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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder why some Christians have a problem with Halloween?

215 replies

JellyDiamonds · 29/10/2014 16:12

The first time I encountered this was at Uni when a girl I was friends with refused to partake in any Halloween celebrations whatsoever on the grounds that it was "evil". Her family were evangelical Christian, and even though she was more relaxed in her religious beliefs than them she wouldn't budge on Halloween. It was a shame as she missed out on all of the fun. But she'd never celebrated it, and her family would go out on the 31st to avoid trick or treaters.

I don't understand it? My mum was raised a Christian and has always loved halloween. She sees it for what it is, a bit of fun for kids.

I feel a bit sorry that these people won't allow their children to take part in the same customs that their peers do. Doesn't it leave them feeling a bit left out at school etc?

Should these people just get a grip and stop being intolerant?

OP posts:
worldgonecrazy · 30/10/2014 13:31

ProudAs there are so many factual errors in the link you posted I don't even know where to start. Suffice to say you can ignore pretty much everything it says.

MrsDeVere · 30/10/2014 13:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

headinhands · 30/10/2014 13:51

But if they choose to do that it's none of your business!

Which is why I don't barge into people's houses uninvited. Which is why I discuss it on a message board where people read and respond if they want to.

headinhands · 30/10/2014 13:53

It's perfectly possible to know the facts such as a spirit board is purely a game, the earth is round etc but have a spiritual belief as well.

So spiritual beliefs are about kidding yourself even when you know the facts?

Summerisle1 · 30/10/2014 13:57

Just out of interest, I asked DH who was brought up in a devout Catholic household, about his family's attitude to Halloween. Now he's another old gimmer like me so said that there wasn't much in the way of trick or treating going on - where he was born they made a lot more of Mischievous Night on the 4th November - but that nobody considered Halloween as any sort of opportunity to invite the Devil round for tea.

cheesecakemom · 30/10/2014 14:09

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

sashh · 30/10/2014 14:20

For me personally (and I cannot possibly speak for all Christians, and may very well be mistaken), it's potentially opening the doors to evil. It's giving evil power, and it's celebrating it.

Wow - so so ill informed. Do you not let your children visit Santa because it is an anagram of Satan?

It is also very insulting.

To anyone who is pagan it is new year - do you have a problem with New Year?

For Mexicans it is a day when family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, particularly those who have passed in the last year. Do you have a problem with praying for those who have passed?

For RC (not so sure about C of E) it is the eve of all hallows (All Saint's day) which is then followed by All Souls day.

Historically All Saints day was considered such a holy day, the holiest day of the year other than Easter that evil spirits dare not come out so they would attempt to come out in larger numbers on the eve (the whole day not the evening) but they could be warded off if you dressed like them and used humour.

Soulcakes have been traditional for hundreds of years, people would pray for the soul of the departed and ask for a could cake in return. Similar to carol singing, only prayer not carols - this has developed into trick or treating.

I suppose you have been told that apples are traditional because they contain a pentagram? Not true, many Christians (some still do) abstained from meat during the three days of honouring the dead, and it is autumn, the perfect time to eat apples or use them to cook with.

soverylucky · 30/10/2014 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worldgonecrazy · 30/10/2014 15:52

Can I just correct that it is not the "Pagan New Year", though some pagans choose to treat it as such.

As I said earlier, I celebrate New Year on 1st January, along with most other people in the UK.

cardamomginger · 30/10/2014 16:04

We're Jewish and it's always felt quite clear to me why 'strict' Christians would want to avoid it, just on the basis of its pagan roots. I avoid it, and will not encourage DD to get involved (she's 4 and she's very excited because they have been 'doing it' at nursery, so I'm not making a big deal of it either way). I avoid it because it's not Jewish, it's from a different religion - be it Christian or pagan. I don't buy it that it's 'secular'. It's not. I'm by no means fundamentalist. I just like to be consistent.

Nomama · 30/10/2014 16:25

Well it's like music really - the Devil has the best of it.

