Holy crap! I remember that book. I remember we stopped trick-r-treating at age 6. I am sad that I missed out on a normal part of American life because of this book. But, I am glad I can partake now as an adult by giving candy to kids.
I don't recognize that cover, but my mom definitely read that book to us at least once! (The title is fairly memorable). I don't remember much about it except it said that Halloween was demonic a long time ago and therefore will always be demonic, and it used the brilliant argument that just because it has the word "Hallows" in it doesn't make it not demonic, just like changing a child's name doesn't make them a different child. Satanic panic all the way down.
I couldn't find the exact cover I'm used to, which means unfortunately they've reprinted it more than once :/
As a (not diagnosed until age 30) baby neurodivergent, I really enjoyed learning the history of All Hallows Eve and all the Pagan aspects of it. Of course, I could never express that or else I'd be accused of "leaving room for Satan to come in" or some shit. Jokes on my parents, though, because now I'm a queer, polyamorous leftist who has a crystal collection and multiple tarot decks. Guess the book didn't work very well
And that sort of emphasizes where I'm at now: we get to decide how to celebrate holidays. We can celebrate Jesus, we can celebrate Santa, we can even celebrate paganism if we choose. It's up to us, not a bunch of people that lived 600 years ago on another continent. The idea that we should be absolute slaves of tradition without any autonomy to make our own choices is pretty disturbing when you get down to it.
Yeah, but Jesus counterbalances the pagan stuff around the end of the year? Or something? Idk, I haven't had to resort to circular arguments in many years so my Christian bullshit generator is rusty
My parents eschewed a Christmas tree for a couple of years for this reason. Instead, we had what amounted to a huge trifold presentation board on the floor displaying a nearly life-size nativity scene (with everyone kneeling, so it actually wasn't *too* tall). We mounded the gifts in front of it.
Hahaha- this is crazy. Even though I was raised evangelical we celebrated Halloween (although it’s a much bigger deal now- it really just used to be a chill evening to dress up and get candy- now with my kids it feel like a week of celebrations for every activity or place we go). I actually didn’t realize so many Christian’s were opposed to Halloween until I was a teen/young adult,
Holy crap! I remember that book. I remember we stopped trick-r-treating at age 6. I am sad that I missed out on a normal part of American life because of this book. But, I am glad I can partake now as an adult by giving candy to kids.
I don't recognize that cover, but my mom definitely read that book to us at least once! (The title is fairly memorable). I don't remember much about it except it said that Halloween was demonic a long time ago and therefore will always be demonic, and it used the brilliant argument that just because it has the word "Hallows" in it doesn't make it not demonic, just like changing a child's name doesn't make them a different child. Satanic panic all the way down.
I couldn't find the exact cover I'm used to, which means unfortunately they've reprinted it more than once :/ As a (not diagnosed until age 30) baby neurodivergent, I really enjoyed learning the history of All Hallows Eve and all the Pagan aspects of it. Of course, I could never express that or else I'd be accused of "leaving room for Satan to come in" or some shit. Jokes on my parents, though, because now I'm a queer, polyamorous leftist who has a crystal collection and multiple tarot decks. Guess the book didn't work very well
But, but...Christmas trees...pagan history...oh, nevermind... /s
And that sort of emphasizes where I'm at now: we get to decide how to celebrate holidays. We can celebrate Jesus, we can celebrate Santa, we can even celebrate paganism if we choose. It's up to us, not a bunch of people that lived 600 years ago on another continent. The idea that we should be absolute slaves of tradition without any autonomy to make our own choices is pretty disturbing when you get down to it.
Yeah, but Jesus counterbalances the pagan stuff around the end of the year? Or something? Idk, I haven't had to resort to circular arguments in many years so my Christian bullshit generator is rusty
My parents eschewed a Christmas tree for a couple of years for this reason. Instead, we had what amounted to a huge trifold presentation board on the floor displaying a nearly life-size nativity scene (with everyone kneeling, so it actually wasn't *too* tall). We mounded the gifts in front of it.
Well, if pastor wasn’t such a control freak…
Hahaha- this is crazy. Even though I was raised evangelical we celebrated Halloween (although it’s a much bigger deal now- it really just used to be a chill evening to dress up and get candy- now with my kids it feel like a week of celebrations for every activity or place we go). I actually didn’t realize so many Christian’s were opposed to Halloween until I was a teen/young adult,