They are your gods, not mine.
Exactly.... Keep your Christianity outta my Samhain, and Ostara (Easter), and Yule (Xmas).
Edit: although I just noticed you're a JW .... So.... no holidays for you!
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They are your gods, not mine.
I don't know about "trick or treating" either in Celtic nor in Christian culture.But trick or treat? I mean is that how Jesus wants his disciples to ask for goodies from neighbors and strangers?
That has nothing to do with All Saint's Day. Nor does it have much to do with the pre-Christian harvest festival, actually.OK, but again, do you think this is in harmony with what Jesus taught, as if you play a game on Oct. 31st and ask for goodies from neighbors and others and say, "trick or treat..."
No, we had Bob-a-Job week, where local Scouts did whatever was required of them (in small bits of work) to gain a little money (for the Scouts?), but which was later abandoned for some reason - perhaps because they were exploited all too often.Growing up in England in the 1960s (born in 1961), I don't remember ever hearing of Trick or Treat. That's quite a recent arrival here, from the USA.
Personally, as cultural appropriations from across the pond go, I much prefer Elvis and Little Richard.
No, we had Bob-a-Job week, where local Scouts did whatever was required of them (in small bits of work) to gain a little money (for the Scouts?), but which was later abandoned for some reason - perhaps because they were exploited all too often.
Where is the sin? Where is the sin in fun children's game of costumes and candy consumption? Dour puritanism aside, I see no moral danger in trick-or-treating.OK, but again, do you think this is in harmony with what Jesus taught, as if you play a game on Oct. 31st and ask for goodies from neighbors and others and say, "trick or treat..."
Sure, threating to harm a person or their property would be against Christian moral teaching.Because (1) he is alive, (2) he is the truth. So yes, he cares, otherwise why would a Christian threaten to hurt someone if he did not give him a 'treat'?
Obviously not. But no one claims that trick-or-treating is a religious observance. The religious part begins on All Saints' Day (November 1st) followed by All Souls' Day (November 2nd).And what does Halloween and candy and going to neighbors + show any reverence for God.
For me mostly (as a Scout after two weeks in the cubs), the people who gave us such jobs were quite nice about it and not exploitative, and I can't remember any that might have been that memorable.I won a football doing Bob-a-Job, for collecting the most money going door to door weeding patios etc. Cubs in my case, I never joined the Scouts.
White chocolate is not chocolate.
There, I said it.
Exactly.... Keep your Christianity outta my Samhain, and Ostara (Easter), and Yule (Xmas).
Where is the sin? Where is the sin in fun children's game of costumes and candy consumption? Dour puritanism aside, I see no moral danger in trick-or-treating.
Sure, threating to harm a person or their property would be against Christian moral teaching.
Obviously not. But no one claims that trick-or-treating is a religious observance. The religious part begins on All Saints' Day (November 1st) followed by All Souls' Day (November 2nd).
In a way it is acceptance of having fun with and about demons. They love that. It's kind of telling anyway.Where is the sin? Where is the sin in fun children's game of costumes and candy consumption? Dour puritanism aside, I see no moral danger in trick-or-treating.
Sure, threating to harm a person or their property would be against Christian moral teaching.
Obviously not. But no one claims that trick-or-treating is a religious observance. The religious part begins on All Saints' Day (November 1st) followed by All Souls' Day (November 2nd).
We'll see what happens this year. A Sinister History of Halloween Pranks - The AtlanticWhere is the sin? Where is the sin in fun children's game of costumes and candy consumption? Dour puritanism aside, I see no moral danger in trick-or-treating.
Sure, threating to harm a person or their property would be against Christian moral teaching.
Obviously not. But no one claims that trick-or-treating is a religious observance. The religious part begins on All Saints' Day (November 1st) followed by All Souls' Day (November 2nd).
