if that isn't true,</strong> why not try to make the day more "good" than just "fun" :)
Posted by xstarx05x[/QUOTE]</div><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">
</div><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">[QUOTE]I only suggested that it would be great to use that day as an opportunity to go out and do something good, but<strong> I never said it's not Christian to go out and celebrate Halloween... The idea of this post was really just to see if anyone does anything interesting on Halloween instead of the usual stuff.</strong>
Posted by xstarx05x[/QUOTE]</div></span></div></span>

xstarx05x · October 2011

Just want to highlight some other things I've said: <div>
</div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman';line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">[QUOTE]<strong>I don't think it's so much "Should we celebrate Halloween?" because being a Christian isn't about what we should or shouldn't do.</strong> That's legalism. It's how we respond to God's grace and the life he gives us, so I'm just contemplating how I'd like to respond to Halloween as a Christian[/QUOTE]
<div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman';line-height:normal;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span"><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;background-color:initial;background-image:none;background-attachment:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:#1f1f1f;font:normal normal normal 11px/14px Arial, sans-serif;text-align:left;">[QUOTE]Seeing is believing for the non-believer, and I think pretty much the only way you can see someone's faith is through their actions (there are no actions if you do nothing!) so I think doing something positive Halloween might work well[/QUOTE]</div></span></div></div></span></div><div>Bottom line:<strong> I'm not telling anyone what to believe or what to do, but suggesting that you always challenge your own beliefs and actions, asking yourself, "How can I be more like Jesus in this scenario?" because there is *always* some way to be more like him! </strong></div><div>
</div><div>Using Halloween as an opportunity to serve others is just one idea, but it's really between you and God as to what you're meant to do :)</div>

mrandmrsbrist · October 2011

Look, we're all reading what you're saying. You don't need to quote it ten times. We get it. Throwing a "even if it isn't true" in there doesn't do a whole lot for your case. You still said what you said.

If you want to serve people, why does it need to be on Halloween? IMO, this should be apart of your everyday life. Not something you're doing on a Satan holiday as a Christian response or whatever.

krystalaldre · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:c0be2d5e-34fd-41a6-84c2-c2f803311adb">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]Look, we're all reading what you're saying. You don't need to quote it ten times. We get it. Throwing a "even if it isn't true" in there doesn't do a whole lot for your case. You still said what you said. If you want to serve people, why does it need to be on Halloween? IMO, this should be apart of your everyday life. Not something you're doing on a Satan holiday as a Christian response or whatever.
Posted by mrandmrsbrist[/QUOTE]

As a Christian I do not see why anyone would get upset with a way to spread the love of Jesus. You are so right that it shouldh be an everyday thing, so why is it so upsetting if it is on any Holiday pagan or not. From what I have read the question made me reflect on my own personal walk, and challenge myself to not just do nothing, but enhaance the positive side of Christianity and the holiday. In case you have not noticed, a majority of Christian Doctrines teach All Saints Day is not that great. I was actually interested in getting opinions and views from this board about this holiday because we are to be "set apart". So I am trying to undersstand why you are getting so "pissed off". No one is here to judge (well at least from my lurking) we are all supposed to be encouraging and praying for each other with our walk with Christ and our marriages, not tearing down because of dif. opinions.
I personally was raised in a conservative church ( ladies no pants, no jewelry including wedding bands, no movies, parties, etc.) I was not allowed to trick or treat or dress up. We did not have a substitue, just never celebrated. I turned out pretty ok. I believe everything we do is based on our conviction.

DramaGeek · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christian-response-halloween?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:8d2497fc-1fbb-47c3-8c58-9076ffaed8bbPost:fde16aef-fa8a-4ea1-8eeb-9897d2e02e86">Re: Christian response to Halloween</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Christian response to Halloween : As a Christian I do not see why anyone would get upset with a way to spread the love of Jesus. You are so right that it shouldh be an everyday thing, so why is it so upsetting if it is on any Holiday pagan or not. From what I have read the question made me reflect on my own personal walk, and challenge myself to not just do nothing, but enhaance the positive side of Christianity and the holiday. In case you have not noticed, a majority of Christian Doctrines teach All Saints Day is not that great. I was actually interested in getting opinions and views from this board about this holiday because we are to be "set apart". So I am trying to undersstand why you are getting so "pissed off". No one is here to judge (well at least from my lurking) we are all supposed to be encouraging and praying for each other with our walk with Christ and our marriages, not tearing down because of dif. opinions. I personally was raised in a conservative church ( ladies no pants, no jewelry including wedding bands, no movies, parties, etc.) I was not allowed to trick or treat or dress up. We did not have a substitue, just never celebrated. I turned out pretty ok. I believe everything we do is based on our conviction.
Posted by krystalaldre[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>The fact of the matter is that when you say you believe that XYZ will lead to immorality, there is definitely an implication of "so I judge you if you do it."

</div>

aggiebug · October 2011

I did not know Halloween was evil until I was ummm in High School I think?

We trick or treated at kids, and I will take my kids trick or treating as well. And honestly I feel like that is the norm not the exception. People treat Halloween as a costum party, a commercial holiday. If YOU start putting emphasis on the satanic history of the day you are going to give those beliefs more recognition and interest. IMO.

ochemjenn · October 2011

I don't "get" the point of Halloween. As a kid I got to dress up and got lots of candy. Once I felt like I was too old to go trick-or treating and lost interest in dressing up, I lost interest. Now I getting dreseds up, but we do have a spider constume for the dog. Our alama mater's mascot is a spider, so it works all fall!

In college the frats sponsored something called "trick-or-treat street". Clubs had different booths of activities for kids: face painting, make a ghost lollipop, feel brains/eyeballs etc. It was a safe activity during the day, which was espcially good for the kids who lived in more dangerous neighborhoods. It wasn't a Christian reponse to Halloween, but it was for the kids. IMO Halloween is really just a kids thing.

xstarx05x · October 2011

krystaladre - thank you for your support

dramageek & mrandmrsbrist - sorry I shouldn't have just quoted myself (I blame that it was late when I posted) but I should have really taken the time to elaborate. I'm also sorry because I was overgeneralizing when I said I felt like trick or treating could make kids more likely to fall into the partying/immoral side of Halloween. It's definitely more their upbringing that causes their actions. I guess I was just trying to say that I didn't like how Halloween (another example would be St Patrick's Day) creates an excuse for some people to party and act immorally.

I agree we should always be serving others! but there are ordinary acts of kindness that you can do every day, and there are the extraordinary acts of kindness that you only come across occasionally, otherwise you have to seek an opportunity yourself (e.g. mission trips, charity events). I think we've agreed that Halloween isn't a very significant holiday, so why don't we give it a purpose? An excuse to reach out and serve in an extraordinary way.

agape1cor813 · October 2011

I will probably regret getting involved in this later, but I don't care ...

I feel like when questions like this are asked on this board, they are questions that we in the journalism industry call "Gotcha" questions ... they are questions that are asked with an agenda in an effort to get a rise out of certain people and cause conflict and drama. I feel like this is what this thread has become. I despise this, because I think especially on this board it creates an environment that turns people off. I know I have started participating less and less because of it.

Let's stop this, please.

Christian response to Halloween

Re: Christian response to Halloween

Choose Another Board

Search Boards