halloween

[theblessedlife]

some of my family members who arent Christians refuse to listen to anything i say about halloween..i try to explain that its honoring false Gods in the realm of satan, that it glorifies Gods enemies..how can some people take it so lightly and how can i help someone see the harm in its celebration?? thanks

[Mongo]

I'm sure I'll be crucified for this one too, but oh well...

I'm not certain that Holloween glorifies God's enemies. While its foundation lies in pagan faiths, to participate doesn't demand you worship God's enemies. Its commercial in this day and time.

God knows your heart. If you're running around with no intent of worshipping demons or devils, then what are you doing other than running around enjoying yourself? I've asked many pastors, priests, and ministers about this and they all said that celebrating it is not the same as worhsipping it.

I think to many people get too caught up in the idea of having to be perfect and committing to a perfect lifestyle where they take issue with even the slightest things. To me, thats fanaticism. Faith becomes dangerous at that point.

I let my children celebrate Halloween. Do they worship the devil and praise him? Nope. The Catholic Church near me has a carnival each year. My children don't have the confusion some people have by trying to incriminate themselves with the slightest infractions. My son's know about God, pray, get to study the Word and learn about what Jesus did and why he is important. To them, all it is is a time to dress and go get candy and see adults run around acting silly.

[Gerioke]

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike . Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it . He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

I dont think we are supposed to live in fear, but to let God's light shine in the darkness.

[Scarletprayers]

I'm sure I'll be crucified for this one too, but oh well...

I'm not certain that Holloween glorifies God's enemies.  While its foundation lies in pagan faiths, to participate doesn't demand you worship God's enemies.  Its commercial in this day and time.

God knows your heart.  If you're running around with no intent of worshipping demons or devils, then what are you doing other than running around enjoying yourself?  I've asked many pastors, priests, and ministers about this and they all said that celebrating it is not the same as worhsipping it.

I think to many people get too caught up in the idea of having to be perfect and committing to a perfect lifestyle where they take issue with even the slightest things.  To me, thats fanaticism.  Faith becomes dangerous at that point.

I let my children celebrate Halloween.  Do they worship the devil and praise him?  Nope.  The Catholic Church near me has a carnival each year.  My children don't have the confusion some people have by trying to incriminate themselves with the slightest infractions.  My son's know about God, pray, get to study the Word and learn about what Jesus did and why he is important.  To them, all it is is a time to dress and go get candy and see adults run around acting silly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree!

[nebula]

some of my family members who arent Christians refuse to listen to anything i say about halloween..

Personally, I think your priority ought to be in their getting saved. You can worry about Halloween later.

[Gerioke]

Halloween is the most important day of the year for wicca and many other pagan religions.

Paul said we are not to do anything that might cause our brother, or for that matter anyone else, to stumble.

Rom. 1421 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

If it was wrong to eat meat that was sacrificed to an idol, because someone else mgith see you and be confused by that, how much more do you supposed it is wrong to take part in a festival originated in paganism, and that to this day is still used for pagan religions?

If the world sees a christian celebrating halloween, or if a REAL witch sees a christian celebrating halloween, then what you are doing in THEIR eyes, is putting God's stamp of approval on it. They see the "Christian" do it, so it MUST be ok. Right? You dress up as a witch or goblin or vampire, or whatever you do, and so you are saying, "this is right and acceptable to God."

Well, it isn't right.

Ephesians 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is a weak argument for the likes of you.

Wicca's don't give a hoot what God thinks and for all I know they could be thinking to themselves, "What are those lousy Christians doing, tainting our unholiest of nights.". If parents were to take their kids out and pray for the community and bless every house in the name of Jesus, I would think it would nullify any garbage that the pagans would have in their involvement.

[yomotalking]

Amen to Gerioke.

God knows your heart.

[Guest parousia2]

Halloween is the most important day of the year for wicca and many other pagan religions.

Paul said we are not to do anything that might cause our brother, or for that matter anyone else, to stumble.

Rom. 1421 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

If it was wrong to eat meat that was sacrificed to an idol, because someone else mgith see you and be confused by that, how much more do you supposed it is wrong to take part in a festival originated in paganism, and that to this day is still used for pagan religions?

If the world sees a christian celebrating halloween, or if a REAL witch sees a christian celebrating halloween, then what you are doing in THEIR eyes, is putting God's stamp of approval on it. They see the "Christian" do it, so it MUST be ok. Right? You dress up as a witch or goblin or vampire, or whatever you do, and so you are saying, "this is right and acceptable to God."

Well, it isn't right.

Ephesians 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is a weak argument for the likes of you.

Wicca's don't give a hoot what God thinks and for all I know they could be thinking to themselves, "What are those lousy Christians doing, tainting our unholiest of nights.". If parents were to take their kids out and pray for the community and bless every house in the name of Jesus, I would think it would nullify any garbage that the pagans would have in their involvement.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How is it weak? Wouldn't matter what I said anyway, when a direct Bible quote never seems to convince most "christians" anyway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WhySoBlind, I agree with you. My children are now grown and I have to say that there were times when I was really tempted to let them get involved. It looked like a lot of fun and I had enjoyed it as a child. But over the years, my not getting involved greatly increased my opportunities to share Christ as people noticed my lack of involvement and asked me the reason for it. I don't know that any ever came to Christ because of it, but at least they heard the Word. No one ever condemned me for my stance. Though they disagreed, they seemed to respect my commitment and it put no strain on our relationship.

[Scarletprayers]

So lets just agree to disagree.

[Keith]

If your kids are dressing up like cowboys, princesses, etc., there is nothing wrong in letting them participate. Of course, parents need to be careful and watch that their participation doesn't go overboard in dressing up like ghouls, etc., or soaping windows and such. Going to a local church or community event where the kids can have fun and be safe is perfectly fine. It doesn't mean that they are going to worship Satan or get involved in witchcraft.

If you believe that, then consider this: Pagans, witches, wiccans, etc., celebrate Christmas. When they do it their way is it glorifying God? Why not? It's a CHRISTIAN holiday!? If it works one way, it has to work the other.