Most people that celebrate Halloween do not know about All Souls' Day, and plus the Bible explicitly says not to communicate with the dead. So those claiming to follow in any sense the Bible should not celebrate this as if it were fun and games. Of course not everyone cares. Or knows. Many pranks (tricks?) are pulled on Halloween and the pranksters think it's fun, kind of like kids rampaging through convenience store stealing stuff also think it's fun. And some of those pranks are illegal. The violence and viciousness spreads -- and it's all one bag.
In a way it is acceptance of having fun with and about demons. They love that. It's kind of telling anyway.
That Halloween has been stripped of its Christian context (Allhallowtide) is unfortunate but that nonetheless does not make Halloween traditions harmful. (In and of themselves). As for communicating with the dead you are correct. But to pray for the dead, beseeching God to have mercy upon the souls of those who have departed, is in no way an act of necromancy. Christians have prayed for the dead since the beginning.Most people that celebrate Halloween do not know about All Souls' Day, and plus the Bible explicitly says not to communicate with the dead.
Perhaps Halloween is different in America, but in Australia Halloween usually involves people decorating their houses and groups of children (usually accompanied by adults) dressed in costumes asking for treats. Harmless fun. There are no rampages or widespread violence. At least that I've seen.Many pranks (tricks?) are pulled on Halloween and the pranksters think it's fun, kind of like kids rampaging through convenience store stealing stuff also think it's fun. And some of those pranks are illegal. The violence and viciousness spreads -- and it's all one bag.
While I agree that many modern Christians downplay the realty of demonic it's important not to fall into the opposite trap of seeing the demonic behind every rock. Not everything is the work of the Devil.In a way it is acceptance of having fun with and about demons. They love that. It's kind of telling anyway.
I have a neighbor who loves these celebrations. She doesn't care much about religion or what the background is of a holiday. She'll do just about anything for fun. I asked her if she'd go to a party to celebrate Hitler's birthday, she at least said no. But as long as she finds something cute in a holiday, not her own religion, it doesn't matter to her, she's happy. I am saying this because it sounds like something you are saying.I've never seen any of that in may of the Halloween celebrations I have been. Apart of. Methinks you keep the wrong company mayhaps.
Halloween is certainly a mockery.That Halloween has been stripped of its Christian context (Allhallowtide) is unfortunate but that nonetheless does not make Halloween traditions harmful. (In and of themselves). As for communicating with the dead you are correct. But to pray for the dead, beseeching God to have mercy upon the souls of those who have departed, is in no way an act of necromancy. Christians have prayed for the dead since the beginning.
Perhaps Halloween is different in America, but in Australia Halloween usually involves people decorating their houses and groups of children (usually accompanied by adults) dressed in costumes asking for treats. Harmless fun. There are no rampages or widespread violence. At least that I've seen.
While I agree that many modern Christians downplay the realty of demonic it's important not to fall into the opposite trap of seeing the demonic behind every rock. Not everything is the work of the Devil.
I just find it amazing to read that some religions and people take on halloween, doesn't matter to them its origin or present-day involvement with demons, spirits of the dead, scary things, death, maybe dress up like cinderella. Or a princess, etc.I say live and let live. What others do, is neither my nor your prerogative.
Methinks I would never join a group celebrating hallowe'en. And to be honest, I'm happy about that.I've never seen any of that in may of the Halloween celebrations I have been. Apart of. Methinks you keep the wrong company mayhaps.
Playing with demons is very harmful. It is, in fact, disgusting.That Halloween has been stripped of its Christian context (Allhallowtide) is unfortunate but that nonetheless does not make Halloween traditions harmful. (In and of themselves). As for communicating with the dead you are correct. But to pray for the dead, beseeching God to have mercy upon the souls of those who have departed, is in no way an act of necromancy. Christians have prayed for the dead since the beginning.
Perhaps Halloween is different in America, but in Australia Halloween usually involves people decorating their houses and groups of children (usually accompanied by adults) dressed in costumes asking for treats. Harmless fun. There are no rampages or widespread violence. At least that I've seen.
While I agree that many modern Christians downplay the realty of demonic it's important not to fall into the opposite trap of seeing the demonic behind every rock. Not everything is the work of the Devil.