T'is that time of year... Do Halloween or Not

I read a post tonight that I appreciated about this topic.  It was called "no Halloween here"  from Dot to Dot connections.

What I appreciated was her consistency.   As a couple they decided that Halloween was not something they would partake due to the negative aspects of it, and believing it not to be consistent with their faith.  From what I read in their post is that they don't do a counter Halloween event either.  Their children get candy, because well.. they get candy, what child doesn't get candy?  :)

I can and do respect that position.

What I struggle with in understanding is the folks who "don't do Halloween" but allow their children to dress up and take them to a "We don't do Halloween party" where they get candy and play games a counter cultural party.   If you are dressing up a Halloween and you are getting candy... isn't that a Halloween party even if you are calling it something different?   Truly... what makes it different in the eyes of the children involved?

My son goes to a bible club.  And he'll get a chance to dget some candy and even though they DO NOT call it a Halloween event (which truly it isn't, it's just a fun time they have after their class when parents and teachers mingle and the kids get to have a bit of family/teacher fun) he still excitedly shows me his bag of candy.  LOOK MOM.. I GOT MORE HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!  It's that time of year.  When they do it at Christmas then it's LOOK mom, I got some Christmas Candy.   Children know what the seasonal holidays are and they will accept what it is.

My view on Halloween is clear with my boy.  Halloween has a some bad stuff attached to it.   And you need to be VERY clear that you are NOT involved with that bad stuff.  It's a time when people who don't love God do things that should not be done.    BUT.. we love God in this house and so we don't do bad stuff, and we don't try to scare people.  We will have fun with free candy and fun costumes.   We will compliment people who wear nice costumes and not say anything about the "let's be gruesome or frightening ones".   It's free candy, a chance to chat with the neighbours a bit, and to have a good walk.

Tonight was the Pinery Halloween event.  We had an enjoyable evening in lovely weather walking around the Pinery visiting campers.  He's a knight.  A totally self made costume that earned him lots of "well done" comments. 

Do I as a parent know that really bad stuff can be and often is connected with Halloween?   Yes.  I know the roots of this holiday.  And I explained them to my lad today.  His response?  Mom..  Why would they have to do that mom?  Why would have to scare off ghosts mom?  Didn't they know that God is better?

No Bud, they didn't.  They didn't understand what it means to trust God.  

Oh... (a hestitation)
That's just silly mom, they should know better.

And that's what it comes down to for me.   How do I show that I trust God?   Can I trust him that getting free candy is an okay thing?  Should I worry on the roots of holidays?   When I celebrate Christmas (which has some odd roots as well), or when I celebrate Easter (complete with an egg hunt.. making it changed holiday as well).   Where do I draw the line here?   Why is one better than another?   Perhaps I lack some understanding here...and if so, enlighten me.

I will trust God.
I will try to be a light.

and in doing so, I will also respect people who through pray and thought hold well to their principles.