Is Halloween evil? One man says yes!

[Punisher84]

Ok first off, to the powers that be I'm hoping this doesn't violate the "religious thread rule", but if it does I understand if you gotta lock it.

The above being said I'm just gonna beg everyone to keep it civil. I'm not posting this to debate religion. I'm posting it to have a discussion on my favorite holiday and misinformation. It stems from the comments section of the article mostly, if you read them I'm "Arrow".

Mid-South Pastor Calls Halloween "Evil"|myEyewitnessNews.com, Memphis News, Entertainment, Videos, Business Search and Shopping

HALLS, TN – According to one Mid-South pastor, Halloween is an abomination to God. Pastor Jerry Hickson leads a church in Halls, Tennessee, about 70 miles north of Memphis. He's telling Christians to burn their Halloween decorations.

"[Halloween is] a satanic holiday. It gives a place for the devil, even honors him, and makes light of it and that's the real danger. It’s not seeing him for who he is," said Pastor Hickson from Grace Bible Baptist Church.

Pastor Hickson tells his congregation that families should not treat Halloween as something to celebrate. But a number of Mid-South churches do celebrate the holiday, family-style.

Craig Gyergy, the director of children ministry at Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova said, "We see it as a community outreach. We want to give a chance for folks to come to our church and be here and have a fun time with their families."

But Pastor Hickson says, “When moms and dads, Christian people, and churches get involved celebrating Halloween I don’t understand because I know the scriptures say it is an abomination to God."

Hickson also said anything that has to deal with Halloween is worshiping the devil. Hope Presbyterian Church disagrees.

"We're not recognizing it as a pagan holiday. We're just celebrating families and fun and a great time of year," said Gyergy.

Both churches have activities scheduled during the Halloween weekend. Hope Presbyterian is holding a "Fall Fun Fest" Friday evening, featuring rides, a petting zoo, and candy. Grace Bible Baptist will have its regular church service Sunday plus a hay ride.

[Guest 85rx-7gsl-se]

Your evaluation of the history seems correct. While it doesnt have its roots in a satanic holiday it is based in a druid (pagan) holiday. While many people who celebrate it dont attribute this pagan meaning some Christians feel that it is improper to celebrate the holiday because of its origins which is their right if they so choose.

[Punisher84]

Your evaluation of the history seems correct. While it doesnt have its roots in a satanic holiday it is based in a druid (pagan) holiday. While many people who celebrate it dont attribute this pagan meaning some Christians feel that it is improper to celebrate the holiday because of its origins which is their right if they so choose.

Yea and I get that. That's where my point about misinformation kinda stems from. I'm sure there are people who use it for such purposes, like devil worship, but I never got the wide over condemnation of it. When I was a kid I went to a private Southern Baptist school until 6th grade. We always had a huge Fall festival thing with games and candy and prizes and we could dress up, as long as it wasn't scary.

I always went, but my Mom and several of my friend's moms were kinda rebels I guess and always took us trick-or-treating afterwards too. It made some of my happiest childhood memories.

I've always loved Fall and Halloween. It's just a fun time of year for me and it truly makes me happy so I'm always a little put off when people tell me I'm celebrating the devil, even if it's not directly. I think it just really goes back my core belief that I don't want the government or the church running my individual life.

It's kind of a "Can't we all just be left alone?!" issue for me.

[Guest 85rx-7gsl-se]

My family never did it and are devout Christians. Now I have began to participate some (carved my first pumpkin tonite lol) because my GF's who are devout Christians participate in the holiday. I dont think some involvement is bad but I wouldnt dress up like the devil for halloween nor would I likely ever allow my children to.

[Punisher84]

My family never did it and are devout Christians. Now I have began to participate some (carved my first pumpkin tonite lol) because my GF's who are devout Christians participate in the holiday. I dont think some involvement is bad but I wouldnt dress up like the devil for halloween nor would I likely ever allow my children to.

