Holidays

[Albion]

I see your point. Again, I know some things are just downright evil; but I have just considered some of it "spooky."

I believe you are "right on the money" with that observation.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

I think with this subject, like many others christians will do what they want because its hard for them to accept some things are not alright to do. Game addicts can't admit being gaming addicts is a sin. Drinkers can't admit constant drinking is a sin. Materialists can't admit their in sin. Same with those who choose to do every holiday no matter how bad it is such as with halloween.

"Its all innocent fun!" or "Its just for some candy!". All I hear is "Heres a loophole I can use to make it not sound as bad, this way I won't have to feel as guilty as I should!". I know from my own past of making excuses for my sinful things I did. Also conviction plays a role here. I was taught if you say something like "You shouldn't watch porn!" and someone gets aggressive in their response, then it means they feel convicted but instead of facing it they respond with anger that you might be right.

Thats all I will say because these topics always end up closed from fighting.

 

[christiancowgirl604]

I believe you are "right on the money" with that observation.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe there is more to it than I think or feel. That's why I started this thread. I wanted advice, and I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[christiancowgirl604]

I think with this subject, like many others christians will do what they want because its hard for them to accept some things are not alright to do. Game addicts can't admit being gaming addicts is a sin. Drinkers can't admit constant drinking is a sin. Materialists can't admit their in sin. Same with those who choose to do every holiday no matter how bad it is such as with halloween.

"Its all innocent fun!" or "Its just for some candy!". All I hear is "Heres a loophole I can use to make it not sound as bad, this way I won't have to feel as guilty as I should!". I know from my own past of making excuses for my sinful things I did. Also conviction plays a role here. I was taught if you say something like "You shouldn't watch porn!" and someone gets aggressive in their response, then it means they feel convicted but instead of facing it they respond with anger that you might be right.

Thats all I will say because these topics always end up closed from fighting.

I certainly hope you're not saying I "responded with anger." You misunderstand me if that's what you were implying. I didn't join this forum to start fights. I joined this forum to talk with other Christians. I agree with the fact that I might be looking at the whole thing the wrong way. Again, that's why I started this thread. I need help with it. I might post how I feel about it, but that doesn't mean I agree with myself. Well, I might have to leave this place, and I just signed up. I just wanted to talk to people who understood what it's like to struggle with things in this world.

God Bless

 

[Albion]

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe there is more to it than I think or feel.

Probably so, but that doesn't mean you were wrong when you rebutted the claim that everything about Halloween is evil.

That's obviously not true, and you said it well when you pointed out that most of what is called evil by some people is actually just spooky. That's the idea of the hallowed eve of All Saints Day--commemorating the dead. Over the years, the observances haven't always stuck to the subject, but that doesn't make everything "evil" either.

 

[christiancowgirl604]

Probably so, but that doesn't mean you were wrong when you rebutted the claim that everything about Halloween is evil.

That's obviously not true, and you said it well when you pointed out that most of what is called evil by some people is actually just spooky. That's the idea of the hallowed eve of All Saints Day--commemorating the dead. Over the years, the observances haven't always stuck to the subject, but that doesn't make everything "evil" either.

Very true. I don't want to be oblivious about such things, and I certainly don't want my family too, either. I just know it's a struggle when you've always celebrated, and you start to think if you've been wrong. I guess what concerns me is how am I going to convince my family if I don't want to celebrate anymore (Halloween, that is). I know how we celebrate Christmas and Easter, and I don't believe God would condemn those (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.) Halloween, on the other hand, I could easily do away with. Sure, I love it, but I love Christ more. He died for me, and I will give up whatever I need to for Him. I just don't want to do anything against Him. I'm leaning, more and more, towards just nixing Halloween. I kind of get ticked because I'm a Baptist, and I always wondered, "Why do Jehovah Witness's not celebrate holidays?" Haha...I think I'm starting to see why. It might be easier not to. It's almost like you're safer NOT to celebrate than to celebrate.

 

[Albion]

I don't want to twist your arm in any way, but if you ditch Halloween because of a supposed pagan origin--the reason most advocates give, including the Jehovah's Witnesses--you'd have to give up most other Holidays, too. At least you'd have to if you were to be consistent. I hope you don't.

 

[christiancowgirl604]

I don't want to twist your arm in any way, but if you ditch Halloween because of a supposed pagan origin--the reason most advocates give, including the Jehovah's Witnesses--you'd have to give up most other Holidays, too. At least you'd have to if you were to be consistent. I hope you don't.

