Halloween Is Just Around The Corner

[Orthodox Andrew]

What do you guys think of it? Is it right to celebrate it or not?

 

[Photini]

I honestly do not know.
I am in quite a predicament, because being a recent convert, in the past years I have allowed my children to dress up and go trick or treating. They are looking forward to going again this year. I do not allow them to dress up as certain things, such as witches, ghosts, or monsters, etc.
I'll probably do like I did last year, and take them to Sea World (they have a pumpkin patch set up with all kinds of activities) for the day.

 

[Peter]

Boy, we could really become like other boards on this one. "What do you mean by celebrate?" See?

We don't, and haven't, done anything with our kids on this date. When I was Protestant, we used to hold a "Reformation Party" on the same night. I guess that's out now!

The older kids, now that they're teens (sounds of heavy weeping), get together with friends and "do stuff" (more weeping).

I know (think) the day prior is "All Hallowed Eve", a day similar to our All Saints Saturdays, within RCC practice. (nyj, not trying to start anything here.)

I've always had mixed feelings on this one. So, I've followed the axiom, "When in doubt, leave it out."

Peace.

Peter

 

[jukesk9]

I don't have anything against Halloween. Personally, I don't like it--but not because of my religious beliefs. I don't like it because I don't like the idea of kids going to strangers' homes, etc. (We take our kids to family and friends--no strangers). Maybe I'm being a scrooge but I turn off all my lights so I'm not bothered by kids I don't know. C'mon folks, it's not safe to send your kids to a stranger's house!

I think it's silly to dress up in a costume and ask for candy. I didn't like it when I was a kid and I don't like it now. My kids dress up and I just roll my eyes when my wife spends money on something that's going to be worn for 4 hours tops.

But religiously, I don't see anything wrong with it. I do like the haunted houses that communities have. Those can be fun and I like some of the scary movies.
Okay, I'm done being a scrooge now.

 

[eleni]

Here in Australia it is not much of a celebration......Mostly Halloween is for the young children...and to me, it is just another way of this worldly thinking idea of having a scary night to celebrate something that is unimportant in our earthly life.....
Divine Providence ensured that St. John of Kronstadt, that physician of our souls and bodies, should have his feast day on the very day of Halloween, a day the world dedicated to the destroyer, corrupter, and deceiver of humanity. God has provided us with this powerful counterpoise and weapon against the snares of Satan, and we should take full advantage of this gift, for truly God is wonderful in His Saints.
On celebrating Halloween.
It is at this time of the year that the secular society in which we live is preparing for the festival of Halloween. Throughout the whole month of October, school children are engaged in various projects connected with the attributes of this festival: they draw witches, black cats, ghosts, make jack-o’lanterns, etc

http://www.holy-transfiguration.org/library_en/mod_halloween.html

helen...

 

[Reader Nilus]

I think the current celebration of Halloween has as much religious significance as Christmas, which is not much. It is more a marketing ploy to get folks to buy all sorts of candy. My main concern now that I am an adult, it did not phase me as a kid, is going to complete strangers houses and asking for something. That really is strange when you think about it.
Jeff the Finn