Halloween "Fun in the dark"

In the midst of working in class I had a student ask me, "Are you taking your kids out for Halloween?" I told them that I am not. They then replied "is it because you are a Christian?". I thought about this for a moment and was surprised at the question. Why would she ask me that question in relation to Halloween? Is it because she knows of many Christians that don't participate in Halloween? Or is it because they see something in Halloween that even in a worldly perspective that they would deem "un-Christian".

The normal response I would get from people from the outside looking in would be, "but it's just about dressing up and getting Candy". Most people would not see the reason a Christian might struggle with this particular day. But obviously (this student not being a Christian) recognized something that might compromise my beliefs by celebrating this "holiday".

I will not judge people for participating in Halloween if they are Christians. I don't really care what they do because they have different perspectives on the subject and ultimately it's between them and God.
I don't even believe a lot of the supposed history and speculation of this day that is put out there to convince Christians this day is inherently evil in its original form or its roots. I've also heard the other perspective in that this day has Christian roots. I don't think the roots of the holiday make much of a difference as I have also heard mixed things about the roots and beginnings of Easter and Christmas. To put this in perspective; I won't refrain from eating mushrooms knowing where they grew from.

But I was thinking about they verse,

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

I don't have a struggle with the idea of getting candy (although Gluttony is a problem and sinful and if you look at the stats Halloween has on the health of children you will be stunned). I don't have a problem with having parties, doing things that bring the community closer ect... My problem is with the unseen, the dark world that is working behind the scenes of this day. A day that encourages and promotes fear, scaring people, a day associated with demons and ghosts, monsters and death, a day when children are encouraged by their peers to be greedy.  That being said greed and gluttony can also be found during holidays like Christmas, a holiday in which I love! Never mind the problem that I have with telling my children all year "Don't take things/candy from strangers" and then all of a sudden contradicting what you teach and say..."it's ok Halloween is a free for all! take as much from strangers as you can". Yet we go a step further,  not only take candy from strangers..."take it from this person dressed up as a demon or axe murderer." This is too inconsistent for my liking.

So my biggest problem with Halloween is not it's supposed history that is so often exaggerated, it's not candy, dressing up, parties, ugly crafts, spider webs and horror movies; my problem with Halloween is it's emphasis on the glorifying of darkness.  Darkness is unashamedly promoted everywhere on Halloween. We see alters to death set up in peoples yards, movies are formed to strike fear into hearts with a goal of providing terrors in the night. We see costumes that include grim reapers, murderers, prostitutes, witches, demons, devils, and even smurfs to make it all look innocent.
If I was to be an active participant in this day, I believe I would be saying "yes" to the darkness and the evil that is working behind the unseen realm. I am a child of light, not darkness. Instead of doing alternate events that are just a substitute for celebrating Halloween I think we should find ways that glorify the light.  For we know darkness will lose over the light, I don't want to celebrate a day for losers (cheesy as this sounds).

I have extended family that is doing something to be a light in the darkness by going door to door and giving; giving cd's, bibles or baking ect... I think this is a great idea. 
So if you are participating in anything "Halloween" go right ahead, I won't loose any sleep over it. All I know is that this Sunday night I will be glorifying the light that will overcome darkness, a light that the darkness cannot even comprehend. This generation has a fascination with darkness, the darkness is stealing the fascination that God put in their hearts for himself. I will be interceding for a generation that has grown to love the darkness.

Ephesians 5:8-11
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them