Master_Ginn Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 Now with Halloween on the way, there are a lot of families that do not celebrate it for their own reasons. Recently a school in colorado (i'm sure many more than just one) has decided to not have a halloween party, and not allow students to come to school dressed up. Now i'm wondering, is this an issue that people should argue to not have in schools? I'm a christian, yet i still celebrate halloween. I have a party with my family and we get together dress up and just have fun. We don't make it anything more than what we want it to be. Halloween doesn't have to be about death and or ghost and goblins. Personally, i kind of like the scary feeling. Schools don't have to make anything other than kids come dressed up. I've always looked forward to halloween as a kid, and it was always awesome to go to school dressed up. I don't think schools are really into the death and scary part of halloween. Is this something that people should really fight? I think this is just something that people take way out of proportion. If you don't want your kid to dress up, fine. but don't ruin the fun for kids, who really don't know what the fuss is over, and just make it fun. Sorry i'm kind of ranting, it's just that it seems everyone is fighting against anything they don't like. So what do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Sitherino Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 Personally I think it's the most christian holiday in circulation right now. The entire thing is about giving, being together, and just having a lot of ****ing fun. We have some people going around saying not to celebrate Halloween, but to instead celebrate Jesus-day or whatever their non-sense is. I mean, it's cool that they think Halloween is evil and they have an alternative, but they don't have to go around to the schools and harass people or go to houses and harass people. It's very similiar to what that one lady did in that episode of King of the Hill. Personally I think do whatever the hell you want, as long as you're having fun and everyone is being safe. The school could easily cover themselves by saying "it's a distraction issue" which is of course bull****, but whatever. In the end though I say as long as you aren't harassing me or giving me a bunch of crap, whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuel Dravis Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 I think that it is a good thing, because I can then dress up as a pirateninja and still appear halfway sane. I've got no beef with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Jedi Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 I don't like Halloween, and never have. I'll not explain my reasons, though as they are personal. Think of that what you will, that's just the way I am. As for schools trying to stop it, whatever. I highly doubt that it'll be totally excepted by everyone, but those who don't agree will certainly be able to find parties and time for dress up away from school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-8252 Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 Heh, how do schools stop you from dressing up? I mean, look at all the goths who really do look like they're dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toms Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 I never cease to be amazed at how much sway the christian religion holds in the US... though it does seem to be becoming more and more active and fundamentalist over the last few years. Its as if with Bush and the Neo-coms in power they have the guts to finally try all the things they've been wanting to try for years. Still, its the kind of small minded stupidity that always seems to crop up, be it with fundamentalists, political correctness or whatever. Rather than worrying about the big issues that acutally cause problems and discrimination, they make a big fuss about the pointless peripheral ones. I think i've heard the same anti-halloween arguments used in the US for the last few years, but hopefully it won't take hold. THese days you never know. Its as if some of these people think that little jonnie dressing up as a zombie for one night is going to turn him into a satanist or something?!? Now it seems to me that THEY are the people who seem to have trouble telling fantasy from reality... not little jonnie. Halloween is no longer a religious festival, it is a cultural tradition... and it has as much to do with evil spirits and satan in most of the participants minds as christmas has to do with jesus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ET Warrior Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 People need to learn how to relax and have fun. I'm dressing up as a Jedi on halloween, I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean I'm worshipping Satan. It's just like all the Harry Potter nonesense, some people just NEED something to attack, it's as though they aren't complete if they aren't ruining something for somebody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowTemplar Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Heh, I can live with their attacking Halloween. At least it keeps the creeps' attention off the real issues for a time... Can't really see why festivals have any business in schools in the first place, but that may have something to do with the fact that I'm a bitter, stuffy traditionalist where education is concerned. Can't really see schools banning funny suits either, though. Unless they wanted to inpose rather ridgid dress codes. They could do that, of course but I don't see it happening... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toms Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Well there are good reasons for imposing uniforms in schools, infact pretty much every school in the UK has a uniform... but I won't get into that now as thats not really the issue. Even in schools with uniforms Halloween events are common, although the UK has never made as big a deal out of halloween as the US. (especially over recent years when fears over pedophiles have led many parents to stop their kids tirck-or-treating... but then that has led to more organised school alternatives). There are numerous reasons that events like Halloween make it into schools.. - it can be used to teach kids about the origins and issues surrounding the event - it helps make the school a part of the outside community - its a safer environment for such activities - it gives a purpose and a theme to schoolwork that can help in motivation - it can teach people ablout other cultures and religions - it can provide unity and community/school spirit - its fun - why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurgan Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Halloween is a secular and not always religious celebration for many people, at least in the US, just like Christmas. So let people celebrate the secular aspect in the public square, in the schools, anywhere. Let Dick Cheney wear a goblin mask to press conferences if he wants to (the guy can be scary enough as it is sometimes). Go for it, have fun! And if people want to celebrate the religious aspects of it in their homes, churches, or local community, more power to 'em. Getting the day off for Halloween would be awesome, but so far it doesn't happen. Have your office Halloween party, and if you don't want to participate, again, your free choice. The case of Halloween being banned in some school because it was feared it would offend wiccans was hilariously stupid. Nobody actually complained, it was just suspected (by non Wiccans) that this minority would be upset (they weren't). PC idiocy. Yes, it's the PC advocates and a few fundamentalists who are trying to ruin Halloween. Shame on them... If people are so upset and worried, just put the Halloween fun into the unit on folktales and culture. No problem! And on Halloween, we all know the rule... leave your porch light on after dark and you can expect trick 'o' treaters. At least give them SOMETHING (if not edible treats, then some cheap party favors, ice cream coupons or even pocket change will do). Don't put out your pumpkins if you don't celebrate, turn the lights off and no worries. 