Halloween or Samhain as it's known 'round this house has always been our favorite holiday. We spend the months leading up to October 31st in an orgy of decorating the house, scoping out costumes for the boys, checking out the awesome displays around town and just generally enjoying the hell out of it. We're like little kids when it comes to Halloween. Absolutely nothing is off-limits. And we have an absolute blast with the holiday for weeks.
But, aside from the general atmosphere of fun that comes, it's an incredibly important holiday to us as well because we are, with the exception of my husband, a Pagan household. And any holiday worth a grain of salt should combine both fun and lightheartedness with the more serious aspects of life or death as the Samhain case tends to be.
Samhain is the beginning of the cycle; the new year. It is the day this household reflects on what has passed and what is yet to come. It is a time to recognize the part we play in that eternal circle and contemplate the mysteriousness of it all.
And of course, it is a time to spend some time saying hello to those that have passed before us, those who have already left this world. And because death is not something to be feared, it is a time to do so in high spirits. To recognize that they are gone, but that they are not forgotten and that life continues as it should.
It's a time to realize that tears can only last so long before one must find the will to be happy again, to move forward and smile fondly at all the wonderful memories one has collected over the years. In short, it's an incredibly important time of year, especially in a household that has lost so many over the years.
So with that being the general sentiment around here, nothing pisses me off more than people who ruin Halloween with their brainless "it's evil" idiocy. I see red (you know, that shade beyond the typical orange of the holiday) when those little pamphlets appear on my door or my windshield, twisting and distorting the holiday into something to be feared by "good" Christians and celebrated by axe wielding, devil worshiping, baby sacrificing horrible, horrible sinners.
Those pamphlets disgust me, not because they twist and distort and resort to outright lies more often than not, but because the morons who write those things are the same people who have shit fits when someone dares say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. It is nothing short of a stunning display of holier than thou hypocrisy and it makes me sick. Those people make me sick.
Why, pray tell, should we cave to those demands to say Merry Christmas and Merry Christmas only when those demands are coming from the brainless idiots who are afraid of their own shadows? I tell you now; I'll be damned before I do. Christmas, sorry to say, is no more sacred to some than is Samhain. To get respect, one must give respect and all too often, those people screaming at the lack of respect are the selfsame individuals who would rather die than admit that the idiocy they pass as fact in those ridiculous pamphlets are nothing but the hysterical ravings of clueless zealots.
I don't begrudge anyone Christmas or any other holiday... but please. Don't expect me to cater to the demands of morons when they can't stop being morons for five minutes. I'd rather choke out Happy Christmahanakwanzaka twenty times a day for those that do have a little tolerance than deal with lying hypocrites.
This is a great piece.
I am a Christian, but I'm totally with you on your points about hypocrites trying to tell you how to live.
Even as a Christian I have different Christian sects trying to convert me and telling me how wrong my sect is and how I have sinned but I can be saved... it's ridiculous. So I can't even imagine how it feels to someone who is not Christian.
I apologize for those people and I hope you (and others out there) don't think all of us are unaccepting hypocrites. I'll be the first one to answer questions about Christ and do my "job" as a Christian, but I will not force anything on you that you don't want forced upon you. I apologize for those who are forceful, unaccepting hypocrites. Because that is not what my faith means to me.
God bless, happy Samhain, and I hope your holiday isn't ruined because of closed-minded people out there.
PS, I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of Samhain... I'd be interested to hear more about it.
Thanks for the comment, dear. I definitely don't think that all Christians are that way and hope this blog didn't imply that in any way. A lot of family and friends are Christian and they're really accepting and good people. My husband is Christian and takes the time every year to learn a little bit more about our beliefs and is always one of the first to set the record straight when those idiotic pamphlets appear. It's just those hypocrites in the ranks that infuriate me.
Last year when I was feeling a tad more charitable, I blogged a brief history of the holiday. Feel free to check it out for a starting place. You can also check out :
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usma&c=holidays&id=2204
http://www.paganspath.com/magik/samhain-history.htm
which offer a more in depth look at the historical roots of the holiday.
Hope you have a very Happy Samhain!
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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No, don't worry, I don't think your post implied that you think of all Christians that way. I will definitely check out your old post and maybe those sites, too.
:)
ignorance about holidays that are celebrated by quite a few people and that are very fun for everyone...
I'm a Muslim (as you know) and Halloween really doesn't fit in or in the scheme of Muslim teachings, it's not a holiday one should celebrate...BUT, my cousins and I, growing up in America, have always enjoyed Halloween--(we've made some great memories getting and giving candy.--being scared and scaring people)
.It's like you said, it's just a fun day and we don't think too hard about should we or should we not...
