GoodWordEditing.com - Latest Comments in A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

Real Live Preacher — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:51:34 -0000

We had a small faction of anti-Halloween folks at our church back in the mid 90s. None are still with us, and I try not to be too overly thankful about that. But in a conversation with some church leaders, one of the men - a man named Jerry - became passionate and animated. He pounded his fist on the table and said, "By Jove, we won't have any pagan celebrations and worship at our church."

And for once I not only thought of the best response, but was able to give it on the spot. I said, "Now see this is a good example of what I've been saying. Jerry just swore by the name Jove, a Roman god. But we all know that Jerry doesn't worship false gods. It was just an common expression and its original meaning isn't important in this context. That's what I think is going on with the kids and Halloween. They just like to dress up and get candy. They're not paying homage to Satan or pagan gods."

I wish I could say that my "brilliant" response won the day. I'm not even sure that Jerry knew what I was talking about. They remained solidly against Halloween while most of us were for it. That year we had a "Hallelujah" party at the church where the kids dressed up, played games, and got candy. (No use offending people for silly reasons. The kids didn't care what we called the party.) A few years later, after Jerry and friends had left for other reasons, we had a Halloween part where the kids dressed up, played games, and got candy.

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

Jeff Patch — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:57:08 -0000

This is great collection of books mate. thanks

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

RickD335 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:14:14 -0000

Biggest problem with Hallowe'en? A lot of kids without an older chaperone or guide, dressed in dark clothing, out after dark on badly lit subdivision roads is an invitation for someone to get hurt. Otherwise? I've seen some of the "hardcore" videos; it helps to know the history, but if we're going to go that route, you might as well ditch Christmas as a holiday (didn't occur in December, and was a means of expropriating a pagan celebration).

Even once a week - good to see you back!

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

spaghettipie — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:18:56 -0000

PS - Thanks for the book recommendations, too!

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

spaghettipie — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:17:54 -0000

First, I'm glad you're back (hopefully!). I've missed ya!

Secondly, I too love Halloween. My mom and I were just talking the other day about how much she loved Halloween as a child. We discussed how sad we are that it has become what it has (from the Christian angle you discuss to the sheer safety issues that come up as well), because it's such a beautiful opportunity for children to use their imaginations and creativity.

I'm not against the whole church event. Our church put on a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot, invited hundreds of people in the surrounding apartments, and handed out a ton of candy, hot dogs, and popcorn. Everyone had a wonderful time, and as a church we were able to get to know our neighbors (sort of like Dan points out).

We also went trick or treating a little with my daughter. Like Heather, we have a neighbor who goes over the top in their yard - complete with gallows, blacked in front porch with 7-8 black lights and a guy sitting with a toy chain saw chasing kids off the porch after they get their candy. Loads of fun.

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

goodwordediting — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:57:11 -0000

Three hours in a dunking booth. Fun.

Bahrain News, that's what I figured too. Day of the Dead skeletons are so
fun. I don't know a whole lot about that tradition though, sadly.

Happy Halloween everyone! I'm turning in.

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

Bahrain News — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:38:54 -0000

Probably that’s because the day of the dead is very big around here.

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

BibleDude — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:02:18 -0000

Our church is doing something similar to that this year. We are just having my nephews over to walk the neighborhood with my son. I know others from our church are doing bounce-houses, and similar stuff to what you are doing. That's cool... I'm just happy to meet some neighbors this year... I cannot believe that I've spent so many years avoiding my neighbors...

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

goodwordediting — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:16:16 -0000

This year our church is sponsoring Halloween block parties in different
neighborhoods. Our house is one of them--which means I'm about to get in the
dunking booth. (We have other carnival games and a bunch of games, cotton
candy, etc.) I'm totally pumped!

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

Abby — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:12:59 -0000

I absolutely HATE things like Harvest parties, or Trunk or Treating. If Christians have such a hard time with Halloween why flirt with the line? I love Halloween. I love Halloween for it's theatrical costume moments. It's when everyone has permission to dress up and be someone else for a night. Not just the weird theatre people.

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

BibleDude — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:53:54 -0000

Ever since I have gotten involved in the church, I have been told that Holloween is bad. So we've always done the "Halloween Alternative" nights. Now my son is five, and I am actually taking him trick-or-treating for the first time.

I have just keep getting back to the fact that Jesus prayed not that we be removed from the world but protected from the evil one. I am begining to feel like separating myself from such a cultural event diminishes my opportunity to speak into the lives of my non-Christian friends and neighbors. I'm not talking about having a séance to invite demons or lost spirits into my house... I'm only talking about taking my kid around to meet and interact with some of our neighbors...

I appreciate the fact that there are other Christians out there that are okay with the idea of embracing Holloween rather than rejecting it completely as an "evil" event...

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

goodwordediting — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:01:17 -0000

Please do! I'll try to remember to post pictures of our little carnival. But
I'll be pretty busy with the dunking booth.

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

Heather — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:33:17 -0000

I'm a big fan of Halloween. Our neighbor's house would make you happy--everything from goblins to demons to vampires hanging around that place. I'll have to take a picture for you.

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

goodwordediting — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:22:20 -0000

I guess so. I had some issues to sort through, and now it's time to move on.
I doubt I'll post here more than once a week or so.

Marcus

Re: A Dozen Great Halloween Books - Defending Spooks and Zombies and Halloween

L.L. Barkat — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:16:56 -0000

!!!!!!!!!!

: )

[I'm sure I speak for others here too.]

In other words, does this mean you're back?