Costumes Are Skin Deep, By Hillary Beth

Costumes Are Skin Deep

By Hillary Beth

I won't be posting any pictures. I could post a whole article of nothing but images, and you would quickly understand that girls' Halloween costumes are very often made to look "sexy." But what would it change to look at such photos?

Of course, some adult costumes have always been made this way. Maybe teens thought if they wore the same outfits, they'd have things they wanted, things that they thought come with being "considered an adult." No matter if a outfit is made for an adult or a child, wearing these costumes is still an invitation for others to lust... and goes so much deeper than a costume.

Have you ever thought about the way a model poses in a particular ad that catches your eye? Many of the Halloweeen costumes, and every day clothing ads for toddlers through teens pose in a sexually inviting way. Think about this: Why do I want to buy this clothing? Do I think I'd be prettier in these clothes? Do I think I'd be more accepted or get more attention? That I won't be lonely anymore?

If you secretly think something along those lines, you're being negatively affected by these kinds of ads. All throughout the Bible, we are told that our worth is not based on how we look! See Luke 12:6-7 for just one example.

The American Psychological Association (http://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/girls/report.aspx) has recognized the damage that the media has done in children's views extensively. One of the points they make on their Web site: sometimes sexuality is"imposed" on someone else. This can be acts against children, but also more subtle attitudes and views that are passed on are just as damaging. Who makes the costumes? Who buys them for young children? Adults do, and you're not far from being the ones who make these decisions as teens.

Do they think these kinds of costumes are funny because they are on a child? Someday you'll be shopping with a younger sibling, a cousin, or, ages from now, your own children. Will you laugh in embarrassment and say "that's funny!" to a "sexy" outfit, or will you be comfortable and confident enough to say, "Dressing this way doesn't make you worth more to anyone - it actually takes away from you." Will you know the Scriptures you'd like to share in this situation?

Maybe you wonder what kinds of things are at stake. Most of us are at least superficially aware that purity does have to do with what we wear - but if you truly understand the depth of the issue, maybe you'd have an easier time not desiring to be the model in the ad that speaks to you in your secret thoughts.

What kinds of things do you miss? If you are constantly focused on your outside appearance, and being attractive to guys, you'll miss opportunities to expand your mind and learn new hobbies, deepen your knowledge in subjects that interest you, hone your skills for your career or ministry, develop your spiritual gifts, encourage or even mentor others in the faith, volunteer at a multitude of places... and so much more! Are you just 13 or 14? You're never too young to do big things for God - see 1 Timothy 4:12!

Isaiah 58:10-11 (ESV) paints a picture of someone rescued from death who's living for God.

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Gloom, hunger, the afflicted...scorched places, darkness, weak bones... pouring yourself out like Jesus has done for us on the cross... that's a big contrast to the watered garden, strengthened bones, a bubbling spring... light, satisfaction, and the guidance of the Lord. When you see costumes this year, whether you are participating in Halloween or not, I hope you take a minute to think about the contrasts you can see. What do you see? Are there girls you can encourage who are hungry for God's Word, weak to temptation, seeing themselves in a way other than the way God sees them?

Ask God to show you what He'd like to teach you... and please share with us!

Halloween, By Beatrix C.

Hi, Hillary Beth here! I asked the GGFG writers to share their thoughts on Halloween. As you think about this subject and more, reflect on these verses: Romans 12:2 and 1 Peter 3:15.

Halloween

By Beatrix C.

Many Christians that “celebrate” Halloween often ask, “What’s wrong with Halloween?” Besides the fact it’s meant to celebrate the Devil, demons, monsters and such, I personally don’t think Halloween is a holiday any Christian should “celebrate.” Perhaps participating in trick or treating, and only that, is okay - which a lot of Christian families do. I don’t go trick or treating, though; my family believes that anything that has to do with Halloween is a no-no. But that’s my family; it’s not yours.

If it was a church event, where you’d just have a party, a costume party, or something to that extent, cool! My old church used to throw a costume party. Sure, there were the creepy skeletons and zombie decorations and stuff, but you know, it’s Halloween – they’re trying to keep up a little “scariness” here!

Now, my family goes to Happy Fall Festivals instead. The festival that I’ve been going to for years is a lot of fun! There are lots of bounce houses, food, and games where you can win candy! That’s what I do. It’s a good substitute for trick or treating or Halloween, don’t you think?

Happy Halloween, By Leah F.

Happy Halloween

By Leah F.

Happy Halloween! The scary time is almost here, and I know some people are excited. But here is a question; do you celebrate Halloween? I do, but in my family we aren’t allowed to be anything scary or dark. Halloween is a big deal going on in the Christian community, because people don’t know whether it is right to celebrate it or not as Christians. What do you think? Here I have put together the history of Halloween, some Bible verses, and some personal views on the subject of Halloween.

Halloween comes from a Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”) which means “summer’s end.” Samhain is the celebration of the end of harvest season. In this time, the pagans believed that OCtober 31 was when the living and dead worlds overlapped, and the dead would be able to come back to the living, and they would make people sick and ruin some of the crops. The pagans would then have bonfires and wear masks and costumes in order to please the spirits, so they wouldn’t hurt them.

There is controversy about what Samhain was really about though. Some people think it was devoted to worshipping the dead, or their god of death Saman. While others believe that Samhain was a time to just prepare for the winter and gather supplies while thanking the people who had already passed.

But where do we get our Halloween? Some folklorists believe and have evidence that Halloween customs were brought over by Irish Immigrants. Then, children picked up, and Halloween was then a colonial wide children’s holiday. By the late 1800’s the mischief of tricking caught on. People would unhinge farmer’s gates, egg people’s houses, etc. But by the early 1900’s, the tricks got a bit more serious, and that is the type you might see on the news. Then, to try and stop the “tricking” the town would bribe the children with candy, saying that if they stopped tricking they could get a treat. So then the children got to dress up, and go from house to house getting their candy and going “trick or treat!”

Now here’s the question; should Christians celebrate this “holiday?” Now, unlike some people think, the pagans were not worshiping Satan, but just their ancestors. But for some people, and I think for most Christians, that is still not a good reason. Witches and all that “black magic” stuff actually stopped once the Catholic Church started persecuting them, but they are still in the Halloween culture. Now Ephesians 5:11 says “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” So, then some people would take that as “don’t go along with pagan rituals.” But another question is; if you are nothing scary, and only are getting candy, is it really that bad? Now of course, I can’t go right up and say “Halloween is okay!” or “Halloween is bad!” because that wouldn’t really be true either way. My personal belief is that even if Christians do celebrate Halloween, it won’t determine whether they go to heaven or not, so you can choose.

References:
http://www.halloweenhistory.org/
http://www.livescience.com/40596-history-of-halloween.html