What a Halloween Haul! Snickers, An Apple, and the New Testament

The following article is by Dale D. Buss, a Michigan-based freelance writer who covers religious topics (among others) for the Wall Street Journal. It appeared October 31, 1985 and mentions Gundella's speaking engagement at Plymouth-Salem High School that drew a group of protesters. Among those objecting were a few students and parents who seemed rather disturbed.

I'll admit that I don't believe in witches as supernatural beings but I also doubt I would be up in arms if my daughter had a witch come to her school and speak. In fact, when my 3 year old is mature enough to understand about such matters I plan to tell her about Gundella! For some reason I actually think that she'll be interested in the occult long before I ever breach the subject.

Also, the article, which came from the internet via a friend, seems a bit abbreviated to me so I'm not sure if it is complete or not. I'll have to go to the university library and re-check since I already asked one big favor from her! As would be expected, none of the libraries nearby actually have microfiche for the WSJ before 1987 so the internet is the prime source at this point.

Lastly, the picture included was not part of the original article and was found via Google pictures.


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What a Halloween Haul! Snickers, An Apple, and the New Testament
by Dale D. Buss


Trick or tract?

That's the alternative some surprised youngsters may face this year as they find anti-Halloween literature, along with the more traditional candy, filling their bags. The reason: More fundamentalist Christians are trying to undermine the ancient pagan holiday because it celebrates a sacred day of the occult.

"The whole season of Halloween is demonic and satanic," says Rodney Lloyd, pastor of the Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Christian Church, who explains that the origin of Halloween is a Celtic festival of the dead. Some Christian leaders say anti-Halloween sentiments also reflect concern about occult-related murders and practices.

Patricia Morris, a Pontiac, Mich., housewife plans to give out brochures presenting the case against Halloween, along with handfuls of hard candies. Oklahoma City-based Southwest Radio Church has filled listeners' requests for about 40,000 anti-Halloween tracts, double last year's level. Elsewhere, a Detroit-area chain of Christian bookstores says it has sold nearly 25,000 paperback Bibles this month. One customer alone bought 500 to plop into trick-or-treaters' bags this evening.

Some kids are being offered a less spooky alternative to Halloween. Last night, the Bloomfield Hills church scheduled a "Hallelujah" party where youngsters, dressed in Western costumes, feasted on potato chips and candy, while watching an hour-long video meant to ease their fears about the occult.

Meanwhile, Marion Kuclo, who calls herself "Gundella the Witch," was picketed by about 25 people yesterday during a lecture she gave on witchcraft at Plymouth-Salem High School in Canton Township, Mich.

"We don't need her as a role model," said Dana Baker, a senior at the school. Lorna Styes, who organized the demonstration, added, "Next, witches will be talking to grade-school kids."

School officials, who had invited Mrs. Kuclo to speak, denied a request for equal time from a Christian group, explaining that attending her lecture to psychology and American literature students was voluntary, and she didn't discuss religion.

"Gundella," a 55-year-old former school teacher, doesn't deny that witchcraft is an occult religion. But she asserts she has "nothing to do with the devil. I'm a very ordinary grandmother."