"Why All Good Christians Should Celebrate Halloween"

[Steven2006]

Well, I'm going to make a tabernacle in my home to the goddess Hera and christianize her make her less than a God and call her Mary and pray to her. Because in this day an age who really knows anything about Hera? I mean really? But since, I've re-dressed the goddess in Christian clothing it should be ok right?

Oh brother, you know that is not at all what she is saying.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Oh brother, you know that is not at all what she is saying.

How is it different? I mean when we get right down to it? Often Orthodox and Catholics are accused of having done just this thing and are condemned for it. Yet this very practice is condoned for things like Halloween? Don't you see the inconsistency?

 

[annsni]

Well, I'm going to make a tabernacle in my home to the goddess Hera and christianize her make her less than a God and call her Mary and pray to her. Because in this day an age who really knows anything about Hera? I mean really? But since, I've re-dressed the goddess in Christian clothing it should be ok right?

But you are doing it and you know what you are doing is exactly what you condemn. However, in my greeting my neighbors and giving their children candy, I am not worshipping Satan, I am not celebrating some pagan holiday nor am I blaspheming the name of God. Instead I am showing hospitality and grace to my neighbors and just maybe, it will allow me a greater influence in their lives to introduce them to the God of the harvest.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

But you are doing it and you know what you are doing is exactly what you condemn. However, in my greeting my neighbors and giving their children candy, I am not worshipping Satan, I am not celebrating some pagan holiday nor am I blaspheming the name of God. Instead I am showing hospitality and grace to my neighbors and just maybe, it will allow me a greater influence in their lives to introduce them to the God of the harvest.

But in essense you are celebrating a pagan holiday. You may not be engaged in worshiping satan but are participating in the activities that were considered a part of that. So in essense how is what you are doing any different from what I'm doing?

 

[Steven2006]

But in essense you are celebrating a pagan holiday. You may not be engaged in worshiping satan but are participating in the activities that were considered a part of that. So in essense how is what you are doing any different from what I'm doing?

I don't think she is doing that. She described celebrating a day children can have some fun and play dress up, show off their costumes to the neighbors and get a treat. That is the reality of what halloween is in this country. The fact that it means so much more to you, it probably is best you don't participate.

 

[menageriekeeper]

I mean if we're christianize then what's wrong with Orthodox and Catholic Statues? or prayer beads? Should be nothing right?

Well, nothing to them. We Baptists however, believe that we should as a matter of Christian practice, worship God in "spirit and truth". We can't Christianize idols for that reason. For similar reasons, I don't pray to Mary or the "saints". We have absolutely no scripture to support such a thing.

However, Paul says "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every dayalike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 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." (Romans 14:5-6a)

We have leave to celebrate whatever we wish as long as we celebrate unto the Lord.

Because the Lord says, "Love thy God and love thy neighbor as thyself", I don't celebrate Halloween by tossing my teen boys into the bog, because I don't want to be tossed myself, nor does God request me to sacrifice my children. I am NO LONGER IN BONDAGE. Therefore, I can hand out enough candy to fill a barrel and not worry about sin, I like candy, so I am treating my neighbors kindly and God has nothing but good to say about giving generously. I can even decorate my yard with fun but spooky decorations, because I KNOW who is in control and that I have nothing more to fear from death! Isn't that what the Good News is all about?

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Well, nothing to them. We Baptists however, believe that we should as a matter of Christian practice, worship God in "spirit and truth". We can't Christianize idols for that reason. For similar reasons, I don't pray to Mary or the "saints". We have absolutely no scripture to support such a thing.

However, Paul says "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every dayalike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 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." (Romans 14:5-6a)

We have leave to celebrate whatever we wish as long as we celebrate unto the Lord.

Because the Lord says, "Love thy God and love thy neighbor as thyself", I don't celebrate Halloween by tossing my teen boys into the bog, because I don't want to be tossed myself, nor does God request me to sacrifice my children. I am NO LONGER IN BONDAGE. Therefore, I can hand out enough candy to fill a barrel and not worry about sin, I like candy, so I am treating my neighbors kindly and God has nothing but good to say about giving generously. I can even decorate my yard with fun but spooky decorations, because I KNOW who is in control and that I have nothing more to fear from death! Isn't that what the Good News is all about?

