Trunk or Treat represents the latest retreat into homogenous Christian bubbles

[elfs]

"Trunk or Treat" is a new "Halloween alternative" offered by churches, in which rather than go from house to house, the members of the church gather in the parking lot and trade candies from the backs of their cars, along with the usual foofraw about Jesus and saints and all that.

Fred Clark made a brilliant observation awhile back about "concierge Christians," those who will drive out of their way to find the church that best serves their needs, that has the people most like-minded to themselves. The automobile has created church communities shaped not by proximity, but by preference.

"Trunk or Treat" seems to be one of those events that successfully and conciously fulfills a triune purpose: it encourages kids to think of their own neighborhoods as dangerous places, teaches that the church parking lot is far safer, and distances them all from the fun of meeting one's neighbors and being surprised. Diversity be damned.

Comments

[kenshardik]

I'm surprised those churches are engaging in Satanic activities such as giving out candy to children in costume.

[jordan179.livejournal.com]

How dull a thought. Part of the magic of Halloween is exploring, seeing the world transformed by illusion and masquerade. Compare that to a church parking lot.

It's not really all about the candy.

[sirfox.livejournal.com]

I always thought that a good way to end Trunk Or Treat would be showing up for trunk-or-treat looking rather disheveled and creepy in a scary panel van, and thank the parents profusely for teaching kids to take candy from people in parking lots.