Halloween
By cyrus123
@cyrus123 (6363)
United States
October 31, 2009 12:17am CST
Do you think it's wrong to celebrate Halloween? I don't think so. I think it's enjoyable and it brings back a lot of memories for me when I was a child and used to go trick-or-treating with my nieces and nephews. We used to go to different people's houses and it didn't matter back then if we knew them or not. It wasn't as dangerous like it is now and I don't blame the parents for only wanting to go to the houses of people they know and only one or two houses. As to the idea of whether it's wrong or not, I don't take it seriously. My sister and her husband think it's the work of the devil. When I'm around them, I don't wear my Halloween shirt or my earrings, either, because I'm afraid it will start a fuss. Some churches, including ours, have trick-or-trunk for the children. I'm aware that some have a Fall Festival and some have what they call a "Halloween Alternative". We used to have a question and answer night years ago at church and I turned in a question about Halloween and our preacher basically said that if you think it's wrong to celebrate it, don't do it. He didn't seem to think it was wrong, himself. He was younger than I was and I'm sure he did a lot of trick-or-treating in his time.
2 people like this
13 responses
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
31 Oct 09
I think it is wrong to disparage those who celebrate Halloween, just as it is wrong to disparage those who do not. I like the concept of freedom of religion and think that insofar as possible church and state should be separate. I knew a woman once who forbid her little girl to celebrate Christmas even and this mother was herself a Christian! It was some very austere sect that took everything very literally. Something about idolatry...if someone gave her child a present she had to give it back.
In my faith we celebrate Christmas every day all year long, but that does not preclude the observance of other holidays as well.
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@drannhh (15219)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I know it it hurt that child because I saw her precious little face and also because my mum had a streak of that too which I remember well. She celebrated Christmas but had such a stubborn pride that when we were poor she would not let people give me things either. It built character, but there must have been a better way.
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@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I also think it's wrong to disparage those who don't celebrate Halloween as well as those who do, too. I feel like it's up to the individual.
It sounds like this woman wasn't much of a christian, in my opinion. Actually, nobody really knows when Christ was born but it's all right to celebrate Christmas, anyway, since we know he was born. I'm sure it really hurt the child to have to give the presents back. Kathy.
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@Stevensitu (217)
• United States
31 Oct 09
no! there sdefinitely nothing wrong with trick or treating as an adult. although if my mother sees a teenager or an adult that's not dressed up and they walk up to her and say "trickor treat!" my mom would say "okay. trick" and then they would just walk away. I kno w thats kind of mean but... idk.
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@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
1 Nov 09
This is so funny! I never have been trick or treating as an adult. I have participated in trick or trunk at church but I felt ridiculous doing it so I didn't participate this year. I got talked into it last year by another adult
! We've even had Halloween parties at church in the past and hayrides at this time of year. I dressed up then so no, there's nothing wrong with trick or treating as an adult. Kathy.
! We've even had Halloween parties at church in the past and hayrides at this time of year. I dressed up then so no, there's nothing wrong with trick or treating as an adult. Kathy.1 person likes this
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I don't think so. It's fun and it gives people a chance to dress up and eat sweets which are harmless activities as long as their done in moderation, as everything in life should be. Of course, you can go overboard by eating an entire bag of candy in one sitting or going to some occult shop and trying to contact evil spirits. I don't endorse either of these activities. Just have fun and let your inner child out to play.
2 people like this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I agree that it's fun to celebrate Halloween. I also agree that you can go overboard with a lot of things. I love my sister and her husband but they are a little too hard on people about certain things. The funny thing about it is, they used to take their children and myself when we were little to the Halloween Carnival we used to have every year at one of the local schools. They also brought their children trick or treating to their grandparents (my parents) house when they were little. Who knows what's going on between them?
Kathy.
Kathy.
@derek_a (10873)
•
31 Oct 09
Halloween is just a bit of fun for the kids. It can help them learn about other people in their neighbourhood too, but they should never venture near strangers houses when alone - that is a shame, but is a sign of the times I guess.
From a religious point of view, it is quite harmless and in fact it used to be a pagan festival here in the UK in its own right long before Christianity visited these shores. 
- Derek
- Derek2 people like this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I never really thought about Halloween being a good way for children to learn about their neighbors. That's a good point, though. I agree that they should never venture near strangers' houses when they are alone. When I was a child, we didn't have to worry about these things. Isn't it awful the way things have changed so? Thank you for responding. Kathy.
1 person likes this
@uchihaseymour (1025)
• American Samoa
31 Oct 09
my father is against celebrating halloween. why? he said that it would attract more demons and devils and evil spirits when humans wear those scary costumes. the same with believing santa clause. the more they will enjoy these, the more they'll be forgetting Jesus. how sad :(
2 people like this
@LightWarrior (131)
• Romania
31 Oct 09
No, I don't think it's wrong to celebrate Halloween. Actually, I don't think it's wrong to celebrate anything as long as this is what you want. In my country there is no tradition in Halloween, but in the past few years people started celebrating it. It's fun to have a reason to dress up and put on a costume and have fun with your friends. I do understand why parents wouldn't want their kids to end up in the basement of some psychotic guy, but there are ways of avoiding it, without ruining the kid's fun. Enjoy your Halloween and your pumpkin, cyrus!
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I don't see anything wrong with celebrating Halloween, either. I also think it's fun to dress up and have fun with your friends. We used to have Halloween parties all the time at church and we would have hayrides at this time of year. That was always a lot of fun! I used to have a pen pal up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and he said that the parents were letting their children go trick or treating in the daytime instead of at night that year. It was safer that way. Thank you for responding. Kathy.