Thats true. However, there is no scripture for the celebration of Samhain or Christ - mass which is a celebration of Sol Invictus either. Because the Lord says to "come out from among them" we should celebrate their holidays either.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

I don't think she is doing that. She described celebrating a day children can have some fun and play dress up, show off their costumes to the neighbors and get a treat. That is the reality of what halloween is in this country. The fact that it means so much more to you, it probably is best you don't participate.

Costumes were essential aspects of Samhain and the feast of the dead. So it sounds like thats exactly what she is doing.

 

[Steven2006]

Costumes were essential aspects of Samhain and the feast of the dead. So it sounds like thats exactly what she is doing.

Like I said earlier, since so much of the meanings are evil for you, it is probably best you don't participate.

 

[annsni]

But in essense you are celebrating a pagan holiday. You may not be engaged in worshiping satan but are participating in the activities that were considered a part of that. So in essense how is what you are doing any different from what I'm doing?

The key word here was "were".

Remember that even our calendar is based on paganism. So do you forgo the calendar as well??

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Like I said earlier, since so much of the meanings are evil for you, it is probably best you don't participate.

Steven you probably don't know me very well. Which is cool. Annsi does know and she know's I'm just instigating. But at the same time pointing out an inconsistency I believe is evident in this thread. I really don't have a problem with Holloween though honestly I like to call it harvest festival and though I'm not a fan of my kids dressing up and getting candy I don't prohibit it either. I also hand out candy to anyone who comes by. (and hand out a chick tract telling them that they are going to hell for celebrating samhain - Just Kidding). However, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving which I like more than Christmas.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

The key word here was "were".

Remember that even our calendar is based on paganism. So do you forgo the calendar as well??

Yes. Its evil. I use the Jewish calander today is Shmini Atzeret or Tishrei 22

 

[Steven2006]

OK, just a trouble maker :laugh: j/k

 

[annsni]

Yes. Its evil. I use the Jewish calander today is Shmini Atzeret or Tishrei 22

There you go!! At least you're consistent.

 

[Doubting Thomas]

Good work, Thinkingstuff. Didn't catch as nearly as many fish that you did with your previous thread about Christmas a while back, but entertaining nonetheless. :applause:

 

[Jason Garrett]

Our church no longer has a harvest festival. We encourage members to have their own mini harvest festivals at their own homes to meet and greet their neighbors and show Christ to their communities in this manner. I think it's GREAT!

 

[DHK]

Our church no longer has a harvest festival. We encourage members to have their own mini harvest festivals at their own homes to meet and greet their neighbors and show Christ to their communities in this manner. I think it's GREAT!

I don't agree with Halloween, but here is a different perspective on it:

http://www.christianity.com/Home/Christian Living Features/11583549/

 

[abcgrad94]

I realize I'm jumping in here kind of late, but here's another perspective, too. Some churches in my area are doing a "reverse trick or treat." They are going door to door handing out candy and tracts and witnessing. I thought that was a great idea. Halloween is the one night a year they won't refuse to answer the door or pretend they aren't home when you come over.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

I realize I'm jumping in here kind of late, but here's another perspective, too. Some churches in my area are doing a "reverse trick or treat." They are going door to door handing out candy and tracts and witnessing. I thought that was a great idea. Halloween is the one night a year they won't refuse to answer the door or pretend they aren't home when you come over.

I hope the JW's and Mormons don't catch on to that. I would hate to be rude on holloween.

 

[HankD]

Not only do we have a Pagan Calendar but all the days of the week are named after false gods.

Sunday - Day of the sun
Monday - Day of the moon
Tuesday - Zeus Day.
Wednesay - Woden's Day.
Thursday - Thor's Day.
Friday - Frida's Day.
Saturday - Saturn's Day.

Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

So technically speaking if you use these names then you are honoring a false god.

The Bible way is to number the days of the week i.e. first day, second day, last day, etc...


HankD