Halloween

[prose]

My kids are dressing up as Cinderella and as a Panda.

I have bigger worries than "Candy day" ruining their souls.

Although I do feel like maybe I should boycott it.......

This is a weird issue.

[homeschoolmom]

I feel torn on this every stinkin' year.

[prose]

Me too!!

[cmotherofpirl]

I see no problem with Halloween and trick or treating, but then I am a cradle catholic.

[Farsight one]

Just remember that God knows your heart. If your purpose is to send your kids out at night to expose them to the evils most common on this night, then obviously it's a bad thing. If its so that they can have fun dressing up and get some free candy (undoubtedly with a toothbrush or two thrown into the mix), then there should be no harm in it.

[avemaria40]

[quote name='Farsight one' post='1105472' date='Oct 30 2006, 06:46 PM']
Just remember that God knows your heart. If your purpose is to send your kids out at night to expose them to the evils most common on this night, then obviously it's a bad thing. If its so that they can have fun dressing up and get some free candy (undoubtedly with a toothbrush or two thrown into the mix), then there should be no harm in it.
[/quote]

I agree with that.

My Halloween will be low-key, just dress up for school, do HW and go to Mass for All Saints Day (since I can't go on Wed.)

[Guest T-Bone]

[quote name='Farsight one' post='1105472' date='Oct 30 2006, 03:46 PM']
Just remember that God knows your heart. If your purpose is to send your kids out at night to expose them to the evils most common on this night, then obviously it's a bad thing. If its so that they can have fun dressing up and get some free candy [b](undoubtedly with a toothbrush or two thrown into the mix)[/b], then there should be no harm in it.
[/quote]

The fundies are right...Halloween is EVIL.

[homeschoolmom]

So, what about scriptures like this?:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='T-Bone' post='1105492' date='Oct 30 2006, 06:56 PM']
The fundies are right...Halloween is EVIL.
[/quote]
thats your personal opinion, not the Churches

[homeschoolmom]

I think he was being sarcastic... (the toothbrushes)

[KizlarAgha]

I'm always amazed at how it is that adults are able to inject evil into one of the most innocent nights of the year for children. Kids love costumes, they love pretending, they love dressing up, and they love imagination. This night gives them the ability to indulge all of those instincts while at the same time getting too many sweets. It's absolutely a delightful, joyous time of the year.

For the teenagers and older children, it is also a night of mystery and just the right amount of fear and suspense. There's a reason that horror movies and roller coasters are highly rated with teenagers - there is an element of danger and of risk, while at the same time a knowledge of safety and security. Halloween is a way for these older children to engage in scaring one another in an environment that is safe and tolerant. It's also a way for teenagers and older children to recapture some of the imagination and dressing up of their younger years - sides of themselves they can't show on a regular basis.

It is adults who make Halloween a controversy, not children. The eight year olds going out to get candy don't know the entire history of the day. They don't know about any supposed druidic roots. They don't know about modern pagans and satanists who use the day as a chief holiday. But we do, and that makes us nervous - intent to ban this nefarious influence on our children. But the truth is, if we ignore the controversy of Halloween, and ignore the evils committed by some on Halloween, then the controversy ceases to exist. What threat is there of a demonic influence on children if the children aren't aware of any demonic influences?

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1105497' date='Oct 30 2006, 07:00 PM']
So, what about scriptures like this?:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
[/quote]
what does that have to do with playing in a costume and gettng candy?

[Azriel]

[quote name='KizlarAgha' post='1105502' date='Oct 30 2006, 07:04 PM']
I'm always amazed at how it is that adults are able to inject evil into one of the most innocent nights of the year for children. Kids love costumes, they love pretending, they love dressing up, and they love imagination. This night gives them the ability to indulge all of those instincts while at the same time getting too many sweets. It's absolutely a delightful, joyous time of the year.

For the teenagers and older children, it is also a night of mystery and just the right amount of fear and suspense. There's a reason that horror movies and roller coasters are highly rated with teenagers - there is an element of danger and of risk, while at the same time a knowledge of safety and security. Halloween is a way for these older children to engage in scaring one another in an environment that is safe and tolerant. It's also a way for teenagers and older children to recapture some of the imagination and dressing up of their younger years - sides of themselves they can't show on a regular basis.

It is adults who make Halloween a controversy, not children. The eight year olds going out to get candy don't know the entire history of the day. They don't know about any supposed druidic roots. They don't know about modern pagans and satanists who use the day as a chief holiday. But we do, and that makes us nervous - intent to ban this nefarious influence on our children. But the truth is, if we ignore the controversy of Halloween, and ignore the evils committed by some on Halloween, then the controversy ceases to exist. What threat is there of a demonic influence on children if the children aren't aware of any demonic influences?
[/quote]

[Guest T-Bone]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1105499' date='Oct 30 2006, 04:01 PM']
I think he was being sarcastic... (the toothbrushes)
[/quote]

I thought the bolding was pretty obvious.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1105503' date='Oct 30 2006, 06:05 PM']
what does that have to do with playing in a costume and gettng candy?
[/quote]
I don't know... dwelling on some pretty unlovely stuff.

Don't get me wrong, my kids do dress up. I just don't like it.

[KizlarAgha]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1105513' date='Oct 30 2006, 07:14 PM']
I don't know... dwelling on some pretty unlovely stuff.

Don't get me wrong, my kids do dress up. I just don't like it.
[/quote]

Do your kids dwell on unlovely stuff?

Here's an experiment, ask a little kid dressed up on Halloween as a witch what a witch is. I'm pretty sure they won't give you the medieval definition - a person who has entered into a pact with the devil, usually involving sexual intercourse with demons, who then uses magic to harm people.

[homeschoolmom]

When the teens who come to my door cause my kids to have nightmares, I think that's causing them to think about some pretty unlovely things.

[KizlarAgha]

To me, the scariest part of Halloween as a kid is the prospect of ending up with a Chick tract in my treat bag :

[cmotherofpirl]

[url="http://catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=1231"]http://catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=1231[/url]

[url="http://catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=6210"]http://catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=6210[/url]

[homeschoolmom]

Yes, I know. I'm just not a fan.