Remember the premise of The Nightmare Before Christmas? How Jack was able to bring Christmas to the citizens of Halloween, but at the cost of the actual holidays themselves?
Well, it's taken right from the playbook of one of the oldest groups in history: the Religious Zealots.
I am not one of the people who believe that religion has no place in the modern world; nor do I believe that religion is evil. I do follow a religion (though it is not an organized religion). I only ask that I am not singled out for conversion to any religion. If I wish to learn about a faith, I will learn about it for myself.
But people don't really seem to mind stifling religious freedom, and, frankly, they never have. In fact, the Puritans (that name should be a hint) were some of history's biggest hypocrites: they fled their home countries because they were not allowed to freely practice their religion, but they also insisted that it was the only true religion. Every time there was even a hint that another faith was encroaching on their turf, they resorted to stifling, nightmarish totalitarianism. Sadly, their example has often been followed.
Many faiths are puritannical without being called Puritanism. These are the paths of belief that dictate how everyone in the world should live, hate all outsiders, and believe the way to an eternity of peace in the hereafter is to get as many more believers as they can.
I cannot believe anything like that! People are free, and need the freedom to follow their own beliefs!
As we approach the Halloween holiday, let us not forget that it is not merely a time to dress up and get free candy. Halloween is the celebration of the autumn harvest, and, to many, it is one of the holiest days in the year because it is a day to reflect on those who have lived and died before. It is fun, I will admit, to throw a film festival where such films as The Exorcist, The Omen, and, yes, Halloween, are shown.
Just don't allow the movies, the corn labyrinths, and the trick-or-treating to become the only point to the whole event. It is not Satanic, and it is not without meaning.
Record keeping vs Spirit Inspirations
13 years ago
1 comment:
I agree Xander. Although in defense of the Christian (since it's the closest to my religion that has a name) when someone such as myself wants to discuss God or share their beliefs, it's really out of love and concern. I would NEVER force anyone to belong to one "correct" religion, but if I believe that God has decided that I will be a tool for the convertion of one man or another, I will always be open to that and answer and discuss freely religion. I always just want to stress the difference between those and the Christians closely resembling Puritans. (They make me sick, by the way.)
Post a Comment