Halloween

[Macrina]

So, what's your take on it?


Please share what is normal for you and your church, but let's be cautious not to let this turn into an argument. I just want to know what people think.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I avoid it. My former church held a magic show for Halloween, and that's when I left. Incidentally, it was also a very unloving and unGodly church, and I wonder if it wasn't all related.

Halloween just doesn't sit right in my spirit, tbh.

 

[Time2BCounted]

I went with other. I believe that people should be guided in things like this carefully.

I dont mind dressing up, going to costume parties, stuff like that, and i have no problem with children begging candy, but i dont like the dark connotations of it. I avoid 'celebrating' the day so to speak, but neither do i condemn someone who does.

 

[Macrina]

I wish there were other occasions for costumes. Like, I wish it was common for grown-ups to have old-fashioned masquerade balls to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries or Tuesdays or whatever. Those would be cool.

 

[rmw8855]

I wish there were other occasions for costumes. Like, I wish it was common for grown-ups to have old-fashioned masquerade balls to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries or Tuesdays or whatever. Those would be cool.

No reason why you can't.

 

[Macrina]

No reason why you can't.

Actually, along those lines, I've thought that a fun party for female friends would be where each guest would wear an old bridesmaid/prom/formal dress. There could be a fashion contest and awards for the prettiest, ugliest, most outdated, etc.

 

[free2be]

I've always struggled with the celebration of Halloween since having my little one. I came to the conclusion that all that matters is the heart you have when you do it. I have fun dressing my excited 4 year old up and taking her out. I dont' really think it's a celebration of anything, but a day of fun.

 

[jocaswell40]

we don't do halloween. we do a harvest party at the church where kids come play games get prizes. and get candy. so alot of our kids don't go door to door. but some do. i don't see nothing wrong in dressing up. but some of the dressing up can be out rageous and gross. so yeah basicly i don't believe in halloween.

 

[Nicki4Christ]

Hmmm, tough one. I have to be honest I use to not think anything of halloween. But since this holidays other side was brought to my attention and I researched the history of halloween I have shyed away from celebrating it. I am trying to find a balance in my way of thinking as I have a 9yr old son, so we often go to our church and partake in the harvest festival. I let him pick a hero to dress up as, like last year he was Peter off of Narnia. I don't know about this year... but I have to put my foot down on the grisley costumes:o , he has not asked yet, and I hope he never does.

I saw on the news last year a couple of memebers of a local church went door to door and passed out Bibles and a coffe cup and just fellowshipped with the people who stay at home to give candy to the kids. I thought that was a great idea. People are usually home and answer the door and instead of giving, they hopefully were receiving.

 

[A New Dawn]

I picked the obligatory other. IMO, it is so secularized now that there is nothing that makes it verboten. It is just a fun night to hang out with your friends and get candy. (Oh, and I get to make the costumes. )

 

[£amb]

My church does a Fall festival which is quite fun. Lots of food and games and selling crafts.

As for my household, we do the trick or treating mainly to get candy... My boys honestly do not know the origins of what it is about, but that's it's just silly fun for us. I respect people's feelings and convictions on this subject and know that not all people feel the same as I.

 

[MrJim]

My two sons, 11 & 7 , have never participated in the trick or treat ritual~guess that tells ya what I think of it

 

[Hentenza]

I've got no problems with it at all. We always cut up a scary pumpkin and give candy to the trick or treaters. Our house typically dresses up and attempt to scare every one that comes to our door. It's all in good fun.

 

[edie19]

I don't have a problem with it - I love seeing all the little kids dressed up, love passing out candy, love pretending to be scared, love the decorations. All in all I think it's pretty harmless - although I do admit to not loving the stuff that goes overboard to be scary/gory.

 

[icedtea]

I loved it since young. My best friend's birthdya was that day, and we would pull the blind down, and put cut outs of cats up and pretend we were stirring a caludron; it was my fondest childhood memory.
Now I am old (48) I started taking my son out at age 5 (he is 14).
He has never been anything scary and I Love the party atmosphere and the costumes.
I have been in a few churches (the ones with the good bouncy music are always against Halloween).
But haven't found a church for 3 years!

 

[CelticRose]

Voted other. Firstly Oz just doesn't celebrate it & secondly I know waaay too much about it's origons to be at all comfortable celebrating it. I find it disturbing so many Christians seem to have no problem with it & can only surmise they don't really know what they are celebrating.

 

[ContentInHim]

I'm no longer comfortable with celebrating Halloween. Fortunately I'm in an older neighborhood in Florida with few (like 2) children. I try to give them candy ahead of trick or treat and don't feel bad keeping the lights off for any drive-by's. Last year some dopey woman allowed her 4-year old to approach an unlit house and ring my doorbell. What happened to the brains of young mothers to permit their innocent children to do something so dangerous?

otoh, for good dress up opportunities, try the festival of Purim around the February timeframe. It celebrates the triumph of Queen Esther (Book of Esther) over the evil anti-christ prefigure of Haman who wanted to kill all the Jews in the world. Don't know why they dress up in costumes to celebrate but it's a ton of fun! Plus hissing when Haman's name is mentioned during the reading of the book of Ester.

 

[Criada]

We don't celebrate it. I think the whole thing is very dark.
I think it is a little different in England, tho - not quite such a big thing, and possibly closer to its origins than in the US.

My children don't have anything to do with it - fortunately it is usually in the half term holiday here, tho I have had to ask their school not to include them in the 'spell writing' lessons once...


When they were tiny, we used to go out for a meal on that evening to avoid them being scared by the trick or treaters...now every restaurant seems to be decorated with witches....


I like black cats and pumpkin soup tho!

EDIT: I have nothing against Harvest Festival - is there a connection?

 

[Tangeloper]

I wish there were other occasions for costumes. Like, I wish it was common for grown-ups to have old-fashioned masquerade balls to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries or Tuesdays or whatever. Those would be cool.

I agree! That would be excellent! I have heard of people throwing masquerade balls, or costume parties for New Year's Eve and such. I think that would be a lot of fun!

 

[Rhamiel]

I love halloween, one of my favorite holidays, people can over do it but I remember being a little kid who liked to be scared. It is also nice to have something silly before the solemn feast of All Saints.
what really bothers me are when local churches have harvest festivals, the harvest festival has a very pagan origin and has creeped into churches only now that "new age" thought is becoming more popular
Celtic Rose

& can only surmise they don't really know what they are celebrating.

...? the night before all saints day?