The Scribe said:
So, how many of you have Harvest Fests at your church?
Does anyone still take their children out for trick or treat?
I think it's better and safer to go to a Harvest fest than to participate in the world's celebration of a satanic holiday. :saint:
I remember in my childhood we used to do things like "bobbing for apples" (that is, using our mouths only, trying to eat an apple that was hanging on a string or floating in water - see
http://www.wordconstructions.com/articles/family/bobapple.html). This was at home. As far as church was concerned, I was not a Christian then, though I was taken/sent to the local parish church (Church of England), which was called "All Saints", so they had what Anglicans call their "patronal festival" on the Sunday nearest to 1st November.
In more recent years in the UK, the idea of "trick or treat" has become more widespread. I personally am against the whole idea. I know some people view it as "harmless fun", but the very name seems to be saying, "You give us a treat or we will play a trick on you!" Sadly, in the UK, the whole idea of "trick or treat" seems to have become an excuse for some teenagers to go around frightening elderly people. You can get an idea of the sort of thing I mean at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3750690.stm which includes the following:
Supermarket giant Asda has banned teenagers from buying eggs, traditionally used as "trick or treat" missiles, in the run-up to Halloween.
The store says it has warned staff to be extra vigilant in spotting youths buying eggs.
It says the decision was taken following reports of egg-related vandalism last Halloween. Other big name supermarkets have not implemented a ban, although Sainsbury's says it has a "common sense policy".
Police forces issue posters to shopkeepers, saying that in the run-up to Halloween, they will not sell eggs or flour to people under 16, such as the one at:
http://www.kent.police.uk/News/Latest_News/Flour_poster_07.pdf
31st October seems rather late for celebrating harvest - most farmers seem to have finished using their combine harvesters before the end of September.