Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon
Because by celebrating Ramadan, you are worshipping another god (Allah) and following the instructions of his prophet (Muhammed) and reading a false gospel (The Quran). To do this you would have to be both a Christian and a member of Islam at the same time, you can't do it. Because if you are a practitioner of Islam you can not be a Christian, because you would be breaking the first commandment, of thou shalt have no other gods before me.
"Very good."
Thank you.
"So, I think the conclusion here is obvious. If you can't be a Christian and a Muslim at the same time, how can you be a Christian and a pagan at the same time?"
In my answer I explained how celebrating Ramadan would be a violation of the first commandment, 'thou shall have no other gods before me'. How does celebrating Halloween, as Americans understand it and celebrate it, automatically make you a Pagan? What god and goddess are being worshipped by Christians on that night by dressing up in a costume of their choosing? It doesn't have to be an evil costume, you could be an astronaut, and going door to door with their kids, if they have any, and trick or treating?
A Christian's true ministry is to his or her family first. So by dressing up with your kids on Halloween you are having a kind of fellowship with them, you are building your relationship with them further, and are making it stronger. Kids will remember going trick or treating with their parents probably for the rest of their lives. I still remember going with my parents when I was a little child.
Little children are not going to understand the theological implications or the possible spiritual dangers of celebrating Halloween as well as an older child or person would. One day you can tell them about the dangers of this holiday, but for now, enjoy this holiday with them. To me it's no different than telling them stories about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. One day when they are older you will enlighten them to the truth, but let them be kids and participate in Halloween for their sake. It's not always about you, ya know. Don't get so wrapped up in your Christian walk and pleasing God that you ignore one of the greatest gifts God has bestowed upon you in your children.
This is also a day that can be used to teach them a lot of valuable lessons. Let's start with the costume selection. If they want to be a demon or something evil like that explain why that is not acceptable to God. Why not dress them up as Moses or Noah? Joseph would have quite the colorful costume, don't you think? As they get ready to go trick or treating on that night, have a family prayer before you leave the house. Pray for protection and wisdom and guidance from God on this night. Another lesson that can be taught is staying close to mom and dad while trick or treating. Looking both ways before crossing the street. Making themselves visible to drivers by carrying a glow stick or flashlight or wearing a brightly colored costume. This is a great night to teach them not to take candy from strangers and to inspect ALL candy, even if it's from people you know, etc. This night isn't all about the devil and his evil plots on this day. You can teach your kids how to defeat the devil in more ways than just ignoring this holiday. The examples of lessons I've given up above, will do a great deal of damage to the devil and his plans on a daily basis. Just like God, he is at work every day of the year. No one day is any more important than any other. All days are crucial to him and his minions, because their days are numbered and they're running out of time.