Not only did a myriad of crappy incidents saturate my otherwise good day, but I picked up a pamphlet on the way out of the church tonight that topped it all off: "The Truth About Halloween." I just read it a few minutes ago and I swear I got that feeling I recall as a crushed ten-year old who discovered there is...no...Sant...I can't even type it without getting choked up.
Yeah, so I was proud that I converted my husband to celebrating Halloween. The poor guy was raised without ever experiencing the holiday whatsoever. Not even with a pumpkin. So last year I insisted that we dress Clayton up (he was a cow) and head out for some trick-or-treating. My husband loved it!
And now after purchasing a Spiderman costume for Clayton in preparation for Halloween '05, I discover that there is some historical truth to the fact that Halloween is not exactly a holiday we need to be taking part of. I mean, we can celebrate in our own way with our own intentions, but the bottom line is that it goes against Christian beliefs in a major way that had never been pointed out to me before. And who knew a decorated pumpkin was a symbol of the damned soul of a guy named Jack who wasn't allowed in heaven or hell? I didn't. I mean, religious aspect aside, why don't they ever teach the history of this stuff? When I taught school, kids didn't know the meaning behind half the holidays anyway. Like Memorial Day, Arbor Day, Earth Day, Labor Day...yeah, a couple of those are relatively obscure, but it seems like there's something to be said about all of those days on our calendar whether we honor them or not.
So now I'm in an intense Instant Messenger conversation with a friend about the topic. She seems to think I'm shriveling up into an anti-Halloweenist. These things don't happen overnight, though. I'm just a little stunned to learn all this in one night. It's a little much for me to take in all at once like this. Next you know they'll be saying the Tooth Fairy doesn't exist, and that can't be right...
6 comments:
Yeah, I did know that it was a holiday really meant for the darker side. I share your view on Christianity and have very strong convictions. I wasn't raised with the literal meaning of this so called holiday nor do I take it literally now. It's fun and there is candy involved.
I think it will be find to have Colin dress as Spidy and have some fun. That is just my take on the subject.
Yeah, its funny how people don't know the truth behind Halloween. Good post.
how funny you should post that about halloween. my husband and i were just talking about making our own traditions on that day and forgetting the holiday completely. i am totally excited about it though! i will still need my pumkin seeds though.
my personal opinion is- i grew up with good halloween memories- we got to dress up, collect candy- tons of it! and it was just fun! isn't anything fun anymore?
I know, I know. That's what I've always thought, too, and that's why I was so insistent that my husband give the "celebration" of Halloween a try. It was fun, but it really takes away from it now knowing the whole story. We'll have to see what we do about it...
that sucks- maybe just make your own halloween background. I had no idea that there was ever really a "story" behind it. I do know that alot of churches in the area do halloween celebrations where you can dress the kids up and go there with out all the scary stuff.
Candy rocks- so Halloween can't be all bad! hahaha
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