[The_Reader_David]

Anyone, Christian or pagan, who can confuse the great American costume party on October 31 in which children dress up in mockery of the powers of evil (and just about anything else these days) with a pagan or demonic rite is sorely deluded.

It strikes me as particularly absurd for Christians, who in Our Lord have confidence against the wiles of real demons, to start or take offense at pantomime demons.

[sanemom]

"It strikes me as particularly absurd for Christians, who in Our Lord have confidence against the wiles of real demons, to start or take offense at pantomime demons."

Absurd yes, illegal no.

[cornfedcowboy]

The origin of halloween is brutal and inhumane. Do you know where the jack-o-lantern originated? I'll tell you. It was originally a hollowed out pumpkin that was fueled with fat from humans(sacrificed one of course). Nasty.
Okay, I don't feel threatened by a bunch of kids dressed as Superman going door to door trading jokes for candy. But, I do think it is appropriate for a God fearing church to say to it's parishoners that celebrating a Satanic/Pagan holiday might be unwise and disfavorable. Said churches are hardly "sorely deluded"-they are being responsible.

[theFIRMbss]

>Anyone, Christian or pagan, who can confuse the great American costume party on October 31 ... with a pagan or demonic rite is sorely deluded

I used to think that.
But then I saw Matt's outfit . . .
It must be Satan!

[nonsporting]

It strikes me as particularly absurd for Christians, who in Our Lord have confidence against the wiles of real demons, to start or take offense at pantomime demons.

Your statement seems reasonable. What could it hurt...

"Is Halloween just another innocent holiday that doesn't harm anyone? Is it really just childish fun? Police officials everywhere report a great increase in vandalism on Halloween. Worse yet are the horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby-trapped with razor blades and needles. ..." Excerpted from Halloween.

And, to add balance, a more winsome treatment: Thanking the true Lord of the Harvest

[A. Pole]

It strikes me as particularly absurd for Christians, who in Our Lord have confidence against the wiles of real demons, to start or take offense at pantomime demons.

The Christian confidence in the Lord is based on avoiding the ungodly things like witchcraft or invocation of demons. If you sin and od not repent you can be CONFIDENT of punishment.

[HungarianGypsy]

Anyone, Christian or pagan, who can confuse the great American costume party on October 31 in which children dress up in mockery of the powers of evil (and just about anything else these days) with a pagan or demonic rite is sorely deluded.
There are people who think children should not pretend or even read fairy tales too.
My favorite was going to the front porch of a house one Halloween. Instead of just shutting off their porch light they felt they needed to leave a note stating they were Christian so did not celebrate Halloween. Because all of those who take their children out trick or treating are so obviously not Christian .

[kx9088]

My son is dressing up as Dash from The Incredibles. Last year he was a crewman from the Home Depot pit crew. The year before that, he was a cow.

Wow, the evil that he is! My God! I'm raising the Anti-Christ! /sarcasm

[lepton]

Anyone, Christian or pagan, who can confuse the great American costume party on October 31 in which children dress up in mockery of the powers of evil (and just about anything else these days) with a pagan or demonic rite is sorely deluded.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people who *do* take the celebration of Halloween as a serious religious exercise.

[makoman]

Anyone, Christian or pagan, who can confuse the great American costume party on October 31 in which children dress up in mockery of the powers of evil (and just about anything else these days) with a pagan or demonic rite is sorely deluded.

It strikes me as particularly absurd for Christians, who in Our Lord have confidence against the wiles of real demons, to start or take offense at pantomime demons.

Damina....well said!!!

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

It never ceases to amaze me that most Christians would criticize me for being an atheist, yet they will "celebrate" a macabre pagan holiday. They inculcate their children into the practice of it and feed them the most unhealthful things you could give a child to eat. Why do you "celebrate" on certain "holidays," what are you celebrating, do you really know? Or have you been so lost in the conformity of it all to really take a look at what you partake in?

Originally, All Hallows' Eve was one of the great fire festivals of Britain at the time of the Druids. In Scotland it was associated with the time when the spirits of the dead, the demons, witches, and sorcerers were usually active and propitious.

Paradoxically, All Hallows' Eve was also a night when young people performed magical rituals to determine their future marriage partners. The youth of the villages carried on with much merry-making and sensual revelry, but the older people took great care to safeguard their homes from the evil spirits, witches, and demons who had exceptional power that night...

Can you guess my source here???