Yep, it's that time of year again. As every parent knows the halloween products have hit the shelves and the little ones are asking "Please can I have that pointed hat", please can we carve a pumpkin, pleeeeease can we trick or treat"? The requests go on.
"AAAAAAHHHH"
Halloween is becoming more popular than ever in the UK, it seems we are following the trends of our cousins across the pond in America. So what do we say, is it harmless fun or a prelude to something more sinister?
'Many Christians believe that Halloween has become increasing associated with intimidation and links to the occult, but are caught in a dilemma about whether or not to partake in the activities' (Michael Brown, The C of E Newspaper 30/9/05).
It is very difficult as a parent because the more you try to stop children from doing something most of their friends are doing, the more they feel left out and the more they want to do it.
Before I became a Christian, I held a halloween party for my daughter. She refers to it as the best party she ever had. However, after becoming a Christian there is no way I would hold the same sort of party again. For one, I would not want to be seen as encouraging witchcraft, evil etc.......
'Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft' Leviticus 19:26
The Old Testament gets pretty serious on this but in the New Testament the emphasis is on God punishing those who partake in witchcraft, by not allowing them to enter heaven, it classes witchcraft/demonic activity as an evil sin along with for example sexual immorality and envy.
'When you follow the desire of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.' (Galatians 5:19-21)
In the UK toy guns are frowned upon and are not allowed in nurseries or schools. Why? Due to the link or possibility that children might then be tempted to go on to use real weapons in the future. Many Christians also view Halloween in the same way. That we are inadvertently encouraging witchcraft, devil worship which intern may be nurturing inappropriate behavior and evil within our children.
An arbitery "NO" is not enough however. I am positive that nobody partook in any witchcraft at our party and at the time I told myself I was doing a public service (keeping the kids safe from harm and off the streets trick or treating). The kids bobbed for apples, my brother dressed up as a giant bat and chased the kids with custard pies. We had great fun at the time but like most parties there were down sides to it as well, cost/damage to house/organizational stress/input of time, focussing on dark instead of light. If I had known of an alternative I may well have encouraged my daughter to do it.
'In the October issue of Crux, the Manchester diocesan monthly, Bishop Gillett is asked: "So should we ban it (halloween) for Christians?" And he answers "No - let's re-Christen it.".' (see above ref)
According to the article there is a very high profile Christian party called Nite-Lite in the Rossendale valley, which is sighted as providing an alternative, it is now apparently still going strong and in its 16th year!
It was only after I started attending church that I became aware of a similar party in our area called a 'Party of light' on 31 October at the Secondary School Hall. The kids could dress-up, play games, have sweats/candy, be in a safe environment and not be influenced by devil images, witches or any dodgy iconography.
'Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have light that leads to life." John 8:12
This year I plan on helping our church in their own light festivities. Since my children seem to have such a blast at the parties I organise maybe I can put my skills to use this year in a more positive way. I would be interested to read any thoughts on the subject or alternative party ideas, themes, games etc. to suggest for the 31st please.
God Bless you all with light
"AAAAAAHHHH"
Halloween is becoming more popular than ever in the UK, it seems we are following the trends of our cousins across the pond in America. So what do we say, is it harmless fun or a prelude to something more sinister?
'Many Christians believe that Halloween has become increasing associated with intimidation and links to the occult, but are caught in a dilemma about whether or not to partake in the activities' (Michael Brown, The C of E Newspaper 30/9/05).
It is very difficult as a parent because the more you try to stop children from doing something most of their friends are doing, the more they feel left out and the more they want to do it.
Before I became a Christian, I held a halloween party for my daughter. She refers to it as the best party she ever had. However, after becoming a Christian there is no way I would hold the same sort of party again. For one, I would not want to be seen as encouraging witchcraft, evil etc.......
'Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft' Leviticus 19:26
The Old Testament gets pretty serious on this but in the New Testament the emphasis is on God punishing those who partake in witchcraft, by not allowing them to enter heaven, it classes witchcraft/demonic activity as an evil sin along with for example sexual immorality and envy.
'When you follow the desire of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.' (Galatians 5:19-21)
In the UK toy guns are frowned upon and are not allowed in nurseries or schools. Why? Due to the link or possibility that children might then be tempted to go on to use real weapons in the future. Many Christians also view Halloween in the same way. That we are inadvertently encouraging witchcraft, devil worship which intern may be nurturing inappropriate behavior and evil within our children.
An arbitery "NO" is not enough however. I am positive that nobody partook in any witchcraft at our party and at the time I told myself I was doing a public service (keeping the kids safe from harm and off the streets trick or treating). The kids bobbed for apples, my brother dressed up as a giant bat and chased the kids with custard pies. We had great fun at the time but like most parties there were down sides to it as well, cost/damage to house/organizational stress/input of time, focussing on dark instead of light. If I had known of an alternative I may well have encouraged my daughter to do it.
'In the October issue of Crux, the Manchester diocesan monthly, Bishop Gillett is asked: "So should we ban it (halloween) for Christians?" And he answers "No - let's re-Christen it.".' (see above ref)
According to the article there is a very high profile Christian party called Nite-Lite in the Rossendale valley, which is sighted as providing an alternative, it is now apparently still going strong and in its 16th year!
It was only after I started attending church that I became aware of a similar party in our area called a 'Party of light' on 31 October at the Secondary School Hall. The kids could dress-up, play games, have sweats/candy, be in a safe environment and not be influenced by devil images, witches or any dodgy iconography.
'Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have light that leads to life." John 8:12
This year I plan on helping our church in their own light festivities. Since my children seem to have such a blast at the parties I organise maybe I can put my skills to use this year in a more positive way. I would be interested to read any thoughts on the subject or alternative party ideas, themes, games etc. to suggest for the 31st please.
God Bless you all with light
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