This morning I wrote to my children’s school to ask that they think hard about what they expose the boys to in terms of Halloween this season.

Sam had come home yesterday saying that one of his teachers had told the they were going to decorate the classroom to look like the Great Hall in Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film. My internal alarm bells went off.
I love my kids’ school with all my heart. They are totally amazing at what they do… but I just remembered the nights of nightmares with Sam and wondered if it was all going to start again.

I just wanted to make them aware of what we believe and why and that I was concerned that Sam was feeling the way he was.

I have been really shocked this year by the huge rise in the amount of costumes, accessories and general Halloween items for sale in the shops already. The costumes alone are truly hideous and some of them, really frightening. The worst one I saw was a dismembered body for a five year old child to wear. Seriously. Does anyone else out there think this is a sign of a healthy society??

I mean, if we (on any other day of the year) dressed up as witches, devils, skeletons or demons people might think we had a screw loose…

How can we be so duplicitous as to say that on every other day of the year they must behave, be kind and not frighten others and then let them have a day off those moral guidelines??
It makes no sense to me.

In my letter to the school I quoted one of my favourite passages of scripture: Philippians 4:8 and said that nothing about Halloween ticks one of those things listed.

Is it noble? No.
Is it of good report? No
It is excellent? No
Is it true that is all harmless? No. Not in my experience of the demonic.
It is praiseworthy? No

Therefore I have to stand up and say so.
They can think what they like. (And they will!!) Some will think I am a muppet for making something bigger than it is… but some may see my point of view too.

I have been asked to go and see the Head and I am looking forward to the chance to sit down with him and find out what the school policy is on such things.

I hope they are noble, true, excellent and praiseworthy.