Halloween Fun Won't Haunt Kids by John Rosemond
We have always struggled with what the right thing to do for our children each Halloween. Our compromise, like the mother below, is only "happy" costumes and "cheerful" jack o' lanterns. We respect all different opinions, of course, but have felt vaguely guilty and "un-Christian" at times. I saw this article by John Rosemond today and loved his response. MSB
QUESTION: I do not like the implications of Halloween, but my husband does, so we allow the kids to dress up as fun/positive characters. Our son is now 7 and is asking to go to the local haunted house. My husband thinks this is OK, but I would like to keep the negative aspects of Halloween out of the picture as much as possible. What say you?
Answer:
Halloween may have its roots in ancient pagan rituals, but then so does the Christmas tree and the Maypole. Personally, and speaking as an evangelical Christian, I think the brouhaha over Halloween is much ado about nothing, as is the brouhaha over the Harry Potter books.
I do believe there’s evil afoot in the world, but the notion that Halloween somehow lures children to the Dark Side is more than a tad over the top. The tradition is just pure childish fun, much healthier for children, in my estimation, than the orgy of materialism they’re exposed to at Christmas, or even the 6 o’clock news for that matter.
My kids participated, to the fullest, in Halloween, as do my seven grandchildren, and none of them are more than normally evil.
QUESTION: I do not like the implications of Halloween, but my husband does, so we allow the kids to dress up as fun/positive characters. Our son is now 7 and is asking to go to the local haunted house. My husband thinks this is OK, but I would like to keep the negative aspects of Halloween out of the picture as much as possible. What say you?
Answer:
Halloween may have its roots in ancient pagan rituals, but then so does the Christmas tree and the Maypole. Personally, and speaking as an evangelical Christian, I think the brouhaha over Halloween is much ado about nothing, as is the brouhaha over the Harry Potter books.
I do believe there’s evil afoot in the world, but the notion that Halloween somehow lures children to the Dark Side is more than a tad over the top. The tradition is just pure childish fun, much healthier for children, in my estimation, than the orgy of materialism they’re exposed to at Christmas, or even the 6 o’clock news for that matter.
My kids participated, to the fullest, in Halloween, as do my seven grandchildren, and none of them are more than normally evil.
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