Halloween at the Parks
Copied from old blog…
Halloween seems to have become a very popular holiday. But I wonder how many people are aware of the history behind the pagan holiday. (If you aren’t, I encourage you to Google it. You may be surprised at what you learn.)
This past week, I’ve been bombarded with advertisements for “Howl-0-Screem,” “Halloween Horror Nights” and the like. These family-friendly theme parks become not so family friendly during this time of year. Both events have been rated PG-13 (though some would argue it’s worse.) Here is just a sample of what these parks are doing in 2010 according to about.com:
Halloween Horror Nights – Universal Studios
The eight haunted houses at the 2010 Halloween Horror Nights will have the following themes:
* Zombiegeddon- Zombies are always a load of fun, right?
* Catacombs: Black Death Rising- Quarantined citizens who suffered from a plague in the 16th Century are mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore!
* Havoc: Dogs of War- A special corps of mutant soldiers are on the loose.
* Horror Nights: The Hallow’d Past- This is where the old gang of HHN sickos will reconvene.
* Hades: The Gates of Ruin- What’s HHN without a visit from the devil?
* Legendary Truth: The Wyandot Estate- The problem with reaching out to the spirit world is that sometimes the spirits return the call.
* Psychoscarepy: Echoes of Shadybrook- A haunted former insane asylum.
* The Orfanage: Ashes to Ashes- Little Orphan Cindy is one demented kid.
Using enhancements like theatrical fog and inspired props, Universal will undoubtedly do its usual incredible job making over the park with distinct scare zones. And you can count on ghouls lurking around every corner. Dare to enter the 2010 event’s scare zones:
* Zombie Gras – Mardi Gras gone wrong.
* Saws ‘n Steam- Beware the folks with the saws.
* HHN: 20 Years of Fear- Another alumni gathering.
* Fear Revealed- This is where the Fear dude comes to life.
* Esqueleto Muerte- Death comes to life.
* The Coven- Witches are always ready for a good time
Howl-O-Screem at Busch Gardens
The zoo/ride park hybrid will transform itself each evening during Howl-O-Scream with the girl-rock-band-gone-horribly-wrong theme, “My X” The event will include monster-infested scare zones, haunted houses, live music, and Halloween-themed shows. Among the haunts will be Nightshade Toy Factory, Trapped in the Walls, and Taste of Blood.
Busch Gardens is trying something new this year called the Alone House. As the name suggests, instead of going through a haunted maze with the security of your friends and other guests, for an extra fee ($34.95 at the park, $24.95 online), you have to tough it out on your own.
So how do we, as followers of Jesus Christ, respond to something that celebrates and encourages fear, violence, evil, murder, and death?
Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind and compassionate. Zechariah 8:17 says “do no plot evil against your neighbor.” 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” And Jesus himself tells us that we are to love God first and love our neighbors as our self.
If Scripture clearly tells us that God is a god of love, and that we are to love others as Christ loves us, then why would we willingly place ourselves in places where love is not present? We are called to reflect Christ in all we do.
Scripture tells us to do everything for the glory of God. As much as I enjoy hanging with friends, having a good time, and even being a little crazy, I think we must pause and ask ourselves if participating in such events brings honor to God—or disgrace.
