Well it's happened again, we have had our car egged due to the Halloween season and yes it has marked the roof, but this time we are going to ignore it because we cannot go through all that rigmarole again.
Trick or treating is relatively new to the UK and whilst it may be fun for some for others it is a source of fear and intimidation. Lots of elderly people will be hiding in their houses frightened to open the door for fear of what might happen to them. Young children go with a parent and if someone says no they just leave. But there are the older ones who go out on their own knocking at strangers houses and demanding money. Notwithstanding the risk to themselves knocking on peoples doors who they do not know, but also imagine the horror when the elderly (or any age) come out the next morning to see everything covered in eggs and flour which they then have to try and clean before the eggs bite through the paintwork.
The head of one school has recognised the dangers of Halloween and will have nothing to do with it. She rightly says that it is basically a commercial enterprise with little relevance to faith and has a dark side which is unhealthy.
In other places in the country the attention has been drawn to its 'anti-social effects' and police, churches and schools are trying to take the fear out of 'trick or treat' and to protect the vulnerable and elderly from what is rightly called vandalism.
Trying to make Halloween (All Saints Eve) into a safer and more wholesome night is gaining popularity. Churches are organising parties that will be far more fun than trick or treating to encourage the children off the streets. Shops are being encouraged to display some lighter things in their Halloween section not just monsters and ghouls. It seems that Sainsbury's and Asda have taken this on board and are including face paints, glow sticks and other non-witchy items this year.
I do not wish to offend anyone who goes out with their kids and has a bit of fun and wouldn't hurt a fly, so let me explain why i and most christians in the UK (not sure how many other countries 'trick or treat') will have nothing to do with it and tries where possible without offending to discourge it.
Apart from the damage and fear aspect mentioned above, Halloween (as it is seen today) is of the occult and does have a dark side. There are real witches about and especially in the UK. Some just play at it and some are the real deal. It is one of the fasting growing - i loosely say 'faiths' - in the UK today. It is pushed at the children from every side, books, films, TV, Harry Potter. It is made to look fun and adventureous. Nearly every High Street has a shop selling witchcraft books and parafanalia. It is portrayed as harmless.
Without going into detail, does it work? You bet it does if you are into the real thing. To have power is a big draw, think about it. Is there any good witchcraft? I am sure there are some lovely people around that consider themselves witches who would never harm anyone, but and a big but anything that seeks to control, manipulate, have power over another even if it is for a good reason has to be wrong.
There is a lot more i could say but won't here. So i feel anything that gives the children the impression that witchcraft is just a bit of fun and would encourage them to get involved or delve deeper when they are older must be discouraged at all costs. Children look to adults for their lead we must be careful what message we give.
Happy All Saint's Eve
Jenny <><
9 comments:
I'm sorry your car was vandalized!
Missie
I agree that some of the trick-or-treating is being abused by older kids for mischief or worse, and it does get worse every year. They spoil it for the little ones. Vandalising property is not acceptable.
Hi Jenny,well I feel the gangs and lots of todays teenagers are menace doing these kind of things too,having said that,in West Yorkshire where I left almost three yrs ago now,,Egging and covering things with differant substances shall we call them,was common every weekday and week/end.It doesn't need any special event of any sort, with some gangs.I don't think to encourage many of todays generation to be evil,and do things they shouldn't.The special dates just give them more reason to do it.I do think the majority of children who are brought up by decent parents, enjoy the excitment of Halloween and look forward to it.The few extra sweeties etc,a time to go out with parents or Mum or Dad,in a dressed up fashion,dressing up for children has always been exciting even in everyday play.In todays day and age from what I heard back home,, last yr most respectful parents don't knock on old people, they just go around to there own school friends houses where everyone knows one another.They know now old people will not open there doors and are vunerable and frightened.I am sorry to read your car has been damaged.Luckily ours is in in a safe compound.Then again we don't get gangs.One thing I do love about where I live.Have a lovely evening.I do respect your views on this subject.You yourself have a "Happy All St's Eve" too. Take Care God Bless Kath
astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES
So sorry your car has been damaged again. We are fortunate and it if usually quiet here on Halloween fingers crossed. I do think the youngsters today in some places have become totally out of comtrol. I was in a bookshop today and this little girl shouted to her mother 'Don't you push me like that' in her loudest voice she was about 4 years old preschool. It seems to start early these days. Love Joan.
AMEN !! I agree with you 100%. Most churches in my area have "Harvest Parties." I saw one church advertise on their bill board "Come to our family friendly harvest party. Fun for the whole family." My hat is off to them. I had a horrible scare one Halloween in the late 1970's and have never participated since. I turn off all the lights in the front of my house and retreat to the back end. There's a TV there and a potty...what else does a girl need when she's trying to escape the witches and goblins? Linda in Washington state
We do 'Trick or Treat here in my town and I'm sure there are many others in the USA that do too. We usually have a lot of little ones with their parents and I love the fun of handing candy out to them. We really never have much vandlism, but there a few big kids that come and we just give them candy too. I'm so sad to think that you are in fear over there because of it. I never thought it an Un-Christain thing to do at all but a fun time for the children. How terrible it must be for you. There are church groups that have gone and done their own parties and tried to make it a more fall festival type thing, so maybe what you have is coming our way. My own church is doing something this year for the children. We really should remember All Hallows Eve as the eve of All Saints...They do need deserve our reverance. 'On Ya' - ma
I understand your concerns about all the vandalism. Where I live in Pennsylvania we go trick or treating and the kids love it. Vandalism is usually small stuff such as smashing pumpkins, usually egging somebodies house I don't hear a whole lot about anymore. We do have a lot of church festivals. Sounds like there is more vandalism there is directed at elderly people. I hope it doesn't get like that here but until it does it's one of the fun things my kids enjoy doing.
Jenny well done ,I agree with all you say ,...love Jan xx
Sorry about your car AGAIN. That is awful. Halloween sounds scary over in the UK. Our town enjoys giving treats to little cute kids in costumes. I can't imagine people being scared and for good reasons. Its very sad. :-(
Amy
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