If you keep your kids in on Halloween for religious reasons, what do you do when the doorbell rings?

I know many people believe that the devil comes out on Halloween, and so do Witches,

But everyone knows its really a time for children to enjoy time with their parents, and community, a time for the elderly to enjoy children, and meet the neighbors that they don't often get to see because they themselves cannot get out like they used to,.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain

I have attached a couple of links for the religious who don't celebrate the coming of November,

After reviewing the article I can only agree that parents let their children dress far to sexy, I would never intentionally place my child in harms way , allowing your child to dress sexy, implies she is ready for adulthood, and or SEX, and the purpose of dressing in that mannor is to LURE or attract the opposite sex.

I agree that every parent has the right to choose , but i also believe we give far too much leeway,

Fish nets will draw attention, WHAT kind of attention do you think she will get, and then who will be to blame?

On the other hand we should be able to dress however we like without being harrased ect...

Finally for those that don't open the door, I feel that that is plain old wrong, Children want to see their neighbors and show off their costumes,

you could give out and apple, thats what my neighbor did, and she pasted a little prayer on it for the kids,

I read the prayer to them like a fortune cookie and they loved it, while they happily munched on an apple.

They are so excited about this neighbor and her Prayer Fruit,

they can't wait to see her this year,

In my opinion and Many of my frieds and neighbors agree,

SHE is truely praising his name, and teaching the faith,

using this time as an oportunity to teach her faith instead of alienation

Meg

Mother of 3 boys

Since we live out in the country we have never had trickortreaters stop. It is surprising, since my wife is a kindergarten teacher, has been for over 20 years and she is popular with the kids.

Usually she stays home wit the lights off that evening, maybe that helps. Since I work a weird schedule, I get be away from the house during that time.

We do not celebrate Halloween, it is an occult holiday, a black sabbath. Fortunately we have not had to turn anyone away yet, but we would.

When our children were younger we always had them busy with other functions, and as they grew older and began asking questions we explained that Halloween was pagan and that we are Christian. As they began aging to young adult status we taught the deep history of the holiday and have no issues in our home about.

We too live far away from town. Wouldn't want it any other way.

No goofy religious indoctrination, just the plain truth. A pagan holiday, not a Christian event. This holiday is pagan and we do not compromise. We have friends who play the dress up game, but we have chose not to do so.

i think those costumes are so cute just wear jeans or leggings under them if you need to but its halloween,ur supposed to be someone ur not so there 4 i dont think its a big deal to wear costumes that r revealing somwhat,,but i do understand how u would feel being a mother,im just saying as a teen,must the time we dont go out to find the most revealing costume we can but all the other ones seem 2 be so childish and ugly because they dont make costumes in between slutty and childish =(

Since my child has always been taught that it is more blessed to give then receive, she was very happy setting at home and handing out candy and Christian Tracts to the Children that come to the door. She has also done some witnessing to the parents and children and invited them to Church.

I don't have an answer being from Australia but I was curious if Christians celebrated Halloween and I didn't want to ask in this section and get a lecture so thank you for clearing it up.

i found that article interesting yet sad and unfortunately true. my 12 yr old daughter is going as what we call a sexy pirate. BUT we discussed what sexy was. she is actually fully covered - no belly button showing, no fishnets, no tight shirt. she has a baggy pirate shirt with a "sexy" belt (it has metal stars all over it) her shirt hangs past her thighs and she has black 3/4 jeans with little black socks and little black boots. she has a pirate hat and a sword.

she really does look kinda sexy (for a 12 yr old), instead of a scary pirate. we talked about how sexy doesn't mean "mostly naked", and to be truly sexy is when you can be fully dressed and look "that good"

i try to keep my kids kids for as long as possible. they don't watch movies rated for people older than them, they don't listen to teenage music before they're teenagers. there's plenty of time to be adults - later.

parents who sexualize their children (or let the children sexualize themselves) are always the ones who wonder why their 13 yr old is pregnant. it's time people wake up, smell the coffee, and take responsibility for the way they raise their kids.

edit: thanks very much! sometimes my friends say i'm way too strict - like this weekend when a friend said he's not getting his 4 yr old the halo game just because it costs too much - i told him no 4 yr old should be playing games rated M for mature (18+)!!!!!!!!

Just explain that others haven't found the Truth yet, and maybe you can say a prayer before you start answering the door or after, your kids are most likely gonna question why they cannot do that, so make sure you have something fun for them to do, and some sort of treats, if you don't give them candy something else, just let them know some people do things and dont' know that its not right, but chances are your kids, being kids are goen to be more like why can't I do that, so have something fun for them. Just make it clear that we don't celebrate something that is not right. God Bless!!! And I hope the day goes good for you and your kids.

I give them candy.

And sometimes I want to tell them to put on some clothes, too!

I don't have kids, but I plan on opening the door this year whenever someone knocks, chowing down on a Hershey's Special Dark candy bar, and asking, "What do you want?".