Of course I understand that it is more upsetting to you with the pamphlets and propoganda used to paint it in a negative light, but i say to hell with those losers
It some times amazes me (it's becoming less and less surprising though), the extent to which some go to show their intolerance and ignorance about others religious practices and beliefs....
Why can't people JUST SHUT UP and not spread their narrow-minded belief systems?
"The good life, let's go on a living spree
Shit they say the best things in life are free" --*K A N Y E
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
I'm glad you and your sister are able to enjoy the holiday. :) For all of it's serious connotations, it is a lot of fun. Even more so now that sis had kids for us to dress up and take out :) The boys were going to be Mario and Luigi this year, but we couldn't find costumes anywhere and don't have enough time to make them, so I'm not sure what she has decided on yet.
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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We've made awesome memories in high school with all my cousins/siblings and especially with my best friend who is asian and she doesn't really have a religion, she's just a caring human and my parents always get candy--
We don't spend a ton of money decorating, just get three bags of candy in a huge punch bowl....
My nephew (my oldest cousin's son) was two last year and he wore a Tigger costume--we didn't take him out because here it gets chilly and cold by october in Philly but we took tons of pitcures with him but he is definitely wearing a costume this year and going out to get candy with his dad.....I think he wants to be Shrek....lol
"The good life, let's go on a living spree
Shit they say the best things in life are free" --*K A N Y E
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
Agreed. Halloween is just for fun and it's all about the candy and decorating....but Samhain is an entirely different story. It's way to close to my heart to let that day just be either one.
Every year, since I converted, I always send out a little hopeful request that one of these years...in my lifetime, preferrably.... I would like to see people at least educated about the Pagan beliefs. I am sick of being accused of devil-worshipping, sacrificing and being a "sinner". Favorite response after being told that I'll be burning in hell? "Its your hell, you burn in it." or "I hope they serve beer in hell". Fun reactions.
Sorry I get touchy and a bit...defensive? Yes, I do believe that would work.
Anyhow...my insmonia has stopped working and I am now slowly drifting off.
Cool reactions, I have never been told that I would burn in hell. But I have been told that halloween is devil worship. This always surprised me, because I didn't see how getting candy reflected serving the devil. Then again, I grew up in a church where I "supposedly" didn't celebrate "worldly" holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christamas, and Hallaween.
Now, I celebrate them all.
My response is usually that I hope i get there just enough ahead of them to hold the door open and usher them in too.
I hope you got some sleep. Insomnia is a pain in the ass.
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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I, for one, do not celebrate Halloween. I never have, and quite possibly never will. Of course, everyone is entitled to do whatever they want. But I dont believe that it is such a great holiday.
As far as Christmas goes...I celebrate it, but not like a lot of other people. I know that the date Christmas is set for is anything but Christian. However, I do believe it to be important to take a day out to recognize the birth of one who I believe saved me. My parents made it a point to never introduce me to the idea of Santa Claus. Our Christmas is not commercialized. But we do give each other gifts (to celebrate Jesus, God's gift to us) and the day is spent reading the bible and commemorating the life of Jesus.
The reason I believe it okay to celebrate Christmas as a Christian is that the holiday has a Christian meaning. Halloween, however, is not related to praising God in anyway. It is rooted in Devil worship. Yes, the Christmas date is wrong, but what can you do when that was the day picked to celebrate is one that has been chosen for everyone.
We dont make it a huge point to celebrate Easter as others do either. Please tell me what a bunny and eggs have to do with Christs death? But lets get back to the point.
I guess I am one of the "morons" you speak of in your blog. But I have good reason for believing the way I do. We christians that speak against this holiday are only trying to make sure people are aware of what they are celebrating. Of course Halloween is fun. So are a lot of sinful things. But "if you dont stand for something, you'll fall for anything". Never have a celebrated Halloween, but I dont feel deprived. I'm alive.
In no way do I think that celebrating halloween sends you to hell. But I do believe that Christian worship of the holiday is a compromise and its selling out. But who am I to condemn? My beliefs of right and wrong are what God will Judge me according to. As someone else's beliefs of right and wrong are what others will be judged according to. No one is judged according to my standards. So all I can do is tell others what I know and they are free to believe and celebrate what they want.
How, pray tell, is Halloween rooted in devil worship?
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes."
