Halloween and The Christian

[ladylynn]

Just to show how as many different Christians there are, there are different approaches to things in our lives. Our family made it a tradition to invite the church family and friends to come to our house on Halloween and we called it a harvest night with target practice and food. We lived on a farm out in the country.

We live in UpState NY where the venison lives. Hunting season is a biggie for us. The teens in the church wouldn't come to a "harvest" social... BUT they sure would come for the target shooting and maybe for food. The seasoned hunters of the church would instruct the young people how to shoot the huge bells prehung on the trees way out back. Lots of bangs and booms.,lots of those ear protection muffs which made the shooting more of an event for the kids too (looked much like the pros on tv).

We had pumpkins from my garden all over the yard and on the table for that Fall theme., hot spiced apple cider on the stove and cold on the table. Everyone brought a favorite pumpkin pie or apple pie so we had plenty of pie for everyone. The grill out on the large porch made hamburgers and hotdogs. The ladies were gabbing away in the house over pots of coffee with the younger ones., the smaller kids were downstairs or wishing they could go out with the older kids. The house smelled so good!

Some wonderful memories and closer friendships were made in the homey atmosphere. The Pastor then had a short Bible message about how God has given us so much as a church family and how Fall is the time to harvest in for the winter. He was wearing his flannel shirt and looked very 'normal' and un pastor like just one of the guys who was target shooting along with everyone else. Just bringing Jesus into the every day of our lives and showing the unsaved families that church isn't for stuffed shirts but for regular people. This was much more fun than trick or treating by a long shot. (we did have candy around too) but the pies were gone by the end of the night.

It was such fun and the memories of Fall and cold nights and pumpkins and leaves just make us so thankful for God's blessings and we had no thoughts of devils, ghosts, blood and guts. That was the farthest thing from our minds and it took the place of what the world had to offer and no one had to preach on the evils of halloween to the unsaved that came because we were all too busy enjoying what we were doing.

I agree with the posters who see this horrible holiday as an opportunity to show Jesus. Take the hay leave the straw. Many years our church had a haywagon ride Harvest dinner and that was also a big hit. Everyone came into the church later and had a huge potluck meal with the traditional pumpkin pies other great desserts. Everyone comes for a free meal and place where the kids can be safe. We have to offer alternatives and there ARE so many ways to have good Christian fun.

 

[Yeraza_Bats]

The difference is that haloween was created for the sole purpose of worshiping other gods.

Baseball wasn't.

No, halloween wasnt created for that Its /loosely/ based on paganism (and by thats, mostly just the ideas of witches or whatever) merely for the sake of having the "creepiness" to it, but its a secular holiday created for the purpose of selling more candy in order to keep major candy manufacturers open Its not the same holiday

I mean, do we really know /how/ the pagans celebrated this holiday, or even which gods they were celebrating for? I really have no idea what happened during the time that day was celebrated. I cant really see how fake spiderwebs and spooky stories are devil worship though. Is it pleasing to God? I doubt it But is sitting on the internet pleasing to Him? Im sure its not

 

[ember]

BLUE LADYBUG

Blue ladybugs actually exist. There are two varieties, a steel-blue one and a silver-gray one. One is found in Australia and was introduced to certain parts of the U.S. and the other species is entirely indigenous to the Caribbean. Here's what they look like.

I had no idea! They are really beautiful!

 

[jsr1221]

I agree completely. There are plenty who treat sports so importantly that they could be considered idols.

Just look at the University of Michigan punter receiving death threats for bobbling the snap at the final play of the game... A COLLEGE KID receiving threats of DEATH over a game by COLLEGE KIDS! This is part of why our society is so screwed up. Because of such people, this kid is going to be hating himself deeply, and maybe even more.

 

[PennEd]

Man I wish my brothers and sisters would stop with this stuff. ANYTHING can be sinful, Halloween, sports, movies, eating etc... and if you think it's sinful then please don't engage in it. We had a pumpkin carving contest with many of our Church family members. NO ONE viewed it as paganism, or devil worship. It was just a good time of fellowship.

Use EVERY opportunity to preach the Gospel, love God, and Love people.

 

[oldthennew]

if it's fun enough and sweet enough,
they will come,,,,,

 

[atwhatcost]

Blue ladybugs actually exist. There are two varieties, a steel-blue one and a silver-gray one. One is found in Australia and was introduced to certain parts of the U.S. and the other species is entirely indigenous to the Caribbean. Here's what they look like.

View attachment 137982 View attachment 137984 View attachment 137985

Ah man! I now see myself checking out if they could survive in my neck of the woods because they're pretty, (oh and we have lots of aphids in the garden, so they won't go hungry. lol)

 

[atwhatcost]

Just look at the University of Michigan punter receiving death threats for bobbling the snap at the final play of the game... A COLLEGE KID receiving threats of DEATH over a game by COLLEGE KIDS! This is part of why our society is so screwed up. Because of such people, this kid is going to be hating himself deeply, and maybe even more.

