Eating Pork And Halloween Candy

Today, I came across a scripture that supports, what came to my mind, the eating of pork. In the Old Testament, I believe Deuteronomy 14:8, pork as well as other foods was forbidden to ingest or a particular way to eat foods were forbidden (Deuteronomy 14:21).

This is the scripture: Colossians 2:20: Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Now, prior to this book there is the scene in Luke in which the disciple Paul sees a white blanket descending from the sky and upon the blanket are animals of all kinds, forbidden and permitted, and a voice from Heaven commands Paul to eat. Three times Paul says something like no, I will not eat of these Lord for you have deemed them unclean and I will not profane my body with ingesting these foods. The Lord replies to Paul, do not call impure what I have made clean. In fact, there is a scene with Jesus and the Pharisees where Jesus basically tells the Pharisees that eating something doesn’t make you unclean, it’s the poop that comes out that’s unclean. (Matthew 15:11).

I’ve never had an issue with eating pork. I either eat it because I want to or because I don’t want to. Generally, I don’t favor pork, I find it to be extremely salty and difficult to exercise off.  Additionally, I have no qualms with certain Christian denominations that have decided to abstain from those foods or ways of cooking that were previously forbidden. And I do not try to change that person’s mind about the Lord deeming the food acceptable (Romans 14:21). But, when joining Colossians 2:20 with Colossians 2:16: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

These scriptures seemed to release a bit of chains on my conscience when it came to my American Indian ancestry and my wanting to dress up in a costume from time to time, but finding that to be an acceptable behavior only around Halloween.

My culture has several festivals and celebrations that as I became an adult, I became to question whether or not they would be acceptable to part take in the eyes of Gd. I began to shave away some holidays, some songs and some stories. I ended up breaking down and asking, well, then what am I? What makes me me? My history, culture, reasons for select greetings, eating and dressing were now forbidden because well, the tradition resides in something other than the Christian god. For this reason, I avoided my family, not knowing how to ask them, not knowing what to say or do, not knowing well, what else to do. The more I looked into what else to do or what there was to do that was deemed “okay”, the more White or European everything was. Why? Must one speak English and be White in order to be a good Christian? Suddenly, I understood the resonating voice from one of the first missionaries to attempt to convert the Sioux, “In order to make a Christian out of an Indian is to take the Indian out of the Indian”.

Must one abstain from their culture to be a Christian? This was confusing, disheartening and really, really boring. But, how to justify my longing to simply have fun? How to justify the fun of dressing up as a pirate or mermaid, yes, even into adulthood? It’s super fun! I like dressing up and pretending to be different characters and since I can’t seem to acquire that as a daily job (actress) I have to time the dressing up very well, a costume party, which are rare and few between until Halloween.

Furthermore, I just saw the movie Hop. It was a waste of time, but the movie pretty much glorified the tradition of Easter: a bunny, eggs, basket, candy, etc. This movie didn’t at all mention Easter as Jesus being raised from the dead or anything like that, which is what I’d always correlated Easter with. Admittedly, my church did have a huge Easter egg hunt with various festivities and as I got older I began to hear arguments amongst church members and Christians in general about whether or not the church should continue the “worldly” celebration of Easter. Around the time I was in middle school, in Sunday School or Bible Summer camp, I was shown videos about the origin of Halloween and some of the demonic things that happen during Halloween and thus was convinced not to celebrate it, even though the only place I really celebrated Halloween was at the academy built by the church I was attending. I loved being able to dress up as a cat, or The Little Mermaid and of course I enjoyed candy, free candy and pillowcases full of it. I mean, COME ON! I discussed the new information I learned with my mother. I was sad, but I decided discontinue my participation of the holiday Halloween. To be honest, I actually didn’t miss it after 2 years.

After reading these versus in Colossians (Colossians 2:20, 2:16). My thoughts changed to, it’s more about the motive behind the eating and the celebration. Basically, if one is not doing the celebration as an act of worship of another god, then it may be okay for one to take part in. Like one taking part in their local gym’s yoga class for the sake that stretching increases blood flow, is calming, is good exercise and all around good for the body. But, if one begins to delve into Yoga and it’s spiritual roots, looking into it for guidance and truth, then one has crossed the line. I also began to think of the Chinese who have a BUNCH of festivals, in America, we call them Chinese festivals, of which Christian Chinese people TOTALLY celebrate.

Using the scripture to justify my giving an Easter egg basket to a child, dressing up for a Halloween party or eating ribs with a side of seafood bisque, I feel is only to take the advantage of the scripture. I believe with all things one must always seek Gd for understanding, for guidance and for truth for their individual lives. I know of a co-worker who is truly spirit led and loved to eat pork. Pork and specifically salted pork was something she craved and loved as a child. Well into her years as an adult, she began to have spasms. She didn’t know why. Then, she had a dream to stop eating pork. Since pork was a part of her average diet, she decided to not eat so much pork. While in church, in prayer at the alter, she said she heard a voice tell her, do not eat pork.  She decided not to eat bacon, but to have pork chops. Her spasms continued to the point where she had to go to the hospital. It was then that she decided she ought to stop eating pork. Now, whether or not Gd was telling her not to eat pork because it was once a law and some denominations insist Gd meant all people were clean, not necessarily the eating of foods, OR whether Gd was warning her that she was developing a serious health issue, I don’t know and don’t care. What I do believe is that Gd has a plan for every individual. And yes, even in eating. I believe Gd can give a conviction to someone to stop eating pork, just like He can give a conviction to someone to stop celebrating a festival or holiday. After reading these scriptures I plan to not just run about eagerly, willing to be part of the fun. But, I do plan to not immediately withdraw from my culture, from my friends’ parties. I plan to not put myself through a HUGE guilt trip when I do help my god sister paint eggs.

What I will remember is Colossians 3:2: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. I will strive to think of things beyond my next paycheck, beyond my next bill, beyond my next vacation, pair of All Stars, vehicle, job, weight loss, candy corn candy binge, or moccasins and the legalities of religious denominations. Instead, I will simply think of the internal peace, joy and love Gd expects me to live my life through His glory, His mercy, His blessings and His discipline. I will pray that Gd will give me the conviction to stop doing something that I am doing and to give me the strength and will power to be obedient to the conviction He gives me.