"Let no one be found among you who ... practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist who consults the dead . Anyone who does these things is detestable to The Lord." (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
Sorry, but this is just what I follow. Like I said, I realize that Christmas and Easter arent rooted in Christianity either. But I am trying my best not to compromise. Of course, you will defend a holiday in which u have so much fun.
Halloween or Samhain was celebrated long before Christianity took its hold... it's rather hard to say it's devil worship when the devil was born with Christianity. Further, the only references ever found linking Samhain as it was to some sort of dark lord or devil worship have through years of research by many been proven false. Of course, now you may find a few that use the holiday to worship the devil, but that was never what it was about or is still about to the majority.
It's not just about fun, as you would have known had you paid closer attention to the blog.
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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I realize that it isn't just about fun. Of course, if you read my later comments you will understand more of where I am coming from. I am speaking as Christian. I believe in the devil. (yeah, most Christians do)...studying BIBLE scriptures does imply that it is devil worship as God himself doesn't allow communication to the dead. The only way to speak to the dead is through the devil...it is something detestable to the Lord.
Do you consider ghosts to be with the devil? jw
yes, i do. Of course, I use ghost in reference to souls of people raised from the dead, roaming around. I honestly don't believe in ghosts. I think the devil is very active in the lives of the people who see them.
Yet, Jesus said to Thomas to look at his hands because Thomas thought he was a ghost. I believe in ghosts because Edison was able to get some weird feedback when he first invented the radio and heard voices supposedly. I've never read anywhere in the Bible to says ghosts are in league with Satan, or that they are real or not, but from the conversation of Jesus and Thomas, I think that it's safe to say that they did infact believe in ghosts or spirits, but they weren't evil.
ive never read that anywhere either. However, I go off of putting two and two together. the bible does point out that the dead are dead. (Ill have to get back to you with verses of scripture...but Im trying to do my Physics homework right now as well) Contrary to popular belief of Christians Souls/spirits of the dead do not literally live around us. They will be laid to rest until Christ comes back to save them. If the Lord says it is detesteble to speak with the dead, the only way that you would be able to do so is if the devil brought them to you. Perhaps Jesus and Thomas mentioned ghosts because they also believed in the Devil. Maybe they believed the same way I do...
No. Jesus said, Do I look like a ghost? Touch my hands and feel the holes.
I'm so glad I am a deist now, because I think that's utter crap(sorry), hence why I don't follow "holy writings." There is a big difference between a demon and a ghost.
Besides, what about when the apostles saw Jesus with Moses?
What is the soul? Is it a purely psychological idea, or is the soul a real thing? I tend to believe that there are things that we can't understand. Maybe ghosts aren't demons, you do not know that God doesn't allow ghost. Besides Bible scholars believe that God allows spirits to come back to the Earth if they ask permission.
I dont see how What Jesus says goes against my comment...
But you make a good point about Moses. I dont remember the part where Jesus was seen walking with moses though. What verse was that? Thats very interesting....hmmm......
I don't remember, I stumbled across it yesterday. Btw, are you a literal follower of the Bible? Second, what version do you use?
I cant say that i am a LITERAL follower of the Bible....honestly I cant really say that I am a follower. Cause sometimes I believe and sometimes I dont (Im at that stage...Im only 19 so i hope i get some time to figure it out.) But when I do follow, I do feel like I must do a bit of interpreting. I have to compare it to the nature of God, the times and curcumstances.
But I use KJV for the most part...I try to stay away from other translations, because the more it is translated, the more it is watered down, and the more I miss.
I actually wish that I had time to learn hebrew and greek so i could just read the real thing for myself.
Ah I was hoping you used the KJV. Now will you open your Bible and look to Isaiah 34:7. And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. Isaiah 34:7.
Unicorns in the Bible, interesting to find mythical figures in there.
Don't try to interpret your way out of this, interpretation flaws the original writting, by interpreting the Bible the way it looks to you is right to you, and you only. Someone else can interpret it differently.
I dont really know how to read, and not interperet.... I will make some connections, though. But not by changing the words, by looking at the rest of the bible. Revelation speaks of dragons, beasts with multiple heads. (which clearly, are not real in our world) In that chapter vs 8 says : "It is the day of the Lord's vengeance..." Earlier in Chap. 34 it is called a judgment...
In the belief that God is all powerful, Im sure he could bring to life any type of mystical creature or animal. And he does make mention of these types of things when he is talking about "judgement" days.