Or... he's good enough to go pro and laugh all the way to the bank. The Boz, (Brian Bosworth) was hated often. He turned it around and sold the effigies of him for people to burn. lol

 

[prove-all]

the giant spike on this older chart published by the Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/community/blogs/crime_punishment/Heff2.jpg

showing the violent crime rates in the city of Boston over a four-year period.

“As shown, Halloween night, with its make-believe ghosts but very real assailants,
is the worst evening of the year for violent crime victimization,” the report says.

“The evening violent crime count on October 31 is about 50 percent higher than
on any other date during the year, and twice the daily average.”

 

[atwhatcost]

the giant spike on this older chart published by the Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/community/blogs/crime_punishment/Heff2.jpg

showing the violent crime rates in the city of Boston over a four-year period.

“As shown, Halloween night, with its make-believe ghosts but very real assailants,
is the worst evening of the year for violent crime victimization,” the report says.

“The evening violent crime count on October 31 is about 50 percent higher than
on any other date during the year, and twice the daily average.”

It's not making the national news much, but, in Chicago, every holiday weekend this year has increased the amount of shootings to the point that 50 Chicagoan were killed in one holiday weekend.

Should Chicago ban holidays? It is the top city for gun-control laws, so that can't be it.

 

[prove-all]

The word “Halloween” is a shortened form of “All Hallows’ Eve.”

It is often called “All Saints’ Eve” by Catholics and other churches who celebrate
it as part of a three-day observance for honoring saints and praying for

the “souls” of recently dead people.


But All Hallows’ Eve actually dates back centuries earlier than the founding of
the Catholic Church, or even the birth of Christ.


“The earliest Halloween celebrations [in Britain] were held by the Druids
in honor of Samhain, Lord of the Dead, whose festival fell on November 1″
(Ralph Linton, Halloween Through Twenty Centuries).


“It was a druidical belief that on the eve of this festival, Samhain, lord of death,
called together the wicked spirits that within the past 12 months had been condemned
to inhabit the bodies of animals” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., Vol. 12).


These druids believed that All Hallows’ Eve was the night when the souls of
the evil people who had died during that year would leave the bodies of animals
they had been stuck inside and return to their former homes.

If food was not provided for them at these homes, they believed the spirits would
antagonize and cast spells on the residents. Many historians also say that, to
appease the evil spirits, the druids would also offer animal and even human sacrifices.



When the Catholic Church came onto the scene and began working to convert
the various civilizations of the world, it integrated many pagan observances into
its liturgy. By this method, the church was able to appease great numbers of pagans
and thereby gain more converts.

The Catholics first added All Saints’ Day to their observances in the year 609,
but it was celebrated on May 13. In 835, in response to pressure from Celtic
and Germanic peoples, Pope Gregory iv switched it to November 1

—the same day as the ancient Samhain festival.

A look into the Bible shows how outrageous it is that Halloween

—a festival of darkness and death—was integrated into the liturgy of
a church calling itself “Christian.” a worlds powerfull church

“God is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” Jesus Christ said
“In [Jesus] was life; and the life was the light of men,” wrote the Apostle John.

Halloween’s themes of death and darkness are the very antithesis of true,
Bible-based Christianity. The spike in violent crimes surrounding this holiday
should be a wake-up call to any defending Halloween as “Christian”
or claiming that the holiday is harmless fun.

 

[Goodness11]

The word “Halloween” is a shortened form of “All Hallows’ Eve.”

It is often called “All Saints’ Eve” by Catholics and other churches who celebrate
it as part of a three-day observance for honoring saints and praying for

the “souls” of recently dead people.

Halloween’s themes of death and darkness are the very antithesis of true,
Bible-based Christianity. The spike in violent crimes surrounding this holiday
should be a wake-up call to any defending Halloween as “Christian”
or claiming that the holiday is harmless fun.

Just as I justified with my last comment; we need to be the light. We have to have a presence to represent God. Just like during the trials of war; you need Christians also on the battle-field to give hope to others. To create a sense of justice and stability.

Last time I checked this website wasn't DruidChat.com. I have faith that God exists; that means I also have to trust God has faith in me that I am His. That I am not worshiping or praising any God(s) other than Him behind closed doors. Being transparent. I think we should give God a little more credit!

Plus I'm not sure if you know; generalizing that only violent crimes occur around Halloween is a tad naive. Violent crimes and suicide also spike around Christmas. So what does that mean??

 

[ember]

Just as I justified with my last comment; we need to be the light. We have to have a presence to represent God. Just like during the trials of war; you need Christians also on the battle-field to give hope to others. To create a sense of justice and stability.

