I think it's only fitting that I have no idea what I should be doing. This is my first Halloween as a Christian and my previous religion of choice (Celtic Pagan) had a lot of traditions steaming from this time of year.
What I find scary isn't the lack of participation or the overwhelming love of costumes and candy that I am finding in my current religion but instead the fact that it all depends on who you ask. Is it ok for kids to tricker treat? Is it ok to see a palm reader?
Where is that line in the sand? How do we determine where the difference is between the occult and having some fun? I surely don't know. My husband seems to think it depends on "how much stock you put in it" or "where your intentions lie" but that seems a little gray and vague to me.
Somewhere there is a right side, a wrong side and that thin line in the middle and I want to find it. I think this stems from the fact that I know where most of these halloween traditions came from and I'd have to say that it was a long way from playing dress up and getting free candy.
What exactly are we teaching the children around us? What would we do if it was our kid? I don't know. If knowledge is power then that is scary.
I think the same thing I thought last year. I think the Christian people don't want to offend anyone by saying 'hey this is evil' because it sucks to be moral
ReplyDeleteWhat I have found is not a gray line but a lack of knowledge...and you will know first hand I am sure..how many pagan ritual and rites are considered 'evil' or 'devilish' when they are the exact opposite.
ReplyDeleteI had a paper that hung around forever about the difference between being "evil" and being occult. It wasn't very popular with the church crowd. lol
ReplyDeleteI think we do walk a thin line when it comes to informing our kids about the reality of history and still keeping them steeped in faith.
ReplyDeleteI converted last year right after Halloween. So this will be my second Christmas. I know most of my Christmas traditions are family based and not Jesus based so the hubby and I are going intregrate the reading from the Book of Luke and some other things if we can with our children.