BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Bible Basics Christians and Halloween

Greetings RevMike,

You say it's not hate, but I and my wife have experienced it first hand. Both of us lost jobs after co-workers found out we were "Witches".

It is hate speech. Do you know what the Roman thought about the early Christians? First off they held services in bural chambers, they ate the flesh and drank the blood of their god...the Romans thought they were cannibals and vampires. Is Jenna doing any different. She's spreading lies about something she fears and misunderstands.

I have a masters in Sociology and Comparative Religion. I maintain a "Pagan" calender on my blog where I examine the holidays of many religions both ancient and modern. I just want the insanity of Christian Fundimentalism to end.

You tell me to use my time constructively to educate. I do. I invite all of you to take a look at my blog.

Peace!
Arius

PS. RevMike. Being a learned man you may know of where I got my online name. Arius refers to the Arius of the Arian Heresy. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

http://thepaganleft.blogspot.com/

Interesting, considering that Arius' and Eusebius' "heresy" was in direct contention with the pagan-influenced homo ousion trinity concept.

True.

But we are alike in that we don't believe in the divinity of Jesus. Jesus was the Son of Man not the Son of God. But I believe that God, Gods or the Goddess is in all of us as that "force" is in all things.

Ya never know I may have been him in a past life. LOL In reality I just liked the name. I got it from the movie Ben Hur when I was 14 and it became my SCA name and later my email address. It just stuck. Then in college I learned of the Arius of Alexandria, and thought it amusing.

Arius,

Jenna's original message was a call to us Christians not to celebrate Halloween.

I don't believe she meant to get anything started on a multi-religious basis, hence the title "Christians and Halloween."

Of course, as you can see, even we Christians have disagreements. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It does not mean we are posting messages of hate. I know that I often get a little overzealous when standing up for my beliefs, and it backfires on me sometimes!

"If all people lived
showing kindness and care
we would not be discussing
how to get there.
In the dimness of light
before the rising sun
all peoples of earth
are viewed as one.
And in the setting of the sun
we again become a family of One."

Susan

That's beautiful Susan. <img src="/images/graemlins/music.gif" alt="" /> to my ears.

Ahhh, that was lovely, Susan. Thank you!

Jenna,

I respect you. I want you to know that from the beginning. But I feel it necessary to also state some of my own interpretation and opinion about your piece.

-- When one has a very strong faith, they will be misunderstood at times. But this misunderstanding can also be caused by the person themselves. The old adage that one cannot see the forest for the trees applies. I think you did lump other faiths together and made statements which might not actually be seen as truthful or well-versed. Because something follows on the same day, does not mean it is inter-related. It is merely a coincidence. Halloween happens around the same time other faiths have celebrations. Currently, Halloween is seen as a harvest celebration where people dress as they wouldn't in the regular year, take their kids out for a little fun, and just have fun themselves. Why people can't see what it is about I don't know. But we as humans must always look for the deeper meaning of something, and sometimes a little too much. I am Jewish. I celebrate Halloween as a time to have some fun. It is boring this time of the year, and so people need a little stress relief. Dressing up and going house to house or having a party are a way to do this. I am not honoring the dead, to epitify Samhain, or some other pagan festival. I am just having fun and leave it at that.

-- You write your articles from YOUR perspective. one must always realize there is going to be someone out there who disagrees with us. You know from other posts that I have made that this is true. Many Christians believe that Katrina was sent down to destroy the wickedness of New Orleans and more specifically those "queers" who were getting ready to have their abomination celebration (Southern Decadence). This is their belief, and while I might not agree with it and wrote stating such, does not mean that their belief isn't valid. I cannot tell someone else what they believe is not valid, even if it borders on the asinine and absurd. But just because they don't agree, doesn't mean they hate you. I know you and I have disagreed and I definately don't hate you, and you have told me the same thing. We have had wonderful conversations which I appreciate.

-- with respect to one of your posts "As for the comment I made concerning what I laughingly referred to as "Jenna Haters" I mean stuff like the following...an Part of an email that was sent by someone who obviously doesn't agree with what I wrote, but was too cowardly to post it in a public forum...they were even too cowardly to leave their name..." I would like to say the following: Someone who doesn�t post to your forum is not cowardly. They felt a personal response to you was warranted and didn't feel the need to post it on your forum. Does this make them cowardly.. no. Respect them for at least writing you. Your article sparked enough of an interest whether positive or negative, to get them to respond. KOODOS! But refrain from calling them names or passing judgment on a public forum where they obviously do not feel comfortable to respond. So he/she didn't sign their name, doesn't make them cowardly. Cowardly would be the person who would complain to their family/friends and not write anything to you at all. One should refrain from name-calling and being overly judgmental to the people who write. Appreciate the fact they took the time. Even to my haters (being the gay editor does come with them) I always send them an email back thanking them for their opinion, and while I disagree, their opinion is appreciated. Kill em with kindness my Bible teacher in college always said. One of the most important lessons I learned while studying Christian Divinity (yep a Jew who studied Christians) was that we need to not judge others for they may be ignorant to your views, and through education and understanding, they may become your best ally.

Ha-Shem's blessings to you!

Jase ;0)

PS.. this wasn't a Jenna Bashing.. it was my opinion and is not meant to be a slap at Jenna. I love many of the things she writes, and I disagree with others. She is a fine woman, and a wonderful Editor. It's hard to sometimes defend your faith when others don't see where you are coming from, and Jenna does a good job at that. There is always going to be topics that are "Hot-button" issues and this is one of them. Remember, this is Jenna's opinion and she is ENTITLED to it no matter if someone disagrees!

What is Halloween? multiple choice
	A celebration of fun with family and friends.
	A time to dress up and let loose.
	A festival honoring the dead.
	A chance to worship demons/the devil.
	Who cares?
Votes accepted starting: 10/16/05 02:39 PM
View Results

You know,
I know this woman personally...you've all got it wrong...you think you know someone because of the things she writes or the comments made in DEFENSE of herself here in this forum....let me tell you

She is the most generous, the most thoughtful the kindest person I know. I am lucky she is someone I know. Yeah, she's a hard core Christian, but from what I've seen this has made her a better friened and a better parent and a better woman. Her relationship with Jesus Christ is unlike anything I've ever seen.

I have had my disagreements with her, ones that I was sure were going to end the friendship, (after all she can be extremely passionate about her beliefs) but in the end she has never stopped being my friend. She has stood beside me and told me that it doesn't matter what happens, she will never forsake our friendship because the Lord has never forsaken her...even when she was sure he would.

So lighten up!! None of you know her the way I do! So what if your Pagan or Wiccan, if you met Jenna on the job and she found out you were Wiccan, sounds like she would have been the ONLY friend you would have had there!!! THAT'S the way she is!! Stop misjuging her...don't tell her "juge not lest ye be judged" turn that on your self...and just shut it!!!

**I just saw this post...this is my husband...:x thanx honey!...edited by Jenna Robinson Editor Bible Basics 10/18/05

Christmas is celebrated on the same day as the ancient Roman celebration "Sol Invictus", and the Roman feast of Saturnalia was also in December. The date (Dec. 25) was chosen in the 4th century as a Christian substitute for these pagan winter solstice celebrations.

Even Christmas trees have pagan roots. (Pun intended!)

So, isn't this similar to the Halloween issue (sans the spooky costumes?)

There are many "similarities" between Christianity and paganism - including baptism, Easter, and many, many more.

If Christians are going to toss out all pagan influences, they have a very long way to go.