No. I think Halloween is the only one on my "hit list." lol I was just saying it might be easier not to celebrate any of them. I have worn my bible out, looking and searching, and I don't think God would approve of Halloween. We are supposed to be "the light" of this world. Now, I would never avoid my neighbors. I don't have the heart to. I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm still pretty confused. I don't take lightly the fact that Satan might have a lot to do with that. I worry I have the outlook I do because Satan wants me to think it's okay. I'm not ignoring that fact. I have prayed and prayed about this, and I will not stop until I find peace about it. I guess my biggest fear (and this would be a whole other subject) is would I go to hell for celebrating. Again, whole other subject and different thread, something I don't want to pursue. lol It's exhausting trying to make heads and tales of it all. I remember one night, months ago, I was struggling with everything under the sun, asking God about this, about that, and I heard in my inner being, "Let it be." I knew exactly what was meant by that. I know He will give me an answer.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

I certainly hope you're not saying I "responded with anger." You misunderstand me if that's what you were implying. I didn't join this forum to start fights. I joined this forum to talk with other Christians. I agree with the fact that I might be looking at the whole thing the wrong way. Again, that's why I started this thread. I need help with it. I might post how I feel about it, but that doesn't mean I agree with myself. Well, I might have to leave this place, and I just signed up. I just wanted to talk to people who understood what it's like to struggle with things in this world.

Oh gosh no. I was just making a general statement. Not point at any particular person really.

I use to like every holiday myself. Well except halloween because I wasn't allowed to do it. But as I got older I started to wonder about some of the holidays and just what should I be doing. For example on christmas, even though its not the actual birthday of Jesus, it ends up becoming about santa and stuff like that. So I stopped doing it really. We just stay at home and remember Jesus birth. On easter its become more about chocolate and bunnies. So I stopped doing that and only focus on what the meaning of the holiday is.

So I understand your struggle. It wasn't easy for me to dismiss some holidays are change more normal routines I had on those days. But I feel much better when the days come because I am not participating in the more secular versions of them.

 

[christiancowgirl604]

Oh gosh no. I was just making a general statement. Not point at any particular person really.

I use to like every holiday myself. Well except halloween because I wasn't allowed to do it. But as I got older I started to wonder about some of the holidays and just what should I be doing. For example on christmas, even though its not the actual birthday of Jesus, it ends up becoming about santa and stuff like that. So I stopped doing it really. We just stay at home and remember Jesus birth. On easter its become more about chocolate and bunnies. So I stopped doing that and only focus on what the meaning of the holiday is.

So I understand your struggle. It wasn't easy for me to dismiss some holidays are change more normal routines I had on those days. But I feel much better when the days come because I am not participating in the more secular versions of them.

I understand. I see your point of view. I do believe that the whole Santa and Easter bunny take away from what is should be about. I allow my children to believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny, BUT I stress to them that they are not the reason for the holiday. They know what those holidays are about. My son is the only one left, however, who believes. lol Not too much longer, and he'll figure it out. I can't wait for that day, so I don't have to think about it.

 

[BFine]

I was never taught that the "easter bunny" or "santa claus"
were "real". They were entertaining stories and or figures to amuse us.
..I believe it's all in how these things are presented to a little child.

In our home there was a distinction between storybook time and learning
about the Bible time...they were done at separate times.

 

[christiancowgirl604]

I was never taught that the "easter bunny" or "santa claus"
were "real". They were entertaining stories and or figures to amuse us.
..I believe it's all in how these things are presented to a little child.

In our home there was a distinction between storybook time and learning
about the Bible time...they were done at separate times.

Good point. That's a good idea, actually. I wish I would've had it that way growing up. Makes it easier.

 

[theophilus40]

I don't want to twist your arm in any way, but if you ditch Halloween because of a supposed pagan origin--the reason most advocates give, including the Jehovah's Witnesses--you'd have to give up most other Holidays, too. At least you'd have to if you were to be consistent. I hope you don't.

There is a difference. Other holidays are of pagan origin but Halloween is still pagan.

 

[Albion]

There is a difference. Other holidays are of pagan origin but Halloween is still pagan.

How so? Candy and costumes seem completely non-denominational.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Costumes in my view teach kids bad things like its ok to dress up as satan or a witch...etc because one this one day its ok to do so. Despite the fact any other day we would tell our kids satan is bad to dress as. I know some may say "I wouldn't let my kid dress in that sort of costume anyways!". Which is fine but then you have to explain why its ok for him to hang around others that dress up as evil things like clowns with blood all over, satan..etc.

