The problem I see is that yes, there is a lot of occult activity going on today, but there has always been such, and whether or not there’s a specific holiday to “celebrate,” that activity will continue, maybe even on Christmas and Easter… So we don’t deny that it goes on, but maybe we talk about the things that WE believe, and honor the saints of the past who did many brave deeds in the name of Christ. I think that’s a fine way to spend this season, and it’s a great opportunity to show our children Christian history after the Canon was completed.

I personally have been in a Christian home my entire life and have never had any problems with Halloween, nor have other Christian members of my family. We recognize the demonic for what it is, and it does not come out more on one night of the year, it is active all the time. We choose to leave that part out of our “celebration” and even though I will continue to allow my children to dress in costumes, receive candy and enjoy the day with pumpkins and other harmless things, they will not dress as anything that I would find inappropriate as long as they are under my roof, including the devil.

No one, no evil, and no celebration or lack thereof can take that away from us!:)

I too, appreciated this article. I do know much of the history, and agree that any day can be focused on in a new way, adn that doesnt make us wimpy or blending in with the world…..its all in our intent and motive, just not what the outisde is doing! Intent and motive soudned good here!

I don’t disrespect people who don’t celebrate it, but good grief; the uber-religiousness of some and the labeling of it as generally “evil” I find to be incredibly silly. Last night my mother and I delighted in the sight of trick-or-treaters, awesome yard decorations and, while driving over a high bridge on the bay, we witnessed an INCREDIBLE sunset: a long, vivid streak of orange clear across the horizon with deep purple cloud matter over and under it. It was as though God had decorated the sky with orange and purple crepe, a Halloween treat just for us. As of now, I’m still finishing some Halloween reading and poetry I bought for the occasion and again, I love it. You’ve added a brand new dimension to this time, Kelly. Thanks!

I love your point, and if I weren’t tired I’d open a whole new topic on the irony of what we get upset about when it’s blaring, and what we gleefully accept when it’s not.

It’s funny how fixated we’ve become on October 31st – I’d be just as worried about the false idols of turkey and dressing and television football about a month from now.

“God’s Word is very clear on the subject of the occult.”

Just to be clear…yes, I agree, and so does the author of the article. The provocation of thought here is, depending on which source you believe about the origin of the day, that we should not acknowledge Halloween at all, for what it is currently. But if in fact, the holiday was originally a Christian one, then regardless of what it has turned into, we have the liberty (and some suggest obligation) to “reclaim” it.

I think it’s hard for us to separate what it is now from anything else; we personally just treat it like another day. But I can see the value in setting aside a day to celebrate the saints of our Christian past; and since it has formerly been celebrated on Oct. 31, it continues to be by some.

The best way I can explain the way reformers look at it, is as if we didn’t even know Oct. 31 was anything else except a time to reflect and honor the godly saints of the past.

Does that make sense?