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Posted by Connie Newbauer Oct 3, 2006 |
Was banning Halloween in your household ever an issue? Halloween used to be a constant source of contention in our home. My husband loves the parties, costumes and most of all the candy! He likes to see little ghouls and goblins run up to our home and shyly hold out their baskets for a treat. and then run off gleefully, peeking into their bags.
I've never really celebrated Halloween. My mother didn't outlaw it, but all in the same, it was discouraged by action. I noticed she spent a lot of time praying on that evening...
Yes, I believe the Pagens among us celebrate a holiday on Halloween, and I know the roots of the holiday. Many of our traditions - Christian - Pagen - Jewish - Buddist, etc., occur near or on the same holidays throughout the year. For some reason though, Halloween gets everyone's panties in a twist.
I understand how some would like to see Halloween banned. When my husband wanted to take the children trick-or-treating, I didn't want them to go. As a compromise, they were only allowed to wear Bibical costumes at first. Then it slid into cartoon characters and insects... and a fairy costume or two....things were completely out of control! My husband, Paul and I agreed on one thing though - children who go trick-or-treating need to be supervised, regardless of age. That was his job.For whatever reason,I still believe it is a night that moves people to do things they wouldn't ordinarily do.
Children, regardless of their spiritual upbringing have no concept of what this evening means to other religions though. It is simply an evening to make a haul of really great candy..and pennies! Why can't we leave it at that? Adults tend to create drama around these controversies, making participation even more inviting.
I have a story that has nothing to do with Halloween, but illustrates graphically what parents out of control can plant in their children's minds:
My third daughter was in a Young Astronauts Club in grade school. I believe she was in fourth grade. For their end of year trip, they were going by plush-bus to Alabama for space camp.It was equipped with a VCR. One evening prior to the trip, club organizers gathered parents, chaperones and club members to discuss the itinerary - and to choose videos for the VCR
We all agreed that if they stuck with Disney movies, (it was a while ago - before Disney went risque on us), everything would be fine...until one parent spotted a Snow White video. There was no way she was going to let her innocent son on the bus with that dirty movie. Honestly, things were tense and serious - and then crazy-mom made that comment and a social faux pas occurred...I laughed! I didn't realize at first she was serious. I thought she was trying to break the tension. Oh, my!
She continued to explain, in front of the children mind you, that Snow White was unmarried and she was living with seven men.....she left very little to the imagination. I don't know what version of Snow White her family owns, but I can safely say, it isn't the one in my video collection. The down side was that Jillian then had a myriad of questions for me on the way home -"Why was that lady angry at Snow White?" "Is Snow White a bad girl?"
On and on iher questions went. By the end of the evening, I could have cried. My daughter's innocence was gone forever. I truly believe it would have been better in this situation to let children interpret the movie through their pure minds. I have to wonder what filth this mother thought about daily if she could make a prostitute out of Snow White. Further more, I don't think there was a hidden agenda on the part of the screen writer.
I never wanted my children to trick-or-treat. Halloween gives me an empty, unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. My husband thought me ridiculous. I let them goin the end -under my husband's protective wing - in costumes void of blood, demons or ski masks .I don't decorate the outside of my house, but I hand out the best candy on the block - and love the little visitors we get each year. Sometimes I even hand out toothbrushes with the candy. Paul and the children think it lame, but the parents love it! I don't hand out bible verses or preach, but greet each child warmly with kindness. It is that that I want them t o remember on Halloween....Kindness...and the crazy lady with the toothbrushes!
...And yes, I remain in constant prayerfulness throughout the evening so their heavenly guardians will watch over them. I don't have the answer regarding public school and Halloween, or Christmas, or Easter for that matter.
I wouldn't mind if any of them were banned from public school - not because of the twisted interpretation of seperation of church & state, but because the public schools, like the world we live in, commercializes everyting until the real meaning is lost. I prefer to celebrate all holidays with my family at home - so they may grow up to see the beauty and deep meaning given to them by our belief system.
If your school doesn't ban Halloween, and you are offended, you have the choice to do as your beliefs dictate. Keep in mind you are the minority and gracefully bow out of the celebrations by keeping your child home. Many families do the same each year to preserve their culture, heritage and beliefs.
Stand up and be counted! If you haven't voted in the Halloween Poll, do so now! If you'd like to start a discussion pro or con banning any holiday celebration in the school, start one!
Other Halloween Resources On the Suite:
Halloween Comes to Europe: European commerce markets Halloween and
European alternatives to Halloween: Festivals for dressing-up
Spend Money this Halloween: Don't settle for cheap costumes and
Halloween Survival Tips: Enjoy Halloween Parties Without Blowing
Ghoulish Halloween Drinks: Drinks for thirsty ghouls of all ages!
Halloween in South America: Some basic origins of the holiday
Pets and Halloween: Pet Safety During Halloween
Sexy Halloween Makeup: Cat, Witch and Vampire Makeup Tips
Halloween: The festivals of Fall