Letter: Harmless fun on the eve of All-Hallows
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Jane French's article on Hallowe'en (29 October) shows that, as usual, those with censorious attitudes work against their own interests. Prohibition, far from eliminating this harmless festival, would drive it underground, inviting an unhealthy curiosity in the occult. Open celebration, however, can be monitored either by parents or teachers so that children can see that Hallowe'en is a time of fun and nothing more.
Such festivals are important for the release of tension and anxiety. Moreover, children like to be scared a little, and so long as that fear is mild and within a safe context, it is not harmful and may indeed be beneficial.
The problem some Christians seem to have is that this is a pagan festival. But it is only since Britain became Christianised that Hallowe'en has been associated with calling up dark forces. The Celtic name, Samhain, means nothing more than 'summer's end' and fires lit on that day were to drive evil spirits away, not to summon them up. If people knew more about the history of Hallowe'en they would treat it less as a Church-threatening occult festival, and simply as harmless fun.
Yours faithfully,
MATTHEW COLBORN
Careby, Lincolnshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments