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Halloween is upon us, to some it's evil, to others, just plain fun.

irc333

By irc333
in Spirituality & Religious Beliefs

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irc333 Established Member

irc333

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Okay, this could fall into the dating category as well, but I'm guessing mostly Christians make their way here most times anyhow.

 

Anyhow, now with Halloween upon us, I'm discovering among our Christian community, that some abhore the idea that some Christians find it to be an evil, demon worshipping holiday, while other Christians have no qualms with dressing up for Halloween and going along with the crowd and having fun.

 

That being said, as a Christian, if you believe that Halloween to be a holiday of demons/satan worship, would you have a problem with a Christian that doesn't believe in such things and vice-versa?

El Brujo Established Member

El Brujo

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'm no Wiccan, however I am sympathetic to neo-paganism... I for one am quite put off by the commercialized, scary aspects of Halloween.

 

The pre-Christian version of Halloween was a time to remember friends and family who'd died, an idea which still survives in Mexican Day of the Dead.

 

The Celtic-speaking regions in Europe did probably the best job of preserving the old pre-Christian rites, which is why Celtic witchcraft is so predominant in the world of Wicca and similar belief systems.

 

But I digress... each year, the day after Halloween is when the Mexican-American community on the next street over ropes off the plaza at the end of the street and hangs paper skeletons from a big overhead canopy, and there's a lot of food, candy, music, etc, and they open the youth center so people can come inside from the plaza and celebrate. They always get a LOT of people. I don't know if they bring photos of deceased relatives to this particular Day of the Dead celebration, but I know there are still plenty of old-timey Mexicans who celebrate it in their homes by surrounding their photos of deceased relatives with yellow flowers.

 

That, to me, is what the spirit of Halloween is about. But my strict Baptist aunt would go and hide in the bomb shelter, if she had one beneath her house---she's TERRIFIED of the Devil-dude making mischief! Even a lot of hardcore holy-roller Christians concede one reason they dislike Halloween is because it's a time when pagans use supernatural powers which are off-limits to Christians, because they're not Christian powers. Big Daddy apparently says nobody's allowed to be psychic except Him.

Edited by El Brujo
KathyM Established Member

KathyM

Posted
Posted

I never had a problem with my kids going trick or treating, or to haunted houses, or Halloween parties. I don't really see the harm in dressing up and having fun. Now if my kids used that event to do something bad, like vandalize property or do harm to others, or engage in Satan-worshipping rituals, THAT I would have a big problem with. But as far as dressing up and going trick or treating or going to a party, I don't see the harm in that. Many churches have a similar party, and call it a Harvest Party, so that the negative images (violent characters or violence) is not the focus of the event.

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pie2 Established Member

pie2

Posted
Posted
I for one am quite put off by the commercialized, scary aspects of Halloween.

 

This, coming from "El Brujo"...:o:p:o

happydate Established Member

happydate

Posted
Posted (edited)
Okay, this could fall into the dating category as well, but I'm guessing mostly Christians make their way here most times anyhow.

 

Anyhow, now with Halloween upon us, I'm discovering among our Christian community, that some abhore the idea that some Christians find it to be an evil, demon worshipping holiday, while other Christians have no qualms with dressing up for Halloween and going along with the crowd and having fun.

 

That being said, as a Christian, if you believe that Halloween to be a holiday of demons/satan worship, would you have a problem with a Christian that doesn't believe in such things and vice-versa?

 

I think you should ask this question. Why are some Christians celebrating Easter with extended prayers and recital of the rosaries for days in joyful bliss of celebration and yet some Christians don't. This is supposed to be a Christian thing.

 

The question is about true faith. I know some of my Catholic friends do not celebrate Halloween. Sure they have to please their kids, but they do that to the minimum. Some don't care, but then otherwise if some of us start making exceptions for this and that, then perhaps some of us are just paying lip service to God with our prayers.

 

One of things God had always said is that, he respects our free will. If his children wants to celebrate a Pagan holiday, then it is his or her right to do so. But he makes his laws clear in the Parables of Talents. Those who use his talents wisely will have his multipled and returned to him and those who don't will walk the road to hell paved with good intentions.

Edited by happydate
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irc333 Established Member

irc333

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Think I'm not following. Anyhow, I haven't known the Catholic community to be the religion to be having an issue with Halloween, but more so the fundamentalist Christians/Bible beaters to do so.

 

I'm trying to wrap my head around on what some may consider "sinful behavior, while others consider it not.

 

I know this one store in our mall that would shut it's door on that evening of handing out candy to kids who were dressing up and trick or treating from store to store.

 

 

It's funny how some Christians take issue with it while others do not.

 

Not sure if anyone recalls the movie "Footloose" where this town forbade dancing or any kind of rock music to be played.

 

I once went out with a woman that wouldn't even KISS before getting married, needless to say that dating relationship didn't last, I had even shared that info with my fellow Christian friends and they even thought it was a bit odd considering it wasn't a sin at all.

