Autumn is our favorite time of year, and October our family's favorite month. The colors, the trips to the mountains, the cool mornings, the first frost, all are great. The only thing about our favorite month that is bothersome is Halloween, or Samhain (pronounced So-wayne or Sow-win), a Druid holiday brought to America by northern Europeans. And it seems each year that the celebration of Halloween gets darker and more clearly pagan.
We understand the difference between form and meaning; that is, we know that a certain thing, like a drum or an evil eye or even an idol is not anything in and of itself, but the meaning attached to it is what is important (1 Corinthians 10:14, 18-21). We also understand that one person's personal conviction about a certain thing is not necessarily another's (Romans 14:4-8). However, some forms are so corrupt that we should have nothing to do with them (Deuteronomy 7:25-26).
Deuteronomy 7:25-26 is clear that forms which have a connection to pagan worship should be eradicated from a believers life and bring with them a curse. Believers should have nothing to do with them. It is our conviction that Halloweeen is one of those forms. It has no Christian content whatsoever. It is unashamedly a day of the dark side. There is nothing to redeem in a completely non-Christian holiday. It would be the same as Christians having come out of Hinduism celebrating Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights and looking for redemptive value in a pagan holiday.
So why doesn't our family celebrate Halloween? The short answer is, "Because we are Christian, not pagan."
Deuteronomy 7:25-26 is clear that forms which have a connection to pagan worship should be eradicated from a believers life and bring with them a curse. Believers should have nothing to do with them. It is our conviction that Halloweeen is one of those forms. It has no Christian content whatsoever. It is unashamedly a day of the dark side. There is nothing to redeem in a completely non-Christian holiday. It would be the same as Christians having come out of Hinduism celebrating Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights and looking for redemptive value in a pagan holiday.
So why doesn't our family celebrate Halloween? The short answer is, "Because we are Christian, not pagan."
I understand what you're saying but I think you're missing a great evangelism opportunity. What other event in your community entails people coming to your house and asking you to give them something? We give candy and gospel tracts. Good ways to sow some seeds.
ReplyDeleteAnd how very beautiful, we pagans are. I am off to dance naked in the moonlight tonight. Happy halloween all!
ReplyDeleteAlmost all holidays have pagan roots!
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