Halloween?

[DarkLight]

Uh…because you are complaining about feeling attacked?

How is “being convicted” a better explanation of that than just, you know, that people feel that they’re being attacked? Do you only respond if you’re “convicted”?

Edit: I still think you’re missing the point. Saying you made a statement “without qualification” is in no way itself a criticism and has nothing whatsoever to do with your qualifications or the qualifications of the sources you cite. It’s two completely separate meanings that just happen to be assigned to the same word.

 

[Mickey]

Do you only respond if you’re “convicted”?

Okay…I will change the statement to…I am sorry that some people feel they are being attacked by my stance on halloween.

Is that better for you?

 

[Mickey]

You going into heavy drama by saying you were “accused of unrighteous judgement”. You were simply being shown by myself and others that Halloween can be celebrated by Catholics and the reasons why that is so.

No sir…the drama is all on you. I’m quite comfortable with my position. Actually, come to think of it…I am also getting used to being accused of accusing people because of said position.

 

[Mickey]

I could fill this page with many who feel otherwise.

Yes. I have already seen that in years past.

If you have some definitive statements that Halloween should be banned by church parishoners, put it out there.

I have posted the position of saints and clergy…I could post more…but it will not change anyone’s mind.

I have no problem with your position,

Thank you.

Like I said earlier I was hoping to have a friendly dialogue about the pros and cons of Halloween. Not an absoluteness of one poster over the other which you seem dead set on

LOL! I seem to standing alone so far on this one.

 

[pnewton]

I do not understand the attempt to convince one either way. If a person choses to err on the side of caution, particularly if they are doing so on the advice of a saint or preacher from their faith tradition, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is right for them to follow their conscience. As the Catholic Church has no position on this matter, there is no reason to try an persuade anyone on this topic.

 

[DarkLight]

I do not understand the attempt to convince one either way. If a person choses to err on the side of caution, particularly if they are doing so on the advice of a saint or preacher from their faith tradition, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is right for them to follow their conscience. As the Catholic Church has no position on this matter, there is no reason to try an persuade anyone on this topic.

But someone is WRONG on the INTERNET!!!

 

[Mickey]

I do not understand the attempt to convince one either way. If a person choses to err on the side of caution, particularly if they are doing so on the advice of a saint or preacher from their faith tradition, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is right for them to follow their conscience.

Amen.

 

[Portrait]

Well…as I have said…there are saints and clergy who say that halloween is anti-Christian. They give their reasons. And I believe it.

Dear Mickey,

Cordial greetings and a very good day. A note of warning clearly needs to be sounded in the dark days in which our lot is cast, when interest in the occultic subcultures is on the increase.

It is undeniable, dear friend, that Halloween is largely a secular celebration nowadays with a strong undercurrent of occultism and is orientated primarily towards themes of horror. Aside from the sheer paganism, this can stimulate an unhealthy interest in the occultic subcultures, especially in the young who are in a state of formation. As Catholics it is inexcusable and irresponsible that we expose our precious children to such unwholesome and evil influences, especially on what is a Christian Holy Day.

Moreover, we do not require some official magisterial condemnation from the Church repecting pagan Halloween activities. A well-formed conscience should inform a man that such activities do not sit comfortably with a profession of the holy religion of Christ. Holy Mother Church does in this, as in so many other instances (e.g. listening to rock music, using profanity and watching culturally unhealthy films/TV), expect the faithful to use their own prudential judgment in their decision making. We should, moreover, not desire to be spoon-fed on every single issue, but must have our senses exercised to be able to discern between what is evil and what is good and what is a wholesome and unwholesome influence, remembering always that our chief business in this world is the pursuit of holiness.

Therefore, rather than let our children don costumes that celebrate evil or occult figures, why not dress them up as popular saints? So called ‘trick or treat’ pranks should be definitely discouraged and bonfires lit as a celebration of the triumph of the forces of light over the forces of darkness. This, dear friend, could at least help towards the reclaiming of Halloween from its decidedly pagan and dark associations, once again making it the “Night of Light” (Damien Stayne).

Alas, dear friend, as with many Christian festivals, the godless secular world has added its own vain traditions (e.g. scary costumes, ‘trick or treat’ and pagan parties). These only serve to detract from the true religious significance of this holy day, which is usually forgotten if not completely ignored, thus making All-Hallows Even all too hollow. Halloween is now the biggest commercial festival after Christmas and Easter and it is jolly high-time that professing Christians were reminded of what it is all about. The celebration of Feast Days is an important part of our Catholic culture, thus let us celebrate such days in a worthy manner that glorifies God and makes our religion respectfully seen and heard by our non-Christian neighbours. Say, how about lighting a candle or display publicly another kind of light alongside an image of Christ. Surely this would be a powerful way in which to show men that we have hope in Someone other than ourselves. Moreover, the light will, hopefully, provoke questions and signpost people to goodness, truth, the Church and the water of baptismal regeneration and sanctifying grace.

