Halloween╤the day of costumes, jack-o╒-lanterns, and trick or treaters? Not anymore. The days of innocent fun and games are over. As we have seen the foundation of morals and values that once strengthened America go the way of the Terminator, Madonna and Ted Bundy, Halloween has become a day when violence is celebrated and evil is given the seat of honor. Since most schools can no longer celebrate the true meanings of Christmas or Easter, many schools place a stronger focus on Halloween as the last safe haven of traditional holidays.
But when children in school are told that they cannot sing ╥Away in a Manger╙ at Christmas or celebrate Christ╒s resurrection at Easter, what message do they receive when schools promote a day that originated as a festival for witches? The popularity of witchcraft has exploded in recent years, even winning the government╒s recognition as a religion in 1985. Recently, in Salem, Massachusetts, the Salem Religious Leaders Association voted to accept a high priest of the Rosarian Order of Wicca (the official term of the witchcraft faith) to their membership, in part ╥to dispel myths an misconceptions about witchcraft.╙
The popular teen magazine, Sassy, recently ran an article on witchcraft, describing the pagan belief as ╥cool╙ because it is ╥very woman-centered.╙ With all the negative influences in our culture and educational system today encouraging adolescents to experiment with everything from sexual activity to New Age spirituality, and exposing kids to gore-glorifying movies like ╥Friday the 13th╙ and Dracula,╙ why celebrate a day that desensitizes us all even more to the evil that is so prevalent in our world?
But what can you do when your child╒s school promotes Halloween? Focus on the positive. Arguing with school officials on the premise the celebration of Halloween violates the ╘establishment of religion╒ clause is weak and isn╒t likely to help you make you case.
One alternative is to promote a Harvest festival. These celebrations are popular in many schools and churches and provide a time for kids to dress up in costumes as Bible characters or other autumn characters. With different booths and activities, a Harvest or fall festival can be a great alternative to Halloween that involves schools, churches and families.
This year, think about what is really being celebrated on Halloween and offer the kids in your community an alternative to ghosts, witches, an the latest ╥Friday the 13th╙ horror movie. Organize a Harvest celebration and teach the children that they can enjoy a fun-filled festival without delving into the dark shadows of Halloween.
The preceding is taken from Family Voice, published by Concerned Women for America (CWA) October 1993, Volume 15, Number 10.
Concerned Women for America
370 L╒Enfant Promenade SW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 488-7000
This upload brought to you by:
Christian Schulz
1314 East Cherry Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701-1604
714.558.7261
AOL: Printer7
Please write with any comments or for a hard copy.
