Monday, 31 October 2011
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Trick or Treat: Really?
I don't celebrate Halloween, why? Because I'm a Christian? Partly. Because I'm British and can't stand over-consumerised nonsense? Definitely.
I haven't really got any big high and mighty ideas about the evils and witchcraft etc. I just think it's daft to dress up as something horrendous and go out and beg.
I don't 'get' the celebration. Sure it was pinched from the pagans etc. But then so was Christmas -- don't get me started on Santa!
What confuses me more though are the churches that provide an alternative party or celebration. I'm not really sure why? Doesn't this only indicate that Halloween is such an amazing event that usually Christians don't celebrate and we feel so awful about our convictions that we are going to offer you an alternative? Yay.
We have never taken part in Halloween simply by not answering the door, and fortunately we have been spared the unsociable behaviour. But I have also never been pestered by my kids for a pumpkin or to go 'trick or treating'. Because we've never been involved they've never asked or felt they've missed out.
For the few Christian parents I have heard agonizing over what to tell their little sweetheart that has asked to go 'trick or treating' for the first time this year, here's my advice. If you're bothered by it because of your faith, tell them that. And if you feel allowing them to go to an alternative Church party is the answer, you're only fueling the idea that Halloween is worth celebrating.
Halloween, do you or don't you? Does your church hold an alternative to Halloween festivities? Do you think it's a good idea?
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Comments (15)
I've always thought the church "harvest parties" or "fall festivals" were kind of silly. If you believe Halloween is okay for Christians to celebrate, then go ahead and participate. If not, then don't do anything. But having Halloween celebrations and calling it something different so you're not technically celebrating it just seems silly to me.
dress up and beg? you really think trick or treating is about children begging for candy? those children in the photo look horrendous to you? Those smiles - horrendous? wow. just, wow.
Halloween isn't even about its religious origins anymore, it's about the fun of dressing up into something or someone you've could never be in real life. It's about being with people and laughing and having a good time. It's a fantasy world you get to live in for one day of the year.
At least, that's how I view it. I don't think about the roots of its existence or what it represents. Honestly--I don't even know the real story. I should look it up.
I'm not bashing your opinion or suggesting you should feel otherwise, but I think you should take into consideration of people viewing it the way I do--especially if you want us to accept yours.
It's good to have an alternative. We are going to the house of a church member tonight to hand out candy and Christian tracts. Instead of leaving the lights off and hiding inside our homes, we are going to be the salt and light of the earth and use it as a witnessing opportunity.
Silly is good.
And hey, evangelists could learn a thing or two from trick-or-treaters.
So what makes it any different then all the other popular holidays? Valentines Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July, Halloween...it's all the same.
@Theophilus166@xanga - Agreed, either celebrate or don't, but don't try to dress it up as something else.
@confused - that pic was chosen by Revelife not me! What else would you call sticking your hands out and waiting for sweets? In the UK it's called begging. And the costumes over here are never, ever cutesy, they are always devilish and grotesque, guess it's just the way us Brits interpret it, have read a lot of American blogs recently and it does seem like cute harmless dressing up fun over there.
@jmeLove_x@xanga - "I don't think about the roots of its existence or what it represents. Honestly--I don't even know the real story. I should look it up".
Yep, always a good idea to know what you're celebrating!!!!I am all for respecting other views and choices, I would never condemn anyone for what they chose to celebrate, I just didn't think Churches that were against Halloween should celebrate anything on that date or they come across as hypocritical.@apb102088@xanga No need to hide away, and I'm glad you are choosing to be salt and light.
@nyclegodesi24@xanga - hmm, maybe we could dress up as Jesus and the Devil and instead of trick or treat, knock the door with a tract and say "Heaven or Hell?" You're right we could learn from this!
@LoveeeLikeASunset@xanga - We don't do thanksgiving or 4th July, although give it time and I'm sure Clintons will be pushing that too over here.
Even Easter and Christmas is waaay to over commercialised, how many Christian children, or any children for that matter, know that Easter has nothing to do with a bunny and Christmas has nothing to do with Santa?
@TalkingChristian - "And the costumes over here are never, ever cutesy, they are always devilish and grotesque, guess it's just the way us Brits interpret it, have read a lot of American blogs recently and it does seem like cute harmless dressing up fun over there."
Well, no. I'm British and we get girls dressed up as princesses and loads of cute costumes here. I don't know where in England you're from but this seems like a massive exaggeration.
"Even Easter and Christmas is waaay to over commercialised, how many Christian children, or any children for that matter, know that Easter has nothing to do with a bunny and Christmas has nothing to do with Santa?"
but why can't we let kids be kids? why do they have to know the seriousness of everything at such a young age? as a child, you see christmas as a time for presents, halloween for sweets and easter for chocolate - let them enjoy it while they can!
@written_conversations@xanga - I'm from the South West! Never seen a Princess on Halloween!
I agree let kids be kids, and if it were just sweets, chocolate and presents it would be simple fun, but the card shops get involved and then the dept stores selling all sorts of junk you couldn't give away at a car-boot!
I'm not a scrooge or whatever, I love to have fun with my family, but I guess I just like it a little more traditional and a little less fake. :)
@TalkingChristian - ah that's fair enough :) I'm in East Anglia and I've seen quite a few princesses and cartoon characters going around which is nice!