A Bloodied Sword and My Integrity

Yesterday when I was picking up something in Walmart I saw something which solidified my feelings on the celebration on Halloween.

My issue with the day has never been its roots. My issue is its present.

A mom and her young boy were shopping and he was carrying an addition to his costume - a 18 Inch long sword covered in blood. As a culture, something is wrong with that. Very wrong. And so I looked through the costume isle - and I saw many similar things. Princess costumes which would cause my little girls to look like hookers, ghoulish masks which would frighten my younger boys, various knives and swords and other weapons covered in fake blood, severed arms with bone and blood coming out, and more.

My choice was again solidified. I've been wrestling with the issue of Halloween for weeks, I've read dozens of articles and engaged in several conversations. I have searched the Bible for wisdom.

I cannot participate in a celebration of these things. As a parent I cannot look my children in the eye with any form of integrity and say that this is either normal or that they should overlook it and carry on. I feel that this is not normal, it is not ok to look passed.

And so, Halloween and I have parted ways. I have great memories of it as a child. I will make great memories for my own children as we enjoy family time and as I teach them to stand against those things which should not be considered normal.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8 ESV)