Controversial Religious Comic Books Upset Northeast El Paso Family

Northeast El Paso grandmother Laurie Butchart had a blast trick-or-treating with her granddaughters until she discovered a series of booklets among their Halloween candy stash.

“I said, ‘Oh my God! Who’s handing this stuff out to children?'” Butchart told ABC-7.

The booklets are produced by a nondenominational Christian organization. Some denounce Islam and Catholicism. Others show graphic imagery like family violence in cartoon form.

Butchart said the booklets were placed inside plastic bags and handed to children. She said she had no problem with the homeowner expressing her beliefs, but found it troubling the homeowner’s message was delivered the way it was.

“Very sneaky!” said Butchart. “(The woman handing them out) said ‘Oh, they’re just comic books! Enjoy!'”

ABC-7 spoke directly with one of the women handing out the booklets. Cindy Renaud said she has been doing so every Halloween for about 20 years. Her daughter also hands out the booklets on Halloween.

“Everyone knows we hand the comics out. It’s a positive thing. The message is ‘Come to Christ,'” said Renaud.

Asked whether the imagery in the comics was appropriate for children on Halloween, Renaud said the comics are not graphic compared to the images kids are already exposed to. “Have you ever watched Spongebob? That’s pretty violent for a three-year-old,” she said.

Renaud said most of the time she makes sure parents know what they’re getting when they stop by her house to pick up Halloween treats. “Most of the time when I give them out I say, ‘Hey this is a comic book, it comes with good information and it’s about Christianity.”