Slippery slope to Satanism
Two weeks ago, Asda already had an aisle devoted to it.
And, right on cue, along comes a bishop (the Bishop of Bolton in this case) to denounce it.
Young children find it too scary, he wails. They should have bright things and celebrate the eve of All Saints’ Day.
For pity’s sake! It isn’t the slippery slope to Satanism.
Children love to be scarred. Has he never read a Grimms’ fairy tale? Even Tom and Jerry has its moments.
Yes, Trick or Treat is an Americanism.
When I was growing up on the Isle of Man more than 30 years ago, we carved out turnips and went around people’s homes singing for money on October 31. None of us ended up seeking counselling because we were scared, incidentally. Similar festivals take place in Ireland. So this Americanism probably began (as did most Americanisms) on this side of the Atlantic.
Of course, I’d be pretty miffed if youngsters pelted me with eggs or daubed my house in paint. But I’m more than happy to give neighbours’ kids a few pence in “protection money”. We cannot beat it, so we might as well join in the fun.