Although I haven't dressed up in a while, I still do love Halloween. Unfortunately, there are factions out here that would make you believe that it is "Satan's Birthday", whatever that is. When I lived in Arlington, Halloween was practically illegal. Neighborhoods discouraged trick or treating, schools were not allowed to have ghosts, witches or jack-o-lanterns. You could have pumpkins, but they had to be painted with something cheerful and non scary. Gawd knows we can't ever ever give kids a healthy scare... :roll:
I was refreshed when we moved to this area and children still went door to door, people still decorated the yards, and everyone had a good spooky time.
I mean, really, I know this holiday has pagan roots, but that it was Christianized and just became an amalgam to traditions. I personally do not see the harm in lighting up the house, carving some pumpkins and handing out candy to kids. I consider it a kid's holiday, not something to be dragged into the arena of policital correctness.
When I was a kid, the town had a Halloween carnival. It was great. The whole town went, there were rides, games a spook house, a spook parade. I looked forward to it all year. I don't recall anyone being afraid that we were celebrating the devil's birthday...
Sorry if I offended anyone.
