What do you tell your kids about Halloween?

[Mo2]

a)Just that it's a night when you get dressed up and eat loads of sweets
b)Anything to do with it's history and background?
c)Nothing - don't believe in it/ celebrate it....

We're sort of a combination between a+b, but I'm struggling to find 'The Story of Halloween' written at an appropriate level for a 5 & 2 year old... can anyone help?

LOL sorry but pmsl. I have never belonged to a covern or stood over a buibbling cauldron. From ages 5 - 17 attended church every week - obtained all my ribbons in the choir, head choir girl and entered for bishops award. But I do accept that some of the christian religions bought over by Rome where based around previous religions ie paganism. As I said before look at christmas and the solstice - there are huge similarities.

I no longer 'follow' a religion. It is not that I dont believe in god or the common good, far from it. I believe it doing your best by others but I also dont believe in vilyfying others for their there beliefs as long as they are causing harm or suffering.

I think it is fab that some people have such faith in the bible and follow it word for word - if it works for them, great. But for me i think it is reading it in context.. I will probably get totally slated for saying this but at the end of it all the bible was written by humankind and you gotta consider, as with all religious scriptures that there were motives behind what was written and was influenced by the politics at the time.

As I have said before, religion has evolved with generations and invasions. Prior to taking on the roman religion this country followed much of the druidic religion which i have read up about too. Far from being about occultism and sacfrices it was more to do with the seasons and the effects on crops etc.

awen great posts

Near us it seems to be an excuse for the local scrotes to chuck eggs and fireworks at each other and various passing cars/people's front windows!

Great post, Awen.

Oh and tonight isnt about 'talking' to the dead, it is about remembering them and being aware of the changing of the seasons. Tbh longwaytogo - i think you should do a little more reading and less preaching and actually check out the fact first.

here

ty lol - lucy at local sctores (havent heard term that for a while).

Thinking of taking ds out tonight - but only to a few friends doors we know - then go and see the stars if a clear night

sorry if i sounded narky btw

and so because you went to church every week that made you a Christian???? ermm sorry - no! I went to church every Sunday (2 times - morning and evening) from when I was born until I was 12yrs old - I still wasn't a Christian.

I became a Christian when I was 15.

I've had 2 girls in the church choir who've attended 'religiously' for years - got all of their ribbons (up to their Bishops Award) - but don't believe a word of what they here - and tehy don't call themselves Christians either.

Awen - even if you read the bible "in context" (whatever that means???) no-where does it say we should indulge in contacting those that have died.

OK I have a simple question - is tonight a Wiccan or Pagan festival???

I know 'scrotes' is a great word - I don't even need to describe what these yoofs look like, the word says it all

hmm - so why pray to jesus - he died. And it isnt about contact the dead it is about giving thanks for their lives. Bit like giving thanks for jesus's life isnt it? and what gives you the right to judge who is christian and who is not?

And what is a christian? What are the real differences between people who want to do good and care about others? Does a label matter? You are right going to church doesnt make you a christian but you learn about the religion after 12 years. I dont not believe in god, but I am not sure that we have the right to form god in 'our' own image or have the right to presume that we know what gods wishes are and who are his chosen ones.

If people stopped fighting over who/what is the true good and concentrated on what is important and cared about eachother rather than looking for a reason to fight.

Tonight is a Pagan festival by the name of Samhain.

It coincides with the (I know, I'm repeating myself) Christian/Catholic Halloween.

HALLOWEEN IS NOT A CHRISTIAN CELEBRATION!!!

FFS - I KNOW YOUR A PAGAN - I'M A CHRISTIAN - YOU DON'T CELEBRATE MY EASTER OR MY CHRISTMAS - I DON'T CELEBRATE YOUR FESTIVALS.

And Awen - I'm not sure what care about each other has got to do with Halloween - surely caring about each other would mean respecting other people's beliefs. And allowing them to belief what they belief without trying to put it down?

depends on your perspective. I personally do not follow a 'particular' religion as i said before. Howver druidry and wicca are completely seperate they do have some aspect in common. A bit like C of E and Catholism being seperate but also similar.