And in the end no matter where you go or how you dress up, your indirectly supporting the evil that goes along with the holiday. Lets say there was a "Beat up christians day." But on that day you go out to a party thats the opposite at church. You can call it what you want but by celebrating on the day you are still supporting the day by doing an activity on that day. Best way to not support is just be living the day like its any other day.

In my experience, EVERYTHING generates controversy with people like this. Christmas is of teh devil, video games are of teh devil, TV is of teh devil, some churches are (well, that's actually highly probable, but anyway...), it seems everything is of teh devil. But then, you've got teh devil working as God's right-hand man, according to these people, so who knows what's up? None of it makes a lick of sense.

I've never met a group of people more out of touch with reality before.

Yes because we shouldn't question anything and just party because its innocent after all. Its not like we have biblical rules to follow or anything. Its not like God tells us to be careful of what we do. I think on the one year mark of the boston bombing I'll go to boston and dress up as a legless man with blood dripping down my torso because its all in good fun right? Surely that isn't evil.

::end sarcasm::

Your statement though is pretty what I would say except from the other perspective...

In my experience, EVERYTHING becomes acceptable with people like this. Christmas is ok and God would approve, video games are ok and God would approve, TV is ok and God would approve, it seems everything is ok and God would approve. But then again again people are willing to make excuses because according to these people God would approve. None of it makes a lick of sense.

I've never met so many christians more out of touch with what God and the bible says. People are way to willing to bend rules and give in to whats wrong because its easier to do what fun and sin then to question yourself and stay away from what God would not do.

I'll say it again though. The responses in this topic seemed anger filled. Which is a sign of conviction. Because someone will mention it likely, my response is out of sadness because I want people to walk the walk instead of talk the talk. Many foreigners find america disgusting because we've gotten so far off the path of christians. I agree. If I was healthy I'd move from this country before it falls like Rome did in its end days. Notice america isn't mentioned in the bible. I think theres a reason why.

 

[Albion]

Costumes in my view teach kids bad things like its ok to dress up as satan or a witch...etc because one this one day its ok to do so. Despite the fact any other day we would tell our kids satan is bad to dress as. I know some may say "I wouldn't let my kid dress in that sort of costume anyways!". Which is fine but then you have to explain why its ok for him to hang around others that dress up as evil things like clowns with blood all over, satan..etc.

After having heard all these claims over the years, I did a little test myself to see what I'd find. I kept track of all the 'trick or treaters' who came to my house in the past two Halloweens. That amounted to several hundred of them.

The total number of witches was...one. There was no one dressed as Satan.

That is one reason I think of all of this as much ado about practically nothing.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

True admittedly I dont really see witches or satan costumes much anymore, aside frmt he adult versions which are usually "naughty she devils". None the less most costumes are based on something thats not really that good. Superheros, pirates, movie things. All of which are violent people. I guess I just don't like the idea of promoting something like a character who normally I would question the characters morals.

A good example is Jack Sparrow from the Pirates movies. When it (well the three of them) came out he was very popular to dress as. While hes funny in the movies, if you think about his morals hes actually probably not the best person to have be a role model. Drinking issues, womanizer, liar, thief, believes in magic, always tries to get his way...etc.

 

[Albion]

True admittedly I dont really see witches or satan costumes much anymore, aside frmt he adult versions which are usually "naughty she devils". None the less most costumes are based on something thats not really that good. Superheros, pirates, movie things. All of which are violent people. I guess I just don't like the idea of promoting something like a character who normally I would question the characters morals.

You're trying hard to sustain your argument, but most of the costumes I see are princesses, athletes or cheerleaders, animals, and yes, an occasional superhero like Superman. No drinker, liar, thief, or womanizer he!

 

[Albion]

A good example is Jack Sparrow from the Pirates movies. When it (well the three of them) came out he was very popular to dress as. While hes funny in the movies, if you think about his morals hes actually probably not the best person to have be a role model. Drinking issues, womanizer, liar, thief, believes in magic, always tries to get his way...etc.

I think that you are making a case for proper parental supervision, not for boycotting or forbidding all involvement in Halloween. That's just part of the way a good parent keeps an eye on his child's dating, internet use, language, etc.

 

[theophilus40]

why celebrate Christmas? If your were one of the rare true Christians you would not celebrate it. Why? Its blasphemy and started by the catholic church
A True Church - Christmas

Perhaps you should read this.

Darwin Fish and www.atruechurch.com EXPOSED!