~Shalom Everybody
Discogoddess, you have me shaking my head and ROTFL!
As a child, my parents taught us the principles behind Halloween so we didn't celebrate nor participate in any school events on that day. Although we didn't have a problem with it---we did have a problem with people either knocking on our door all night (my mom even tacked nice messages on the front door) or having to turn all the lights in the house off around 6:30ish for the rest of the night as to appear that no one was home.
I have taught my son the pagan orgins of Halloween, Easter and believe it or not...Christmas. I have had the opportunity to discuss these pagan-soltice events with several "practing witches" who matter-of-factly speak of these events as days they feel Christians have no right to celebrate!
Fine, I say, have your events.
As for my household, we don't treat October 31 any differently then October 3, October 19, or any other day in October for that matter. It goes just as it came. And I don't substitute that day with any Church event to appease my son. I have begun to use that day to pray for those who are worshipping satan as god -- eyes to be open to the truth and come to know the power of Jesus Christ.
I don't use the term "Easter" nor practice the traditional things associated with that day---instead, my family observes the Pesach
(Passover) because that's what Jesus celebrated the night he was betrayed.
When it comes to Christmas...I'll leave that alone...I come in Shalom!
Finally, on a personal note/question...Why do we Christians refer to the Holy Spirit as the Holy Ghost? The Greek word is "pnuema"...I wish someone would do a Hebrew/Greek research on Ghost...last year it caused my son to ask many questions.
Shalom