I agree on the devil thing. I've never bought devil decorations or had a desire to wear the costume. I don't find it as big of a deal as some, but it's not my thing. I do have the tombstones and ghosts, etc though. I really do believe it's what YOU make of the holiday. It can be a fun time if you choose.

[strickj]

The way I celebrate Halloween could be construed as satanic by some I suppose.

It's not intentional.....it just usually winds up that way

[Punisher84]

The way I celebrate Halloween could be construed as satanic by some I suppose.

It's not intentional.....it just usually winds up that way

Still wearing the goat leggins huh buddy?

[Chucktshoes]

The way I celebrate Halloween could be construed as satanic by some I suppose.

It's not intentional.....it just usually winds up that way

You're method of dispatching virgins isn't necessarily satanic, just immoral and profiled in abnormal psych textbooks.

[Mike.357]

If it wasn't for kids and their overwhelming love of candy there would be no Halloween celebrations.

[Punisher84]

If it wasn't for kids and their overwhelming love of candy there would be no Halloween celebrations.

I guess. I still enjoy it and do an annual Halloween party. Got about 30 folks coming over this year and it's always a blast.

[Guest RevScottie]

Christmas is a holiday with pagan roots but I doubt Pastor Hickson would turn down a Cracker Barrel gift card if I gave him one for Christmas

[Punisher84]

Christmas is a holiday with pagan roots but I doubt Pastor Hickson would turn down a Cracker Barrel gift card if I gave him one for Christmas

I certainly wouldn't! Mmmm...Uncle Herschel's favorite breakfast.

[memphismason]

I love Halloween. It is always a good time. Not evil IMHO

[vontar]

Christmas is a holiday with pagan roots but I doubt Pastor Hickson would turn down a Cracker Barrel gift card if I gave him one for Christmas

My Uncle aways says they would accept donations for gays as well.

I knew a pastor that linked Santa and the Devil together via the letters in the spelling of Satan. They have the same letters just arranged differently.

[WhatUpWitchU?]

Personally, I am a Christian, and have been for a long time... However, I celebrate Halloween, and I feel that those that use the excuse of it being satanic or worshipping the devil is slightly shallow... Honestly, we as Christians are always against "going through the motions" for when we come to church and just play religion, because we're not really worshipping God then. Well, how is this any different on Halloween? Yes, I know the roots and all the Christian problems with it, but if you're not celebrating the devil and his whatevers, how is it worshipping him? If the only thing you are doing is going out, getting candy, and coming home and loading up on sugar and chocolate, how is that an abomination to God? I know churches that do the Trunk-or-Treat thing, a lot of them do, for a safe place for the kids to have fun... I mean, where's the wrong in that? I always keep a big bowl of candy at my door for the kids that come by....

And there is always extra candy....

My Halloween Costume:

[Jasongar8]

My third grade teacher didnt celebrate Halloween. She said it was against her religion too. So while the other classes where having their Halloween parties we were going over spelling. She also lived in my neighborhood and would had out little pamplets to the trick-or-treaters that told why Halloween was bad. Needless to say her house got rolled every year until she stopped giving the pamplets out. Rolling her house was alot better than any candy she could have given us anyway.

[Daniel]

My third grade teacher didnt celebrate Halloween. She said it was against her religion too. So while the other classes where having their Halloween parties we were going over spelling. She also lived in my neighborhood and would had out little pamplets to the trick-or-treaters that told why Halloween was bad. Needless to say her house got rolled every year until she stopped giving the pamplets out. Rolling her house was alot better than any candy she could have given us anyway.

My wife taught third grade until this year when she moved to kindergarten. I will remember to always leave candy out.

[Guest db99wj]

I'm Catholic, my wife is Catholic, we are devout Catholics.

We be roll'n on Halloween night, trick or treat'n with the kido's all dressed up in something! It's going to be fun.

