stayawake
New member
Warning: some religious thoughts ahead
I just wanted to add another thought here, and you all are welcome to disagree... the reason why we don't do Halloween big in our house, and why its not going to be a big part of my childrens lives is that it doesn't really fit with who we are as a family and what we value. We DEFINETLY value pretend, and imagination, and dress up, and candy and all of that, so that is a part of our lives but laying aside possible origins past practices, Halloween today is a celebration of being scary, spooky, dark and things that are evil, not law abiding, fear, supernatural forces etc. That doesn't really fit with my family and the things we value.
I have to say it doesn't matter to me the origins of the festival at all. I think the pagan origins that have been explained here seem very meaningful and beautiful - obviously a celebration that fits in with how you are raising your children. And perhaps there have been some satanic celebrations tied to this time of year too -I know that I have heard that, but can't verify that. I think that celebrating todays Halloween does not mean your are celebrating the origins of this festival, or are a practicing pagan any more than a completly secular family (focusing ONLY on Santa Clause) is "really" celebrating Christ's Birth at Christmas! We don't do Santa or the Easter bunny at our house.... My kids are not deprived though, they still get lots of presents, candy, feasts and family times, but they know it comes from Mommy and Daddy! And that it is because in our family we celebrate the birth of Christ. And it doesn't really fit well with us to tell our children otherwise.
My husband comes from a Christian tradition that did not celebrate anything - birthdays, Christmas, etc. Christmas especially was not celebrated because of 'pagan roots'. But I LOVE celebrating. And here is my thinking... if those of us who are Christians really believe that Christ is in the business of taking broken things and making them new, healing our hearts, saving our souls - being the light that has come to this dark world to make all things right again, then celebrating His birth during a time which has had many other celebrations - pagan or otherwise - is doing just that. And the time of winter soltice is a great time of year to celebrate the light of the world being born to us. Both Christmas and Easter celebrations are held at the same time as pagan or other festivals too! What happened before doesn't matter. What matters is the intention of your heart and what indeed you are celebrating.
I'm just saying this so others do not feel guilty for having some fun at Halloween time, and also to ask that you think through the reasons why you do what you do.
I just wanted to add another thought here, and you all are welcome to disagree... the reason why we don't do Halloween big in our house, and why its not going to be a big part of my childrens lives is that it doesn't really fit with who we are as a family and what we value. We DEFINETLY value pretend, and imagination, and dress up, and candy and all of that, so that is a part of our lives but laying aside possible origins past practices, Halloween today is a celebration of being scary, spooky, dark and things that are evil, not law abiding, fear, supernatural forces etc. That doesn't really fit with my family and the things we value.
I have to say it doesn't matter to me the origins of the festival at all. I think the pagan origins that have been explained here seem very meaningful and beautiful - obviously a celebration that fits in with how you are raising your children. And perhaps there have been some satanic celebrations tied to this time of year too -I know that I have heard that, but can't verify that. I think that celebrating todays Halloween does not mean your are celebrating the origins of this festival, or are a practicing pagan any more than a completly secular family (focusing ONLY on Santa Clause) is "really" celebrating Christ's Birth at Christmas! We don't do Santa or the Easter bunny at our house.... My kids are not deprived though, they still get lots of presents, candy, feasts and family times, but they know it comes from Mommy and Daddy! And that it is because in our family we celebrate the birth of Christ. And it doesn't really fit well with us to tell our children otherwise.
My husband comes from a Christian tradition that did not celebrate anything - birthdays, Christmas, etc. Christmas especially was not celebrated because of 'pagan roots'. But I LOVE celebrating. And here is my thinking... if those of us who are Christians really believe that Christ is in the business of taking broken things and making them new, healing our hearts, saving our souls - being the light that has come to this dark world to make all things right again, then celebrating His birth during a time which has had many other celebrations - pagan or otherwise - is doing just that. And the time of winter soltice is a great time of year to celebrate the light of the world being born to us. Both Christmas and Easter celebrations are held at the same time as pagan or other festivals too! What happened before doesn't matter. What matters is the intention of your heart and what indeed you are celebrating.
I'm just saying this so others do not feel guilty for having some fun at Halloween time, and also to ask that you think through the reasons why you do what you do.