TRICK or TREAT; YES or NO??

Me

[X-Servative]

Playing with my children (5 & 3) last night, the innocence of childhood took on new meaning with all that has happened over the past 6 to 7 weeks. It is our job as parents to ensure that our children are safe, all the while preserving the innocence and magic of childhood. Therefore, we will be trick or treating this year, and possibly exchange the candy for some we bought when they’re not looking (haven’t decided yet).

Bottom line: these terrorists will not steal my chidren’s childhood by replacing fear with joy.

Happy Halloween!!!

[AppyPappy]

Revisionism. Pagans of various flavors had holidays almost all year. No matter what the Christians do, the pagans can find some holiday nearby to pretend was the catalyst.

[AppyPappy]

Not Satan, Stan. Satan looks completely different.

[danneskjold]

1. Little children are lead to believe that a threat is acceptable.

I don't think that point is what's emphasized. It's more about dressing up and getting candy.

2. Much of what surrounds Halloween is freakish and scary.

Most of the costumes I see kids in aren't scary at all. Like anything, use moderation.

3. Hiding one's face is acceptable.

It's not about hiding your face, it's about playing dress up, pretend, using your imagination.

4. Vandals love Halloween.

This doesn't make Halloween bad. That's like saying guns are bad because criminals sometimes use guns.

5. Police cars patrolling neighbourhoods to 'protect' children.

??? Not sure I see the problem here.

6. Darkness, combined with little children on the streets.

Most cities call for trick or treating to be done before it gets very dark, but common sense should keep people safe.

7. UNICEF using children to collect money.

I've never seen this. Not saying it doesn't happen, just that I've never seen it. Also, I believe it would be the parents that send their kids out with the UNICEF cans.

8. Smashed pumpkins all over the streets.

Same thing as vandalism...see # 4 above

9. Apples no longer acceptable treat ( partially because in years past pins were put in them), only candy which most parents will confiscate anyway because they have taught their children that too much sugar is not good for them.

Moderation, moderation, moderation

10. The adolescent mind is the mind that enjoys Halloween the most.

Again, what is the problem with this

I don't mean to pick on you, but by the parents applying a little common sense and moderation, Halloween, or any other event, really shouldn't be that big of a deal.

[ericthecurdog]

...possibly exchange the candy for some we bought when they’re not looking...

Perhaps it's all a conspiracy by the candy companies... with everyone buying replacement candy, they easily double sales!

</TINHAT OFF>

[America's Resolve]

I agree. I flatly REFUSE to let these terrorists win by changing my lifestyle even a little bit.

We'll do the trick or treat thing like we have every year for the past 20 with our children.

PS: Do parents who were allowed to celebrate Halloween really not let their kiddos have some fun? Sorta a "do as I say, don't do as I do" attitude IMHO. Do they really think that God would penalize a child for something like that? The God that I worship wouldn't.

[Jefferson Adams]

What are you doing this Halloween with your kids?

Staying home, but more because we're Christians than because of the terrorist potential.

[danneskjold]

You have not convinced me that any of my original ten are incorrect.

That wasn't my intent. I've found most people's views here are VERY set. Besides, I don't view FR as a place to change people's minds.

My post was merely to state my views on your 10 items.

Thanks

[America's Resolve]

or don't and experience the lifetime of heartache of a child gone bad.

Boy, that's mind-boggling. Your logical premise is that all of the bad people in the world went trick-or-treating? The good people didn't?

WOW!

[PJ-Comix]

When I was little, trick or treating was unknown in the South, at least in Texas.

True. It wasn't until just after the Spanish-American War that trick or treating became popular in the South.

[Diverdogz]

Well I love handing out candy for Halloween. The kids start coming at 6pm and are finished up by 8:30. Usually I get about 100 to 125 kids coming through - often in packs of 3 to 5 kids. Their costumes are creative, and I see many groups being supervised by parents lurking back on the driveway or in the street. I can't wait to see the patriotic costumes that should come around this year. Some parents will come up to the door too, especially when they have really young kids, but also, I suspect to do a quick character evaluation on the people giving out candy.

The best part is when co-workers or frieds will stop by, ring the bell and say "Trick-or-Beer"! -I keep cold beer in the fridge for any adult who cares for a cold one.

...and I go next door and visit with neighbors, too, sampling their candy. We talk about the kids we've seen and have a chance to socialize for a few minutes. Then, one of my neighbors down the street always have an elaborate display in their yard. They also turn their garage into a haunted house....lots of fun, and not too scary.

[danneskjold]

LOL!!! That is one of the most accurate statements about FR I have ever seen. It just might change my whole life ;-).

I'm flattered (I think)... :)

Have a great day!

[ClearBlueSky]

Trick-or-treating? Yes. We take plastic sandwich bags, with blank labels for the candy then, as the person answering the door puts the candy in, we write down the address on the label. Let them see us doing it too.
Same goes at our house. Every little bag is filled with candy and our address goes on it, so the parents know where the treats came from. We also buy the snack size, or full size, bar candy in the boxes since our neighborhood doesn't have too many kids. Popcorn is a good idea- as are individual packages of gum.
Has anyone stopped to consider that if store packaging of can be contaminated, it isn't just candy at risk? Would anything from a retail outlet be safe? Who's working in those stores? Where does it stop?

[LandofLincoln]

I think it is safe for pagans to go to the houses of people that you know ... like our immediate neighbors.

[TheFilter]

Sounds fun!

I always loved Halloween as a child, but my mom hated it...her parents were from Europe and they thought begging for treats was tacky or inappropriate or something along those lines.

Honestly, the best Halloween I ever had was when my friend had a party. Her parents dressed up too and made pizza and great treats, and did spooky things like "put your hand in the bowl of eyes...muhuhahahaha!" (It was olives.)

Her dad dressed as the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and he was truly spooky. : )

[HamiltonJay]

Going trick or treating, and checking all candy recieved for tampering, as I do every year. I will be a bit more suspicious of any candy given out by persons of Arab decent (nothing personal guys, but the people perpetrating these acts thus far have all been of that ethnic background).

If I find anything suspicious, or out of the ordinary, then I will take appropriate action as I see fit.

But I am going to take my kid out as I have every year since he was born, he will dress in his outfit, and I will dress in mine. We will walk around in our matching get ups, just as we have every year, and will do every year, until he decides daddy dressing up with him it too embarrassing or he outgrows halloween.

[Moleman]

What are you doing this Halloween with your kids?
Staying home, but more because we're Christians than because of the terrorist potential.
Or, perhaps you are a boring fuddy dud who is robbing children of a fun filled evening with their friends and family.
I doubt that the God I know would consider your children sinners.
My little one is dressing up like a lady bug, are lady bugs evil??
Sorry to just single you out- there are others on this thread who share your view.