As a child, Halloween seemed benign enough; lot’s of kids,
clunky costumes and loads of candy. A few “tricks” did occur, but for the most
part, it was safe fun and a chance to meet neighbors. I have no issue with
good-hearted fun, but I am increasingly disturbed by a holiday that glorifies
fright, sexual promiscuity and overindulgence, combined with an onslaught of
scary movies, dark stories and adult parties that definitely cross the lines of
good morals. While millions go about dressed like something they are not and
offering and feigning creepy fears, the actual works of darkness that are
imbedded in this holiday are ignored. In a nation increasingly devoid of a
moral compass, this celebration of false fears has become a true threat. I do
not write these things to offend, embarrass or criticize those who just see the
fun; I am simply offering thoughts to ponder.
Sharon and I, early on in our marriage, decided our family
would only participated in “Fall Festivals” that emphasized dressing as bible
characters and such. For the most part, I rarely saw Halloween as an actual
threat. After all, “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world”. Frankly,
as a pastor, I mostly saw it as an opportunity to do outreach in the community.
I don’t think I ever mentioned it from the pulpit other than inviting our
congregation to reach out to their neighbors. Of course I would usually talk
about its origin as a yearly festival practiced by the pagan Celts and the
Church’s attempt to bridge into pagan culture by creating “All Hallows Eve”, “All
Saints Day”, followed by “All Souls Day”. These days were established as holy
days pointing people to prayer while corresponding to the timetable of pagan
festival days. However, over time, more and more pagan aspects filtered back
into general practice among believers as well, especially as Halloween moved
from culture to culture around the world; and American commercialization took
it to a whole new level. And now, we have an entirely new circumstance altogether.
While I still see Halloween as a chance to let our light
shine, I now feel a more intense concern that it is becoming darker and more
sinister. So instead of a this being a criticism or warning, perhaps what I am
sharing is more of a confession that I should have been a better, more
discerning teacher. Or perhaps, it is not just the musing of an aging pastor,
but rather, this holiday has truly grown more ominous, creating false fear that
is in fact a true threat. Selah.