People get caught up on where things stemmed from, or someone who was this or that, back when it started, had roots with this and that so today it is bad because of it. Like the whole Christmas thing. I hate the commercialism of it, and as RevScottie said, the celebration of Christmas has pagan roots, but what me and my faith celebrates is the most important, the Birth of Christ. People get too caught up and **** that just doesn't matter. This is one reason I have all but stopped listening to political news radio and tv.

People are dumb.

Edit: Candy is good, really good!

[Punisher84]

My wife taught third grade until this year when she moved to kindergarten. I will remember to always leave candy out.

Lol or don't and just yell at them and tell them they are going to Hell because Halloween is gay.

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[Punisher84]

People are dumb.

Edit: Candy is good, really good!

Yes and yes!

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[Guest Tiny G]

While I would agree that there is real evil in the world I think assigning that label to Halloween celebrations is a bit narrow minded.

All of our holidays can trace back their roots to pagan or non-christian celebrations or rituals, especially Christmas, but for the most part the American Halloween is a secular observance.

Let the kids have some fun and eat some candy. Childhood should be FILLED with great memories. just my 2 cents

[Guest KimberChick]

Christmas is a holiday with pagan roots but I doubt Pastor Hickson would turn down a Cracker Barrel gift card if I gave him one for Christmas

Praise the Lord and pass the hashbrown casserole!

I just remind myself that many of the same pastors who speak out about Halloween will put up Christmas trees in their churches and display rabbits and eggs as Easter decoration.

[Smith]

Praise the Lord and pass the hashbrown casserole!

I just remind myself that many of the same pastors who speak out about Halloween will put up Christmas trees in their churches and display rabbits and eggs as Easter decoration.

Very true. If you are going to be consitent they are all rooted in traditionalism and paganism. That being said, make decisions based on what is right and not reactions to or against others errors.

[leroy]

Originally Posted by RevScottie

Christmas is a holiday with pagan roots but I doubt Pastor Hickson would turn down a Cracker Barrel gift card if I gave him one for Christmas

...Praise the Lord and pass the hashbrown casserole!

I just remind myself that many of the same pastors who speak out about Halloween will put up Christmas trees in their churches and display rabbits and eggs as Easter decoration.

Both you have nailed this ---a "Tempest in a Teapot". I believe that the Rev should calm down a bit, take a baby aspirin, and enjoy the celebrations (...our church will do the "Trunk or Treat" thing on saturday nite...). He also might want to think about the scriptural admonition concerning reaching out to others (...not lecturing them...).

More than that; we are celebrating my dear wife's birthday; how could that possibly be bad?!!!. It is, indeed, an auspicious day ----- worthy of great celebration!!

Keep up the good work!

Happy Haloween!

Leroy (...forgiven pagan...)

[JAB]

You know what is really evil? Being so damned arrogant that you think you have a special right - given to you by God as His representative on Earth - to tell other people what to do, what to think, how to perceive things (in this case, a holiday) or how to live their lives.

The whole 'devil worship' thing is such a bunch of malarkey. The people who started 'Satanism' didn't really worship Satan. For the most part, they didn't even believe in Satan. They were simply atheists who were sick and tired of Christians who behaved the way this Halls pastor is behaving and so called themselves 'Satanists' to piss people like him off and show their opposition to Christianity. Yeah, I imagine that there are some mentally ill people who are screwed up enough to actually worship the Devil but I don't believe that there is any such established 'religion'.

It is funny to me, too, how our own traditions become so much a part of our lives that we don't even stop to consider how odd they are or how much they would appall us if we were on the outside looking in. For instance, there is an old belief in the Christian (largely some Catholic) faith called 'transmogrification'. According to this belief, the bread and wine used for the Sacrament are transformed into the flesh and blood of Christ and the participants are, quite literally, eating Christ's flesh and drinking Christ's blood. Holy cannibalism, Batman! To me, that is a whole lot more disturbing than a cardboard ghost stuck on someone's front door.