It's genuinely sad when families shut their kids out of major cultural experiences because it
doesn't fit their narrow view of what their religion allows. Trick or Treating is a major part of a
medium-sized calendar holiday and most kids deeply enjoy it. There is no link between participating
in Halloween and rejecting religion or turning evil. There is nothing in the Bible which expressly
forbids this type of cultural practice. The only reason the religious reject it is they're uptight
moralists who read more into the holiday than actually exists.
I feel the same way about parents who refuse to celebrate Christmas based on rejecting materialism
or rejecting the date as inauthentic, or whatever... The fact is Christmas is a cultural tradition
which transcends a big chunk of the dogma which separates one Christian sect from another, and it
has charm and family value whether or not you're even Christian, there really is no harm to
celebrating Christmas - but there are actual Christian families who deny their kids the experience.
I wrote a paper on this very subject. Not for a grade, but actually in response to a comic book and tract put out by Mr. Jack Chick. Ever heard of him? It wasn't written in defense of or against Halloween, but rather to destroy his falsifications in his comic book and tract.
Though these are comics, Mr. Chick claims they are true (historically). That was my main reason for attacking the material. There are some things he gets correct (rarely) with his other tracts, but when it came to Halloween he missed it totally. Look it up for yourself. The comic book is called "Spellbound" and the tract "The Trick".
Trick-or-treating is just a time for fun and a time to dress up as something or someone different
than you.the only tim t.o.t. Is bad is when you use the time for rituals.
27 Oct 2008 01:44
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