Comments on: A Halloween bag full of Dum Dums

By: Ordinary Radical

Ordinary Radical — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:02:11 +0000

Not denying the pagan origins of Halloween, and the disputed date of Christmas, but the date and celebratory reasons for Easter are firmly rooted in Christanity. The date for Easter is linked to the Jewish holiday of Passover, as the Gospels clearly describe when the crucifixion and resurrection occured in relation to the Jewish celebration. Certain pagan symbols of spring and renewal came to be used during Easter, and there might have been pagan holidays celebrated during the spring, but there was no co-opting of them for Easter.

Additionally, Kimberly Daniels represents all Christians as much as Yusuf al-Qaradawi reresents all Muslims or Richard Hoagland represents all scientists.

By: Charly

Charly — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:54:17 +0000

Thanks Jack – you are correct. I knew it was either the day before or the day after. Anyhow…..October 31st is “All Hallows Eve” condensed to Halloween.

By: sketchy

sketchy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:57:25 +0000

They pulled the url from CBN’s website – here is the google cache –

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:tpp4ipDgs2IJ:www.cbn.com/spirituallife/onlinediscipleship/halloween/halloween_danger_daniels.aspx+http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/onlinediscipleship/halloween/halloween_danger_daniels.aspx&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

By: Jack Hagerty

Jack Hagerty — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:43:24 +0000

123. Charly Says: “Actually, November 1st is “All Saints Day” and October 31st is “All Souls Day” in the Catholic religion.”

When I went to parochial school (something I will actually admit to), November 2nd was All Souls. Your description of the meaning was correct, but according to the nuns in our school it was the “civilian” version of “All Saints.”

- Jack

By: Marko

Marko — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:55:29 +0000

Pat Robertson, Ms. Daniels and their ilk may go on living in her evidence-free world, asserting whatever they want.

But like Hitchens likes to put it: What is asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.

By: Charly

Charly — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:10:38 +0000

Actually, November 1st is “All Saints Day” and October 31st is “All Souls Day” in the Catholic religion. When I taught Jr High school Sunday school, we actually went over some of the “traditions” and discussed where they came from (yes, Samhain) and how the Church turned them into Church holidays – yes, again, to turn the Pagan holidays into religious holidays. It is actually a common practice of a conquering society to take over the holidays of the conquered and turn them into legitimate ones of the new society. This practice helps the conquered assimilate into the new society and helps them identify with the new order.

All Souls Day is a time to remember those of our families and friends who have departed. It falls on Halloween, but is not in anyway associated with Holloween. However, the Catholic Church does not condemn Halloween celebrations, in fact, every church I have attended usually has a Halloween party or carnival for kids. Can’t we just have fun for fun’s sake?

I really didn’t realize that I have been eating demonized candy!!! I thought tasted a little different.

By: Paul Schrum

Paul Schrum — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:53:18 +0000

From the Comments Policy: “Don’t go attacking other people”

From the blog: “Certainly Pat Robertson has done so much damage in his lifetime that he gets no pass at all from me. My thoughts on him are clear and public (for example, he is ‘bigoted, small-minded zealot who will say anything to appeal to his base’).”

Phil, can you edit your blog post to bring it into compliance with your own Comments Policy? There is so much wrong with what Pat Robertson has said over the years that you really don’t have to call him bigoted or small-minded to see that his world view must be questioned, especially when you try to tell others not to do such things. Be the leader here and show us by example how to debate without ad homs.