The belief that the Bible is god breathed makes this seem utterly crazy. Kinda like how in the 1800's it was taught in some areas that the Bible was for slavery and not for slavery in other areas. The Bible is so open to interpretation that in a hundred years, we could be saying that the Bible says homosexuality is ok(and no i'm not saying it's wrong to be a homosexual). Leading me to believe that the Bible is man-made and not revealed, because if it was revealed then there would be no need for multiple religions because Christians say God gave them the Bible, Muslims say it came from God and fell to earth, or something like that. I don't think God would have mystical creatures like satyrs. I believe that when the Bible was written that people let their superstitions and beliefs interfere, rendering the Bible man-made and not revealed.
and i think there is a good chance that you are right.
Devil worship aspect come in? Who and how is it worshipping the devil?
Fallon explains what her family does and how it has significance to them but the Devil worship thing is something I have only heard from Christians who are seriously mistaken and dedicated to somehow showing their intolerance...
"The good life, let's go on a living spree
Shit they say the best things in life are free" --*K A N Y E
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
It's misinformation that refuses to die because those ignorant souls think they already have the answer and won't do research for whatever reason and so breath life back into the idiocy every year.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hallo_sa.htm
has a good overview of why the myth continues and where it originated. To sum it up, these people continue basing their belief that it's devil worship on factually incorrect information that has been proven over the years to be factually incorrect, but they don't do the research on their own, just accept what they are told, so don't know that.
Those that just accept as truth what they are preached, I feel sympathy for. Those doing the preaching are the ones that irritate me. It's infuriating that those individuals took up the charge to lead... and yet resort to lying or misrepresenting truth to their followers and others out of ignorance or whatever other reason it may be. At the very least, when leading others, one has an obligation to do so in honesty and knowledge.
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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I agree that Christians did make up some of the information about this holiday. I agree that Samhain is not a God, but a holiday. But what happened on that holiday IS under question. Different scholars say different things. It all depend on who you chose to believe. Just like me, you also are accepting what you are told. Because according to MY research, the holiday is no good. Its not like I haven't looked anything up for myself. But you weren't there and I wasn't there when the original holiday was celebrated. So...who knows?
Yes, it was a holiday to celebrate the Celtic New Year. But according to my research, the veil between the living and dead worlds were thought to have been very thin. So, people used this time for divination and spirit contact.
What I have learned from my Christian experience is that the devil is a liar. He specializes in making you think that what you are doing is okay, and that God is only there to ruin your fun. It was the first form of deception used in the bible: telling Eve "You will not surely die. When you eat the fruit, your eyes will be opened to good and evil, and you shall be like the Gods"
Of course, if you are NOT a christian, you surely wouldnt believe any of thisanyway. I mean, seriously. If you're a pagan, this is your holiday. But as far as me, being a Christian, I feel as if I should follow whole-heartedly. Like I wrote in a previous response, the bible says talking to the dead is detestable to the Lord. "Detestable to the Lord" for me means of the devil. (Devil worship). Maybe the term is a little too strong because I see how much it offends people for me to say that they are worshiping the devil, so I guess I should have used a lighter phrase. However, I cant think of one right now.
I'm sure you are bothered by those who preach against your beloved holiday. I'm sure I would be too, if I had enjoyed it so much. I don't really see its true purpose and don't believe it will benefit me in anyway.
Like I said earlier, everyone is entitled to thier own opinion.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7464/BOS/Sabbats/Samhain/sab_s... Take a look at the links as well (this is not a Christian site)
Show me where you get your sources and I would be more than happy to look at those and try to see where you are coming from, but thus far, all I have heard is the same misrepresentation of fact that has been peddled for years.
I'm not saying that you have to like Halloween or even celebrate. What I am saying is that distorting the facts because one doesn't agree and then having a fit when those who don't agree with your beliefs down bow to your demands (and by you I don't mean you directly) is a stunning display of hypocrisy and is part of the reason so very many look at Christianity in disgust.
I find it interesting that divination is an abomination in the eyes of God, yet in other sections of that selfsame holy book, we learn that prophets could be consulted on some matters and were given gifts (as were seers) as reward.
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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Honestly, I think we almost agree. I don't think that people(Christians) should distort the facts. The main reason for that is because, then people (such as yourself) assume that my choice not to celebrate the holiday comes from me being such a huge "hypocrite" like I just believe a bunch of lies about paganism or like I am completely ignorant....and I'm not. I really never tried to force my beliefs on anyone. I do stay away from that. But I dont like to sit back and listen to people call my actions hypocritical, when if they knew where I was coming from, they would know that I am trying my best to live life as anything BUT a hypocrite.
