Let me change the question a bit: should Christians attempt to influence one of the dominant cultural events of our country, or should we hide away so that we don't get polluted by small children in scary costumes?
On the other hand, I can ask the question this way: should Christians contribute to the rising levels of juvenile obesity in our country by handing out large quantities of high-fructose corn syrup laden candies?
I think Dan asks a very good question. My solution to that is to encourage my congregation's members to give an amount equal to what they spend on Christmas gifts to a mission project. In two years over $25,000 has been raised that way.
Back to the question John asked: Halloween unlike Christmas contains no redeeming value and is the high holiday for satanists. Therefore, no Christians should not celebrate Halloween.
While Halloween hails from dark roots, today's celebration is merely a harmless exercise in creativity - which I strongly encourage. We all need excuses to play dress up, to pretend to be someone else - whether hero or villain. And I reward the children who do so. To those who make an effort, I give out full-size candy bars! Those who opt for the T-shirt that says, "This is my costume" only get a midget Tootsie Roll! ...and you should see what I do with pumpkins!
Halloween is a great opportunity for my girls (ages 6 and 3) to play dress up, walk around a dark neighborhood (safely, with their mom and I and lots of other parents & children) and get candy. It is fun. But we do not "celebrate" Halloween. There is no solemn/serious/holy activity or thought attached. It is simply playing dress up, with a candy bonus. Steve Johnson Exeter Township PA
8 comments:
Let me change the question a bit: should Christians attempt to influence one of the dominant cultural events of our country, or should we hide away so that we don't get polluted by small children in scary costumes?
On the other hand, I can ask the question this way: should Christians contribute to the rising levels of juvenile obesity in our country by handing out large quantities of high-fructose corn syrup laden candies?
Tough call. I vote for chocolate.
Define celebrate and Halloween
Maybe celebrate is not the right word.. maybe just not be hateful towards people who observe the holiday?
Given the orgy of consumerism that has become of Christmas, I'd suggest a better question might be, should Christians celebrate Christmas?
I think Dan asks a very good question. My solution to that is to encourage my congregation's members to give an amount equal to what they spend on Christmas gifts to a mission project. In two years over $25,000 has been raised that way.
Back to the question John asked: Halloween unlike Christmas contains no redeeming value and is the high holiday for satanists. Therefore, no Christians should not celebrate Halloween.
While Halloween hails from dark roots, today's celebration is merely a harmless exercise in creativity - which I strongly encourage. We all need excuses to play dress up, to pretend to be someone else - whether hero or villain. And I reward the children who do so. To those who make an effort, I give out full-size candy bars! Those who opt for the T-shirt that says, "This is my costume" only get a midget Tootsie Roll!
...and you should see what I do with pumpkins!
Ditto what David Garrett said.
Shoot, Christmas has many pagan elements in it.
Halloween is a great opportunity for my girls (ages 6 and 3) to play dress up, walk around a dark neighborhood (safely, with their mom and I and lots of other parents & children) and get candy. It is fun. But we do not "celebrate" Halloween. There is no solemn/serious/holy activity or thought attached. It is simply playing dress up, with a candy bonus. Steve Johnson Exeter Township PA
Post a Comment