Strong Sentiments on Halloween
Just wanted to say “nice article” (“Saying Boo! to Halloween,” Oct. 27). I believe your story on “values” is beneficial to the community. I especially liked the fact that you didn’t take sides, pushing your opinion, nor pushed the agenda of either side.
MIKE CARLSON
Granada Hills
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I am among many parents who would gladly banish Halloween, not because of its pagan origins but because it has become the worst example of excessive buying of worthless trinkets. The so-called decorations are downright hideous, the candy cheaply made and overpriced, and most costumes are violent, loathsome images.
While I am a devout Catholic, Halloween’s pagan themes do not trouble me at all. However, the annual allocation of $2.5 billion on useless Halloween items demonstrates a selfishness and self-indulgence far more sinful than any dabbling in a pagan rite could ever be.
Interestingly enough, the Catholic parish to which I belong announced . . . that a Children’s Halloween Mass will be held Sunday, which is of course Halloween day. Children are invited to attend in costume. I don’t think the Mass is being offered as an alternative to a pagan observance of Halloween but as a kind of marketing ploy to get people and kids into church that day. I was appalled at the idea and wouldn’t dream of taking my 4-year-old son to that Mass. The thought that Halloween mania will spill over into the Mass offends me deeply.
K.T. COLBERT
Long Beach
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I am writing in support of the one holiday that truly belongs to children, Halloween.
I am writing in protest of the grinches who have diminished this holiday and knowingly or unknowingly removed some of the joy that surrounded it when I was a child. In the mass hysteria leading to the creation of so-called “safe” Halloweens, we have collectively bought into the myth that evil people live in every community who are handing out poisoned candy, apples containing razor blades and coins which have been heated in skillets. Baloney! They don’t exist.
Where is the evidence that incidents like this are occurring anywhere in the United States? Yet local hospitals waste scarce resources X-raying candy, parents reinforce children’s fears of neighbors by opening and screening candy bars only on Halloween, and churches and other groups increase our isolation from our neighborhoods by sponsoring alternative events. These actions may be well-intentioned but they serve to take away from what I believe were the purposes of Halloween when I was a child: to let children use their imaginations by taking on the identity of someone or something else, thereby fooling friends and neighbors, and to draw the neighborhood together in the only neighbor-to-neighbor giving ritual we had.
Others have convinced themselves that this holiday promotes evil because of some tenuous connection with the spirits of the dead or satanic worship and keep their children from enjoying this day. Whatever the ancient roots of this celebration in lands far away, a long time ago, Halloween in the United States certainly does not represent the worship of evil in our society today, any more than Christmas represents paganism because it had its ancient roots in a European pagan celebration. If we want to find a positive meaning in Halloween, I believe it could just as easily teach children that it symbolizes the yearly harvest and an expression of gratitude for our bounty by sharing food with others.
JOHN TARJAN
Bakersfield
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So, evangelical Christians once again strike out at the concept of having fun with their latest diatribe about the societal evils of Halloween, a “holiday” where people dress up in costume and pretend to be someone they’re not, due to its pagan roots.
That’s interesting. Let’s see, if they are efficient enough at eliminating holidays or celebrations due to each one’s pagan roots, it won’t be long before they eliminate Easter, Christmas, Passover, Thanksgiving, Rosh Hashana and New Year’s Day--all of which have their historical foundations in pagan festivals.
If the evangelicals are successful, we should ultimately have no reasons for fun and celebration. We can just all sit around and watch morality plays and be told how not to enjoy life, love, nature and family. Now, that is being someone we’re not.
DENNIS SCHROEDER
Lake Forest
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I must say “Boo!” to you for this article. While I understand the focus of your article was to show that conservative Christians are avoiding the holiday, you printed almost nothing but incorrect tripe on our religion, paganism.
I’m surprised and extremely disappointed that the Los Angeles Times would offer such a one-sided incorrect picture of a religion.
Most pagans refer to this holiday as Samhain (pronounced SOW-wen or SAW-vane). Oct. 31 lies between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice and the ancient peoples considered it a very powerful time for magic and synergy with the spirits. It is a very significant holiday for us. Celebrations may include rituals to honor one’s dead ancestors and loved ones, placing food out for them, even inviting the deceased to visit for a time, if they should choose to do so. It is not a spooky “seance” with ghostly hands rapping on tables; witches extend an invitation, not “summon the dead.” As the wheel of the years turns, the New Year begins for us. As the coming cold dark winter ensues, it is a time for reflection and introspection.
Perhaps next time you can do more research.
RUTHANN WACHSMUTH
Anaheim
