My Response to a Particularly Offensive Narrow-Minded Article

My Response to a Particularly Offensive Narrow-Minded Article

Follow the link to this article, then return here to read my response. I'm not asking for cudos or anything, just wanted you to see another point of view than you may have or know that others have.

This is my response:

The author of this one is a winner. Love it when those uneducated on a particular subject matter try to scream their holier-than-thou self-righteousness from the rooftops regarding said subject to which they know nothing about. If you want to believe something, then at least believe something that has fact attached to it somewhere, not based exclusively on the opinion(s) of others who also don't know the facts, but only twisted half-truths on to full lies about the subject.
So, the subject of this article is about Hallowe'en and it's "evilness", that it celebrates death and darkness, and other ridiculous matter ad nauseum. I will address each of her points directly:

"As I grew closer to the Lord and gained more knowledge of His Word, I began to feel convicted about Halloween."
GOOD. If something doesn't feel right to you, then you should most certainly not continue on with it.

"God is a God of life, but Halloween focuses on death. Should I celebrate a holiday where people decorate their front yards with tombstones?"
Ok, first of all, Hallowe'en doesn't "focus on death". Hallowe'en is the modern day commercialized joke that was once a celebration of the last harvest of the season. The ancient Celts called this time Samhain (pronounced SOW-en) and believed that the veil between the living and the ancestors who had passed was thinnest, so they could come visit. It was a time to celebrate those who had passed, not dwell of "death" and the dead in any morbid sense. THAT is what those who do not understand this concept have confused themselves and others about. "Death" isn't an end, it is just another state of beginning.

"The Scriptures tell us to put away deeds of darkness (Rom.13:12) and that light has nothing in common with darkness (2 Cor. 6:14). Is celebrating a dark holiday something a child of the light should be doing?"
Again, it is not a "dark holiday". In fact, it is one of the Cross Quarter Festivals, one of the Fire Festivals, a celebration of the sun and its life giving light. While it is the only one of the Fire Festivals celebrated at night, that is so the people may visit with those ancestors who've passed and to wish them well upon their return at dawn. There is nothing scary or morbid about it. It is family visiting with family. It is a time of honoring your ancestors, not "zombie" attacks & tombstones.

"I had been delivered from fear and panic attacks and knew that fear comes from the enemy. Should I participate in a holiday that has fear as its very foundation?"
That "fear factor"? THAT is straight up Hollywood bs. There is nothing to fear about those of our relatives & ancestors who have passed. We honor their memories, say prayers to them of gratitude for their love, and sorrow at their passing, but know that they are alive and well where ever they now reside on the Otherside.

"Witchcraft is clearly detestable to the Lord (Deut 18:10-13). Shouldn't something that glorifies witchcraft (just take a walk through the Halloween store) be detestable to me as well?"
LMAO Wow, so uneducated here. Hallowe'en stores have absolutely nothing, and I mean NOTHING to do with witchcraft in any way, shape or form. This is typical of someone who has no clue how to do research and when they do (as the author obviously does) they read only what is written & pushed by those of the same thinking but who also have never done their research. Let me put it this way; if I wanted to know about other religions and faith systems, would I read what those of my faith wrote (who never studied and lived the other systems) or would I read the teachings of those who live that faith system every day - just as they do theirs? I don't go to the baker to have my car fixed, or the coffee shop to buy computer ink. Neither should you learn about a subject from those who don't have any education on the subject. You won't be "converted". You'll be EDUCATED. It won't hold true for you, but at least you'll have a broader view and will understand where they're coming from. Rather than that narrow, thin line that is actually impossible to tow. Narrow mindedness is NOT a virtue.

"Halloween is a sacred, high holiday for Wiccans (the official religion of witchcraft). Is this a holiday Christians should celebrate alongside Wiccans?"
Her un-educated lack of knowledge is showing fully here. Wicca is NOT, I repeat NOT "the official religion of witchcraft". It is just one of many Pagan Traditions just as there are many denominations of the Christian religion, various sects of the Jewish and the Vedic, etc. There is no all-encompassing "one" for Pagans as there are not for Christians.

"Is it cute when we dress our kids like the devil (or witches, ghouls, scary characters, etc.)? Isn't it, well, demonic?"
Wow. Just. Wow. The uneducated ignorance here is beyond astounding, especially considering the fact that "the truth is out there" and so easily researched and learned. AGAIN, not to "convert". Only to EDUCATE.

"What if my child dresses in a wholesome fireman costume? Romans 16:19 says that we need to be wise to what is good and innocent of evil. If I let him participate in Halloween, even while dressed as a fireman, aren't I sending him a mixed message by allowing him to participate in a celebration of evil?"
If you choose to not let your children participate in fun & games, that's your prerogative as a parent, but don't twist the truth to fit your agenda, rather than tell them the reality of "why"; which is that YOU'RE not comfortable with it and so you will not participate or allow them to. But to spread the twisted lies about it being "a celebration of evil" is poor parenting. Because when they get old enough to learn how to do research - they'll learn, and you'll be called a liar. Not cool - for you or for them.