Here is what I believe is the true dilemma. Some say that this day was used to "remember" the dead. And others say it is meant to "communicate with" the dead. I believe in the last.
I even got a mixed account from you in your blog.
And of course, it is a time to spend some time saying hello to those that have passed before us, those who have already left this world. And because death is not something to be feared, it is a time to do so in high spirits. To recognize that they are gone, but that they are not forgotten and that life continues as it should.
in the beginning you mention "saying hello" to those who have passed. Indicating communication?? Maybe. But later you say "To RECOGNIZE, that they are gone..." So are you speaking with them, recognizing/remembering them, or both? I guess you could do both. But Like I said, the communication aspect is what makes it "of the devil". If it is proven that this day was not indeed a day used to talk to the dead spirits...I wont think that Christians will not celebrate Halloween.
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/samhainlore.htm
http://www.pointsoftruth.com/halloween1.html
those are some links. Of course, I found these like 2 minutes ago. The first one isnt even Christian. I don't know about the second.
When I used to be discouraged that my parents wouldn't let me go out on Halloween. They made me sit down and research it for myself. I honestly never came across this "samhain was a Celtic God" thing as of recent. My parents always pointed out the fact that traditionally, people used this time to talk with the dead. Which we (as a family) believe is something of the devil.
Prophets were consulted on certain matters, but tell me when a prophet was consulted to communicate with the dead? However, when it comes to divination the bible also makes it clear what is from him, and what is not. Duet. 13:1-4 and 18:20-22.
It really all matters what you believe.
I'm not ignoring you. I will reply tomorrow... just exhausted today.
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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If I may ask... what denomination are you?
~C
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"It is rooted in Devil worship."
Did you even read the blog? ._.
*goes and put on a Halloween mask*
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"You're asking me to *read*?! I'm not even in class...and just to think I had to put on pants for this."
~npsm18
Best video evar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD8qubsp39M
If you think Halloween is bad, which by the way is called by the Catholic Church All Hallows Eve, you should look at Christmas and Easter. They are smack dab on top of two pagan holidays. The druids would sacrifice(correct me if I'm wrong fallon.) people to the Gods on either Easter or Christmas.
I like that Pagan holidays and Christian holidays overlap.
Both Christmas and Easter have very heavy Pagan connotations; including the reason the days are celebrated, many of the symbols and stories from the days, etc. Which is what really amuses the hell out of me when people start screaming that Pagan sabbats are evil... they really ought to take that up with the Christian churches since so many of the rituals they participate in now were first celebrated by those "evil bastards" back in the day.
No one knows for sure if the Druids ever sacrificed humans, as those who made the records saying they did had something to gain by so saying. It's possible, but who knows? Animal and plant sacrifices were common themes at most holiday celebrations and contrary to popular belief was common practice in Christianity as well back then.
So.. to answer your question, I can't say whether or not Druids sacrificed humans on either of the Celtic holy days that Christmas and Easter coincide with, but they did likely sacrifice animals and plants at least and weren't alone in so doing.
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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I find it oddly strange that Christian and Pagan holidays and their view allign in similar ways. Makes you really think.
Thanks for the clarification though. :)
And I agree. Christmas and Easter are not Christian. Just as Sunday is not the Lords day of worship. There are many contradictions in Christian traditions and we should get rid of them.
It just shows to me that either early Christians had a strong hatred of everything nonchristian or it was an attempt to wipe out the pagan religions.
how do you see that? To me it looks like the converted pagans wanted to take some of thier old religion with them and mix it up.
You do know that Christians forced their religion on pagans or they killed them, right?
Yes. I do know this. Do I think it was right? No.
Do I agree that they killed ALL Pagans? No, how else would Christians have adopted some of thier traditions as their own?
I never said they killed all pagans. Second, you just said what I've said, the Christian Church contradicted itself be adopting pagan religions and distorting them to their own beliefs.
oh. sorry, i wasnt reading it right. And I agree with you.
Good article. Halloween is part of Americas and many other countries culture. Weather you are going out to get candy or scare kids, its all fun nowadays. People are saying this is a sin? They're just jealous becase they don't get to dress up anymore. Once they try it, they will be happy. I guess if you scare kids, then steal their candy, it might be a sin, but that is even stretching it. Scaring kids is ultimately saving parents money cuz instead of paying for a haunted house, they just have to let their kids go trick or treating, and sorting their candy will keep the kids busy for a while.
I too am a Christian, and I am surprised that others would behave like that.
