Why we do not celebrate Halloween

I grew up celebrating Halloween. I used to "LOVE" it actually, so why do I choose to no longer celebrate it? People have even begun to ask why we "deny" this "fun" holiday for our son. It is so accepted (and EXPECTED) in our culture that when a person asks my son...."So what are you going to be for Halloween?" and we reply with a polite, "thank you for asking but we do not celebrate Halloween," we get blank stares and in some cases a look of either complete shock or even "disgust." It kind of leaves me wondering why so many people get offended around Christmas time for hearing a "Merry Christmas," but just assume that everyone celebrates Halloween.

My first question to people is usually...."So, what ARE the images typically associated with Halloween in our culture?" Some people cringe and squirm at this question and will even say, Jack-O-Lanterns and Black Cats, which seems innocent enough. I usually do not accept that answer, I mean really, the first things that come to mind may be smiling pumpkins, but there is a greater abundance of witches, skeletons, "death with a sickle," ghosts, vampires, monsters, and so on...images of death, occultism, and more that, in my opinion, that is counter to living in accordance to what is pleasing in the sight of the LORD.

For more on why my family chooses NOT to celebrate Halloween, check out the following articles:

1. Can Halloween Be an Entirely Innocent Practice? -- Part One by Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon

2. Can Halloween Be an Entirely Innocent Practice? -- Part Two by Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon

3. The Specific Customs of Halloween and Pagan Beliefs by Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon

4. Do Christians Celebrate Halloween? - this article offers alternatives and mentions that some Christian families do choose to participate in Halloween. It discusses the fact that "hallow" means to "honor as holy." So it leads me back to why we do NOT celebrate Halloween...it IS a holy day, but in holy celebration of what and to whom?

So, where have I been?

Yes, I began this particular BLOG as a way to connect with other fellow Weight Watchers...Sadly, tragedy struck my family the day after my FIRST postings. My precious 7 year old niece was killed in an accident in her home and I had travelled to be with my sister. The grief is great, but I know that God is greater.

You can see more details about this at my Yahoo 360 Blog.