Santa Muerto? Some disturbing Halloween customs

Whispers in the Loggia has an interesting post today entitled Boo! "Santa Muerte" spooks U.S. Church, linking to a story in Time Magazine. Plus some additional comments about Halloween.

I think I will turn off the lights this evening and go to mass, even though I admit being ambivalent about this holiday. I remember fondly going out trick or treating as a kid. But in those days, we lived in neighborhoods and people didn't put razors in apples. But then, I was a totally secularized little kid and had no idea about demonic forces.

I hate the way Halloween is allowed in public schools but Christmas nativity scenes are not. And every year the fascination with horror and the occult grows. Halloween is a big deal in Canada where houses are decorated, and adults put on costumes, too.

What kind of message are we sending our children?