{"id":2253,"date":"2011-10-28T00:37:56","date_gmt":"2011-10-28T04:37:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/inspirationreport\/?p=2253"},"modified":"2011-10-26T15:26:58","modified_gmt":"2011-10-26T19:26:58","slug":"halloween-curse-the-darkness-or-light-a-candle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inspirationreport\/2011\/10\/halloween-curse-the-darkness-or-light-a-candle.html","title":{"rendered":"Halloween: Curse the Darkness or Light a Candle"},"content":{"rendered":"

This time of year, I enjoy a few a scary movies with friends and definitely over indulge my sweet tooth. But generally I\u2019ve never made a big fuss about Halloween. It was neutral in my book. I was tempted to not even write about it today, but that said, I recognize that people get really funny about the peculiar holiday.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>I have friends who really get into it. Dress up like zombies complete in bloody makeup and attend crazy parties. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have friends who refuse to acknowledge the holiday and leave their porch lights off to ward away trick-or-treaters.<\/p>\n

We all know the history and tradition that Halloween is steeped in, and I\u2019m not going to get into a big theological debate. I understand the holiday puts some people in a pickle as to what to do. So, here\u2019s my take.<\/p>\n

Celebrate\u2026 if only for the sake of celebration. Why not? When else do we open up our doors to our neighbors? What other time of year do you get to meet the kids in the community? And the costumes! You can dress up and for one night be anyone you want to be. What fun!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not much into boycotts, bans and protesting. I think you really have victory over something when you can redeem it. Turn what was meant for evil into good. Look on the bright festive side, I suppose.<\/p>\n

You have a few options when it comes to Halloween or really with anything that you find puzzling and controversial. You can either curse the darkness or light a candle. What will you do? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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