Halloween and other things…

I’m in danger of ranting here, but I’ll try and get a grip a little bit…

I’ve seen so much rubbish in the way of ‘opinions’ over the last week or so on some topics such as Halloween, abortion, alcohol, transgender/sexual issues that it’s really starting to get to me… I’m beginning to think I should really limit my viewing of social media…

Firstly, Halloween, this is always a funny one with Christians. But the latest is to claim it as a ‘Christian’ invention…try reinvention. And it isn’t, not really, unless people celebrating with haunted houses, huge macabre parades, images of witches, zombies, dead people, celebrating ‘Samhain’ (look it up) doing ‘fun’ Halloween games which are actually occultic means you are celebrating Christ. It’s a full on Halloween fest over here especially.

I think one of the reasons I’m getting wound up is that I am sick of Christians making excuses up to do stuff they really shouldn’t be doing and then getting mad that they’re being ‘judged’. Or, that somehow your kids are ‘missing out’ if they don’t take part?!! I’m not going to quote scripture about the occult, but it’s clearly wrong to celebrate darkness when you have the light. And before the ‘you’re giving Christians a bad name’ people arrive, no, we are not afraid of Halloween, we give sweets out if people call round, I’m all for alternative parties if it gets people off the streets, we don’t go around with a permanent disapproving puckered look, we just know, that the way it is celebrated is not of God. (if I ever change my mind I will let you know, but it’s unlikely). Also, all this about evangelism/getting to know the neighbours opportunities, I’m all for them, but I don’t particularly think it’s an any better opportunity than at any other time of the year.

Interesting fact, as opposed to all the comments I’ve read from Christians who seem to think it’s ‘just a bit of fun’ and want to do it. I used to celebrate Halloween as a non Christian, I loved it, I loved dressing my daughter up, putting blood all over her face, doing the turnip, which then became a pumpkin when it all went posh.. then, when God saved me, I gradually just naturally grew to hate it. I take that as a natural Holy Spirit progression and am going with it. Also, for all the ‘it doesn’t lead into the Occult, it’s just a bit of fun’ people…do you really know that? It doesn’t lead to experimenting when children are older? it doesn’t lead to the opening of young minds to the darkness? I am going to be open with our kids as to why we don’t like or celebrate it and talk about the origins etc as they get older. But celebrating it? I don’t think so. Hopefully, they’ll realise fun doesn’t have to involve doing what everyone else is doing.. They’ll hopefully also understand that there are powers of darkness and people who actually enjoy dabbling in them, practicing them and they are not to be entertained. They’ll hopefully also understand at the right time, that God is all powerful and far more exciting than this..

I know this post will not be liked by some, and I understand that, but frankly, I’m past that. I understand the ‘celebration’ but am very fed up of Christians just going with stuff that they may not be called to go with. Redeem it, change it, whatever, but don’t claim it as Christian as how it currently is. We are directly responsible to God for ourselves and our kids, just think and pray before you act, that’s all I’m really asking…. Stop thinking about how the world perceives you and think about God and what is actually important. We are not called to be cool but to be obedient and to love God with everything we are and have. I also know we are all ‘works in progress’ but the comments I’ve seen are mainly from so called ‘mature Christians’. And no, this isn’t legalistic…

Amen!!! I could go onto the other topics, but I am stopping there….