'Sides, we all know you're not supposed to TP somebody unless they really deserve it (and no, I never did that! shame on the kids who egged people's property, that's crossing the line into vandalism). A lot of myths abound about Halloween, like that people are ritually murdered on Halloween or that hundreds or thousands of kids are poisoned each year or get razor blades in their food (I think a total of 5 people were killed or seriously injured in the last 50 years as a result of "tainted candy"... not exactly a frightening statistic). There's no epidemic of satanic violence on Halloween. Wiccans don't worship the devil. And fundies hand out religious tracts to kids who come to their doors anyway. I got a chick tract one year (didn't taste very good). Halloween is no big deal! It's no more dangerous than any other holiday, and probably safer than some (like Indepedance Day, how many kids hurt themselves with fireworks or start fires then, pray tell? And yet we don't seek to ban the entire holiday or demand people don't celebrate!)... Fears about pedophiles on Halloween are unfounded. First off, what kind of an idiot parent let's their little kid go trick o' treating at night alone? If you go with your kid, then you can make sure nothing bad happens. You don't let the kid go inside the house and close the door when you stop to get candy anyway. If anything, the kids can be molested by their teachers at school. Despite the legitimate caution of strangers, most kids are molested by people they know, anyway. Teach your kids to be respectful of others, practice basic safety (inspect their treats before letting them eat, carry flashlights/glowsticks and make sure they can see out their masks, and travel in groups/with an adult closeby, look both ways before crossing the street, etc). It's really a fun holiday if people just relax and have fun. And if you're worried about your kids getting fan, then don't let them eat their candy all at once. Have them eat dinner before going out so they're not wanting to stuff themselves with sugar. Even the scary "Devil's Night" stuff (as depicted famously in The Crow) has really declined in recent years, thanks to community action ("Angel's Night" and neighborhood watch to prevent arson and vandalism). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowTemplar Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 TP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Sitherino Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Toilet paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowTemplar Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 'You're not supposed to Toilet Paper someone unless he really deserves it.' ??? Am I just being slow today, or is this some queer American slang I don't know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Jedi Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 You're slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kain Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 'You're not supposed to Toilet Paper someone unless he really deserves it.' ??? Am I just being slow today, or is this some queer American slang I don't know? Wow. Its taking several rolls of toilet paper(you know what THAT is, right?) and 'decorating' someone's house with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowTemplar Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Oh. Thx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurgan Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 Worse is egging people's house/car. Those things may stay for days (if the people are out of town or something) and eat right through paint. The other classic is soaping somebody's windows (writing on their windows with soap or just covering them). Which I guess seems pretty harmless, but I never hear about anybody actually doing it. The other prank is to smash people's pumpkins, which is pretty mean (sorry Billy C!). But I always picture the people who do that to be bored teenagers who think they are "too cool" for halloween, and generally jerks. Btw, despite my best efforts, it looks like I got some of the facts wrong surrounding the "myths" about Halloween. It's still nothing to worry about, but get the straight story here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoxStar Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Am I just being slow today, or is this some queer American slang I don't know? ...why queer, maybe mindless... but definitely not queer. Anywho, I say if they don't celebrate Halloween, its definitely their decision and it should be respected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Sitherino Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 ...why queer, maybe mindless... but definitely not queer. I think he means in the original sense of queer, as in nonsensical/absurd/odd/out-of-the-ordinary/etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riceplant Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Anywho, I say if they don't celebrate Halloween, its definitely their decision and it should be respected. I don't think the issue is that people are forcing others to celebrate halloween. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE BADGER: Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I have to say that I love Halloween! Even more than Christmas in some ways. But I am addicted to haunting. I am a professional haunter and make a nice chunk of change in the month of October. It may be ironic, but I am a Christian, and if you look at the holiday from the past it is a pagan holiday. But I would have to say that it is now a cultural holiday. People love to get the sh** scared out of them, and they pay me and my crew to do it. I can't believe the banning of Halloween happened first in a Colorado school rather in the south where I live. But I guess historically Halloween is a "religious" holiday. Even if it is not a common religion. And if people want separation of church and state you have to have it from all stand points, not just Christianity. But I am a Christian and I absolutely love Halloween, not as a religious day, but as a "fun" day. Nothing more than that. Some people are so up tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Sitherino Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Actually halloween as it's been celebrated for a few centuries now, is a Christian holiday. All hallows eve was a holiday to take over the pagan spirit honoring/worshipping day. Kind of like Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE BADGER: Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Actually halloween as it's been celebrated for a few centuries now, is a Christian holiday. All hallows eve was a holiday to take over the pagan spirit honoring/worshipping day. True, but started off as a pagan holiday. Kind of like Christmas. No Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus The Christ. Has nothig to do with honoring a saint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuel Dravis Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 He means it started as some other pagan holiday, then the early church converted it to a Christian one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Sitherino Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 He means it started as some other pagan holiday, then the early church converted it to a Christian one. ^ Precisely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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