Tim Storey, Dublin, Ireland
The meaning of Halloween
The pagan feast of Halloween is foreign to Christian tradition and has become a superstitious and empty way of imposing mindless triviality.
The day has its origin in the Celtic New Year which celebrated the return of the spirits of the dead to their homes.
Hence, those who observe Halloween, though they are probably ignorant of what they are doing and why they are doing it, are in reality celebrating death, the devil and Hell.
The observance of Halloween is mixed with Christian festivities whose meanings are totally contrary to Hallo-ween.
On November 1, Christians celebrate belief in the communion of saints. On November 2, we make visits to the cemetery as a religious and profoundly human gesture, inspired by the hope in the resurrection.
I encouraged Christians to celebrate the Christian truths of these days with renewed faith as a response to the real concerns of mankind today. Also, as an alternative to Halloween, I might suggest that parents not allow their children to go trick-or-treating, but instead attend costume parties where they can dress as Biblical figures.
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Kathy Elliot
Oct 31st 2011, 09:33
The pagan feast of Halloween is foreign to Christian tradition and has become a superstitious and empty way of imposing mindless triviality.
Just like christmas then! Let's make a list:
Pagan Feast; Check - Christmas was located instead of the festivity of the solstice, while most astronomical research indicates The Lord was probably born in early March.
Imposing mindless triviality? Check! Presents, turkey, Presents, street lights and parties, PRESENTS!
The only spiritual thing left is the midnight mass, and the church crowd is getting thinner every year. There isn't even carol singing in prayergroups anymore.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 4th 2009, 10:34
At Mr Joseph Meli - So, in your infinite wisdom and that of those whom you quote, children who have some fun (I am not referring to those who become a nuisance to others!) on Halloween are following evil? This is the same kind of joke as that regarding the Harry Potter series! Hallina.
R. Bartolo
Nov 3rd 2009, 09:49
Yeah. I agree Tim Storey. Let us remove all feasts based on pagan backgrounds.
Let us start with Halloween... and then move over to Christmas, which is based on the pagan feast of "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti".
Then also remove the mythology of Jesus, based in the pagan god Dionysus (who, by the way, was also born of a virgin on December 25th and, as the Holy Child, was placed in a manger.).
C Cassar
Nov 2nd 2009, 16:34
One small question to Mr Storey, since I have no interest in arguing about trivialities such as Christianity and the like.... is Mr Storey aware that in Malta you get a jail term for dressing up as a biblical figure? Food for thought....
Charles DeMicoli
Nov 1st 2009, 00:12
This letter by Tim Storey appeared verbatim in the NY Daily News. I guess Tim received one of those "mail this to 100 persons right away or else horrible things happen to you". Halloween is a day for kids of all ages to dress up in costumes - from political figures to Disney characters and everything in between and have fun. Being that today turned out to be a beautiful day in NYC, there were hundreds of parents in my neighborhood taking their children, all dressed up in cute costumes, from door to door and also in the stores asking for a treat. It didn't look to me like they were celebrating death, the devil and hell.
Joseph Meli
Oct 31st 2009, 19:21
The meaning of Halloween, then do note what the Bishop of Sigüenza-Guadalajara, the Most Rev. José Sanchez, stated that by declaring that Halloween “is not an innocent festivity” because it is based on the occult and anti-Christian propaganda”. Therefore, it is an festa against Christian faith.
Fr.Joan..Maria..Canals in..the..Spanish daily..El Mundo....said.."Parents ought instead to encourage the participation of their children in the Christian days of festivity that have to do with the signs of death and life in holiness. The paradoxical thing is that when a member..of..the family...dies, these same..parents prevent their children from seeing his/her dead body”.
In..actual..fact – points out the Spanish..liturgist, the feast..of..All..Saints on 1st November and that of the Dead on the following day, during which..Spanish family traditionally visit the..tombs of their loved ones, “is a feast that glorifies..life and not death”. And he adds: “Christian piety suggests a visit to the..cemetery to pray for our loved ones and for the families that suffer the pain of separation from them”. Father Canals also observes that “on pedagogical grounds, it is essential children discover the value of life and holiness and not be encouraged to evoke death”, with face masks and fancy dress.
James Ghirlando
Oct 31st 2009, 16:03
Exactly! Who cares - it's just a regular bit of fun after all!
For my part, I've already dutifully placed my evil-looking bright orange pumpkin on top of the garden fence, and bought small packets of sweets for any visiting children who are threatening to trick me.
So, happy Halloween to all, and please watch out when walking the streets at night, you never know what you might meet ....
Pule' Carmel
Oct 31st 2009, 15:31
Well, whatever anyone says, I do like the hewed out pumpkins retaining the skins with carved mouths and eyes and nose with candles in them. I know what they represent but who cares! They are a lot of fun for the children as long as one forgets about stupid myths. It gives the children something to do instead of sitting down in front of the computers playing wars.
mary kelly
Oct 31st 2009, 14:32
While there are many versions of the origins and old customs of Halloween, some remain consistent by all accounts. Different cultures view Holloween somewhat differently but traditional Halloween practices remain the same.
Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which was annually on October 31st to honor the dead.
Samhain signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were fed on superstition.
