I participated in Halloween festivities all my life. My Church had a Halloween party every year, we went to school dressed up and then paraded around the neighborhood collecting more junk than one child could possibly consume. Mom put the bags (with our names on them) high in the cupboard and would let us pick one or two items for our lunches and for a snack after school while we did our homework.I was always the chicken of the group though; I'd try everything to get out of going to haunted houses, witch walks and hayrides. I would run with my eyes closed (not always a good idea) past the houses that looked like graveyards with the eerie music blasting. I would have nightmares of the witches and monsters and skeletons that would lurk around every corner.Then when I was about 19 I heard an Orthodox priest speak about how demonic this celebration really was. He explained that the "harmless" jack-o-lanterns that sat on our front steps originated from the Celts. He told us that they would carve faces in remembrance of their dead and then go to a place where they would offer someone as a sacrifice. Then they would take that light from the fire and take it home (in their jack-o-lanterns) to light their hearth. They also believed that the dead would roam the earth that night so they left treats outside their doors.I was in shock but somehow it settled something in my soul that I never even realized was stirring. I looked into it quite a bit more and found an abundance of information that supported his statements.Ever since then I take no part in the celebration of Halloween. I teach my children that it is a demonic holiday that most people don't understand. But we understand that anything that isn't of Christ is of Satan and there is nothing "of Christ" in celebrating this day. We go about as we would any other day-we also celebrate the feast of St. John of Krondstadt (his feastday on the old calendar). We do decorate with non-carved pumpkins, gourds and fall leaves for Fall or Harvest in September.I realize even within our Church the opinions on this are split down the middle. Argument 1 claiming that it is a completely demonic holiday in origins and we should not take any part in it and Argument 2 claiming that nowadays the intentions are not what they used to be and is just harmless fun (even though there are many satanic cults that offer sacrifices of animals and humans, as well as many other occultist practices). They also will say that yes, Halloween has pagan origins but if children are dressed up in "good" costumes it's ok. I think that's a pretty hypocritical statement. If you're dressed "good" you could participate in something that's satanic?Forgive me if I offend anyone by saying this but I really believe that children who are raised with this mindset will learn to make excuses for everything in life that they know deep down is wrong but want to take part in.Some will even go as far as arguing the fact that Christmas trees originated from Druid practices. While this is true, a Christmas tree is, in fact, a symbol of Christmas and Christianity. (I think this is like comparing apples to oranges) I don't think anyone can say there is any connection between Halloween and Christianity.When it comes to Christ we can't ride the line, as tempting as it is.How do you feel about this?Here are several articles that I recommend:The Joyous Feast of PumpkinIs Halloween Just Harmless Fun?Russian Church Speaks Concerning HalloweenThe movie Trick or Treat?Even if you disagree with this doesn't it upset you to see Halloween starting to shadow Christmas? People are decorating more for Halloween than the Birth of Christ! A long time ago I remember hearing (I don't remember where) how slowly corporations are going to try to combine Halloween with Christmas. At that time I thought, Hmmm....that doesn't really make sense. How would they do that? Now when I see the Christmas decorations coming out at the same time as the Halloween decorations and there being equal amounts of both, if not less Christmas, I totally see how. I'm tired of pretending like religion has nothing to do with what goes on in the world. I now understand that religion is exactly what determines what happens...