Does Halloween Make You Uncomfortable?

@mrsctb7 (120)
United States
October 31, 2009 6:35pm CST
I'm a Christian. I have believed in Jesus Christ since before I can remember! I also know that He saved my soul, and I am also called to be a Prayer Intercessor. It was much easier to be a Christian years ago, though, before living near to wiccans and atheists. I know I am called to reach out to them, but when some very young children knock at my door, and they says "Happy Halloween to you!", how should I respond, without "ruffling feathers"?
4 people like this
13 responses
@solared (1207)
• United States
1 Nov 09
Does bother me a bit, because they are people that see halloween as something more than halloween, and I don't think we should be dressing up like ghoulish things demons and devils.
• New Zealand
1 Nov 09
I say happy Halloween and you all really need to chill out.....
1 person likes this
• Mexico
1 Nov 09
Hi solared: i won't dress my future kids as demons or devils, simple. In the other hand i have seen some beautiful dresses on last halloween celebration you know, a kid dressed as Michael Jackson lol, another as a little batman a little bee, etc, they're usually cool
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
31 Oct 09
Hi Mrsctb7, I'm a Christian too, but Halloween does not make me uncomfortable at all, in fact I love Halloween for what it is these days. It is a very fun time for kids to go out Trick or treating and dressing up. The best way to respond is say Happy Halloween back and give out some candy and then all is good
@mrsctb7 (120)
• United States
1 Nov 09
Thank you! Up until today, I had always felt that way, but sometimes the "dark side" seems so overwhelming! From now on ...... Happy Halloween and candy it is! (In fact, our candy came from our Christian bookstore with scripture on each wrapper!)
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
3 Nov 09
but sometimes the "dark side" seems so overwhelming! Wait a sec here..WHAT "dark side"? I've yet to have EVER seen any "dark side" to Halloween to be honest with you...Now granted I am Pagan but none the less..even as a child there was no "dark side" to it....when it comes to kids and the none spiritual aspect of Halloween/Samhain, its all in good fun..How could anyone not see that?? The excitement in the little ones faces as they are all dressed up, playing make believe and goin door to door in their little costumes etc...how could you see a dark side to that??
• United States
3 Nov 09
Halloween isn't holiday you Must celebrate.If Halloween make you uncomfortable, then don't open your door.
@charblaize (1026)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I do not associate this holiday to the demons. I just take it for a good day to spend with my child and wear he can dress up and get candy. I do not explain or tell him that its a bad day. I see many give out candy just to see the cute costumes and seeing the children having fun. When I checked his candy, he had a goody bag filled with some candy and even a little book that had many bible verses in it. I felt that was cute and I can read it to him before bed. See, You can even make it heavenly for the children and parents!! (candy from bookstore) :)) have fun and enjoy all the exciting costumes.
@mrsctb7 (120)
• United States
2 Nov 09
That is a wonderful idea! We do give away candies that have a Scripture verse on the wrappers. I guess it was just so oppressive on the 31st ..... so much more than on other years! I did completely enjoy all the costumes! We even had a boy dressed up as a cow, with "Eat more Chik'en" written on his outfit! Too cute!
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
2 Nov 09
If you are disturbed by the Halloween celebration and do not wish to have any part of it: You could respond by smiling and saying: "I'm sorry but I don't celebrate Halloween." Or You could ignore the door knocking on halloween night and they will go away. I want to research Halloween a bit and just see what are its origins. I will post what I find later.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
1 Nov 09
As a christian, isn't your greatest law to love God and your neighbors??? Give the LOVE KINDNESS AND CANDY!!!! If you really think those kids at your door are on a religious holiday, think again. It's all in good fun. If you can't see that, maybe I need to start worrying about you!!
@mrsctb7 (120)
• United States
2 Nov 09
I know it's all in good fun. It's just that at times, I get so overwhelmed with it all. You see, on our street (and most streets nearing our house), pentagrams are chalked on the roads, and other things happen like that. After just a couple young children, I had fun with it, and blessed all the kids with "treats"!
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
1 Nov 09
Gee, wouldn't it be easiest just to say 'Happy Halloween' back to the children and give them a piece of candy and then shut your door? This is ONE NIGHT A YEAR. It won't KILL you. It won't HURT you. Anything other than that you risk hurting a child's feelings or angering the parents. I LOVE halloween. I take my daughter trick or treating. Any other response than 'happy halloween' and a piece of candy is rude to me - unless someone just doesn't open their door at all. That would be the other option, shut off your lights and don't answer. Trick or treaters generally don't go up to houses that are dark or not decorated or appear as if there is nobody home. There's no shame in that, but I don't think it's decent or fair to preach to anybody even if you don't believe in or celebrate Halloween. That's just my two cents. My daughter doesn't even know what christians, wiccans, or atheists are, to her, people are PEOPLE. That's as it should be.
• United States
1 Nov 09
I have been on both sides of this coin as a Christian. I do not like the holiday because it seems that we really get hit on TV heavily with wicked movies. This is the time of year that I watch a lot of DVDs of my choice. As for trick or treating, I do not dress up and no one comes to my neighborhood, so that part is eliminated. If someone did come to my door, I would probably just hand them some candy. I usually like to tell the children that I like their costumes and that I hope they have a nice evening. In the meantime, it is interesting to look up the history of this day. Since you have known Jesus for a long time, you must know that He is with you every where you go and that the Holy Spirit will guide you in what you say if you ask. It will always be the perfect answer.
@hvedra (1619)
2 Nov 09
As I have stated in a discussion I started. Here in the UK we don't have a real tradition of Trick or Treat - that is very much an imported commercial activity and nothing to do with an occult conspiracy. I don't see why living near Wiccans or atheists makes it difficult for you to be a Christian. I'm a Pagan with Muslim and Christian neighbours and it doesn't make any difference to me. I've never known a genuine Wiccan to go around prosthelytising or interfering with anyone else. I tend to find those that do come originally from a Christian background and can't give up on the preaching! Anyway, just respond truthfully and politely. They have knocked your door so they should respect your view point.
• Mexico
1 Nov 09
Hi mrsctb: I'm Christian too. I can say that you don't have to worry about giving the children some candies. If we consider this day simply as a day where children dress up and ask for candies there's nothing bad on it. As long as we don't make anithing against our morals and our Christian beleives there's nothing to worry about it my friend. Hope you have a nice day.
@rodsdman (145)
• United States
1 Nov 09
These day holloween is just a holiday about going out and beggin for candy. For the adults it is a chance to dress up and party. Other than some level of immorality that may occure. When the kids come to your door, just give them a treat and send them on their way. If you dont want to do this, do whatever the local custom is to make sure they dont come to your door, in the US you dont turn your porch light on.
@Sepitro (12)
• Canada
1 Nov 09
I think it's all up to what you consider Halloween to represent. In my opinion, it's just a time where little kids, mostly infants, come to my house dressed as Winnie The Pooh, flowers, cowboys/cowgirls...etc, saying "trick or treat". If you look at it as representing just about anything else, you might get "[ruffled] feathers" as you say. My advice: see it as a time for the children to get free candy :) nothing more, nothing less.
@vanionar (18)
• Norway
1 Nov 09
Not at all, but it's just annoying kids coming on the door begging for candy xD