On Thursday 31 October, many church buildings will stage “mild events” as a “constructive” various to Halloween. From their perspective, Halloween is spiritually harmful: a gateway drug that may result in full-on satan worship.
I used to consider that myself however, mercifully, I’ve lengthy since been delivered from the curse of fundamentalism and the church I lead now actively embraces Halloween. So, annually, we throw open the doorways of our none-more gothic constructing and invite the lots of of little witches, vampires and werewolves who’re already out trick or treating within the village to return in and participate in additional enjoyable actions resembling apple-bobbing, a slimy fortunate dip and (my favorite) spooky tales within the graveyard (by which I imply Peppa Pig’s Pumpkin Social gathering, not Edgar Allan Poe).
I’m conscious that this will horrify a few of my fellow believers however church buildings ought to suppose this by: for me, the choice is way worse. Hating Halloween, which is now an enormous occasion in our society, looks as if an personal objective for an organisation that’s already struggling to draw youthful folks. And what’s the issue anyway? Regardless of the roots of the competition, the up to date ritual is de facto simply a chance for youngsters to decorate up, eat numerous sweets and keep up late. And what could possibly be extra enjoyable that?
Effectively, arguably, Christmas. However it’s price remembering that Christians of the puritanical persuasion as soon as had an issue with that too. They didn’t approve of all of the merry-making so, between 1647 and 1660; it was towards the regulation to have a good time Christmas.
Few Christians right this moment would assist such a Scrooge-like coverage, with the Jehovah’s Witnesses being the apparent exception. They don’t enable their kids to participate in any Christmas actions, which many individuals exterior that specific group regard as unforgivable – with some warrant, in my view. However how is evangelical dad and mom not letting their youngsters go trick or treating when all their mates are any completely different?
Clearly, there are issues of safety to think about: younger kids must be supervised by accountable adults, and residents who need to ignore the entire thing must be left in peace and allowed to take action. Nonetheless, these situations are actually met in Wye, as they had been in my final parish in Battersea. Youngsters are all the time accompanied by their dad and mom and the golden rule, strictly noticed, is that you simply solely method homes which have particularly invited trick-or-treaters by putting pumpkins within the window. So extra delicate souls aren’t disturbed by the doorbell ringing – or something worse – and a superb time is had by all.
After all, to paraphrase the Holy Trilogy (sure, vicars watch Star Wars too), it could be that I’m merely underestimating the energy of the darkish facet. If there are, certainly, forces of evil, because the church has all the time claimed, can we actually be so cavalier about them?
Effectively, for a begin, I’ve extra expertise of the powers of darkness than the common particular person. One other nationwide newspaper as soon as claimed that I used to be a satanist earlier than my conversion to Christianity and that isn’t completely false. If listening to Black Sabbath whereas smoking a little bit of hash makes you a satanist.
Having stated that, I did stare deeper into the abyss than that and had experiences that, practically 40 years later, I’d nonetheless describe as supernatural. However even if you happen to consider in a literal satan (and I’m conscious that most individuals these days don’t, preferring to see him or it as a mere image of human evil), genuine Christian theology has all the time insisted that God is infinitely extra highly effective and that the satan is nothing to be petrified of. Certainly, some folks, such because the evangelist Glen Scrivener, argue that, removed from being something sinister, kids dressing up as ghosts and skeletons on Halloween is a continuation of the traditional Christian custom of mocking dying and all of the powers of evil on All Hallow’s Eve earlier than the celebration of everlasting life on All Saints’ Day.
So, arguably, Halloween is a holy factor. And positively, it’s great to see lots of of kids in our church having a good time even when they’re dressed as Dracula or Frankenstein’s monster. And with all the things that’s occurring on this planet right this moment, is that one thing to get scorching beneath the collar about, no matter your beliefs?
Probably. HL Mencken outlined puritanism as “the haunting concern that somebody, someplace, could also be pleased”. Some folks gained’t approve of my extra cavalier method – however the kids will like it and, as Jesus stated: “The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to resembling them.”
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