Time for the weekly Christian Views Symposium, brought to you by Cross Blogging.
Each week Lennie asks an interesting question. Everyone is invited to provide an answer to the question, either on their own blog, or in the comments to his (or another) blog. This week, he's asking about Halloween:
Should Christians celebrate Halloween?
For this one, I think the secret is to define "celebrate."
For example, if one celebrates Halloween with satanic rituals and animal sacrifices, that's just wrong.
But if someone celebrates it as a friendly way to get together with friends, dress up as silly people or mythical creatures, where's the harm?
I think the basis of answering this question comes down to intent. If a Christian is intent on just having a good time, dressing up in costume, and perhaps even learning about another culture, time, or space (because of the costume), I don't think there's a problem.
If a Christian heads into Halloween with the intent of celebrating evil and darkness... well, we all know what happens.
I know that some are vehemently opposed to any celebration on that day because it has a history of being demonic. You might even argue that the concept of "trick-or-treating," or, as the local curmudgeon refers to it, "Beg-O-Ween," is a poor idea.
But anything that's in place on this earth can be used for good or evil. It's just up to each person to decide how they will use what has been given them.
Hey Ogre:
Almost every holiday is an issue for Christians. Easter started as a pagan holiday -- the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs are pagan symbols of fertility in the springtime.
December 25, now known as Christmas, is not the birth date of Jesus Christ. Around 400 AD, church leaders moved the date to coincide with Saturnalia celebrations. Saturnalia is of course the celebrating the beginning of longer days and shorter nights. Christmas trees, yule logs, and many others are pagan ways of celebrating.
If Christians give up Halloween, then they should stop celebrating Easter and Christmas in the pagan manner.
All the best....
Andy
Good to see ya again, Andy!
And yes, I'm aware of those celebrations -- but again, the intent is what counts, as far as I can tell.
Hi Ogre - we're actually some of those "oddballs" who have taken the previous comment to heart. We haven't celebrated any holidays (other than Thanksgiving) in years. We actually spend most of our holidays much as we do Thanksgiving - with family and friends - sans all the trappings of Easter and Christmas. It took a while for all our family and friends to understand, but they're cool with it now - and I can tell you this, there's a great burden that has been lifted from us as far as the exchanging of gifts. Our daughters already acquire too much "stuff" and so we consider it as a side benefit that we neither feel a compunction to go into debt to buy gifts, nor are our girls spoiled with every new gadget coming down the pike before they've had a chance to earn it or buy it themselves. Makes them a little more accountable and responsible to work toward things they *think* they really want (only to find out after the fact that it really wasn't as big a deal as it seemed).
Just to point out, I don't consider you an "oddball" at all. I have seen the popularity of the Easter Bunny decline quite a large bit during my lifetime. One church I know of celebrates the resurrection in the morning and has a fellowship in the afternoon with families -- with the kids hiding and finding Easter Eggs -- no mention of the Easter Bunny at all, just an excuse to spend time together.
Christmas, well, don't get me started on that one. Consumerism at it's best -- which is fine for consumers. And yes, when you stop with the massive gift exchange, that is quite a large burden removed, as you've mentioned!