[scripter]

Of course Paul didn't say to engage in pagan ceremonies. Of course Paul didn't say that idol worship, idol sacrifice or any of the practices associated with paganism or idoloatry are acceptable. But that's not what Christians say they're doing and nobody knows their hearts but God. As I see it, you appear to be projecting the intents of pagans on Christians. It's great to try and educate people on the issue but again, only God knows our hearts.

I agree with the author that this falls more under our freedom in Christ and that we shouldn't do anything that makes somebody stumble.

We are very good friends with fellow believers who do not celebrate halloween. They know we allow our kids to dress up and go house to house with like minded friends, but because they're not comfortable with it we don't talk about it around their children. Following Paul's advice, it's their conscience we don't want to offend.

As the author says, and I believe he accurately summarizes Paul here: if you are not comfortable with doing this, then you should not. Emphasis mine.

[DouglasKC]

Of course Paul didn't say to engage in pagan ceremonies. Of course Paul didn't say that idol worship, idol sacrifice or any of the practices associated with paganism or idoloatry are acceptable. But that's not what Christians say they're doing and nobody knows their hearts but God.

In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord tells us:

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Following human reason, the human heart, instead of the word of God is what gets us into trouble. If we're going to decide right and wrong by "what's in our hearts" then we soon fall into sin. That's how homosexual clergy justify their actions. That's how adulterers justify their actions. That's how thieves justify their action. The refrain is always "You can't judge me, you don't know what's in my heart".

I agree with the author that this falls more under our freedom in Christ and that we shouldn't do anything that makes somebody stumble.

As pointed out in my previous post, the author is comparing apples to oranges. The people who practiced pagan things in Paul's time probably weren't too much different then people today. Their practices were already ancient. They probably had a bit of fun doing what they did. They probably looked forward to, involved their kids in it. They didn't think that they were doing anything wrong. Paul addressed this too:

1Co 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

We KNOW that Halloween is associated with Satan to this very day. We KNOW. It boggles my mind how Christians can read passages above and not think that there's nothing wrong with observing a day that is known to be a high holy day for the Church of Satan. I take what Paul says literally. We cannot partake of the Lord's table AND the table of devils. Pick...celebrate God's holy days...or celebrate the Church of Satans holy day.