Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Mike Stone
Philippians 4:8
Halloween. The mere mention of the word brings different images to different people's minds. Some think of horror films produced in the spirit of Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Others imagine jack-o-lanterns, witches, devils, monsters, vampires, zombies, cemeteries and haunted houses. Still others think of hay bales, fall festivals, and childish costumes, and mini-size Snickers and fun-size M and M packs.
The biggest problem I have with this last category is the Snickers weren't designed to have a mini size and the fun-size M and M's are not really fun at all.
In any case, this latter category is not the focus tonight. I'm talking about the dark, demonic, devilish aspects of a holiday. And in a simple, topical message, I'm posing the question, ''Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?''
Historical information
Where and why did Halloween originate?
FACT: Historians differ on a point or two but this is the generally-accepted history.
I was amazed to learn that Halloween is the 2nd-most lucrative holiday for the retail industry. The candy, the decorations, the costumes, the parties, etc. have an economic impact that reaches into the billions of dollars.
On September 22, 2021, a report from the National Retailer's Federation estimated that Americans will spend $10.14 billon on Halloween this year. Households with children are expected to spend 2x the amount of those without kids. That's basically $7 billion for those with kids and over $3 billion for those who do not.
The Gaelic or Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced, SOW-in) is probably the source of the present-day Halloween celebration. The Celtic New Year began on November first. A festival that began the previous evening honored Samhain, Celtic lord of death. It's logical that a farming culture would understand this time of year representing the contrast between life and de ...
Mike Stone
Philippians 4:8
Halloween. The mere mention of the word brings different images to different people's minds. Some think of horror films produced in the spirit of Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Others imagine jack-o-lanterns, witches, devils, monsters, vampires, zombies, cemeteries and haunted houses. Still others think of hay bales, fall festivals, and childish costumes, and mini-size Snickers and fun-size M and M packs.
The biggest problem I have with this last category is the Snickers weren't designed to have a mini size and the fun-size M and M's are not really fun at all.
In any case, this latter category is not the focus tonight. I'm talking about the dark, demonic, devilish aspects of a holiday. And in a simple, topical message, I'm posing the question, ''Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?''
Historical information
Where and why did Halloween originate?
FACT: Historians differ on a point or two but this is the generally-accepted history.
I was amazed to learn that Halloween is the 2nd-most lucrative holiday for the retail industry. The candy, the decorations, the costumes, the parties, etc. have an economic impact that reaches into the billions of dollars.
On September 22, 2021, a report from the National Retailer's Federation estimated that Americans will spend $10.14 billon on Halloween this year. Households with children are expected to spend 2x the amount of those without kids. That's basically $7 billion for those with kids and over $3 billion for those who do not.
The Gaelic or Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced, SOW-in) is probably the source of the present-day Halloween celebration. The Celtic New Year began on November first. A festival that began the previous evening honored Samhain, Celtic lord of death. It's logical that a farming culture would understand this time of year representing the contrast between life and de ...
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