It's that time again....what's the consensus on Halloween?

[cleversprout]

Was just wondering how other Christians deal with the subject of Halloween?

I'm still chewing over this and want to know more about what others think. My dc are just getting to the stage of noticing Halloween merchandise and some of their friends do trick or treat.

Instinctively I'm uncomfortable with it all but I want to base my decisions on more than this.

Can anyone help?

I was brought up in a Christian family, and althouigh obviously back then it wasn't really as "big" as it is these days it was still there iyswim?

our church used to do a party, on halloween night, where we would do apple bobbing and stuff, but it wasn't a halloween party and there were no trick and treats etc.

perhaps you could do something like that? on a smaller scale at home, that way the kids don't feel like they're missing out but you aren't joining in with something that you're uncomfortable weith

I like this approach.

Thanks, that's a good idea. I thought of suggesting they dress up but not as anything scary. My youngest would happily be a princess but I know the others would start on the witch/werewolf costumes immediately if I didn't stop them.

Thanks beansmum. I have no problem handing out sweets from my house, but should I let my kids dress up as whatever they want?

I can't see why not, but you really have to do what feels right.

How would you feel about them dressing up as witches/ghosts/etc if it wasn't Halloween? I have problems with the whole "trick or treat" side, but the fancy dress aspect never bothered me, as I'd not have had a problem with DS being a ghost or skeleton for any other fancy dress party. So far as I'm concerned, despite being a Christian, it's just pretend and therefore not harmful.

Hm not harmful......from someone who used be be caught up in the occult I can tell you it is harmful.

Its the seed that sparks the mind to find out more. It not a game. And its forbidden in the bible to have anything to do with it.

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness

Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies.

Is Jesus really your Lord while you are having Fun with his enemies. Jesus would not come to your halloween party.

Dont do it

Eh? I can't see where that says fancy dress is forbidden.

beansmum - that link was really interesting! I definately agree with the whole meet, share and chat with the neighbours thing

But dressing up, handing out sweets joining in is a complete no no for me and my family -Galations 5 v 20 as beeper said

Okay....so....

In the past I have always taken the approach with anything like this that they can dress up, preferably as nothing scary, but I also give them a small talk on how some people take this seriously etc and we do not go in for that because it is against what we believe.

I will have to think about this.

Well, I hate Halloween because it's another excuse to make us pay out for tat and I am left cold by children dressed up as ghouls and witches - don't find it funny or cute.

As some of you may know, though I am an atheist, so it's not out of any religious objection.

Out of interest, what is the Christian objection exactly?

This website explains things the way I understand them - not linked to devil worship or anything like it.

www.heartoscotland.com/Categories/halloween.htm