Christian faith vs Halloween

[inmysparetime]

I am a Christian, and refuse to celebrate Halloween in my household as it familiarises and celebrates evil, no matter how it is dressed up as "fun for the kiddies"
I work in a day nursery where everyone (including staff) will be expected to dress up and celebrate Halloween. Any ideas how I can reconcile my professional responsibilities with my faith?

Christian here, and no problems with hallowe'en parties or dress-ups. As someone earlier said, it's about taking a look at fictional scary things, and there is no danger in it. I have known churches to hold Halloween parties and churches to hold "Light" or "Saints" parties, and I have to say the former were fun and light-hearted and not scary or sinister, and the latter were dull and "goody-goody", and not for want of fun games and food and good organisation either.

I owe inmysparetime an apology... Sorry for assuming you were being intolerant/proselytizing. That was more about me than you.

It came from my impatience with an often found lack of understanding about where certain traditions come from. A lack of understanding clearly not found on this thread.

I might know that my rudest ever post would be misplaced.

Apology accepted
Thank you for that, usually people just disappear rather than back down.
I have decided to dress up as either a builder or a rabbit (as these are costumes my DCs have in their dressing up box), and will wing activities as they occur.
I might try to get moved to the baby room for at least some of the day, they won't be doing anything much different there.
At least it won't be an issue for the next 2 years as Halloween won't fall on a work day until 2014 after this one.

Or you could be both - Bobtail the Builder...

I hope that tomorrow goes well. I think that looking after smal babies and not being too scary is a good solution. I imagine that being in the baby room may well be a win win solution for both you and your co workers. Some of the nursery nurses who look after the babies might want to share in the halloween fun. They may well be pleased to swap.

I hope that tomorrow goes well.

Can I suggest a fantastic book "Stations of the Sun" by Professor Ronald Hutton, which investigates the origins of the British festivals, including Halloween. I think you will find the origins of the festival are not scary, spooky or horrible in any way.

It's about understanding that there is nastiness and evil in the world in a safe manner. Perhaps by helping children understand that boogeymen, werewolves and other monsters are 'fun' and nothing to be scared of, it will help them grow into adults who can face up to the real monsters in this world, all of whom have human faces.

You don't have to dress up or have a day off or make daft excuses. It contradicts your religious beliefs so you don't have to do it.

Ah, but you see the MN result when I even contemplate sticking up for my faith, imagine the RL hassle I'll get tomorrow if I go all righteous on them after years of quiet Christianity.
I have made a cape out of a curtain, and am going as a generic superhero. My bible study group will be praying for me, and hopefully I can get through the day without getting colleagues' backs up or compromising my faith.
I spoke to a nursery parent at church this morning, she was worried about "having" to dress her 2 year old in gory Halloween stuff. I was able to reassure her that her child can dress in anything at all, and explained my stance on Halloween. She was relieved that someone understood her feelings about it too, and I left feeling I have at least one family on side.

This must be a wind-up. I'd bet on it.

The bible study group is praying for you? Very good.

My DM's church do 'treats not tricks' parties against halloween to try and keep the kids off the streets and to offer a chance for friendships to be built. This year it's an 'Ugly Bug Circus'. Why not just dress up as an insect or animal like they are and if asked say that you don't believe in devil worship which is where all the witch costumes etc stem from so you are joining in whilst staying in line with your beliefs.

Pointyfang why would you think so? I know plenty of people who don't "do" Halloween for this reason.

Witch costumes etc stem from devil worship??? Ahahaha. It's that old Christian propaganda that pagans were devil worshippers, because they had different beliefs to the newly-enforced Christian one.

Well, actually, it's fairly common for "new" religions to take on the trappings of the "old" one; see the Isis worship (particularly amongst women) in the Roman Empire (pre Catholicism).

See also our current excesses re Xmas and even Easter.

But it's true that "devils" in Xtianity were gods /goddesses in previous religions. Without Xtianity, there IS no devil.

Sorry, taking a bit of a hijack from the OP. And glad that she/you have found an accommodation. Best of luck for the rest of the day.

It's going ok so far today, only a couple of the costumes are gory and I have spent most of the morning cuddling anxious children, so not had to do any activities yet. Thank you for all your support, I'll update later.

"My bible study group will be praying for me"

Why, because your immortal soul is in danger in a nursery Halloween party? [hgrin]

I was taking OP seriously until this, but now I'm with pointy. This has to be a wind-up. Surely, nobody is that silly.

maybe bible group are praying for her because she's finding the situation tricky and they are being supportive?? clearly its something she feels anxious about even if others can't understand why....

Cote and pointy, why is it a laughing matter to ask friends to support me with prayer through a tricky situation?
I have not made a joke of your beliefs and I would appreciate it if you don't make a joke of mine.
I don't think my immortal soul is in danger, my soul is safe from worse than this.
I just need support from my friends, and Prayer is a way to support me.

What Spider said. I am, as I said, a fairly devout Christian. My prayers, personally, are more like talking things over or meditation. I don't really pray for things. But a lot of religious people I know do, especially just prayers for support for others.

I always thought Hallowe'en went hand-in-hand with All Saints Day, and was not looked down on by the church? (Because you can't have an 'All Hallows Day' without an 'All Hallows E'en'.. ..a bit like 'Christmas Day', and the night before being 'Christmas Eve' ?) I guess it depends what sort of 'Christian' denomination you are.

oops ....someone has already mentioned this. I
must read faster!!

This afternoon was alright, all things considered. I decided my best course of action was to serve others, so spent most of the afternoon washing up, serving food/drinks or changing nappies, which freed up others to celebrate Halloween as they wished.
I was a bit at the staff decision to face-paint the children so they all looked like zombies, with "blood" dripping from their mouths, they looked much better after party tea smudged the face paint and I could legitimately wipe their mouths.
I am glad it's over with, we didn't have any trick or treaters this year, although I found out about 8pm this was because DD aged 7 had made a "no T&T" sign and put it in the window while DH was sorting dinner out

No child sacrifice then?

Oddly, no. The parents tend to get all precious if their PFB gets sacrificed, can't think why.....

:o