Posted on 10/30/2009 10:04:52 AM PDT by CMoran325
Does anyone know when it became taboo to celebrate Halloween in public schools? It seems it started in certain private Christian schools that didn't want to celebrate a pagan holiday that involves dressing up like devilish characters.
This was new to me with my Catholic up-bringing. Growing up, it was always considered good fun. In fact, I just learned that a Vatican-appointed exorcist in Rome has said, "...to dress up as witches and devils on one night of the year, that is not a problem. If it is just a game, there is no harm in that."
Now as practicing Protestants, my husband and I agree that it's ok, with a few limitations of course. We don't allow our kids to wear anything too "grown up" (i.e. sexy) or anything too scary or gruesome -- you know, like the boys dressed up as Jason and the Scream murderer at my daughter's kindergarten party a few years back.
=:0 !!!
Our jack-o'-lanterns for this year -- did I pull off the Bat Signal ok?
But somehow this religious belief became P.C. and now Halloween Parties across the nation at our public schools have become Harvest Parties. Which really leaves me scratching my head. Why would public schools acquiesce to the beliefs of conservative Christians?
I think I figured it out, and I think it goes beyond their usual "We are trying so desperately not to offend anyone at the expense of any thought" maneuvers.
Showing sensitivity to the misgivings about Halloween gives them every reason to then turn around come the Yuletide and declare that we have to comply with protests from those who don't celebrate Christmas. (And unfortunately this also can put the kibosh on Hanukkah, too.)
While thankfully some clever teachers have the sense to call celebrations in December a "Holiday Party" that involves many faiths, too often it is relegated to just a frosty fete with images of snowflakes and snowmen.
So while I respect the beliefs of those who steer clear of all things Halloween, they might want to think about whether or not the fuss they raise is fuel for the anti-Christmas fire.
yup.
poor majority.
Fixed.
:^)
Look up the history of All Hallow’s Eve. That is the root of what we celebrate as Halloween.
Public schools: Where six-year-olds are expelled for hugging, but a girl can be gang-raped for two hours.
Don’t look for consistancy among liberals. There is none.
There is some contribution from the small pagan, witches and Wiccan minority who claim it as Samhain a sacred holiday. They have lawyers, who sometimes object to this that or the other.
“Is Shunning Halloween Ammunition for Quashing Christmas?”
I never heard of presents at Halloween, but I’ll be happy for ammo at Halloween AND Christmas. What?!
To me and, I hope, most others, the "root" of what we celebrate is not what matters. What matters is the family and community tradition that Halloween represented when I grew up and before.
Halloween is catching it from both sides; the nutcase religious people who cannot (will not?) separate the "roots" of Halloween from the positive tradition (kids, family, community) that it became, and the PC left that don't like it because it had become an American tradition.
I think that doing away with Halloween celebrations is just another step in the P.C. crowd's discarding of traditional American customs and values.
God bless’em
“Is Shunning Halloween Ammunition for Quashing Christmas?”
Christmas and the traditions that go along with it have been in the cross-hairs for years now...
as have all other events that used to bring family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers together.
Any opportunity to refute what their parents believed, eh? Even at the expense of harmless fun.
If they didn’t think it up, it is therefore to be torn asunder!
Yep — they are *so* in control!
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