Now, this here post is written partly to explain to Hyacynth why I don't do it, and partly to get things on paper. I find that it clarifies the mind!
I don't do Hallowe'en. I don't do trick or treating, dressing up as personifications of evil, encouraging children to scare anyone, spiders, devils, ghosts, ghouls, or things that go bump in the night. (well, I do do those, but not on a family blog...... ;-) )
Why?
Well, because in all essence, it's a Pagan festival. Now before anyone gets on their high horses, I don't do it because of love, and of respect for that festival, out of what it means to true Pagans (as opposed to "Sabrina witches", who play at it to impress others, as Rich always described the She-Ex) This festival, in it's original form, belongs to a faith that I have no part in. I always enabled Rich to celebrate it, we always had anything he needed in the house, and he appreciated the understanding I had of his faith, and showed his appreciation by understanding my Christian faith.
Why?
Well, because trick or treating is a modern, American, dressed up in cuteness, version of begging with threats. We spend all year saying "Don't speak to strangers, work hard for what you want, stay away from horrible things and don't be mean to other folks." Until 31st October, and then we say "Throw out the rules! Knock on the doors of strangers, beg for sweets, dress as something to scare other people, and if you don't get what you want then damage their property - it's fun!"
Why?
Well, because I believe that nothing in life is intrinsically evil. Not spiders, not cobwebs, not worms, not ....... well, just not. Do I believe that nothing in death is intrinsically evil? Well, I'm not so sure about that. I do believe that there are evil forces in the world, and that they are encouraged by this activity, by this doorway into our world that we open for them every year on this date. I do believe in the Devil, incredibly unPC-Christian that I am. I do believe that he wants more power in the world. One of the best books for explaining this is a non-Christian book, a fiction book by Neil Gaiman, called "Good Omens". It's also one of the funniest things I have ever, ever read, and should be read by everyone.
Mostly though, I don't do Hallowe'en, because it isn't mine to do. I don't do Eid Al-Fitur, I don't do Hannukah or Sukkot, I don't do Kathina Day, or Diwali, or anything like that. They are not mine to do. I don't believe in what they are worshipping.
So there we go! I know a lot of Christians do do Hallowe'en, and do it in the Pagan sense as opposed to the All Hallows Eve sense of it, and that's up to them.
As for me and my house.....
;-)
Laters people...
1 comment:
Interesting. Many of the reasons you listed were part of my reasoning for reconsidering it. I decided to do dressing up and trick or treating because of a compelling counter explanation by a Moody Bible institute professor on one of the weekend shows. I totally toally get, though, why you don't.
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