God bless and thankyou for timely warnings, dear friend.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Pax

 

[Mickey]

Say, how about lighting a candle or display publicly another kind of light alongside an image of Christ. Surely this would be a powerful way in which to show men that we have hope in Someone other than ourselves. Moreover, the light will, hopefully, provoke questions and signpost people to goodness, truth, the Church and the water of baptismal regeneration and sanctifying grace.

What a grand idea, my friend!

My wife was telling me…just tonight…that every October she gets sick to her stomach because people decorate there homes and places of business to resemble the gates of hell.

My young child shudders when I take her into a department store because there are demons with dripping fangs…skeletons covered with blood…and witches with oozing scars …filling every aisle.

What a great way to counteract this demonic witness!!!

 

[Portrait]

“Halloween has an undercurrent of occultism and is absolutely anti-Christian.”
**Vatican liturgical expert Fr Joan Maria Canals **

Dear Mickey,

Hello again. Hear, hear and, as I said in my previous post you, dear friend, a warning note that needs to be sounded. Thankyou for bringing it to our attention.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Pax

 

[aaronlgates]

catholicism.about.com/od/thecatholicfamily/p/Halloween.htm

 

[pnewton]

As Catholics it is inexcusable and irresponsible that we expose our precious children to such unwholesome and evil influences, especially on what is a Christian Holy Day.

As a Catholic, I listen to the Catholic Church first, then see what others say. While we should never let children be exposed to unwholesome and evil influence, this connection to Halloween is begging the question, is it not? I do not think the Church has ever condemned the trick or treat custom of the last few generations. That is what most people speak of here. I do not even think such things like scary movies or haunted houses are condemned.

 

[TrixieMcGee]

catholicism.about.com/od/thecatholicfamily/p/Halloween.htm

Good article. I really enjoyed it.

 

[Mickey]

I do not think the Church has ever condemned the trick or treat custom of the last few generations. That is what most people speak of here. I do not even think such things like scary movies or haunted houses are condemned.

That is an argument from silence. I do not think you need the Church to let you know that demonic influences in trick-or-treat and/or horror movies/haunted houses might not be a good thing for your children. The Church allows you to use a properly formed conscience.

 

[EasterJoy]

Really? Interesting. Is he your spiritual father?

You have to realize that the Orthodox concept of a spiritual father does not translate exactly into the Western Church. Having said that, yes, pretty much what Father said, everyone in our parish did, to an unusual extent, not just because he had an official capacity, but because the way he was elicited that obedience. If that was difficult, OK; if that was not difficult; OK. Difficult was not the point. He was a very down-to-earth man, and tremendously big-hearted, but he was a keep-the-main-thing-the-main-thing. But after 35 years as pastor of that parish, he died–may he rest in peace–and that was over 30 years ago now.

Of the priests who have been my spiritual guides over the years, including him, it has been the same: none thought there is anything wrong with children dressing a part like an actor and getting candy from the neighbors–who generally could figure out who each of the children were but enjoyed the costumes–or to make decorations and music that was purposefully icky instead of beautiful. It was OK to make faces on pumpkins and light them up from inside with a candle. This was just the children using their imaginations, an was no more harmful that when they dressed up to putting on a play at school.

All were adamant, however, that there were to be no actual attempts to make contact with “spirits” or “powers” or “magic” anything like that. *Absolutely not!! *Not at Halloween, not ever. They did not say belief in such things was superstitious nonsense, but rather that dabbling in such things was an invitation to be spiritually deceived, and extremely dangerous to the soul. So while there was no warning against Halloween, the warning against dabbling in the occult and especially trying to gain access to “powers” was absolutely clear: 100% forbidden, always, period.

 

[Portrait]

As a Catholic, I listen to the Catholic Church first, then see what others say. While we should never let children be exposed to unwholesome and evil influence, this connection to Halloween is begging the question, is it not? I do not think the Church has ever condemned the trick or treat custom of the last few generations. That is what most people speak of here. I do not even think such things like scary movies or haunted houses are condemned.

Dear pnewton,

Cordial greetings and a very good day. Thankyou for your response.

Halloween, dear friend, as it is now celebrated has aquired a particularily non-religious and ghoulish character, wherein the occultic themes are more accentuated than the Christian aspect. Thus I would strongly disagree that those who denounce modern Halloween celebrations are assuming an unsubstantiated association with the occultic subcultures. On the contrary, the connection is a very real and present danger to our children and could excite interest in the real world occult. Moreover, Halloween today is really a neo-pagan celebration of death and the occult on the eve of a day that is purportedly for honouring the sanctity of those whose bodies may sleep, but who’s souls are fully alive in Christ.

Rather than being absorbed with horror themes such as scary movies, haunted houses, Jack O’ lanterns and skeletons, we should be endeavouring to direct men to the true meaning of this Feast Day, namely wholesomeness and beauty, rather than terror, fear and death. The modern celebration of Halloween promotes the culture of death and attacks sacred and spiritual values through a devious initiation to the images and art of the occult. As it is celebrated today in our neo-pagan culture, dear friend, it would be rather naive to casually dismiss it as a bit of innocent harmless fun.