Last time I checked this website wasn't DruidChat.com. I have faith that God exists; that means I also have to trust God has faith in me that I am His. That I am not worshiping or praising any God(s) other than Him behind closed doors. Being transparent. I think we should give God a little more credit!

Plus I'm not sure if you know; generalizing that only violent crimes occur around Halloween is a tad naive. Violent crimes and suicide also spike around Christmas. So what does that mean??

druidchat? lol!

Any holiday season brings out the fuzzies in certain folks

So does the full moon...the gravatational pull is too much for some people and they go all like bat crazy!

 

[Magenta]

Plus I'm not sure if you know; generalizing that only violent crimes occur around Halloween is a tad naive. Violent crimes and suicide also spike around Christmas. So what does that mean??

I did not see that generalization being made. What I saw being stated was the well documented fact that violent crime increases at such times.

 

[hopesprings]

Funny you ask that, Brother. I went to an NFL game yesterday, and some folks there were ravenous about the players and the game itself. For them its definitely a form of worship, and I wondered what God was thinking as I watched them. Thankfully for most folks, sports is just a release from every day trials and tribulations.

NFL fans are psychotic...like straight up crazy
in my house...we all love to watch Football
imagine how out of control our Sunday's & Monday's get...oh boy

 

[didymos]

I grew up in the 60s in a Christian home. Every year on October 31, my brothers and I dressed up for Halloween and went trick or treating...

Halloween is obviously not a holiday Christians should celebrate...

October 31st: Reformation Day anyone?

 

[hopesprings]

I kind of like Halloween...

 

[blue_ladybug]

I kind of like Halloween...

Me too..lol.. maybe I'll dress up and go trick r treatin'..

 

[gb9]

Me too..lol.. maybe I'll dress up and go trick r treatin'..

and what color should your outfit be?? hmmmmmmmm........

 

[atwhatcost]

The word “Halloween” is a shortened form of “All Hallows’ Eve.”

It is often called “All Saints’ Eve” by Catholics and other churches who celebrate
it as part of a three-day observance for honoring saints and praying for

the “souls” of recently dead people.


But All Hallows’ Eve actually dates back centuries earlier than the founding of
the Catholic Church, or even the birth of Christ.


“The earliest Halloween celebrations [in Britain] were held by the Druids
in honor of Samhain, Lord of the Dead, whose festival fell on November 1″
(Ralph Linton, Halloween Through Twenty Centuries).


“It was a druidical belief that on the eve of this festival, Samhain, lord of death,
called together the wicked spirits that within the past 12 months had been condemned
to inhabit the bodies of animals” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., Vol. 12).


These druids believed that All Hallows’ Eve was the night when the souls of
the evil people who had died during that year would leave the bodies of animals
they had been stuck inside and return to their former homes.

If food was not provided for them at these homes, they believed the spirits would
antagonize and cast spells on the residents. Many historians also say that, to
appease the evil spirits, the druids would also offer animal and even human sacrifices.



When the Catholic Church came onto the scene and began working to convert
the various civilizations of the world, it integrated many pagan observances into
its liturgy. By this method, the church was able to appease great numbers of pagans
and thereby gain more converts.

The Catholics first added All Saints’ Day to their observances in the year 609,
but it was celebrated on May 13. In 835, in response to pressure from Celtic
and Germanic peoples, Pope Gregory iv switched it to November 1

—the same day as the ancient Samhain festival.

A look into the Bible shows how outrageous it is that Halloween

—a festival of darkness and death—was integrated into the liturgy of
a church calling itself “Christian.” a worlds powerfull church

“God is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” Jesus Christ said
“In [Jesus] was life; and the life was the light of men,” wrote the Apostle John.

Halloween’s themes of death and darkness are the very antithesis of true,
Bible-based Christianity. The spike in violent crimes surrounding this holiday
should be a wake-up call to any defending Halloween as “Christian”
or claiming that the holiday is harmless fun.

I can make the same case for Christmas and Easter. Should we then stop celebrating them too, simply because some people don't do it "right?"

While y'all keep harping about "themes of death and darkness," I see the top costumes seem to be Disney characters (Frozen is still big this year), and superheroes from Marvel and DC Comics.

Creativity is key to any I've ever enjoyed. When my nephews and nieces were young, my SIL made a Phillies Phanatic costume for one of them. It rivaled the real Phantic right down (or should I say Up lol) to making the child look 7 feet tall.

My favorite one as an adult was a college teacher who came to one of our parties in a black trash bag with large red dots on it and antenna on his head. He was a ladybug. (Not as good as our LadyBug -- wrong color. lol)

One of the Jeopardy contestants went one year dressed as a 1920's gangster wrapped up in plastic wrap. He was "a gangsta (w)rapper."

Are these the themes of "death and darkness" feared so much? Maybe if there wasn't so much hiding and fear, people could actually enjoy the fun more. Maybe if not so focused on surface stuff, people could get down to more important things about God, instead of creating new commandments.