 

It seems some are mistaken on what is a sin and what is not actually.

 

 

I think you should ask this question. Why are some Christians celebrating Easter with extended prayers and recital of the rosaries for days in joyful bliss of celebration and yet some Christians don't. This is supposed to be a Christian thing.

 

The question is about true faith. I know some of my Catholic friends do not celebrate Halloween. Sure they have to please their kids, but they do that to the minimum. Some don't care, but then otherwise if some of us start making exceptions for this and that, then perhaps some of us are just paying lip service to God with our prayers.

 

One of things God had always said is that, he respects our free will. If his children wants to celebrate a Pagan holiday, then it is his or her right to do so. But he makes his laws clear in the Parables of Talents. Those who use his talents wisely will have his multipled and returned to him and those who don't will walk the road to hell paved with good intentions.

happydate Established Member

happydate

Posted
Posted (edited)
Think I'm not following. Anyhow, I haven't known the Catholic community to be the religion to be having an issue with Halloween, but more so the fundamentalist Christians/Bible beaters to do so.

 

I'm trying to wrap my head around on what some may consider "sinful behavior, while others consider it not.

 

I know this one store in our mall that would shut it's door on that evening of handing out candy to kids who were dressing up and trick or treating from store to store.

 

 

It's funny how some Christians take issue with it while others do not.

 

Not sure if anyone recalls the movie "Footloose" where this town forbade dancing or any kind of rock music to be played.

 

I once went out with a woman that wouldn't even KISS before getting married, needless to say that dating relationship didn't last, I had even shared that info with my fellow Christian friends and they even thought it was a bit odd considering it wasn't a sin at all.

 

It seems some are mistaken on what is a sin and what is not actually.

 

A pastor once told me that my LIFE is my report card. Whatever I do is my OWN CHOICE based on my OWN FREE WILL. As he reminded that God had given me that right to exercise it within the context of his laws. So therefore, any Christian can exercise his or her choices as they see fit. Which means that some Christians follow the letter of the law and some do not follow the letter of the law. There is no right or wrong, just choices that will reflect upon his or her life.

 

If your life is good, happy, stress free and financially sound; why then you are worried about what other Christians do and say?

 

The only people who questions other Christians' life style is a person who is unhappy with his or her life and envy others, so they go on criticizing other people's choices. Then you become the judge of the law relatively speaking.

 

If a Christian woman decides not to kiss you until marriage, then it is her free will to do so. Again, the her intent must be clear and she did nothing wrong. However, if you coerce her or even manipulate her against her will to kiss you then you are violating her free will. Why then are you questioning her beliefs in Christianity.

 

Remember that God is only interested in knowing your intent, because as he said time and time again, the ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS. And this is related to the violation of others free will based on the splinter of your eye (a metaphor for rose colored glasses) what you believe dating should be like game wise rather than discerning that situation at hand.

 

Yes I know the datinng game rule. If you do not get a kiss by the 3rd date, then she is playing you. FORGET that. It is game play introduced from the PUA community.

Edited by happydate
El Brujo Established Member

El Brujo

Posted
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This, coming from "El Brujo"...:o:p:o

 

Tradition all the way, baby. :cool:

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pureinheart Established Member

pureinheart

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Posted

I would suggest that Christians do some real research concerning "Halloween", both past and present. Then seek the Face of God to see if that is a practice He approves of.

 

I did the research back in the day, but can't remember all of the disgusting facts and really don't want to re-visit that.

pureinheart Established Member

pureinheart

Posted
Posted
Think I'm not following. Anyhow, I haven't known the Catholic community to be the religion to be having an issue with Halloween, but more so the fundamentalist Christians/Bible beaters to do so.

 

I'm trying to wrap my head around on what some may consider "sinful behavior, while others consider it not.

 

I know this one store in our mall that would shut it's door on that evening of handing out candy to kids who were dressing up and trick or treating from store to store.

 

 

It's funny how some Christians take issue with it while others do not.

 

Not sure if anyone recalls the movie "Footloose" where this town forbade dancing or any kind of rock music to be played.

 

I once went out with a woman that wouldn't even KISS before getting married, needless to say that dating relationship didn't last, I had even shared that info with my fellow Christian friends and they even thought it was a bit odd considering it wasn't a sin at all.

 

It seems some are mistaken on what is a sin and what is not actually.

 

It's about common sense and doing the homework. It's about (for Christians) reading His word and not conforming the truth to fit ones own lifestyle choices which I see a whole lot of...BTDT, just tell the truth and admit it. Until I began to take personal responsibility and follow the Word, there was no growth or hope.

HorseLuck Established Member

HorseLuck

Posted
Posted

 

That being said, as a Christian, if you believe that Halloween to be a holiday of demons/satan worship, would you have a problem with a Christian that doesn't believe in such things and vice-versa?

 

My parents would definitely have an issue with it. I can't speak for myself as I'm not really religious.

skydiveaddict Established Member

skydiveaddict

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Posted

I think it's harmless fun. But I guess it's us Catholics who supposedly started it. So draw your own conclusions.

