Feedback: Halloween History for Kids

AiG ^ | October 30, 2009 | John UpChurch

[GodGunsGuts]

I looked over the Halloween article but I was wondering how to explain that to my eleven year old. Do you have any articles written to children on this?

—T.H., U.S.

Many people celebrate Halloween without considering the history of the holiday. They put on costumes, attend parties, eat candy, and even pull pranks on neighbors. In fact, Americans spend billions of dollars each year decorating and preparing.

But there’s more to Halloween than jack-o-lanterns and scary stories. Let’s take a quick trip back in time to see where some of these customs came from—and if Christians should take part.

To understand what happened, we need to start with another holiday: All Saints Day...

[Alex Murphy]

To understand what happened, we need to start with another holiday: All Saints Day...

Ping for later

[count-your-change]

Considering the origin and meaning of the celebration, I'll not have any involvement in the “hallowed” eve.

“Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).
www.history.com/content/halloween “

[GodGunsGuts]

My views exactly. Besides, Christians have invented an ingenious substitute that, as far as I can tell, the kids like a lot more than then walking forever trying to find the few houses that actually give out candy. It’s called “Trunk of Treat”. What they do is back up a bunch of cars, trucks, and vans side-by-side, and they decorate their trunks, cabins and beds. And let me tell you, the people really deck those vehicles out, they give out lots of candy, and at the really big Churches, you’re talking about so many vehicles it takes a couple of hourse to get through them all. And let’s not forget the live music, the Christian message, not to mention food stands, contests, various carnival booths, etc, etc. It’s way better than your typical Halloween by far!

[luckystarmom]

My kids like good old fashioned trick-or-treating the best. Everyone from the neighborhood is out. Lots of people have fire pits out, and serve other things besides candy. It’s like a huge neighborhood party!

[Androcles]

Hmmm...I’m guessing you’re not too keen on other festivals we co-opted from our pagan rivals and predecessors then? Christmas and Easter head the list of course...

[fidelis]

Celebrate decidedly Christian events, instead, such as the Reformation. . . LOL. It was a fairly good article up until this point. Not every Christian looks upon the Reformation as a cause celebre. . . Here's additional info: . http://www.envoymagazine.com/backissues/2.5/story1.html

[count-your-change]

Whether I am keen or not is not the point, whether God is keen on what is done in His name is. Let's not get the process backwards, He tells us what is acceptable or not to Him and we follow, not we decide what is acceptable to us and He'll go along with it as long we're sincere or do it in His name.
Remember Aaron and the golden calf.

[count-your-change]

Here is another thread on same subject: The Hidden Truth About Halloween: Behind the Mask.

[AtomicBuffaloWings]

Yep, it’s Halloween. Creation “Science” is putting on some lipstick and a fancy dress and going as Intelligent Design.

[Androcles]

Oh, I can completely understand your feelings. Personally I utterly dislike the Halloween festival. That said, I think it’s spiritually no worse than Easter or Xmas in terms of the pagan trappings involved, simply that we haven’t absorbed the Halloween ones into the christian religion.

Anyway, ‘nuff said neighbour. Enjoy the rest of the year.

[count-your-change]

Cheers! and hope your year goes well for you. Bye.