The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.
mary kelly
Oct 31st 2009, 14:11
May we remind Mr. Storey that halloween originated in Ireland
James Farrugia
Oct 31st 2009, 13:40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSm7YPMQOSo
JeremyJ Camilleri
Oct 31st 2009, 13:40
Gerry Cowie...so halloween is a money spinner for the gullibe...Is that your constructive, adult point I wonder?
Well, if that is the reason for you to criticise Halloween, I 'd just love to hear your views about Christmas....Everything given for free is it?
The presents, the trees, the cribs, the turkey....How come I never noticed! stupid me!!!!
As for old ladies, I d rather give them a little fright, rather than pocket their lifes savings whilst promising them eternal salvation!
As for sarcasm and the likes....we all have our styles you see, and as of yet, people who tend to use sarcasm, have not yet been burnt at the stake...
Anctually, now that its been brought to my attention, thanks our kind self, I guess I must admit that Id rather be accused of sarcasm than hypocrisy.
As for my alleged chip on the shoulder WITH the church... the aforementioned chip seems to be on the shoulder of the bigots who think that their chosen way of life s the only one available....Get it?
Happy Samhain everyone....
Paul Smith
Oct 31st 2009, 13:23
Religion and myth were a way of controlling the unruly 2000 years ago. Whats funny is it is still being used to scare the nieve sheep in Malta in this present day. There is no such thing as hell - apart from the Maltese Roads!
Heaven is also mythical.
I have no doubt that a clever manipulative Rabbi whom wanted peace amongst all men existed and his name was Jesus, if he wanted these things for his own political agenda - no one knows as it was 2000 years ago. The Bible was written after the murder of Jesus Christ.
My kids love halloween, one day they will grow out of it, but let the youngsters enjoy themselves for once as they will inherit an awfully messed up world.
Alfred Grech
Oct 31st 2009, 12:03
In November, we commemorate our beloved departed ones and it's in order to do so. My wife and I put together a Youtube video showing several cemeteries around the world and for music, we chose the world popular Funeral March by Chopin.
You can view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtQMGYFxTBQ
May they all rest in peace.
Gerry Cowie
Oct 31st 2009, 11:35
My, Mr Jeremy Camilleri has an enormous chip on his shoulder about the Church! The sarcasm in his "contribution" is all that stands out, as indeed with Darren Galea.
If you are going to make a constructive, adult point, then make it! Your sarcasm, Sirs, does not help your point, whatever it is!
At the end of the day Halloween is just a money-spinner for businesses due to the number of gullible folk who purchase tacky costumes and other artefacts and then go around scaring old ladies on their doorsteps!
adrian aquilina
Oct 31st 2009, 11:30
mr zammit if you believe in the historically and scientifically incorrect bible then you should know that jesus was born in the spring..history shows there was a person called jesus,it also shows the bible is a work of fiction
adrian aquilina
Oct 31st 2009, 11:27
all religion is superstition. the devil and hell are inventions of the christian religion who celebrate death by wearing crucifixes.....who are you to say anything is right or wrong..you are only christian because of where you were born.if you were born in india you would be hindu etc..and thats religion...superstition invented by men...let people enjoy whatever they want..noone is harming anyone..more harm is done by the church then by anyone else.mr zammit,prayer is thinking you are doing something by doing nothing...its obvious by letters like this and replies like mr zammit's why non religious countries are so far ahead...enjoy your night and dont drink and drive
Franco Farrugia
Oct 31st 2009, 11:11
Some people who are more Catholic than the Pope himself, such as Mr Storey and our own Mr Zammit, would do well to remember that they are doing much, much more harm than good by taking things so seriously - it is just fun that the youngsters have, on Halloween, and nothing else. And what's wrong with some 'triviality'? Surely you have had yours in your day, Mr Storey. If not, well, .... that's just too bad.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Oct 31st 2009, 11:11
Joe Zammit...Living in clouds?
Does that mean we're living in heaven already? Brilliant...
Strange...cos I rather plan on celebrating Halloween tonight.............
Ps...Look up the origins of Christmas....might give you a new insight of reality...
Joe Zammit
Oct 31st 2009, 10:45
Christmas and Easter are realities and those who deny them are living in clouds!
What is the date today? More or less ...2010 after the birth of Jesus Christ. No historian denies the existence of Christ; only self-deceivers do that.
Easter is a fact as well. Christ appeared many times after his resurrection to different persons and these persons laid down their lives to go and join Christ in his heavenly eternal kingdom.
Darren Galea
Oct 31st 2009, 10:33
Joe Zammit, never failing to demonstrate the unquestionable veracity of Poe's Law.
Joe Zammit
Oct 31st 2009, 10:20
November 1: Feast of all Saints. These are in heaven. November 2: Feast of all Souls. These are in Purgatory expiating their sins.
Let us pray to all saints to intercede for us before God, and pray to God for the souls in Purgatory to go and see him face to face for ever.
We need both feasts because one day we shall be in Purgatory and in Heaven on condition that we die in the love of God, i.e., in God’s grace.
Darren Galea
Oct 31st 2009, 10:19
No celebrations of superstitious, mythical feasts?
Guess that means Christmas and Easter are out!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Oct 31st 2009, 09:28
The usual Catholic rethoric ...the same used to scare children away from Harry Potter films, because of witchcraft and magic, and then encouraged the same kids to watch the lion the witch and the wardrobe!!!!
It is this kind of hypocrisy that is making people leave the Catholic church in groves....
Regarding Halloween..oh well.... its just about as pagan as Christmas I guess!!!