Celebrating a Christian Halloween

October 31, 2008

WARNING: This post, like many others here at Blue Duck, contains materials that some may find offensive because it expresses my views about Christianity. If you can’t handle it, please click away now. Thanks.

Opening My Eyes

My son attends a Christian school. Last year on Halloween, we had a HUGE meltdown in our house because the teacher sent home a letter inviting all the kids to her house for trick-or-treat. Our ADHD son is terrified of Halloween decorations and would scream when we saw someone dressed up in a scary costume, so we learned quickly to stay indoors on Halloween. I was in the process of explaining to him why we would not be going to the teacher’s house, when my husband came home. Then it hit the fan.

Hubby looked through the bag of treats my son had brought home, decorated with skulls and witches. He read the note from the teacher and asked me to get my computer, he had something to say. (Now, keep in mind that my husband speaks very little, so we were all eagerly awaiting what would come next.)

In the following moments, he dictated an eloquent and moving letter about why Christians should not celebrate Halloween. (Because he is a very private person, and it was a private letter to the teacher, I will not be posting it here.) To back up his claims, we included excerpts from the Jeremiah Project website. If you are a Christian, or even curious about Halloween, I encourage you to visit and read. It was a real eye opener for me.

This year, as a Bible scholar, I have learned that many of the Old Testament laws given to the Jews were intended to protect them from mixing with the religions of the people living around them. That’s what Halloween has become for Christians today, a mixture of differing religions with a Hallmark measure of fun thrown in for seasoning.

What Will You Do?

I encourage you to read over the history of Halloween, and decide for yourself if there are spiritual razor blades hiding in those bags of treats your kids bring home tonight.

The Simmerman house will be roasting hot dogs, marshmallows, and making s’mores over an open fire. I even have a couple of bags of Snickers and Reeses’ cups hiding in the cupboard for later to meet their sugar buzz needs.

Have a safe and pleasant Halloween, everyone. And to my friend Harry, have great Halloween. I hope it’s a great night for you.

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Posted by Jamie | Filed Under Just for Fun

Comments

Jamie Simmerman

Harry, You mean I can drink myself silly on Halloween?!

I think it's great that although we sit firmly on opposite sides of the fence, we can still agree to disagree. Here's to Holy Days, mine and yours, my friend.
Harrison McLeod

Talk about link bait! How could I resist answering a call like that? The same could be said of many holidays. The word after all when broken down is "Holy Days" and are sacred to the ones who keep them.

This time of the year with all of it's commercialism has skewed a lot of what each respective group holds sacred. Many people have lost sight of the roots and the true meanings. Now these holidays are just another day off from work or an excuse to drink yourself silly.

I won't get into all the usual debates, but I do agree on some levels.

Have yourself a good Halloween too, Jamie, thanks for the shout out!

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