Is Trick or Treating Really Bad?

I have to admit I have never been trick or treating even as a young child, although Halloween isn't celebrated as much in my country, children still go round trick or treating. The actual trick or treating itself is pretty harmless, it's just in today's scary society, children should be accompanied my adults when they go round to strange houses! We usually buy in sweets just in case, but 9/10 times no one knocks on our door, so the sweets I give to my family! I think it is fun for youngsters, it's just a shame that Halloween is associated with the 'dark' and 'evil' especially in movies.

I don't think it is a bad thing at all. My kids have always gone out Trick or Treating for Halloween. It is just fun for the kids, that's all.

Well, Trick or Treating is really a misnomer. It should be called Gimme Gimme! A long time ago kids acually were expected to offer something before they got a treat. I would not take the idea that Halloween is related to evil too seriously. Actually it is a lot of fun to watch the kids at the door. Maybe I should take back my statement that the kids do not offer anything. They come in more and more elaborate costumes for us to see and enjoy. I guess they participate with their parents in designing or buying the costumes. Some of them are really beautiful. I have an issue though with the treats. People give out way too many candies, especially the horrible Halloween candies that stick to the teeth like glue. I used to throw those out immediately when my kids came back from tricking or treating. There are healthier alternatives on the market. Little bags of potato chips, sealed little bags of peanuts or sunflower seeds. Little boxes of raisins. Little chocolate bars, sealed packages of 2 cookies. All the treats should be dumped out on the kitchen table for inspection, the children should not be allowed to taste anything before getting home. If apples are in the bag (very rare now) the parents should take them immediately. (I used to wash them cut them up and make apple sauce a few days later.) Any unsealed goodies should be discarded. The treats should be stored on the highest shelf in the house and doled out in small quantities for good behaviour for accomplishments and special kindnesses exhibited by the kids. There is nothing evil about this method.

I have met people who do not participate in Halloween because it has pagan beginnings. I don't really concern myself with this - what it is now is a fun activity for families. We take our son trick-or-treating but only to a few houses where we or our friends know the people.

My children have gone Trick or Treating every year and have never missed it once. My oldest child is 21 and he started at 1 year old. My youngest child is 7 and she is so excited to go already! It is harmless fun and part of growing up. I don't know why people think it is evil. I've never thought that about it. I'm Christian and I don't think of it that way at all. I just see it as kids dressing up in costumes and getting candy. Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!

Halloween is a Christian holiday that was derived from a pagan one and is now essentially secular. It has no real meaning now other than for kids to go about begging for candy. That is not to say that it could not be infused with positive meaning--simply that it lacks any real religious ties.

I have not done such thing during Halloween. I think it is fun and it is done among children.

Personally I don't see Halloween as being related to anything evil at all and I think it's a wonderful, fun event for children to participate in. I had a friend growing up who couldn't celebrate Halloween (or any other holiday for that matter) due to religious reasons and I always felt bad that he wasn't able to join all of us and he always felt left out. Ultimately though, it's up to you and your wife to decide what's best for your children. There's a lot of reasons behind Halloween but I don't think any of them are evil at all. In fact, a good kid's movie to watch with your family that helps explain some of it is called "The Halloween Tree." It's actually one of my favorite movies. Good luck!

i find that Halloween just continues to get more and more evil as each year passes by. when i was young and even when my daughters were younger, we pretty much saw it as just a big candy grab (which really promotes greed) but now, i just don't like it and we don't even hand out candy anymore.

its kind of good when you offer a treat,rather than a trick ,its kind of pissing people off and making them to sweat a lot.its kind of fuzzy too

My parents went through a time where they would not let me or my sister go treak or treating when we were young because it was "evil". I love the Lord, I really don't think it is evil... I know there are sacrifices that go on around the world on that night, but we are not personally being involved in that mess! We learned what goes on Halloween Night but like I said, we are not doing that. We are just letting the kids have fun. Letting the children enjoy one night of trick or treating in my opinion is not evil as long as they don't wear evil costumes and such. It is fun and it is for the candy, that's it. It is not for evil or devil worshipping. As long as you just make it about fun and pray before you go out, I don't see anything wrong with it...

How old are your children? I think when you get a past a certain age then trick or treating can be a little over rated, but when your kids are still kids, then trick or treating can be fun! As long as they are safe and with an responsible adult at all times, then kids get to do two of their favourite things - dress up - and get sweets! What could be wrong with that?!

I'm sorry that ya'll have to a stalemate on this holiday. There are some ideas, you should both discuss together in order to come to an agreement. Decide what it is the actually issue. Growing up we did go trick or treating, then I'm not sure what age we were, it stopped. Don't get me wrong, we still wanted the goodies. We just didn't do the door to door thing. Many malls, campuses and neighborhoods have made it safer, by going through and people are standing at a table or outside the store or home giving out the candy. Also, many churches have fall festivals, costumes they usually prefer calm, not scary, or unholy costumes. (like angels, bible characters, or good role models are best) With the churches, these are usually held inside, with lots of games, food, and I think is more fun than actually trick or treating. If it is just the whole concept of Halloween, I'm not sure what to tell about that, but my opinion would be to tell her that your children should be given all types of chances in life, let them decide later on if it isn't something for them or not. But children should be allowed to have the fun and goodies of Halloween. Just say yes, to the goodies and trick or treating, and agree with her on the movies and haunted houses (at least for now). This should then be a win-win for you both. If she still doesn't agree, tell, you'd rather let them go out and get the goodies than having to buy them all yourself. Haha! I hope this helps out some. I am a Christian, and do understand that some religions don't care for this particle holiday, but that is why they have been doing it has a Fall festival and like back to school event. Which still gets the families in and keeps everyone happy and safe. Hope it works out for you.

I'm not at all worried about it being evil as such. I have 5 children, 13 years, 10 years, 8 years and 2 babies. My older 3 have always gone trick or treating, mainly because we have always lived in a small village where everyone knew each other, and all their friends were trick or treating, making it hard to say no! This year I'e decided that I don't want my 2 babies growing up being used to going trick or treating. I don't agree with teaching them that it is okay to knock on strangers' doors, and beg for sweets. It is the complete opposite of what we try and teach our children, is it not? Don't talk to strangers, don't take sweets from strangers etc? I'm not a complete ogre, though! I did have to come up with an alternative plan! This year I am having a halloween party at my house for my kids and their cousins and a few friends. They will still get to dress up, the house will be decorated in spooky things, I've bought a fog machine and disco lights to put on a disco in one room. There will be halloween themed food on offer in another room, then games/activities etc going on in another.. Apple bobbing in spooky gunge, pinata, pumpkin carving etc! Hopefully it will go down well, and it will become our halloween tradition, rather than knocking on doors!