God bless.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Pax

 

[EasterJoy]

Dear pnewton,

Cordial greetings and a very good day. Thankyou for your response.

Halloween, dear friend, as it is now celebrated has aquired a particularily non-religious and ghoulish character, wherein the occultic themes are more accentuated than the Christian aspect. Thus I would strongly disagree that those who denounce modern Halloween celebrations are assuming an unsubstantiated association with the occultic subcultures. On the contrary, the connection is a very real and present danger to our children and could excite interest in the real world occult. Moreover, Halloween today is really a neo-pagan celebration of death and the occult on the eve of a day that is purportedly for honouring the sanctity of those whose bodies may sleep, but who’s souls are fully alive in Christ.

Rather than being absorbed with horror themes such as scary movies, haunted houses, Jack O’ lanterns and skeletons, we should be endeavouring to direct men to the true meaning of this Feast Day, namely wholesomeness and beauty, rather than terror, fear and death. The modern celebration of Halloween promotes the culture of death and attacks sacred and spiritual values through a devious initiation to the images and art of the occult. As it is celebrated today in our neo-pagan culture, dear friend, it would be rather naive to casually dismiss it as a bit of innocent harmless fun.

God bless.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Pax

I find it very interesting that people who don’t celebrate Halloween at all have such a deep appreciation of what it means to all of the rest of us who do…no, they see some Halloween celebrations that are out of bounds, and it’s all over and they have a Gospel to preach to anybody who thinks their soul can possibly stay out of danger of demon worship and entanglement with the occult if they put on a black cape in order to score some Reeser’s Peanut Butter Cups. ("Well, use your conscience, but is chocolate and peanut butter worth your soul?)

You may as well say, “you can’t give gifts to people you love because that leads to materialism and if you become materialists, you’ll all go to Hell.” Well, maybe sometimes it does. Maybe for you, particular temptations always lead to abuse, I don’t know. There is no shame in admitting you’re an addict. But all these anti-Halloween arguments I have been hearing here sound very much like the temperance movement that got Prohibition on the books. Once you take the stance that what can be abused ought to be forbidden, the life you have left is very narrow, indeed.

 

[Kit15]

Our LO is going to be just a few days away from her first birthday when Halloween rolls around.

I’m not 100% sure what we’re doing. We live on a busy street with no sidewalk so our doorbell *never *gets rung. It looks like Peanut and I will go to my mom’s house. Her town is a happening place for children in costumes. We’ll either push her in a stroller around town or she’ll be the little helper for whoever has candy duty…or both.

The hardest thing is figuring out what her first costume should be.

Pink bunny! She’s going to look sooo cute!

 

[EasterJoy]

Pink bunny! She’s going to look sooo cute!

That does sound cute. We have twins who had furry lion and tiger suits for about four years running.

 

[Portrait]

I find it very interesting that people who don’t celebrate Halloween at all have such a deep appreciation of what it means to all of the rest of us who do…no, they see some Halloween celebrations that are out of bounds, and it’s all over and they have a Gospel to preach to anybody who thinks their soul can possibly stay out of danger of demon worship and entanglement with the occult if they put on a black cape in order to score some Reeser’s Peanut Butter Cups. ("Well, use your conscience, but is chocolate and peanut butter worth your soul?)

You may as well say, “you can’t give gifts to people you love because that leads to materialism and if you become materialists, you’ll all go to Hell.” Well, maybe sometimes it does. Maybe for you, particular temptations always lead to abuse, I don’t know. There is no shame in admitting you’re an addict. But all these anti-Halloween arguments I have been hearing here sound very much like the temperance movement that got Prohibition on the books. Once you take the stance that what can be abused ought to be forbidden, the life you have left is very narrow, indeed.

Dear EasterJoy,

Cordial greetings and a very good day. Thankyou for your response.

It is surely, dear friend, an act of fraternal love to warn and steer others away from what can be a potentially dangerous influence and a gateway into the world of darkness. Given that we are witnessing today an alarming increase in occultic activity world-wide, it seems perfectly correct and necessary to denounce modern Halloween celebrations with their indisputable link with the occultic subcultures. We ought to give a wide-berth to that which is undeniably unwholesome and which the primary foucus is terror, fear and death.

Refraining from giving gifts in case it encourages a materialistic outlook, is, dear friend, hardly on all fours with potentially becoming involved with the occultic subcultures. Since real world occult activities are condemned by the Church absolutely, it makes sense that the faithful would wish to avoid anything that is even remotely connected with that world. Moreover, if we are pursuing holiness in the fear of God, then we will surely feel most uncomfortable and ill-at-ease around anything that even has a whiff of the occult or macarbe horror themes.

God bless.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Pax