HighheelsAries Member

HighheelsAries

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Posted

It's evil glorification of spirits and demons.People think its a big joke, or harmless fun. It isn't.

GorillaTheater Established Member

GorillaTheater

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you're either joking or insane.

 

That reminds me, I need to get rid of Christmas trees, and all of that bunnies and eggs stuff for Easter. Pagan idolatry, the lot of it.

 

No lake o'fire for me, pal.

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irc333 Established Member

irc333

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It's evil glorification of spirits and demons.People think its a big joke, or harmless fun. It isn't.

 

Strawman argument here and also this is an assumptive statement.

 

Apparently our Catholic church has no issue putting on a Halloween party/dance, so there may be some difference of opinion here. :laugh:

skydiveaddict Established Member

skydiveaddict

Posted
Posted
Strawman argument here and also this is an assumptive statement.

 

Apparently our Catholic church has no issue putting on a Halloween party/dance, so there may be some difference of opinion here. :laugh:

 

Besides,when real demonic possession takes place, folks don't call the Baptist Parson down the street. They call a Catholic priest.

El Brujo Established Member

El Brujo

Posted
Posted
Besides,when real demonic possession takes place, folks don't call the Baptist Parson down the street. They call a Catholic priest.

 

There are rabbis who do exorcisms too. "Dybbuk" is the Hebrew word for demon... I doubt the word would exist if rabbis never had to do exorcisms.

MalachiX Established Member

MalachiX

Posted
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I think you'll see from my other posts that I'm very tolerant of people of faith (sometimes I'm one myself), and I try not to judge anyone for what they believe.

 

That said, I'd never want to date anyone who thought Halloween was evil. That shows a level of being paranoid, superstitious, and unable to understand things in context that's along the same level of Christians who think the Harry Potter films promote Satanism.

 

Yes, Halloween was originally a Pagan holiday but so was Christmas which most of these people have no problem enjoying. Besides, as others have pointed out, modern Halloween has become so commercialized that it's simply an excuse to dress up and get candy and is devoid of ANY spiritual meaning (good or bad). The bottom line is that some Christians make the decision to be frightened and intolerant of anything the least bit macabre. It's not at all based in their faith and only based in their desire to fear/hate something.

 

I would never date someone who was un-educated/simple-minded enough to believe that kids dressing up as their favorite TV and movie characters is somehow related to devil-worship. I have a lot of respect for people with a strong sense of spirituality but that's not what this is. It's idiotic.

Tiger Lily Established Member

Tiger Lily

Posted
Posted
The bottom line is that some Christians make the decision to be frightened and intolerant of anything the least bit macabre. It's not at all based in their faith and only based in their desire to fear/hate something.

 

I think most Christians have a very well-adjusted relationships with the "macabre". Jesus' beatings and death on the cross are just a start of a Christian's acceptance of the darker aspects of life. :confused:

 

Evil is another story. If a Christian has a fear or intolerance of participating in something they consider evil, I'm sure it makes no impact on your own personal life. You mentioned that you wouldn't want to date such a person, and I imagine the feeling is mutual, in most cases. :o

  • 2 weeks later...
crederer Established Member

crederer

Posted
Posted
I think you'll see from my other posts that I'm very tolerant of people of faith (sometimes I'm one myself), and I try not to judge anyone for what they believe.

 

That said, I'd never want to date anyone who thought Halloween was evil. That shows a level of being paranoid, superstitious, and unable to understand things in context that's along the same level of Christians who think the Harry Potter films promote Satanism.

 

Yes, Halloween was originally a Pagan holiday but so was Christmas which most of these people have no problem enjoying. Besides, as others have pointed out, modern Halloween has become so commercialized that it's simply an excuse to dress up and get candy and is devoid of ANY spiritual meaning (good or bad). The bottom line is that some Christians make the decision to be frightened and intolerant of anything the least bit macabre. It's not at all based in their faith and only based in their desire to fear/hate something.

 

I would never date someone who was un-educated/simple-minded enough to believe that kids dressing up as their favorite TV and movie characters is somehow related to devil-worship. I have a lot of respect for people with a strong sense of spirituality but that's not what this is. It's idiotic.

 

I have to agree. Whatever the origins of halloween were (I'm too lazy and lack the interest to research it) the reality is, it's a fun day for kids to dress up, have fun with their friends and get free candy. It's also an excuse for women to dress like a stripper for the day and not be judged by society for it (which I am also in favour of). To suggest that in this day and age that there is anything inherently evil or sinister about it is laughable and that in itself is a cause for concern for me. It's baffling to me how paranoid people are and how some seem to read into things obsessively.

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irc333 Established Member

irc333

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There was actually a Christian gift shop in the mall that would shut its doors on Halloween day.

 

Apparently, the mall participated in having their employees give out candy as the kids walked by the perimeter of the wall and collected candy and trick or treating.

 

Yeah, pretty "far out" there to close your business for a day for something so paranoid.

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