Puyallup School District in Washington State is cancelling Hallowe'en, because they're afraid of offending real witches.
To be sure, they're citing other reasons -- valuable time wasted due to celebrations; some kids can't afford costumes, etc. But, the biggest concern is the flak they've received from hypersensitive Wiccans who are offended at the sight of traditional Hallowe'en images like pointy-nosed witches on broomsticks.
NEWSFLASH TO THE PAGAN COMMUNITY:
We will all get a lot more acceptance from the mainstream if you don't go around acting like a bunch of hypercritical children. If you studied your symbols at all, you know that the modern-day images have evolved over a long period of time, and relate to the "cone" of power. The witch on a broomstick is symbolic of the Goddess' ride into the Underworld for a well-deserved winter's nap.
Idiots like those whiners in Washington will only help maintain the public impression of Wiccans as flakes.
Now go get a life. Quit acting like a bunch of judgmental Christians. You people don't speak for me.
Colorado schools: please go on with your usual Hallowe'en celebrations! Modern festivals are still an acknowledgement of the turn of the seasons. Today's Hallowe'en events still acknowledge Her, even unconsciously. By all means, please proceed!
posted by Linda on October 22, 2004 04:52 PMSeriously... people get way too offended way too easily. I really wish I had nothing better to whine about than how I feel I am being percieved on Halloween. Just for that I am going out and buying the biggest greenest pointiest nose in all the world and sporting it. Weenies. bah! You tell 'em, sister!
Posted by: Ethne at October 22, 2004 07:01 PMGreat idea! Count me in. In fact, I'm going to practice rubbing my hands together and cackling right now!!!
;->
Posted by: Linda at October 22, 2004 08:56 PMBut... don't you need a horde of flying monkeys or soemthing like that? ;)
Posted by: Patrick Chester at October 23, 2004 12:16 AMDamn, I knew I forgot something...
Posted by: Ethne at October 23, 2004 01:44 PMHonestly, I am a Christian, and it never occured to me that Halloween is "satanic". It's a bunch of kids dressing up in costumes going door to door getting candy.
As far as the Wiccans go, that's just laughable. The version of witches that kids have has nothing to do with Wicca. It's just stupidity, and maybe a little exposure.
Billy,
In every theological grouping, you find all kinds. You are clearly not a judgmental Christian, which means that you embody the spirit of the message as it was delivered: "love one another". (That simple phrase covers a lot of ground, doesn't it?)
And you're absolutely right. A child's perception of the holiday witch has nothing to do with Wicca, and little to do with any of its symbols. It's the first of the fall/winter holidays that we still celebrate with any cultural unity. A peoples' festivals are important. They allow us to get out, see one another, bond, and celebrate together. They're cathartic, and they can be unifying.
I'm all for Hallowe'en. Whether you end the evening quietly with your loved ones, saying a prayer before bed, or standing in front of a belfire with athame in hand makes little differ. It's a celebration of the turn of the seasons; a signal to our primal brain, if you will, that winter is preparing to descend, and that it's OK to slow down a little, take a deeper breath, and reflect on the madness of summer just past.
That's my $0.02.
Cheers,
Linda
Patrick: Oh yeah! I do need those!
The only problem is that I think that all the monkeys have been hired as lawyers by the Kerry camp...
Posted by: Linda at October 25, 2004 05:18 PMGood golly miss molly cant you do anything without offendin someone i mean these people are getting too darn sensitive its like what next will they demand we replace the STAR SPANGLED BANNER with some dumb song like GE OF AQUARIUS becuase the national anthem is too war like or will they say the BALD EAGLE is to feirce looking and should be replaced with pink bunnies or purple teddy bears just what with these dweebs? i for one am getting tired of our officials knuckling under to a bunch of whinning whimps and cry babies AMERICA LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT
Posted by: condor at November 2, 2004 10:05 PM