Halloween has passed, but as usual, I am once again confused by this strange celebration Americans (including myself) participate in. Is it just me, or does it seem odd to you, too, that Halloween seems to contradict everything wholesome and uplifting?
Realizing that young children don't consciously recognize the conflicting messages that Halloween sends, we parents try to reduce its negative effect as much as we can. We don't allow our children to dress as anything wicked (pretend or real), bad, negative or repulsive. We don't have any witches, ghosts, devils, murderers, vampires and the like. Nor do we have decorations of this nature.Perhaps, some might think we are a little touchy about this. But our view is similar to a shared feeling: Would you want your child dressed as a stripper, prostitute, pedophile, rapist or an incestuous person? Wouldn't we all agree, these costumes are not something we want to represent . . . even if it's only pretend? Then why not other wicked, debased, negative costumes?
Halloween has a pagan background rooted in witchcraft with emphasis on the devil and darkness. In fact, it is one of the biggest days of the year for satanists. There are numerous books by informed people, or people who have come out of the occult, who expose it for what it is. If only society knew more about its evil background and the realness of it, they would be less anxious to pretend to be a part of it. If people understood the truthfulness of the occult, they would not want any part of it - in play or in jest.
Appendages to the occult are, and have been, seeping into our way of life in the most "innocent" ways. For instance, why do our Utah public school teachers read to elementary students such books as "The Witches"? Tell me how this book can be good when it continually says "witches aren't real"? (They are to a lot of people . . . especially those who make it their way of life.)
It is also upsetting to see Halloween songs sung in our public schools, to the tunes of Christmas carols. This is going too far. What message is being sent here? Are we trying to merge two celebrations, and how do they relate to each other?
Having been personally acquainted with someone involved in the occult, I am very aware of how devastating it can be and of the influences trying to invite us in. I love a celebration as much as the next person, but not when it represents - even in pretend or jest - something that is real.
Evie Wilson
Vernal