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
3 Nov 09
Thank you for your response and you have made a point here. Children don't think about the religous side of it. I wish other adults would see it this way, too. So far, I've only had one response from a mylot friend who said he thinks it's wrong to celebrate Halloween. Everybody else seems to think there's nothing wrong with it. I think it's all what you make of it. The children always look so cute in whatever they choose to dress up as, don't they? Kathy.
@AmbiePam (93898)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I think it is all of what you make of it. My preacher doesn't mind it at all. Our church has what they call a Harvest Festival. If they called it a Halloween Festival, I'm sure they'd get a lot of flak for it - from people who don't even attend the church! I can understand why people think Halloween and churches don't go hand in hand. If one celebrates pagan style, complete with prayers to the undead, that isn't what churches celebrate. So I understand that. But like I said, it's all what you make of it. If you want to trick or treat and dress up in a costume, where is the harm in that? But if you want to go pray to Satan and sacrifice some animals - well I think we can all agree that would be wrong. 
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
3 Nov 09
I agree with you. I think it's all what you make of it. The preacher that we have now has never said whether he thinks it's right or wrong. However, the preacher that we had at the time we first started having trick or trunk (btw, this is the same preacher I asked this question) didn't think it was wrong. There is nothing wrong with dressing up, going trick or treating, and going to Halloween parties. I do know it's wrong to pray to Satan and sacrifice animals, though. Kathy.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
31 Oct 09
gOOD HALLOWE'EN MORNING...KATHY!
SOOOO, often these days, I see my wonderful childhood memories going up in flames! It seems that so many things, that were happy & traditional in my upbringing...are NOW NOT politically CORRECT! No more morning prayers in school...no more National anthems, or alligiances to the Queen (I am Cdn.).....NO MORE 'MERRY CHRISTMAS'....has to be "SEASON'S GREETINGS!" All special occasions are being ostracized by one group or another....all being dessicrated for political or religious reasons! To me those were/are happy occasions and should be free of conflict! Thank Goodness...my happy memories cannot be taken away. Good discussion, Kath...and have a great day! Cheers!
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
1 Nov 09
Hope your's was a "spooktacular" evening, Kath! And what an evening, what a day..there was NOT a cloud in the sky....and as the little "trick or treaters" were out and about...it was a unbelievable FULL MOON! And because of such a beautiful day...the bats were out flying! WOW! I kept the vampires at bay...as I prepared my garlic beds yesterday, so last nite, I peeled garlic cloves, over a hundred & watched a modern version of "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde!" Cheers!
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@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
7 Nov 09
What a wonderful surprise, this morning...Kath, I SOOOO wish to "Thank You" for rewarding me with the golden pencil (best response)! I truly appreciate it, and I truly appreciate the discussion you started, that helped me win my award! Thanks!
Hoping your weekend will be blessed with great weather. Here, off the coast of Southern British Columbia, we are facing fierce weather..high, high winds~~~so our Ferries aren't running (we are cut-off from civilization) and the rains are literal buckets of water coming down. Many, many power outs....thank goodness I have my trusty generator, so can keep freezer alive, and lights! It's a rough one, right NOW! Cheers!
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
1 Nov 09
Thank you so much for responding! You are so right! I think it's so sad that children can't have prayers in the schools, bible reading, national anthems, and since I'm in the U.S., no pledge allegiance to the flag. I also think it's sad that teachers and the principal can't use the paddle any more. On a more positive side, my happy memories can't be taken away, either. Kathy.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
31 Oct 09
I just look at it as a time for little kids to get iut & have a good time. I really enhoy seeing them.
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@strawberrybaby39 (2086)
• United States
3 Nov 09
I have always taken my kids out trick or treating. But I dress my kids up in good outfits not the mean looking ones. Halloween stands for the devils day and not Gods. I do know that much. I normally take my kids to people I know around my neighbor hood. Churches around here have the same thing trick or trunk night. My church has it to.
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@strawberrybaby39 (2086)
• United States
3 Nov 09
Sounds like you had fun back then when you went trick or treating. It would be nice to have a cookout and do things like you do. It would be better then what they do today. There are some churches here that do the trick or trunk. Which I think is very nice for the kids and not have to worry so much about the candy being messed with.
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@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
3 Nov 09
Thank you for your response. I just think of Halloween as a time for children and some adults to get out and have fun. My nieces and nephews and I used to go trick or treating and to a Halloween Carnival at one of the local schools every year when we were kids and we just never thought about it being associated with evil. We used to have Halloween parties at church every year but now we have trick or trunk and have a cookout afterwards. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, though. Kathy.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
1 Nov 09
If we follow God's, commandment and the holy scripture teaching. I say that celebration of Halloween is not proper and this is wrong to celebrate because God, did not say this is to celebrate...This is my opinion with your discussion, my friend. I base this in the bible...have a nice day!
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Yes, I do read the bible when I get a chance. I was raised in the church. However, there's nothing wrong with celebrating Halloween. Like I said, we have trick or trunk for the children at church every year around Halloween. Children don't associate it with evil. Kathy.
@indybaty (368)
• Panama
2 Nov 09
Well cyrus... here in my country we dont celebrate Halloween that much, but not because of religious beliefs. Sure, there are plenty of people outthere that think that Halloween is evil and all of that, but here its not celebrated much mostly because it is considered as a north american tradition and holiday than something that is panamanian.
Yet, when GI´s were based here, in my neighborhood there would be trick or treating and all of that when I was a child, and to have that changed threw out the years is quite unsettling. Offcourse, it is more dangerous now and if you do celebrate Halloween here, you would just throw a party for the children and that would be it. Almost no one trick or treats anymore.
@indybaty (368)
• Panama
3 Nov 09
Oh you welcome Cyrus.
I even heard that you cant wear like the old day costumes no more... something like politically correct costumes? what does that mean? like you cant wear something scary like a ghost or something?
I dont see the fun in that.
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