Robertson's CBN demonizes Halloween

IT USED TO be so simple. As Halloween approached in my little town, we looked to the annual Volunteer Fireman's parade up Main Street for kids to compete for prizes for the best costumes. Our parents stood on the sidewalk gesturing to us to hang on as we trudged to the top of the hill, self consciously looking from side to side. The parade ended there in suspense among the motley participants. We waited for the judges' decisions. Since you didn't have to be a costuming genius, I chose as a nine-year-old to dress as a football player with no shoulder pads. I won anyway and was awarded a shiny new frying pan, one of the many prizes donated to the event by townspeople. My mother was proud and bragged to the neighbors. (Trick or treat night came the next night and nobody died from the experience.)

That was it. We enjoyed the evening and thanked the firemen. Not so simple today. Beyond all of the scary seasonal ghosts and goblins, kids are being warned that Halloween is a witch's brew that will destroy their lives. This sort of dark talk arises every Halloween and so it is here again today. The Huffington Post reported that Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network has posted an alarm that Halloween is not good for the soul. According to the frightful message,

"During this period demons are assigned against those who participate in the rituals and festivities. These demons are automatically drawn to the fetishes that open doors for them to come into the lives of human beings. For example, most of the candy sold during this season has been dedicated and prayed over by witches. Curses are sent through the tricks and treats of the innocent whether they get it by going door to door or by purchasing it from the local grocery store. The demons cannot tell the difference."

I think that if somebody had said that to my mother, she would would have hit 'em with her new frying pan.

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