Is Halloween Harmless?

Good News Magazine ^ | 10/1/2010 | Jerold Aust

[Celtic Conservative]

Have a nice day.

CC

[Salamander]

West Virginia?

[DouglasKC]

These liberal bastards have been, for decades now, trying to take all of that away...including Santa, as well as telling us how evil Christopher Columbus was, AND how bad our Founding Fathers were. And some fo us listen to thsi crap. Don't fall for this in the name of God...fight for this in the name of American tradition. God built this country...yet he lets us have our fun.

Not so. Halloween traditions grew in popularity as our country became more and more liberal. They go hand in hand. It's a celebration of NO GOD which is why it's so popular today.

[Ken H]

I made a broom joke once and she just laughed.

You were making a sweeping generalization.

[workerbee]

If you do some research on the origins of bobbing for apples and lighted jack-o-lanterns you will soon lose your appreciation for the Halloween holiday.

I don't see anything so off-putting. Can you share? (I'll read your reply when I come back from dousing our J-o-L candles on the porch).

BTW, I'm 45 and have never myself, nor seen, nor heard of anyone personally, 'bobbing for apples'. That has always been one of those TV-show events for me.

[goseminoles]

Lol.. they just believe what goes around comes around three fold. And they have killer music. ;0)

[goseminoles]

Lol.. they just believe what goes around comes around three fold. And they have killer music. ;0)
http://m.youtube.com/?piggyback=2#

[goseminoles]

Better than bobbing for turds.

[cornfedcowboy]

I am 45 and grew up in the Midwest. We used to bob for apples. Human fat from sacrificed slaves was burned in pumpkins and placed at the door front to ward off evil spirits. I’m no expert, but remember hearing this from a source many moons ago. Bobbing for apples has history with torture.
Don’t get me wrong, I let my kids dress up and beg for candy. I just don’t get too hyped up about all the rest. I believe Halloween is now second only to Christmas for retailers.

[firebrand]

To all the people who stress the “harmless” aspects: These are gateway aspects of Halloween. Perfectly innocent people dress their kids up in tutus or pirate costumes and thereby perpetuate the practice. But that is not all there is to Halloween.

Any coincidence that Sandy attacked the Gay Halloween Parade and Atlantic City the Gambling and Vice Mecca in one fell swoop? I’m reminded of when all the occult-ish books at St. John the Divine were destroyed by lightning.

[Morpheus2009]

SO does anyone here have a problem with El Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, remembering your deceased family members? It’s about as bad, but honestly I can care less about the whole spiel. I grew out of grabbing tones of candy, fun while it lasted, and frankly, some people need to get over the whole overreacting. The whole thing is more of a parody than anything else. Half the people wouldn’t know a real Wiccan or polytheist if they saw one, based off the whole Halloween deal.

[iowamark]

This is a product of the ‘United Church of God’, a splinter from Herbert W. Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God.

After Armstrong’s death, the Worldwide Church of God moved towards orthodox Christianity and some of these splinter groups refused and clung to Armstrong’s unusual teachings.

[Smokin' Joe]

So, just curious, what is the author's 'take' on Christmas trees, presents, and other such trimmings for that holiday?

Any day is what you make of it, and I say that as one who grows ever weary of splatter flicks masquerading as science fiction, and who is completely weary of 'ghost hunting' shows and demonic references on television.

When kids dress as 'Care Bears' or Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz is that evil, too?

For them, it is just fun to be someone/something else for a little while and score some treats doing it. (Treats which are freely given, because a six-year old isn't likely to TP your house or slash your tires--at least not in my area.)

As for the numerous references to entitlement mentalities, even kids know the 'better' neighborhoods have some of the best treats. Funny how success enables such generosity, and that is no cause for resentment.

[goseminoles]

Btw. Im not a witch. Just playing devils advocate. Hahahaha.

Anyway, google covens, blank, your town. It will blow you mind. The amongst us. Boo...

[goseminoles]

Btw. Im not a witch. Just playing devils advocate. Hahahaha.

Anyway, google covens, blank, your town. It will blow you mind. The amongst us. Boo...

[workerbee]

You used to bob for apples??? OMG!!! I bet you can’t tell “fun” from “demonic posession” because of it, can you???

[Salvation]

Faith Facts: All Hallows' Eve
Be Not Afraid: The Surprisingly Holy Origins of Halloween

Hallowe'en (with facts and recipes)
How Halloween Can Be Redeemed (from Catholic Update)
History of Halloween
Bishops’ Halloween Advice: Dress Children Up as Saints, Not Witches
Halloween (CNA Video)
All Hallows' Eve
Celebrating 'All Hallows Eve' and the 'Feast of All Saints' in a Pre-Christian West
Halloween Prayers: Prayers and Collects for All Hallows Eve
Holiday Hysteria (a Christian defense of Halloween)
Hallowe'en - Eve of All Saints - Suggestions for Reclaiming this Christian Feast

[Nifster]

all the Scots are laughing at you right now