It’s Halloween, a time of year that tends to divide opinion. There are those who view it as harmless family fun, a time for costumes, candy and colourful chaos. Carving pumpkins, trick or treating, it’s the official start of the holiday season leading to Christmas via Thanksgiving. Throw in the odd spooky movie and it’s the perfect weekend. Nobody gets hurt and it’s not as if any of it is real, right? Ghosts, ghouls and goblins are all the stuff of make believe.
Other people feel very differently about All Hallows Eve. For they believe there are darker forces at work and an ancient battle rages between good and evil for possession of our souls. Dependent on what side they are on, they either love or loathe this time of year. Christians view Halloween as an attack on their faith and futures, all under the deliberate guise that it’s just a bit of fun and nobody is going to get hurt. They genuinely fear the harm that can be done to those who acquire a taste for the dark side.
I’m somewhere in between. I don’t regard myself as Christian, it’s a man made phrase that I struggle to align myself with. I don’t attend church and I tend to avoid the Christian community due to the many negative, hurtful experiences I’ve had with it. But I do believe in God, have an interest in the life and times of Jesus and occasionally read my Bible. I pray, when I remember, and read on faith related matters. I try to lead as good a life as I can. I often fail, but I try.
That said, I’ve no problem with trick or treaters and we have pumpkins sitting at our front door this year, skilfully carved out by our daughters. I’m partial to the occasional zombie movie or seven and don’t think our kids are going to become card carrying Satanists because of that. It’s how we behave the other 364 days of the year that matter, not making a song and dance about a pagan festival that is forgotten by 01 November when all eyes turn towards Christmas. A season that matters much more with regards its meaning and significance.
Happy Halloween…or not. Whatever your beliefs.
In my experience Christians are just as divided in opinions over Hallowe’en as anyone else. Some see it as harmless fun and others something more dangerous. I’m not sure where I stand right now. I can see both points of view. I definitely believe that there are evil forces out there but I’m not sure how much influence they have on the celebration of Halloween.
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It’s an interesting debate, that’s for sure. Thank you.
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My wife and I are not Halloween fans at all. Yes, we are actively practicing Christians, but our dislike of the holiday had nothing to do with feeling that our faith is under attack. It just seems kind of pointless and banal and a waste of time and money. BAH HUMBUG! Or whatever the Halloween equivalent is.
However, , I LOVE the pumpkins your daughters carved. Very creative!
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Thank you 😊
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First of all, I am so sorry that ANY portion of the Body of Christ has treated you poorly! That is no representation of Jesus or His true followers. That just hurt my heart when I read that.
Also, I don’t know anyone personally, who is converted, that believes that Halloween is an attack on our faith. I’m sure some do though, surely. There are lots of things in the Word of God that, personally, direct me to give no time to the practice, but I would never say that someone should think the way I do simply because it’s my belief versus theirs. I could rattle off the history of the whole thing and plead an interesting case (as I’ve seen others do lol), but I have no interest in it. My heart is helping people know Jesus and His unrivaled love ❤ Everything else is simply conversation fodder 🙂
Blessings to you today!
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Thank you Stacey. Much appreciated.
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You may be pleased to know that ‘the book’ (i.e. your book) has arrived! A bit too late for my isolation, but I didn’t want to order it while we were away. So, I’m looking forward to a right riveting read… 😊
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Thank you & I hope you enjoy it as much as ‘Skelly’s Square.’ Keep me updated 🙂
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Just another day this year for most families.
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Yes indeed.
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How nicely you have laid down both sides…wish you a not so spooky but a happy Halloween 🎃🎃
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Thank you and the same to you 😊
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Yes! I was raised that Halloween was evil. But I changed. We pass out candy to trick or treaters, but not this year! (COVID)
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Yes. COVID ruins everything 😕
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I couldn’t wait for my kids to outgrow Halloween!
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It’s not for everyone.
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“I’m somewhere in between. I don’t regard myself as Christian, it’s a man made phrase that I struggle to align myself with. I don’t attend church and I tend to avoid the Christian community due to the many negative, hurtful experiences I’ve had with it. But I do believe in God, have an interest in the life and times of Jesus and occasionally read my Bible. I pray, when I remember, and read on faith related matters. ”
I love this description of your faith as it stands. As a life-long, church-going Christian I have come to a point in my journey where I am feeling quite ‘starved’ in my current Christian community of faith. I’m taking a course in spiritual formation which could lead to spiritual direction of souls, and I am really excited to be learning about it all! Your statement of ‘faith’ sings authenticity and beauty in its simplicity, and I encourage you along this path of seeking anything related to Jesus and his Love. Warmly, Kristen
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Happy day my friend. I’m not for sure if you follow Mitch Teemley. He had a post with some parallels to yours and the responses. I know who overcomes evil. And with that truth, I keep it all in fun. As a Principal it had become a “sticky wicket”. I’m not a fan of violence or the bloody gore costumes so we opted to have Fall Festivals in which the students dressed as their favorite book characters and we helped the children find this book either in the library or one from their house. We’d parade around the school and invite parents to line up and watch. It worked well my 7 years at elementary. Middle School years (8 as a Principal) ~ I just tried to keep them calm lol. I’ve always loved Fall and the “spooky” season. And my own boys and I would trick-or-treat with the same attitude I share now. I know the true Victor and place my faith in the Holy Ghost (sorry…had to go there). And I would never judge another Christ follower. I shared similar experiences as you. And it’s in God alone I trust and anchor my hope. There’s division in everything it seems. But pleasantly, Halloween seemed very uneventful this year and I enjoyed providing a Fall Festival to the kids camping at the resort (pumpkin painting, hayride, scavenger hunt)! Be blessed!
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Hi. I’m sorry for the late reply but I appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences. It seems a balanced, common-sense approach. Maybe one day one of your kids will dress up as Kirkwood Scott 🙂
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I think that’s a splendid idea! I have some reading to do after my career here ends at the resort! 😊
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I’d love you to read my books one day. It would mean a lot to me 🙂
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Me too 😊
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Thank you 😊
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As you know, Jesus was furious with the Pharisees, because they placed obstacles in the way of Christendom. I have been a Pharisee, but now am trying to be a mensch, as my mother taught me to be. Best to you in your quest for truth, Stephen.
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Thank you Brendan. Yes, it’s so easy to slip into the robes of a Pharisee. I know that too well.
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Happy very very late Halloween. 🙂
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And the same to you, Amanda.
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