"The Lord said in 2 Cor. 6:17, "Come out from them and be separate ... Touch no unclean thing ..." Doesn't God want His children to be set apart from the world and from sin and evil? Aren't we supposed to be peculiar people?"
If you want to be "set apart", then do so (and good luck with that), but don't keep propagating twisted half-truths and lies to fit the agenda. Simply state, "it's not within the realm of my beliefs, and I'm not comfortable with it." Period. Don't push an agenda built for the last six centuries on lies. It was uptight, prudish, FEARFUL men who in their fear of the unknown decided to make it a "heresy" or "evil" and a "sin" to even consider having anything to do with anyone else who does. Is that REALLY the way to work to convince those "evil people" that your way is actually right? Alienate them through lies like this article and you'll look just as fruity as the author. (Newbies or reformed anyone in anything are always the worst, always spouting loudly in their self-righteousness.) I prefer those who are strong enough and self-confident enough in their own faith that they don't need to spout loudly. They're actions speak clearly. They walk the talk. Not talk the talk - as the author of this article so obviously does.

"My extended family thinks it's ridiculous that we not allow our son to dress up for Halloween. Should their opinions matter to me more than God's? Shouldn't pleasing God be my utmost concern?"
YES! Absolutely! It shouldn't matter what others think. But remember to put the shoe on the other foot, or you'll be just another religious fruitcake with nothing valid worth listening to.

If there is even a question in my heart and mind that it might be wrong, shouldn't that be my first clue? Why would I continue to do so with even a lingering thought that it is wrong?
Your belief is your own, and there is nothing wrong with that. But others have their beliefs, and there also is nothing wrong with that. Educate yourself on those Paths you know nothing about. Hold a conversation with those of other faiths. LEARN something! You won't be converted. Your won't be sinning. You'll be able to hold your own in a conversation on Faith and the Divine. As long as there is belief in something Greater than ourselves, then there is always hope that we will come to an equal understanding. And agree to disagree.

"Does Halloween bring glory to God? No! It glorifies the devil! Nuff said."
Ugh. Brain dead, self-righteous, newbie, loud-mouthed fundie. "Nuff said".

Holly King's Favorite Yule Beverage

Holly King's Favorite Yule Beverage
Ok, I know it's a bit early to be talking about the Holly King, since he returns at Yule and it's not even Samhain yet. But this is a recipe which takes a while to make and NOW is the time to begin. (This is an alcoholic beverage, so no one under 21 is supposed to drink it... ;) )

This is a recipe that I LOVE, but I always forget to start it on time. It takes 6-8 weeks to infuse to it's best strength and taste. So, THIS year, I put it on the calendar, bought the ingredients early and started it today. I'll share the recipe with you and maybe you can begin your own yearly tradition of adding this beverage to your Yule celebration.

Holly King's Favorite
Starter:
1 12 oz package Cranberries - chopped to small pieces
OR
1 24 oz package of dried Cranberries (my preference)
1 large Orange - zested
1/5th Vodka

Chop the cranberries (whether fresh or dried) into small pieces.*
Place in a large glass jar with a good tight-fitting lid.
Add the orange zest.
Pour the 1/5th of vodka over the cranberry & orange zest mixture, covering completely.
Put the lid on the jar, label it with "Holly King's Favorite Starter" and the date.
Store for 4 weeks in a dark cupboard, taking it out to shake it several times a week.

*I have a Vita-Mix, so I just put the cranberries and vodka in the pitcher, turned it on to 5 and let it chop for about 15 seconds. You want them chopped, but not too fine.

Syrup:
1 1/2 c Sugar
3/4 c Water

Boil sugar in water for 1 minute.
Cool to room temperature.
Strain the cranberry-orange mixture.
Stir the simple syrup into the cranberry-orange infusion.
Add a cinnamon stick – optional.
Store in the dark for 2-4 weeks before serving.

Serve:
Place in a pot to warm, do not get too hot, you want to be able to sip it easily.
You can also serve this cold or at room temperature - your choice.
Pour into a wine glass and enjoy!

 Holly King's Favorite Starter

Correspondences:

Cranberry ~ Feminine magick, Happiness, Love

Orange ~ Abundance, Beauty, Divination, Fertility, Fortune, Happiness, Harmony, Joy, Love, Luck, Money, Peach, Prosperity, Warmth

Sugar ~ Love, Lust, Sex magick, Sympathy

Cinnamon ~ Abundance, Altar tool consecration, Aphrodisiac, Attraction, Attracts helpful spirits & guardians, Brings positive energy & peace to rituals, Cleansing, Consecration, Creativity, Courage, Dreamwork, Energy, Fertility, Financial matters, Fortune, Healing, Increase concentration, Knowledge, Love, Luck, Lust, Money, Passion, Peace, Power, Prosperity, Protection, Psychic aid, Psychic powers, Purification, Raise spiritual vibrations,

Sex magick, Solar magick, Speed, Spirituality, Strength, Success, Vision work