Halloween Approacheth

[Jaebius]

Halloween will be upon us once again in the near future. What are your feelings about Halloween? What do you feel is the correct Christian response to it?

 

[Mendalla]

Join in the black mass and worship Satan with the rest of us.

More seriously, how about looking into the original spiritual meaning? How it was about staving off the forces of darkness and keeping chaos at bay? The notion that it is some kind of Satanic festival is more about Christianity's attempt to destroy paganism than what it was really about for the pagans.

Really, though, it's just another silly over-commercialized event at this point and I don't see that it matters either way if you participate or not.

 

[chansen]

The correct Christian response to Halloween is to denounce the violent imagery of blood and death.

Oh. Wait.

 

[Redbaron]

I think the 'correct Christian response' would be lots of fun sized chocolate bars.

 

[GordW]

I think the 'correct Christian response' would be lots of fun sized chocolate bars.

To give to the local minister right?

 

[Northwind]

Your chocolate is in the mail @GordW

 

[Mendalla]

Ape like chocolate. Ape not minister. Ape sad.

 

[Redbaron]

I think we can likely find a spare bag or two to keep ape happy.

 

[Seeler]

I used to love halloween; now I'm more or less indifferent. I'll get in some treats for the ghosties and goblins that come to my door - and be thankful that we now have safe steps and and landing for them to gather on- I used to worry about the cement steps. But we don't get many kids anymore in this mature neighbourhood.
I do hope that my grandkids catch thee spirit and have a blast.

 

[Jaebius]

Every year my pastor preaches against Halloween. His parents were pagans before becoming Christians. He warns us not to get involved in Halloween, saying that it is not of God. For years now, I have not participated in Halloween. Rather, I've just turned off the indoor house lights when the kids have come around.

 

[Mendalla]

We stopped trick or treat after Little M stopped going out and started going to parties instead. Not sure if we will this year or not. He was at the younger end of our area so the numbers tailed off around the time he stopped and I have not seen much sign of that starting to turn over yet. Even most of the grandkids of our one neighbour are grown and a couple of them are getting married this year.

So, I imagine that I will just crack open some old English ghost stories to read. Some Algernon Blackwood or M.R. James.

 

[Delightful Life]

 

[revjohn]

All Hallows Eve precedes All Saints Day.

You can celebrate some of the early pagan ways or you can celebrate in the ways that the Roman Catholic Church whipped up in the AllHallowTide Triduum of All Saints Eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day or you can celebrate in Classic Protestant style by doing nothing out of the ordinary.

Using it as an opportunity to be critical of how others choose to celebrate is a jerk move.

To each their own.

 

[Waterfall]

I've seen Halloween stuff in the stores starting at the end of August, I suppose the Christmas sales will start in October or earlier. It's too bad the stores have figured out how to cash in on these holidays. I remember when we had to make our own costumes but now the kids are covered in plastic replicas of their favourite cartoons or movies. Everything is so commercialized but if the kids aren't noticing and having fun....to each their own.

 

[Jaebius]

All Hallows Eve precedes All Saints Day.

You can celebrate some of the early pagan ways or you can celebrate in the ways that the Roman Catholic Church whipped up in the AllHallowTide Triduum of All Saints Eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day or you can celebrate in Classic Protestant style by doing nothing out of the ordinary.

Using it as an opportunity to be critical of how others choose to celebrate is a jerk move.

To each their own.

You think it fine for Christians to celebrate some of the early pagan ways?

 

[Waterfall]

You think it fine for Christians to celebrate some of the early pagan ways?

They already do...eg. Christmas trees, lights, Easter eggs, etc....
Do you put up a Christmas tree with lights, Jae?

 

[Jaebius]

I've seen Halloween stuff in the stores starting at the end of August, I suppose the Christmas sales will start in October or earlier. It's too bad the stores have figured out how to cash in on these holidays. I remember when we had to make our own costumes but now the kids are covered in plastic replicas of their favourite cartoons or movies. Everything is so commercialized but if the kids aren't noticing and having fun....to each their own.

I used to feel the same way Waterfall. That was before Yobo opened her own store. Now I see how vital holiday celebrations can be for business owners.

 

[Jaebius]

They already do...eg. Christmas trees, Easter eggs, etc....
Do you put up a Christmas tree Jae?

We don't celebrate death during Christmas Waterfall.

 

[Waterfall]

We don't celebrate death during Christmas Waterfall.

Huh?

 

[Waterfall]

I used to feel the same way Waterfall. That was before Yobo opened her own store. Now I see how vital holiday celebrations can be for business owners.

So she sells Halloween flower arrangements?