I’m a Christian. Flawed, failing, broken, but still a Christian. I cuss, smoke and have my own demons and a past that damaged me beyond repair. All true.
Halloween is a time when networks show scary movies and people dress their kids up in costumes to go out and get candy.
Many Christians have no part of the holiday. They regard it as purely evil and forbid their children to dress in a costume and go trick-or-treat for candy. They believe that it’s an open invitation to evil, to incur the wrath and a curse of God.
I was fortunate that my true horror was contained in my house, but I was allowed to go out in costumes and get tons of candy. It was a night I always looked forward to.
My costumes were superheroes: Batman, Aquaman…never anything sinister. And these costumes, by a company called Ben Cooper, were perfect for small kids: a facemask secured by a rubber band and a one-piece costume with string ties in back.
Only when I was made to go to church did I hear that Halloween was “evil”, and for some, it is. My Halloween short story “The Last Soldier of Bravo Company” isn’t getting many views.
But I’m here tonight to reassure you that it’s scary, but there’s a reason for that.
In this awesome article by a church pastor, there is a wealth of wisdom. I hope you’ll read it and understand that writing horror serves a good purpose, when done a certain way. As he points out, most horror stories were about good versus evil. Victor Frankenstein played with being a god and was duly revolted at the result. Dracula taught us that a thirst for power over the grave was as unnatural as we could ever get. Doctor Jekyll was good and bad, demonstrating that we all have both inside us and must be careful.
He points out that many horror stories fill whole books of the Christian Bible. He cites the Book of Daniel in particular; indeed, that is one scary read. But it serves, to some, as prophecy, and others, a terrifying Good vs. Evil story. I rather think, I must say, that it is both.
Today’s Christian is challenged by much larger issues than Halloween. Far-right extremists have always plagued the Church, putting the rest in a poor light. History has brought us to a crossroads; the time to choose between good and evil is upon us and the future has never been more frightening. While faced with world hunger, global warming, a pandemic that won’t go away, what are they doing?
Putting up signs in their windows.
Quite rude and menacing, they say things like, “We are Christians and we don’t do Halloween. Don’t come here looking for candy. Trump had the election stolen from him. If you want candy, go see Joe Biden.”
I would rather die than put a sign like that up for children. It’s wrong. It’s a horror. It’s grotesque and cruel. It’s a veiled threat, and yes, kids understand those. Scaring them like that while calling yourself a Christian is sick. It’s a sick thing to do. It’s evil.
Love your neighbor. Do as Jesus committed his Apostles to. He bade them come to a higher calling, and that goes for all of us in turn.
If you are adherents to other religions, I’m commanded to love you and respect your needs, feelings and thoughts. That is non-negotiable. I can’t sit here and pick who I will love when commanded to love everyone.
However, evil–truly evil people, whether they act in God’s name or not–I know to avoid. I’m weak. Full of temptation. Easily led. And I’m not going to yield my faith to extremists.
So, yes, let your kids dress up. Set the rules, no soaping windows, egg throwing, no vandalism. No tricks. Just treats and a fun couple of hours with friends. Better yet, have a Halloween party. Have activities, pop some corn, participate and make it safe but fun. It’s okay. Reclaim the day as a good one, not for demons and damaging property and using ouija boards.
Be a real parent and most of all, teach the lesson of good vs. evil. And superhero costumes? Princesses, Snow White? Go for it.
Oh, one more thing. Read my short story. There really is a point to it. You’ll see.
I don’t tell you this often enough, but thank you for visiting my site, for allowing me to be a part of your life.
Memoirs of an American Asshole 