Why don't Christians celebrate Halloween

[Moominfan]

Sincere question. Local church always throws a kids light party. Saw a woman post that this Halloween they will be celebrating Jesus because he's the light. Can you not both?

Oh I know it predates it, but I was just saying that in a way another feast was ‘provided’. In the Middle Ages it would have probably meant eating and drinking.

i don't like the whole idea of Halloween. never heard of it when I was a child. we had guy fawkes night, made effigy, trundled it round the streets, saying penny for the guy? never approached doors/premises.
I find the very mention of trick or treat horrible; akin to demanding money with menaces. what does it mean anyway. I had no idea.
a trick should be something entertaining or clever, like sleight of hand. a treat should be something nice. whereas with this it seems to imply give us something we like/ want, or else we will attack you/ your house. it s horrible and a very bad example to children.
people are terrified, being laid siege to, having their homes/windows damaged. this has happened, cracked windows, leaded lights.
my family member and I go to a memorial service to which we are invited by a church. it is very comforting. they light candles, we can come forward and join in. they read out the names of the departed. we can add others. then they give tea/ coffee biccies afterwards.
we do not attend this church, but a previous parson took a funeral for us and so we are on their list.
this is the only church I've come across that does this. some have services for the departed, but not invite people whose funeral has been conducted by their clergy. we really appreciate it.
I found it particularly helpful this year.
it is a separate service, extra, held near to All Saints day.

@speakout the OP asked the question, 'why don't Christian's celebrate Halloween'.

Therefore a belief in the bible to some level comes with the territory. People may not share that belief and that's their choice, others choose to believe differently.

Anyone who twists the bible to harm others has completely missed the point and has no right to be called a Christian (meaning: footstep follower of Christ).

i don't like the whole idea of Halloween. never heard of it when I was a child

When was that though? DH celebrated Halloween when he was a child in the 1960's with hollowed out turnip lanterns.

My grandmother celebrated Halloween- she was born in 1890.

Because it's the only pagan festival that has remained so and not appropriated by Christians for their own purposes?

They've taken and 'sanitised' all the others and because they haven't branded this one they don't like it. Takes their control away.

And yes we celebrated Halloween in the northeast in the 1960s

When I was a child (1980s) Halloween was fine. We always did some stuff in school, we dressed up as witches and ghosts, no one minded. Now, living in the same area I grew up in, suddenly Halloween is viewed as evil. It's not mentioned in school, the churches make a big deal out of holding light parties, and there is a lot of pressure put on people to shun it. I don't understand how the churches, who claim to always be consistent and unmoveable in their teachings, have totally changed their mind.

Because it's the only pagan festival that has remained so and not appropriated by Christians for their own purposes?

Are you sure? It's called All Hallows' Eve in our church. The day before All Hallows' Day.

I think because it has become so commercialised in the last 10 years'. A lot of stuff in the shops.

So some churches may want to offer an alternative such as a light party

I was never keen on my own dc trick or treating, it was not encouraged but I don't mind giving sweets out to others

Not all Christians celebrate Halloween or the other 'sanitised' pagan festivals such as Christmas or Easter - who's origins, and why Christendom adopted them are quite well known.

I guess it comes down to whether we personally feel that God has changed his view on things of pagan origin, I seem to remember that he's stated he's not a fan.

I have close family members who are christians, they don't celebrate Halloween, and they celebrate their own versions of christmas and easter without the pagan aspects.
So for example no father christmas, no tree, no stockings, no holly or misletoe, no reindeer etc.
So a watered down christmas with all the best bits taken out.

We all have our own free will to do what we think is best :)

Shame - there is the holly and the Ivy carol

The greenery is a Yule tradition but it's lovely so I will continue to embrace this.

@SurveyorScott “ I guess it comes down to whether we personally feel that God has changed his view on things of pagan origin, I seem to remember that he's stated he's not a fan.”

Okay, I’ve seen a lot of things in my time on MN but claiming to have heard god state something is quite new. Like you just went out for a couple of G&Ts and had this chat.