For some, it’s a time to be scary. For others, it’s a time to be sexy. Most trick-or-treaters will go around door to door and collect candy to trade with friends–a Kit Kat for two Snickers, depending on your favorite

Mathew Hernandez, junior kinesiology major, will celebrate his Halloween in a different manner. Hernandez is the assistant manager of the bookstore and cafe at Abundant Living Faith Center.

“Our church here at Abundant Living Faith Center has some plays that we usually perform for the kids,” Hernandez said. “Since I’m a Christian, I feel like it’s (Halloween) not something of God or something He wants us to celebrate.”

During his early childhood, Hernandez wondered and questioned why he saw his friends and others dressing up and receiving candy. The confusion went away by the time he was about 10 years old.

“I grew up with us not celebrating it,” Hernandez said. “It’s also what my parents believe in and I want to
respect that.”

Head pastor at Coronado Christian Church, Greg Wofford, said that Halloween is not what it used to be and the intentions of the holiday today
are good.

“The Christian church has been around for 1,900 years and a lot of the traditions from a long time ago have changed about goblins and witches,”  said. “We don’t want to go to the next level of satanic worship.”

Although both Hernandez and Wofford call themselves Christians, they differ on their view of celebrating Halloween.

“There are conservative churches, moderate churches and liberal churches, so each one has a different point of view,” Wofford said. “We’re more in the conservative area in theology, but on some of the traditions, we’re kind of liberal in terms of letting the kids enjoy the holiday.”

Not all parishioners of the same religion will have the same viewpoint.

“I’m not in a position to judge anyone,” Hernandez said.

Luis Hernandez may be reached at [email protected].