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???
Poisoning the minds and bodies of your children is a Christian thing to do?
I wouldn't criticize you for being an athiest, I don't seek to evangelize anyone, which may be wrong, but I am flawed.
I agree that Halloween has Pagan roots, but then again, I have Pagan roots too, probably, as my ancestry is 100% Irish. As I said, I stress the good that my Church injected into this celebration. I allow my children to participate in a ritual I cherished as a child. Remembering all the crazy costumes and fun parties over the years brings a smile to my face. But no, as I was going through my "loot", I didn't whip out the Ouija board and commune with evil spirits. I think all this criticism of Halloween takes some of the innocence out of childhood.
With regard to poisoning my children's bodies with candy, my children rarely indulge in candy so it is a special treat. Neither of them are particularly fond of it, in fact, my son regularly starts handing out candy from his own bag when he returns to our home from making the rounds. But for a few Sour Punch or bubble gum, I routinely throw away most of the stuff. One year, they didn't even bring their bags, preferring just to accompany friends on the rounds. My church hosts "Trunk or Treat" which attracts hundreds of children and cars and insane amounts of candy. Trick or treating is a manifestation of neighborly hospitality in my neighborhood, as I was posting to another participant on this thread, we bring out tables and goodies and socialize during and after the trick or treating. Some of the neighbors "haunt" their garages. It's just fun--no disembowling of cats or conjuring evil spirits involved.
I think those who are attracted to evil would be so inclined the other 364 days of the year as well. Those who are committed to God will remain so all 365!
Now, I have a serious question for you: as an athiest, if you do not believe in the good (i.e. God) why do you believe in the evil (i.e. Satan)?