My church actually decorates the church with Halloween decorations, and some people are too fond of that.
I don't understand how some people can be so critical on a less than harmful holiday.
So, Happy Halloween Fallon!! =)
And how could god have cast Adam and eve out of the garden for something as simple as eating a fruit? Man, he is so picky!!!
Compromising is discouraged. "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it. Pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." Proverbs 4:14-15.
No matter how much "fun" you have on that holiday, it doesnt take away the history behind it. People spend so much time trying to buffer it up and make it seem "okay", but celebrating it is stepping foot into that path. Lucifer was one of the most beautiful angels, not all bad things have huge flashing lights that we can distinguish them from. The devil can make the most horrible things look so beautiful. How else would he tempt us?
I love Halloween, especially after I've learned about pagan traditions and Day of the Dead(my heritages own fun holiday.) Great blog too.
Now, I must go and prepare my Catholic Priest costume so I may sell indulgences to "evil devil worshippers." :P God, I love Halloween.
Mexico has a holiday called, "Day of the Dead" that they celebrate on Halloween (I think).
mixed ...
It actually does honor all those in the family and extended family who have died, ancestors and so forth...I think it is actually a very nice way to remember those who are no longer with us....I think someone else who practices it can tell more about it. Dia de los Muertos, i think, it's called in spanish...
"The good life, let's go on a living spree
Shit they say the best things in life are free" --*K A N Y E
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
This is for jawoniyi.
I find it very interesting that you and most Christians are quick to locate certain verses in the Old Testament that suit your needs ("Let no one blah, blah, blah" (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)", yet when questioned about other verses such as the ones listed below; you immediately state that "those are from the Old Testament and that's not what we believe in." "The Old Testament is just there for history." And by the way, some of the following verses are from the New Testament as well. Do you (Christians) still believe that women should be "kept silent" and not allowed to have any power over man? I'm pretty sure that there's no place in the New Testament where Jesus or anyone else refers to witchcraft or anything like that. Are you following the Old or the New? Which one is it? Are you a Christian or a Jew?
Judging from the verses below...Christianity is probably the most violent religion on the face of the planet! And how soon you forget (or you were never told about) about Saul and the Witch of Endor. Sure an Old Testament story, but even Saul consulted with witches. 1st Samuel 28:7 Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her." 11 Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" "Bring up Samuel," he said. So, it was ok for Saul to commune with the dead, but not us.
I really feel sorry for you and the many Christians out there who have probably been spoon fed Bible verses your entire lives and probably never once read the Bible on your own and questioned the hatred that you find there. I'm thankful that my path (Wicca) demands that I seek the truth. I would never claim that Wicca is the truth, but at least we seek, research, and learn from numerous religions and spiritual practices.
ENJOY-
1 Timothy 2: 11 (NEW TESTAMENT BTW) Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. 12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent.
Exodus 21: 20 And if a man smite his slave, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. 21 But if he live for a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money.
Ephesians 5: 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and he is the saviour of the body.
Deuteronomy 21: 18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, 19 then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out 20 unto the elders of his city, and 21 all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die.
Numbers 31: 17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man by sleeping with him. 18 But all the young girls who have not known a man by sleeping with him, keep alive for yourselves.
2 Kings 6: 28 This woman said to me, "Give up your son; we will eat him today, and we will eay my son tomorrow." 29 So we cooked my son and ate him.
Isaiah 13: 15 Whoever is found will be thrust through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword. 16 Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered, and their wives ravished
Deuteronomy 25: 11 If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, 12 you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.
Deuteronomy 22: 28 If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. 29 Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her.
Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your GOD.
Deuteronomy 7:1 When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations ... then you must destroy them totally. 2 Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.
yet when questioned about other verses such as the ones listed below; you immediately state that "those are from the Old Testament and that's not what we believe in."
When did i ever say that??? I do live by the Old testament. And no...I dont try to pick and chose out of the bible what I want. BUT, I will admit that I dont know the book cover to cover. Im only human so.... Anyway, youre completely wrong. The only reason I said what I did about "Jesus dying so that we wouldnt have to die" (and I think that might be what you are reffering to when you say that I denied the OT.) is because the response I get from most Christians is..."well that was in the old testament." What I face as a Seventh-Day Adventist, is a constant bash from Christians in other denominations. I get more crap from Christians than i do from atheists. When I do get crap its more over about "The OT was nailed to the cross, it died with Jesus..." And other things that I do not believe. Also remember, that my comments were about CHRISTIANS celebrating Halloween. I think its funny how we are called hypocrites because we have holidays on Pagan days (Easter, Christmas) but when it comes to us not celebrating holidays with the same roots...I am attacked for speaking against it. Wow, its like damned if you do, damned if you dont.