All the pagan celebrations are fun, loud, raucous, a relief form the day to day hassles of work.

Compare that to your average Christian celebration and you can immediately see a) why pagan celebrations have persisted despite all attempts to subvert or ban them, b) some Christians still want to ban/avoid them.

Just pick the ones you like and ignore the ones you don't.

Tanith · 30/10/2014 17:14

For some, the new year is Yule - the rebirth of the Sun. For others, Imbolc is the new year - the rebirth of the land. Some celebrate the New Year on 1st January.

And some of us use any excuse for a celebration Grin

Idontseeanysontarans · 30/10/2014 17:20

Yep, any excuse to break out the decorations and the beer! Grin

Summerisle1 · 30/10/2014 17:39

Personally, I tend to think of Imbolc as the New Year - as Jack Frost is beaten by the Green Man, darkness and cold turns gradually to light. But then I also celebrate New Year on the 1 January. Because most pagans prefer to celebrate rather than joylessly forbid.

Samhain, as the veil thins, is a thoughtful time for me. But not a dismal one.

bigbluestars · 30/10/2014 17:59

Imbolc is a beautiful time of year, the delicate stirrings of new life, I love it too.

Christmas was banned in Scotland for 400 years by the christian church- only becoming a public holiday in the 1950s. It was considered too pagan and profane- anyone caught celebrating christmas could be convicted.

sashh · 31/10/2014 07:00

soverylucky I know that one. I don't celebrate Xmas.

That's it, I have said it - cue lots of people feeling sorry for me.

I have no problem with people not doing it just because, I have a problem with people saying they 'don't allow it because it is devil worship etc etc'.

bigbluestars · 31/10/2014 07:05

I have no problem with christians shunning it because they feel it is demonic.

Much of my family don't celebrate Halloween because they feel it is a slippery slope towards allowing satan into their lives. THey feel that satan wants them to think it is harmless fun.
I respect their stance although I disagree entirely with their ideology.

It is actually a more logical position to take than christians celebrating a purely pagan festival.

sashh · 31/10/2014 07:36

It is actually a more logical position to take than christians celebrating a purely pagan festival Not really. Not celebrating it because you think it is something it is not is a very bad reason.

As for Christians celebrating Pagan things or using pagan symbols

Christmas trees
Holly and Ivy
Christmas decorations

Easter bunnies and eggs

Thebodynowchillingsothere · 31/10/2014 07:39

Ha ha. My term dds sneaked the oujii board up to their room with assorted friends.

Trust me there are no powers greater than a parent of a teenager so obviously we knew what they were up to.

Let them get into the stride and directed the hose to give a sudden blast into the window.

The screams were the funniest thing me and dh ever heard.

If there is a God I think she has a sense of humour.

bigbluestars · 31/10/2014 08:13

"sneaked the oujii board "- is that a shared household tool?

headinhands · 31/10/2014 09:46

BOO!

Here's the thing, I don't believe there's any power to it, or any spiritual realm, but I do believe in the power of the human mind to imagine all sorts of horrible stuff, which is why I've never done a ouija, because I've seen the stuff my brain has made up even without any extra suggestions! Which is also why I won't go into a cemetery at night, and why I run up the stars at break neck speed after I've turned the lights off. My understanding is that it's to do with our evolution and being hyper-vigilant in the dark from a time when we were the diet of carnivores along with invoking unseen forces to explain natural phenomenon.

PunkHedgehog · 31/10/2014 10:08

"this year we are doing a cowboys and Indians party, [...] we don't agree with what it stands for, or believe in any form of ghosts or whatever,[...] we don't like looking at horror, or gory or scary things"

Imaginary horror of non-existent creatures like ghosts and zombies = Nooooooo!

Real horror of exploitative employment, habitat destruction, biological warfare and genocide = Yay, party!

headinhands · 31/10/2014 10:12

Punk favourite post ever! Grin

Bunbaker · 31/10/2014 10:16

What about a pirate party (mischievous Smile)

youmakemydreams · 31/10/2014 10:27

punk that made me snort Grin

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