They've canceled any school related Halloween celebrations in the neighboring school district, so as to not insult Wiccans. Is Halloween insulting to Wiccans? And why? I mean hasn't it really evolved to be about the candy and dressing up and parties? Kinda disappointing for the kids.
Personally I am a tad bit offended by what is now "Halloween". It's ment to be taken as such a stupid "candy day". Its a source of power and dedication to the Goddess.
Merry Meet Tarabelle, Samhain (Halloween) is a very sacred night to pagans and while I can understand where some may feel like it should be more than a "candy brigade", I personally find it silly to cancel that which brings so much joy to children. I look forward to seeing those eager faces at my door every year and love to see the creativity of the costumes. =) I like to think someday, one of those trick or treaters will wonder where it all started and learn the history of such a sacred holiday. Besides, leftover candy makes for a good dessert after rit and lamb stew. Blessed Samhain to you.
While I'm not wiccan, I have an opinion (as usual *grin*). Here in the Netherlands Halloween is not a very common thing, but your story reminded me of some hardcore christians who don't want the Christmastree and other decorations because it is all 'pagan' and distracts from the celebrating of the birth of their saviour. Maybe this is a bad example, because the just get rid of the more pagan symbols, but the more mainstream/openminded christian still have that stuff because it's tradition.. and tradition can be nice, no matter how silly. In case of the halloween cancelling: to me that is silly as well. What is a better way then getting all the kids and neighbourhood to have fun together than having a good party? If you are secure enough in your wicca/paganism and just a tad bit openminded I think you would see the difference between a tradition and a religious day. Plus I really don't see why those two can't get along. If you go to cerridwen's forum (Groovy witchbook of shadows) there is a thread about what everyone is doing on Samhain/Halloween.. and you'll see that a lot of 'us' are doing stuff that's also just fun and not so much hardcore religious. I hope you have fun on Halloween anyways!
By the way... I just realised I might offend (other) pagans with my signature... am I? hm.. it's just poking fun at things really.. no harm intended.. but maybe some people are easily offended.. I dunno..
I've heard about this story, no pagans actually complained about it, the change was really just about the superintendant hating to waste class time about it and needed more than just that as a reason. As for myself, I couldn't care less.
I love Halloween, its great that people dress up and meet their neighbors! Its one of the few pagan holidays that have kept most of its Pagan meanings. We dress up to scare away evil spirits and play *tricks* not in a malicious way but to have a little fun before the frost. Treats where offerings to the gods! I love how this holiday survived!
Totally agree I've no issues with others sharing the fun. I've never been Christian* but that never put me of Christmas or Easter. Actually I love easter (always had more of an Oestara thing going anyway) Okay I'm going off topic... *of my own choosing anyway, long story.
personnally if I had kids I would celebrate halloween with them maybe in the form of a party, while informing them (in a fun way!) that there was more to it than that. when they where older they could join me in rituals if they so wished. |I don't really have a problem with halloween, although I wish the roots of it where taught more and it was made obvouis that it was more than a candy festival. they could have done a couple of lectures in the school, maybe bring a witch in. S
The sad thing is, a lot of the heavily christian people would think that that was a horrible thing to do and attempt to sue the schools...it could easily happen, especially with all of the crazy lawsuits everywhere.
Ah, love the voice of reason. I guess there is a fair number of Wiccans in Puyallup and this is what has caused this unfortunate ruling. I personally will, as I always have, give out candy to the kids, young and old, coming to our door. LOVE IT. And our house is decorted to look kinda spooky, not cutsie. I like giving them a little bit of a thrill.