Never have I questioned the hatred that I find in the bible??? I would appreciate if you would ask about me before you speak what you know NOTHING about. Read My blog entitled, to believe or not to believe. You'll find out where I am in my life. Whether or NOT I am a Christian the bible speaks against such "celebrations" so who ever DOES follow the bible should reconsider what they do.
Im gonna need you to read deeper into the Saul story...This story actually helps to PROVE my point. IT WAS NOT OKAY FOR SAUL TO CONSULT WITH THE WITCH. Saul lied and told her that she would not die (as the bible instructed) for talking to the dead. Later Samuel says (vs. 16: why have u asked of me? seeing the lord is departed from thee and has become your enemy?) Yes...because Saul woke up Samuel from the dead, he was the enemy of God. This definitely doesn't help your argument. It supports mine.
Okay here is the story: As a CHRISTIAN I believe that Jesus took the ultimate punishment for our sins. Now, this does not make it okay to COMMIT these sins but, because of his sacrifice it is not necessary that I be stoned for my mistakes or beaten or have to sacrifice an animal.
I don't have time to go through every single verse. You have given because I honestly dont even have an answer to all of them right now.
But I will touch up on a few
I do believe that women should not have power over men. I believe that women should be kept silent, yes. But I also believe all people should be kept silent. Proverbs 10:19....He that refraineth his lips is wise.
Read 2 Kings 6 again...in its entirety...there is a story being told.
Numbers: I have questioned fellow christians about these passages. But, recognize that the Lord did give these people an offer of peace before entering in. It may have been strategy of war, i am still not sure.
Dueteronomy 25: Ummmm, okay i dont really see a problem. Why would a woman do such a thing?? Especially knowing the laws of God? Like I said earlier there were certain "punishments" in the OT...that are no longer applicaple because Jesus died for our sins.
Duet 7: Read further (you seem to like to pick out peices you like too!) vs 4: for they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other Gods." Notice that this instruction was given different from what was told to them in Numbers. Indicating that they were dealing with different people. What the Lord didnt want was for his people to adopt thier customs.
thats all i can do for now, my PHY homework is due in an hour.
First of all, Halloween has nothing to do with the "devil" (that was and is a Christian creation). The image of the devil was created to discredit the horned gods (Pan, Greenman, etc...) of Paganism. This was done in efforts to scare Pagans into conversion and to keep those who were already Christians where they belong.
Samhain (Halloween) is a time when the veil between our world and the otherworld is the thinnest. So we believe that during this time, spirits from the otherworld are able to walk freely here on earth. The masks used during Samhain actually came from when the Pagans would make them so they could blend in with the spirits so that they wouldn’t be recognized by them. It has nothing to do with worshipping the devil, especially when we don't even believe in the devil in the first place. We believe in positive and negative energy and we really don’t even believe in “good and evil”.
Jack-o-lanterns came from when Pagans would carve turnips (eventually pumpkins) and place candles in them, so that the spirits would stay away from their homes. Usually one turnip per family member was carved and used for protection. Halloween is a time when Pagans honor and remember their deceased loved ones, not the devil. And being that the veil between the two worlds is the thinnest, Samhain is the best time of year to accomplish this.
The whole point that I was trying to make earlier was that many (not all, and not just you) Christians like to pick and choose verses from the bible that suit their needs (and usually at the expense of other religions / spiritualities). I do agree that many of the verses that I stated are old school and whatnot, but the point I was making is that there are terrible things in the bible and to use the bible to prove your point for anything now days, just doesn’t work. I also don’t understand why the followers of a "baby religion" like Christianity, Islam, and/or Judaism claim that their faith is the "one and only" or the "truth". I use to be a Christian myself and since I was able to free myself from the brainwashing, I just don't understand why Christians are so hell bent on bashing / discrediting all other religions? I use to do it too and now it makes me sick to even think about it. What would be so bad about just letting people choose for themselves? Well, that would totally ruin that whole brainwashing thing, so that won’t work now will it? I guess the brainwashing has worked for so long...why stop now? I know that the bible tells you to become "fishers of men", but maybe the "fish" don't want to be caught anymore. Maybe they just want to be left alone.
