….but I’ll defend to the death your right to think so.

It all started innocently enough: Kurt Warner is the talented, sure-to-go-to-Canton, lovable, and regrettably retired quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. (No offense to the newbies…but I loved Kurt and his story and ability to, as Ron Wolfley put it, ‘throw a Twinkie into a toaster.’)

Kurt is also a very devout Christian. And has an account on Facebook. And he took to his account one night to talk about the costumes his kids had selected for Trick or Treat: a mermaid, a Tinkerbell, and of course, Larry Fitzgerald, the hugely talented and wildly popular Cardinals receiver:

And then, ironically, all hell broke loose, as Kurt was taken to task by his fellow Christians for celebrating what some felt to be a day that is the work of the devil.

Before we get to the witch burning, let me give you my background, because I realize that no one can evaluate anything anyone says anymore without knowing the author’s socio-economic-political stance on anything:

I’m a cradle Catholic. If you read this the other day you know that my parents raised me to be an enthusiastic supporter of Halloween. Despite the demonic marinade foisted on me by my nutty ancestors, my enthusiasm for Halloween today is limited mostly to an unholy reverence for mini Mounds bars. I just don’t have the energy for anything else, because I’m spending all my time trying to work up the enthusiasm for Christmas; I can’t afford to waste any energy molecules on candy corn.

But I was raised, obviously, in a Catholic home that observed Halloween in all it’s sugar-coated glory, and there was ne’er a mention of Satan. Talk of Satan was reserved for discussions about guilt, sin, and of course, Hell. Real stuff, not dress-up stuff.

Suffice it to say: I don’t share the view that what is now considered a current observation of October 31st is a problem, religion-wise. I see the profound and angry debates that spring up every year between pro- and anti-Trick or Treaters and see nothing but wasted air. It’s even crazier when you realize that the pro-Halloweenies’ main platform is “Lighten up! Have some fun!” As someone who was raised by those nuns can attest: ‘lightening up’ and ‘having fun’ never wins over religion, if you believe.

So this bizarre arguing, which makes about as much sense as “Tastes great!” vs. “Less filling!” has got to stop, because here’s the deal:

a) it doesn’t hurt me or my kids or family if you don’t observe Halloween. Knock yerself out. I’m not getting any bonus points for dragging in people wearing vampire costumes. I won’t say a word.

b) when someone objects to, or endorses something on religious reasons, it is pointless and insulting to argue it with them. Religious belief isn’t something that can be argued or persuaded away in an appeal to ‘lighten up’; it just is a fact of life and needs to be respected as such.

c) I don’t even mind if an anti-Halloweenie shares his or her views with me. I understand that it’s your prerogative and yes, your obligation, to share your views with me, because you want to save me from Hell. Or eating too many Mounds bars. Either way, I appreciate your concern.

While I don’t share the view that All Hallows’ Eve (the night before All Hallows’, or Saints, Day) has any particular danger in its observation, I understand the logic behind those who boycott and hey, it’s no skin off my nose.

If anything, it’s just more Mounds bars for me!

© E.S. Evans 2010