by Jennifer R.
Member since:
January 12, 2007

A Crisis of Faith - Did I celebrate Halloween....

November 01, 2009 10:39 AM EST
views: 58 | rating: 10/10 (3 votes) | comments: 34

It was one I contemplated seriously. I have recently joined a Christian church and our pastor had stated on several occasions that as Christians we didn't celebrate Halloween. I understood to some extent given the history of Halloween, but when I thought back to all the times I had fun, and the times I had fun watching my son trick'or'treating I knew there wasn't anything evil going on there. Ethan throughly enjoyed himself! I got to see my best friend and spend time with my sister. Good times and the memories you now have of those times are blessings, and I may be a bad Christian for having fun on this day with my child, but deep down I knew that God wouldn't have given me such a good day to only make me feel guilty about it in the long run. For all of those who gave me your invaluable advice I thank you, and hope that whenever I have another crisis of faith, or even conscience you will be there for me again. God Bless!

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Comments: 34

Peter Joseph Swanson Nov 1, 2009, 10:43am EST
I think your pastor is being too extreme. Like ALL the holidays, there are a zillion ways to celebrate them.
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 10:44am EST
I wondered the same thing. I have learned it is best to just be respectful of other's opinons and go as you feel the path is for you. Thanks for stopping by.
Gessy D. Nov 1, 2009, 10:44am EST
Have a nice day Jennifer.
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 11:06am EST
Thank you Gessy the same to you, and God bless!
Misty Reynolds Nov 1, 2009, 10:45am EST
glad that you had fun on halloween
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 11:06am EST
It truly was great, and I hope yours was as well.
Nancy * Nov 1, 2009, 11:00am EST
I think some people need to quit reading so much into halloween. It's not about evil... it is about children having fun.
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 11:06am EST
That has always been my belief.
Tanzanite S. Nov 1, 2009, 11:00am EST
That is his opinion, form your own opinion.
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 11:07am EST
Actually it was her's, and you are right I needed to do that and I feel I have. Thanks for stopping by.
Ali Hussein Lopez Nov 1, 2009, 11:19am EST
Jennifer;

You can find people who are against everything. There are pastors who would tell you that celebrating you birthday is idolatry. They'd tell you that the first day of baseball season isn't a holiday (well, it is in my personal religion anyway). There are also Christian churches that have huge Halloween parties for their children.

Your pastor is only seeing his side of this issue. I'm sure some of the Christian Taliban can find an bible verse that they can interpret as being against Halloween, but they probably eat shellfish and wear clothing with mixed fibers too.

Halloween, as a holiday, is no different than Thanksgiving, another holiday that you can celebrate with our without religious intent.

Don't let the haters spoil your holiday, there's just no reason for it.
Peter Joseph Swanson Nov 1, 2009, 12:48pm EST
I've known Christians who wouldn't celebrate Christmas. You do know how pagan (and Roman Catholic - gasp) that all is, and its DRUID trappings !!! oh my

ha ha
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 5:26pm EST
Thanks Ali. You are right I do eat some shellfish and I am sure my wal-mart clothes have mixed fibers ;)
Kat W. Nov 1, 2009, 11:58am EST
Happy that you and your son had a great Halloween!
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 5:26pm EST
Thanks Kat, and I hope yours was as well.
Ruthi C. Nov 1, 2009, 12:13pm EST
Jennifer, I'm glad you chose to follow your own thoughts and feelings about the day and happy to hear you enJOYed it!

This comment of yours I must offer my opinion to - "...and I may be a bad Christian..." - to me, there is no such thing as a bad, nor a good, Christian. One is either a Christian or not.
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 5:27pm EST
Thanks Ruthi. One thing I am trying to keep in mind is good times and the subsequent memories they invoke are blessings from God and with that in mind there just couldn't be anything wrong with what transpired for us yesterday.
Ruthi C. Nov 1, 2009, 8:26pm EST
I agree!
Leo Lemmer Nov 1, 2009, 12:44pm EST
It is just holiday for fun and variety.
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 5:28pm EST
Right, and thanks for stopping by Leo.
THE REVEREND CRIPES Nov 1, 2009, 1:53pm EST
just remember, the "boycot" of halloween is church doctrine, jesus never said, "don't celebrate halloween"....i beleive he said this (about EVERY day) "this is the day that the lord hath made, be glad and rejoice in it"
not bad for a non-christian eh?
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 5:28pm EST
Excellent! Better than I would be able to do without looking it up first. Thanks for stopping by.
Lee P. Nov 1, 2009, 2:03pm EST
I would never let my children dress up like some monster but only as something that has no evil attached to it. I think that's called compromise. They always had a good time.
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 5:29pm EST
Good point Lee. I didn't restrict Ethan but to date he has steered away from the more scarier of costumes on his own.
Dorothy H. Nov 1, 2009, 2:09pm EST
Glad to hear everyone had a great time!
Jennifer R. Nov 1, 2009, 5:29pm EST
Thanks Dorothy. I appreciate you stopping by.
strongthrufight E. Nov 1, 2009, 9:55pm EST
I understand exactly! What I did yesterday was absolutely against the "rules" of pentecostal faith...but the memories and my daughter's smile and laughter.....I'm so torn about it. We had a really fun time.
Jennifer R. Nov 2, 2009, 9:45am EST
I feel your pain!
A Season of Joy, Love and Gift-Giving Nov 1, 2009, 10:53pm EST
I just have to ask, as a pastor did not he celebrate Halloween with his family?
We do know how to seperate the good from the evil in all areas of our life even
during the celebration of Halloween and Trick or Treating.
Jennifer R. Nov 2, 2009, 9:46am EST
She admitted they did but she said to me that people do not know what it is they are doing because of the history behind Halloween and even trick or treating. However, again I had to disagree atleast internally that even when kids say trick or treat if they don't receive a treat they do not trick.
A Season of Joy, Love and Gift-Giving Nov 2, 2009, 5:40pm EST
I am so proud of your pastor for being honest with you. As she again speaks on the History of Halloween I hope she includes both the pros and cons. Halloween as with any history first has a way of changing from one generation to the next and from one nation to another and one culture to another. Thanks for commenting.
Jennifer R. Nov 3, 2009, 7:58am EST
This is true. I do respect our Pastor immensely and after much good advice and introspection I have realized it is going to be okay if I don't agree with every single thing that is said to me while attending service. God has put us all on different paths. Thanks again Darlene.
Austin Cushing Nov 3, 2009, 1:42pm EST
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
dreama e. Nov 12, 2009, 9:11am EST
Glad you enjoyed your Halloween :)

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