The link i gave i thought was good. my fav quote there is:

'For too long Christianity has persecuted those who do not agree with them - there is not much love in that. ?Do unto others as you want others to do unto you? the Lord said. Well if we Christians mean what we have done, we have a very long and unpleasant reckoning to expect. It is my belief that it is both possible and necessary to come together outside of the established churches. Let them wither as they will, and let us come together, Christian and Pagan as Good Friends that hope for the same things but choose to understand them differently. It is my belief that God in his love (I say his although I believe that God is neither man or woman, or maybe both. Who knows? I sure don?t!) does not really care so much about where we choose to worship, but that we are good men and women.'

agree with a real witch tonight is samhain or All Hallows eve depending on your perspective. either pagan or christian.
No where is devil worship mentioned in either celebration

Now if I start to post my links what's the betting that you'll say they're biased and rubbish? Because they come from Christian websites.........these links are coming from websites with a bias towards Druidry, Pagans and Wicca.........

Calm down QoQ, no need to shout. Then again - I AM A PAGAN, I DO NOT CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN!

I agree everyone should live together peacefully and not put down each others religions/faiths. Hard not to rise to the bait though when you persist in the hard-line Christian view that witches et al are evil and wrong. I find that personally insulting.

HrhQoQ, calm down and am not putting you down or your beliefs. If you cant discuss it with out getting so stressed then dont.

Firsty, If I followed a particular religion I would gladly say so, but I do not classify myself in terms of religion as there are aspects of differnt religions that I relate to and other areas I do not.

And secondly I think ARealWitch is trying to draw the comparison that at the time of year the older religion - paganism is celebrating halloween (or all hallows eve) which runs from 31/10 to 2/11, Christianity celebrates ALL Saints Day on 1/11 - remembering dead saints.

I am not trying to belittle your beliefs but I am standing up for mine and respect that you wish to do the same. I dont think it is helpful to say that paganism is about devil worship tho because it isn't.

Awen with regards to your last statement - if you have an understanding of Christianity (as you claim) then you'll have understood that I was NOT saying that Pagans, as such, worship the devil.

Rather that, as Christians, we believe that those who don't follow Jesus/God are therefore following the Devil/Satan.

Perhaps YOU should do a little reading of your own to find out what exactly Christians (who don't celebrate Halloween/Samhain) DO celebrate about on All Saints day.

ARealWitch - I said that I believe witches beliefs are evil - not that the person is. How come YOU are allowed your "hardline" Pagan stance, but I'm not allowed my hardline (as you seem to think it is - I merely go on what the bible says - and what I personally belief) Chrisitian stance.

FWIW I believe that homosexuality is wrong too - but it doesn't mean I dislike the people who are or that I avoid them, or preach to their face about it (or talk about them behind their back either). (best night out EVER ended up in gay club - that one at the top of Leith Walk expat - if it's still there).

I respect that you have your views on it, but I also have my own. And that Celebrating Halloween (as a Christian) is celebrating with an occult belief (don't forget Satanists - which I'm NOT saying you are - as they're in different league again) 'celebrate' Halloween too.

Well I am not religious and have enjoyed both Halloween and Sahmhain...

A couple of years ago I went to a great event up here for Sahwain where people were all dressed up and painted and represented the fight between summer and winter where winter takes over from summer... or something like that!

I don't believe but it was a fantastic spectacle to watch with no witches in sight!

I do understand that the bible says you may not worship any other god/false god. I dont appreciate the tone of your response with apparantly snidey (as you claim) in brackets. Or the CAPS with the YOU's etc. tbh i thought it was good to be able to discuss things in an adult manner. I do find you to be quite defensive and confrontational regarding this. I have heard a saying that is never discuss religion or politics.. perhaps that is true

weesadie - not one on her brromstick in the sky?

oh and interestingly - ofr those who dontcelebrate halloween- what were your views on letting your kids watch/read harry potter - i know it is a different area of conversation but interesting nonetheless.

interesting

No, it was almost a disappointment!

Although I don't really see how playing at Halloween is going to turn someone into a witch, especially if they are a strong minded Christian. I was never a Christian and so never considered it 'evil' but I didn't get drawn into it.

But if that is a serious concern then fair enough. It just wouldn't concern me personally.