I'm a Christian and don't believe in celebrating in any part of Halloween since it pretty much celebrates all things evil. Every part is rooted in pagan tradition.
But honestly.. I don't want to make a big deal about it.
My co-workers want to decorate, get dressed up and have a Halloween party on the day of. I just started working here.
So even though I stand firm on my beliefs I don't think people should impose their beliefs on others.
And I don't want to come off as self-righteous.. Which I know if I was in their position I would feel that way.. I know cuz I was in thier position years ago.
So how do I keep true to my beliefs without coming off as self-righteous?
2007-10-09 02:49:34 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Halloween
And YES I realize that Christmas and Easter are pagan in alot of areas too! I don't celebrate them either! I celebrate some Jewish holidays and Resurrection Day, not Easter!...
And the point of this question is that I have every right to believe what I believe.. I just don't want to cause a problem at work!
2007-10-09 03:00:06 · update #1
Good to see you are being a true Christian and not becoming contaminated with the evil things of this world.
As a Christian I believe that the truth is always the best answer. Just say that you are a Christian and would rather not celebrate this festival. You will find that most people actually respect what you believe as most of them dont believe anything as they have not been taught anything.
Give a Godly example and lead from the front. God WILL bless you for taking a stand.
2007-10-09 03:00:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋
If you are new then use caution-you run the risk of being labled the office drag and making everyone else feel they can't celebrate. If you have an HR dept, they could find out and put a stop to the whole thing. Office are getting more PC and they don't want to offend-fine for that day but a bunch of co-workers who looked forward to a fun day that you must now deal with for a long time to come is not so great.
I would just be polite and decline to participate with a simple "not that into holidays". Leave your relious issues out of it. Not menaing to be smart about this but honestly if you boo-hoo all holidays, well given most office cultures, you will quickly not be asked to take part in the festivities.
And FYI-Samhain and All Hallows Eve are not about all things evil. Far from it. But what ever no need to debate it.
Blessed Be
2007-10-09 05:37:25 · answer #2 · answered by VAgirl 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually all hallows eve or halloween was celebrated by the Catholic Church at one time and for a long time to honor the departed. It is not as evil as the "Christian Right minority" have vocally asserted it to be, but everyone is entitled to believe as they will and celebrate it or not. It is really just a harmless amusement for most folk though.
Tell them your beliefs prevent you from joining in, but you hope they have a good time. Some will still think you are being self-righteous, but when one stands up for ones beliefs this just happens. Most won't care one way or the other.
You could also go and dress up in a less "ghostly" way, but you may not be comfortable with that.
You cannot prevent people from thinking what they will but everything a person stands for or every decision they make has some baggage and consequences.
Do consider reading about halloween and trying to have fun with it though. Yes there are some 'dark things' about it, but really each celebration is what you persoanlly make it. Anythings and everything has some good to it and everything has some bad.
I love horror movies, big time and so did my kids, but that never caused them to question their faith or become evil in any way. Two reasons for this. They were both comfortable in their faith and understood what it meant by 'real' study and they were able to separate harmless amusements from truly evil things.
Hope this helps you!
here's a halloween link showing the church link and other history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
2007-10-09 03:10:25 · answer #3 · answered by rumbler_12 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Nobody can force you to do anything you don't want to do.
I have been in a similar spot, though for a non-religious reason, and the best thing I did was to smile and say, "I don't want to participate." That's all. No lengthy explanations. No holier-than-thou diatribe. Short and sweet. If they ask why, THEN you can say whatever you wish (hey, they ASKED for it!).
Keep in mind that, to most people, Halloween has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with being a kid and getting (or giving) candy. As such, they may not understand the religious association, and, by comparison, they won't understand you, either. Everyone will get over it a few days after the 31st!
As for not participating at home, the general rule is to close your window shades, and turn off your porch light, if you have one. That tells trick-or-treaters that you're not participating; some might not get the hint, so if they come a-knockin' at your door, just ignore them.
2007-10-09 03:32:13 · answer #4 · answered by skaizun 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand what you are going through because since I was young my sister and I never were part of Halloween parties at our school and now I don't participate in our office functions either. The two suggestions I have for you are (1) even though you just started working there try to take the day off and (2) if someone approaches you about just tell them that personally it is your least favorite holiday and that you don't really celebrate it. It allows you to not sound holier than thou and it allows a conversation on what holiday is your favorite. Hope all goes well...
2007-10-09 03:00:26 · answer #5 · answered by Jen S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Simply say "I'm sorry I do not celebrate Halloween" or you could sorta celebrate and pass out christian bookmards, or a bible gum, or any other christian related toy. Many churches do this, my pastor even hands out candy to trick or treaters - America does not celebrate the pagan holiday, we have made it in to a fun night where kids dress up and get free candy!
2007-10-09 04:47:46 · answer #6 · answered by reydi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't tell them at all. It's not a big deal and none of their business.
2016-01-21 18:24:55 · answer #7 · answered by james 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check them at the door. The workplace is a shared environment. No one is trying to turn you evil with a celebration such as hallowe'en. Pagan as it may be in origin, the holiday is a joyful reminder of death's power over our mortal bodies; the progenitor of such phrases as "whistling past the graveyard". We all love life and fear death. As Christians, we know death is not final. In no way does celebrating Hallowe'en mean that you are embracing evil.
I'm a nice Irish Catholic boy who loves "dark" chocolate. My kids know when they come home from trick or treating (a fantastic way to connect with the neighbors, btw) that the mini Hershey Special Dark bars are mine!
Owoooo!
2007-10-09 03:02:11 · answer #8 · answered by Goethe's Ghostwriter 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You can't.
I'd say your best bet is to not participate, and when asked why not, tell them the truth as you see it.
The only way that would push your beliefs onto others is if you tell them before they ask.
You made a judgment call about Halloween. Stick with it if thats what you truly believe. And what others think shouldn't matter.
2007-10-09 02:54:57 · answer #9 · answered by hypno_toad1 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
well. just think of it as having fun and a new way of making friends in the work place. you are new after all. sooner or later you'll learn that sometimes you have to bend your beliefs because not all the time other people will do the bending for you. it's not evil you know.
2007-10-09 04:03:38 · answer #10 · answered by kcarz 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