What is your opinion about Halloween? Do you encourage or discourage kids from participating in this event? The specter of any celebration where Satanic forces are widely paraded can give any Christian cause for concern. One of the key issues which gets lost in the revelry surronding Halloween is its Celtic-Christian origin. All Saints Day is Nov. 1 and All Souls Day is Nov. 2 yet few of our churches acknowledge these important events. But, most importantly Oct 31 is the date when Martin Luther posted the 95 theses on the door of the Church @ Wittenburg. This act not only firmly renounced the abusive power of the Catholic church's selling of indulenges but set in motion the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther made it all possible for John Wesley & Calvin to come along later with their revisions to the Protestant compact thereby fostering Methodism, Presbyterianism, AnaBaptist, etc. As AME's we would be wise to remember this act of theological heroism and be thankful for the spiritual benefits which it created.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 2000

Answers

Funny you should ask this question, my daughter asked me a similar question. She wanted to know if I would have let or trick or treat now that I am a minister. Well my daughter is 23 and I told her I would because she had so much fun. She shared stories of how every year I would put together costumes that were not complete. Like bunny ears and a zebra costume. We just laughed. Going trick or treating was so much fun for us as a family. I am so glad she has those memories. The tradition of trick or treat is a celtic tradition as you stated bill. It arose from towns wanting to get rid of souls that were still left in purgatory and thus were hanging around the villages. The townspeople would dress up as ghouls and parade through the town with sweets in their hands to lure the ghosts out of town and to send them on their way. I say let the kids have fun. They will have plenty of time to learn about Luther, Calvin, Wesley brothers and other. Rev. Denise Rogers

-- Anonymous, October 31, 2000

I must agree with Rev. Rodgers. My daughter is 5, and she so look forward to the glitter on the face and the bug attenae on her head. She was a bee. She also was adorable. I allowed it for the fun. but just as I have to sift thru the candy she gets, I must also sift thru the images she sees during this time. But there is time for that without taking out the fun in her life.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2000

One of the major concerns of trick or treating is the safety of the children. We have all heard stories of razor bldes in aplles and so forth. At oour church we bring the activities into the church and have "Halleluah Night" under the guidance and direction of the Richard Allen Youth Council. It has been a very successful event with games, costumes (no demonic or violent type costomes are allowed) and of course the Halloween candy. It is open to the surrounding community children and not just St Paul's. Bro. Bob McCain

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2000

I haven't celebrated Halloween for years. I can't get past it's occultic history. The way it's celebrated today seems to me is more or less a reenactment of that occultic history. However, I am all for Christian alternatives to it.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2000

Interesting insight and opinions. I agree that there is a time and place for everything. This year, my first and only grandchild was finally old enough to actually participate. I think in the midst of the whole celebration there is an opportunity to point out the true meaning of the holiday and to realize that today, the day has taken on a totally different meaning. I take the premise that whatever was meant for bad can be turned into good. Each year we have a 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' festival the Saturday before Halloween. This is an opportunity to provide a fun time for our youth in a healthy environment. Ignoring the holiday will not make it go away, I believe we need to educate our children, so they understand that you can live a complete and fulfilling life with a christian focus. Let them have their fun! What other day of the year can you eat all the candy you want and not feel guilty anyway!

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2000