Wow... that's a lot of comments. Well, all I had to say is that I'm a christian and I love halloween. And I do feel bad for those that christianity has left a bad taste with because we're not all like that. There are some in my church like that, I know how it is-I'm a whore and a slut because i don't cover my knees and ankles or neck or whatever...I wear pants and go to public school, cut my hair, wear makeup, blah blah blah. i hate it, but I love God. I find it funny that the Bible teaches not to judge, yet religious people are the most judgmental people I've ever met. Everyone deserves the chance to live their life the way they see fit (unless it includes harming another person, but you know what I mean) without others telling them what they should and shouldn't be doing or how they're horrible and going to burn in hell. Please. Makes me wanna smack them upside the head with a 2x4 and tell them that God was speaking through me and is telling them to shut up.
I do hope that you enjoy your holiday and don't let others closed minded opinions take that pleasure away from you.
Yes, I know that there are many good Christians out there. I have a family full of them. They can be a little hard-headed sometimes, but they are good people. Thanks for the post. Hearing from Christians like you is a breath of fresh air to us Pagans out there.
I hope you enjoy Halloween!
Blessed Be,
Tabias-
I'd like to give you a round of applause. I have always been for the person who speaks truely of what they believe in.
I am Christian, but I have never believed the Halloween was bad. My parents have taken my brothers and I for the past 15 years. (Now that I'm 17 I have that wonderful job of taking then out and having just a bit of fun on a freezxing Nevada Halloween)
I hope the closed mindedness of people (which I would like to call ignorance) ends, because I was always taught to love and accept everyone as they are (which I believe was what Jesus told us christians to do) The hypocritcal people not doing that truely make me angry.
I hope you the best and I hope your Samhain goes well.
~Kylie
Really well said/written first off..
Second, I personally am a Buddhist, so I completely understand the whole piece about the worshiping evil on holloween. But I think this holiday is just for fun and games. A way for kids and adults to dress up and be something out of the norm. People shouldn't take it so personally. It's just one night.
Halloween has been a big thing for me ever since I was just a 5 year old. I never knew what it was for; but the main reason, as for most people, was the candy and the costumes. I mean, who doesn't like dressing up as someone they wish they were. It only comes once a year. You could put a bed sheet over your head with two holes so you can see, and get free candy for that. Now I'm lucky to see more than two people come to our house to trick or treat. RIght now, not even one person came. They're all at the Halloween hotspots. My place died a long time ago. These people started passing out pamphlets. They converted some of my neibors, that lessoned the amount of candy that was given to trick or treaters. So then they think "no ones giving candy here, lets go somewhere else". Plus there isn't anyone else on the street you can show off your costumes to. I miss the good old days, I used to be living in a Halloween hotspot, but we lost the house. Even then, the new town I moved into had a good amount of people giving out candy. There were hundreds of kids wearing cotumes, all individual. It had to be, you could lose your kid in a croud. We always had to pack at least five trays of candy. My parents were always into it, they carved pumkins and even made costumes for us kids. We would always go with our next door neibors trick or treating. My parents don't even talk about Halloween anymore. Im the only one trying to keep it alive. With the only light on the street, with a bucket of candy in the front. I remember when the houses next to us had garages full of decorations. I guess the people of the old faith died, and the modern religion is taking over. Where they believe that Halloween, or Hallows Eve which means Holy Evening, is evil. My aunty says that they worship the devil, even for christmas. Their Eglesian Ne Christo. They don't even read the bible, their listening to a person who hasn't even been to college. My friend who is catholic says that Halloween is definitly not bad, they celebrate it. He reads the bible every day and can recite many of its sayings.
This year my Halloween was ruined. It wasn't the sons of a buscuit eating bull dogs that passed out the pamphlets. It was the son of my aunty, my cousin. I was supposed to go around asking for donations, old glasses for people who can't afford them. None of my friends could come with me since they lived to far away, i only see them during school. My cousin lied when i asked him (he only went around to ask for donations also, not to trick or treat), he told me he was at church. Later, he said "you really wanna go" I said "If they don't mind" He replied "No one wants your here". I know the people he was with would never say something like that, they were really good people. The people were his friends, he's two faced about them.
Im a catholic, I experimented with other religions based on research including paganism. It was too complicated, so I just stuck to being catholic. Or am i experimenting again.
If I could have one wish granted tonight, I would wish that Halloween would be brought back to life again. Where everyone who once believed, believed again. The streets would be filled with happy people. All would have the Halloween spirit. And reason to buy candy every year for October 31st. Thats if It would come true.
Happy Samhain or Chramakamakwashkicka...I ain't scrolling all the way back up just to see if I spelt it right. Im too lazy xP