Having lived in the USA for nine years I have returned to the UK with different eyes on Halloween. Whilst I have never allowed our children to dress up as evil characters – preferring superheroes, princesses and various other sporting and historical figures – the sheer joy of the evening – one of the few times when people are out of their houses, on foot, and there is a real feeling of community – is hard to avoid.
Coming back to England I now find the stance which writes off everything Halloween as evil – somewhat curious. I am not a fan of the amount of teenagers wandering around in ripped shirts covered in fake blood – there is enough violence and evil in the world – but I am not sure that railing against the evils of the night is a very useful position for the Church to take either.
There is fun to be had and perhaps entering into that fun is a lot better than simply sitting at home with the lights of sulking. Festivals of light are one way to reclaim the Christianity in All Hallows Eve. But I wonder whether embracing some of the celebrations, offering a celebration of neighbours and family and quietly moving away from the horror aspect of the season might be better than simply refusing to join in.
Perhaps I am selling out – but every time my children tell their friends that their costumes are non-horror for a reason – they are saying something about why and our values – more than they would ever say by simply abstaining – I can argue the other side too – but we live in a changing world where I think engaging reform is often more effective than Victorian Preaching.
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