Comments on: Do You Celebrate Halloween?

By: Joseph

Joseph — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:06:19 +0000

LOVE Halloween. It is a chance for me to act like a bigger idiot than I already am

And, nothing better than the candy tax I levee on my child’s candy take…call me a democrat on Halloween

By: Jamie Willow

Jamie Willow — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:55:01 +0000

My sister and I joke about how we send kids mixed signals on halloween. dress up to be some one you are not. ask for candy from strangers. so funny. personally though I feel the same way you do about this holiday, when else do your neighbors come knocking on your door!

By: jodyduncan

jodyduncan — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:22:33 +0000

Boy Christianity has come along way and so has this blog. I just read almost every comment and no one judged anyone else. Now, I am no theologian, but I believe that is how God intended on us to interact. Thank you 21st century, information age Christians.

By: bustersdaughter

bustersdaughter — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:43:18 +0000

I also felt convicted along time ago and haven’t felt comfortable on either side of the door.
I used to love dressing up when I was younger and when my son was little but there was a point in time where it wasn’t okay anymore.

By: Bill Wilson

Bill Wilson — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:36:58 +0000

Beautiful family.

By: Michele Helms

Michele Helms — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:21:21 +0000

You know many of our celebrated holidays began as pagan holidays and many of the traditions we participate in were rooted in pagan practices. That being said…our family does not participate in this night…not because of all the symbolism but because this night is still celebrated all over the world by satanic worshipers as their biggest holiday. We do not judge others who do…this is a personal decision for our family and all 5 of my kids are on board…and always have been. We get together with several other families, roast hot dogs and play hide and seek in the dark…we love it!

By: Cyndi

Cyndi — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:55:44 +0000

A few people have already touched on why churches in our area do a fall festival, hallelujah night, etc. We have been hsoting events like this for years (at both of the churches we were youth leaders at). But for us it was an outreach into the communities and not just for christians (it was always free). The neighbborhood I live in at some point when my kids were younger was not safe for kids to walk around and get candy. Plus you were not sure that the candy was even safe ( I recall days of safety pins in candy and apples when my kids were small). So churches started hosting events where the kids would be safe and could have more then just candy but games, prizes, etc. My kids have great memories from this time and got more candy then they ever would have gotten in our community. So did the kids in the community. Our home church started out with a few kids when we first went, after we started holding the event on Halloween we got kids, parents from the community to come out (the majority I am sure were not christians).

The small church we are now pastoring does not have the budget to hold events and we only have a few kids at this point. They live in an urban area that it would be insane to try and go out and trick or treat. Tonight they are at an event hosted by my adopted church on a ranch, a place many of them may not ever had the opportunity to do if there was not a church out there who hosted it. I guess I just want people to look at another side of this.

By: Nate VZ

Nate VZ — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:06:02 +0000

Well Pete, I enjoy fall and candy, so Halloween is something I participate in. We did it as children and continue today. Maddie is currently on piece of candy #65 and showing no sign of slowing down…I see a tummy-ache in the future.

I will never forget our first Nashville Halloween in 2003. I was on a crappy rotation at the hospital and got home very late. I missed trick or treating with Holly and Alex (who was only 1 1/2 years old!). I came home and walked down to the end of the culs-de-sac (at the Parker’s) where everyone in the neighborhood was enjoying hot dogs and chili. It was at that moment that I saw how this lovely neighborhood embraced and included my family, especially since I was at the hospital so often…

The rest is history. That was the start of our Nashville chapter that ended with precious friendships with Parker’s, Wynn’s, Ottinger’s, Bell’s, Neese’s and–of course–Wilson’s…

So, in conclusion, we may not have cultivated such a rich relationship with all of you, if you had stuck up your nose to Halloween and instead gathered by yourselves in a “holy huddle”.

By: laura

laura — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 01:30:27 +0000

big happenings in my small town this year. a brand new multiplex theater was built and is having a “soft opening” for a week starting today where all movies are free with complimentary popcorn and soft drink. my teens are running amuck there since they have finally accepted the fact that they are too old and no longer cute and cuddly enough to trick or treat. my hubs, 6 y/o son, daughter and her baby girl are all out right now trick or treating and me, i’m home alone with a big bowl of candy.
we celebrate trick or treating because it is fun and hubs and i believe that the good Lord wants His people to have fun and smile sometime.
you could pray for me and that big bowl of candy though…
much appreciated.
happy halloween!

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:37:47 +0000

I have been back and forth with this issue for 7 years. I finally came to the conclusion that…

While Halloween has pagan origins, it is what we make it. I allow my children to dress up (my daughter is going as Queen Esther) and I allow them to Trick or Treat. We don’t talk about the pagan origins of Halloween. To us…it’s just the fun time of year where you can dress up and be silly.

Every year my dad rents a big popcorn machine and coffee pot. We give out bags of fresh popped popcorn to the kiddo’s and give the parents hot apple cider. It has become a tradition in our neighborhood and people talk about it all year. It gives me a great opening to start conversation when I see them next week at the grocery store.

I guess that while I don’t want to be OF the world….I do want to be IN the world. However, a lot of my friends feel it is not pleasing to Christ to participate and I respect that, too.