A hallowed eve

~Halloween may be seen by some as a hollow holiday, but it can be linked to God.

Halloween: Is it a pagan observation? Does it have its roots in Christianity? Or is it a harmless autumn holiday designed around children and candy?

There's really no right answer. People decide about Halloween based on their own religious beliefs.

Halloween's historical roots were planted in what is now Britain and France before Christ was born, according to the journal "Christianity Today." The Celts believed a lord of death sent evil spirits into animals which roamed around all winter playing tricks on people. To escape them, the people would wear a disguise so the spirits would think the people were fellow evil spirits.

Halloween costumes developed from that belief, and the tricks associated with "trick or treat" came from outsmarting the evil spirits.

According to americancatholic.org, when the Romans conquered the Celts they incorporated their goddess Pomona and began the tradition of serving apples in Pomona's honor and doughnuts to feed the spirits' souls because the circular shape of the doughnuts indicated eternity. By the Middle Ages, tradition held that people who had died during the year who may have borne a grudge against you might rise to haunt you. To appease the ghosts, people would set out "soul cakes" or treats to prevent the spirits from doing any mischief.

Over the centuries these ancient traditions have come to incorporate jack-o'-lanterns, witches, ghosts, goblins, black cats and children in costume playing pranks and canvassing their neighborhoods for candy. Some Christians oppose the dark side of this tradition, claiming Halloween is Satan's birthday. Others see it as a harmless secular tradition or an opportunity to reach out to bring people into Christ's forgiveness.

Halloween is a shortened form of All Hallows Eve, the day before All Saints' Day, when Christians pray for the souls of the dead. According to americancatholic.org, Catholics see Halloween as a chance to turn away from Satan. Parents are encouraged to be watchful about what video games and movies their children are exposed to and to keep Halloween activities light-hearted and fun. Death is not to be celebrated, and the truly horrific costumes and masks are discouraged.

Most importantly, the Web site says, "Be free from fear. We who are in Christ have nothing to fear and we should be ready with an answer to those who act as if the devil were the equal and opposite of God. ... Christ has conquered sin and Satan once and for all."

Cape Community Church uses Halloween as an outreach, said the Rev. Jeremy Clayton, pastor of the church.

Halloween games at Cape Community Church have a biblical theme, he said. At a previous "trunk or treat" celebration, a parent decorated the trunk of his vehicle to look like a lion's den and children were encouraged to be like Daniel and reach into the den to get their treats.

"We do not have to celebrate evil. We can celebrate good," Clayton said. "We try to encourage young people to have a good time with the holiday but do it in a Christian manner."

Clayton said his own son will wear a Spider-Man costume this Halloween. The son of a minister himself, Clayton said he always participated in Halloween fun.

"I was never not allowed to dress up, but in appropriate things," he said. "It was always something fun and wholesome."

Along with other churches who offer safe alternatives to trick-or-treat for the children's protection, First Baptist Church in Jackson will have a "trunk or treat" event, where children in costume can go from one car to another in the parking lot and score loads of candy and safe treats in a fun-filled arena involving games and other activities.

"As a parent, I look at Halloween as a chance for my kids to do what kids do best and pretend," said the Rev. Rob Hurtgen, associate pastor at First Baptist. "They get, for one night a year, to go all out dressing up as superheroes, animals, clowns and cowboys. My wife and I take the chance to talk to them about why we do not dress up as ghosts or mass murderers. It is my responsibility as a parent to help my children look at life and be able to interpret what is happening around them so they will know how to live."

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160