It is only a few days away.
It is a big money-maker for many retail stores and specialty party stores. It greatly increases the profit margins of those in the dental profession because of all the sweet treats that we consume. It is a delight to young ones except the minority who deal with developmental or sensory differences. It is tolerated by adults who only want to "make our children happy."
Yes, I mean Halloween.
At the same time that many of us are spending money on Halloween festivities, other things continue. Halloween may not be nearly as expensive Christmas if you celebrate as tradition dictates. But you know what continues to go on while so many of us enjoy this day's festivities?
In the US alone we have great need. We lose four children a day to child abuse. We lose some thirteen veterans a day to suicide. We just learned about another school shooting in Washington State; does this not point to the crying need to increase affordable mental health services to the general population? I can go on. If you think of yourself as a world citizen you are aware of the sea of need, especially all over Asia and Africa. From late October to the end of December, many dollars are lavished on festivities when so many in need are crying out for our help. Yes, I know this is not pleasant to think about. Reality often is not pleasant.
No, I'm not against anyone of any age having good, wholesome fun. This brings us to another point. Is Halloween fun actually good and wholesome? Even if we have our children wear wholesome costumes and observe child safety, such as never leaving children unattended and inspecting their candy, many children (and some playful adults) will dress up as witches or warlocks or some other unsavory or creepy character. I don't know about you but my Bible tells me that in this world we have a personal devil who hates humanity and is bent on destroying us. Halloween, with its overtones of occult and pagan roots, is an open invitation to this devil to wreak havoc upon us. This havoc can take many sickening forms such as child abductions, adult abductions (especially of women) shootings, knifings, gangs, rapes, human trafficking, and other horrific things that are blights on us and that break the heart of our Creator. And to some people who have suffered satanic ritual abuse or experienced satanic oppression, this time of the year can be upsetting and disturbing. To Christians who take Satan's existence seriously, Halloween is a real concern.
So what if you plan to participate in Halloween anyway? That is your choice. A local church in your area will offer Halloween events that will be far safer and more wholesome than the traditional trick or treating. If you decide to participate in traditional trick or treating this Friday, ask yourself what memories this will give your children of your involvement in their lives? What will it teach them? All of us who celebrate this day use it to have fun, or let our children have fun. I "get" that. There is a but. Can you be more creative in your family fun than observing a supposed "child-centered holiday"?
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