Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Offensive Celebrations
I was talking with a 9-year-old friend the other day. She told me that her elementary school doesn't do anything for Halloween. Baffled, I asked her, "Why not?" She said matter-of-factly that some people don't celebrate Halloween, as if that's a good enough reason for the school not to have a costume parade.
In the first place, I question her premise. I have never met anyone who "doesn't celebrate" Halloween. Some people like it more than others, but it's not like it's Christmas or Cinco de Mayo. It belongs to all cultures. I've been told that Jehovah's Witnesses, and perhaps Seventh Day Adventists don't celebrate Halloween, possibly because of its pagan roots (but then again JWs don't celebrate birthdays, either). But I'm not sure about that--if any members of those religions are reading, please set me straight.
Second of all, even assuming that there are people in the world who "don't celebrate" Halloween, and even further assuming that at least one of those people attends this particular elementary school, I still don't think that's a reason to stop all Halloween-related activities at the school.
I don't understand why some people in recent years have gotten it into their head that if Person A and Person B have different traditions and beliefs, that Person B will be offended if Person A mentions his beliefs. It's the whole movement that has changed the word "Christmas" into the word "Holiday," the thing I hate the most about the Christmas season.
You know what? I am not Jewish, but I wish my Jewish friends happy Passover and Hannukah and Yom Kippur and whatever. If my child went to a school in Brooklyn, where the majority of the kids were Jewish (or even somewhere where the majority of kids were not Jewish), and they made little construction paper menorahs in December, I would totally not have a problem with that. I would look at my child's menorah and say, "Great job, honey! Now of course you know that this menorah is a symbol of Judaism, whereas we believe in Jesus Christ." And so forth. It would be great cultural exposure, and a good religious teaching moment.
I'm not so sure I want the schools to teach right and wrong in a manner I disagree with (such as the elementary school in Massachusetts I once heard about that, along with the American flag, displayed a rainbow gay pride flag in the hallway). But when it's a cultural or religious celebration, I say let's all just celebrate each other's celebrations.
After all, I'm not offended when you tell me you celebrate your birthday. Why should I be offended when you tell me you celebrate Halloween?
In the first place, I question her premise. I have never met anyone who "doesn't celebrate" Halloween. Some people like it more than others, but it's not like it's Christmas or Cinco de Mayo. It belongs to all cultures. I've been told that Jehovah's Witnesses, and perhaps Seventh Day Adventists don't celebrate Halloween, possibly because of its pagan roots (but then again JWs don't celebrate birthdays, either). But I'm not sure about that--if any members of those religions are reading, please set me straight.
Second of all, even assuming that there are people in the world who "don't celebrate" Halloween, and even further assuming that at least one of those people attends this particular elementary school, I still don't think that's a reason to stop all Halloween-related activities at the school.
I don't understand why some people in recent years have gotten it into their head that if Person A and Person B have different traditions and beliefs, that Person B will be offended if Person A mentions his beliefs. It's the whole movement that has changed the word "Christmas" into the word "Holiday," the thing I hate the most about the Christmas season.
You know what? I am not Jewish, but I wish my Jewish friends happy Passover and Hannukah and Yom Kippur and whatever. If my child went to a school in Brooklyn, where the majority of the kids were Jewish (or even somewhere where the majority of kids were not Jewish), and they made little construction paper menorahs in December, I would totally not have a problem with that. I would look at my child's menorah and say, "Great job, honey! Now of course you know that this menorah is a symbol of Judaism, whereas we believe in Jesus Christ." And so forth. It would be great cultural exposure, and a good religious teaching moment.
I'm not so sure I want the schools to teach right and wrong in a manner I disagree with (such as the elementary school in Massachusetts I once heard about that, along with the American flag, displayed a rainbow gay pride flag in the hallway). But when it's a cultural or religious celebration, I say let's all just celebrate each other's celebrations.
After all, I'm not offended when you tell me you celebrate your birthday. Why should I be offended when you tell me you celebrate Halloween?
Comments:
Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate holidays. A friend of mine went home early from school on the days when we had the Halloween or Christmas party. She never got anything from the birthday box. If her family took the trouble to pick her up from school on those days, I surmise that they find the celebretory practice undesireable. That sounds like the reason behind such a school decision.
Hi, Matt. This is your Aunt Linda. I am a music teacher, as you know, in the elementary school and we have some Jehovah Witnesses in our school. We do the Halloween songs anyway and all of the holiday songs. I know who the kids are who are of that religion and if they are not singing those songs, I do not get after them. Usually they are singing and I really feel sorry for them, because I think they feel guilty about it, but they want to join in the fun. I did have a complaint one year from a mother who wanted me to let her daughter play a different song on the recorder while the rest of us were playing Christmas songs. I didn't think that would work!
The children 4 houses down from me are not allowed to celebrate Halloween-they are your average run-of-the-mill Christians. The reason they don't celebrate All Hallows Eve is because it IS a Pagan holiday, and therefore "Evil". They don't seem to notice the Pagan (me) living 4 houses away, and often allow their children to play with my dogs...Nor have they noticed the pentagram hanging on my front door apparently. Great blog BTW.
I'm a Jehovah's witness, and you are right in the fact that we don't celebrate holidays, including halloween, because of thier origins in worship to other gods.
But I doubt that the school not having a festival was the result of a Jehovah's Witness complaint. We are peacable and know that people have to make thier own choice. (DEUT 30:15)
I always left school early or went to the library when the class had thier holiday celebrations. It never bothered me, I didn't want to parcipate. I find it funny that just cause we don't particpate in what other deem as "fun", they assume we wish we could.
I always felt that most people will never know the joy of knocking on people's doors, or conducting a bible study.
I guess in this case, the grass isn't as green on the other side.
But I doubt that the school not having a festival was the result of a Jehovah's Witness complaint. We are peacable and know that people have to make thier own choice. (DEUT 30:15)
I always left school early or went to the library when the class had thier holiday celebrations. It never bothered me, I didn't want to parcipate. I find it funny that just cause we don't particpate in what other deem as "fun", they assume we wish we could.
I always felt that most people will never know the joy of knocking on people's doors, or conducting a bible study.
I guess in this case, the grass isn't as green on the other side.
Thanks for the comments. Michael: as a Mormon, I have experienced the joys of knocking on doors for religious purposes. Ain't it great?
What I really want to know from you, though, is this. If you doubt a Jehovah's Witness actually asked the school not to do anything Halloweeny, how would a Jehovah's Witness feel after the school made the decision on its own initiative, purportedly in respect to Jehovah's Witness (and possibly some others') beliefs?
Would you appreciate the sensitivity to your traditions? Or would you feel a little patronized? Any guilt for unintentionally being the cause of so many non-Jehovah's Witness kids being deprived of their fun? Happiness that the nonbelievers aren't doing their unrighteous rituals?
What I really want to know from you, though, is this. If you doubt a Jehovah's Witness actually asked the school not to do anything Halloweeny, how would a Jehovah's Witness feel after the school made the decision on its own initiative, purportedly in respect to Jehovah's Witness (and possibly some others') beliefs?
Would you appreciate the sensitivity to your traditions? Or would you feel a little patronized? Any guilt for unintentionally being the cause of so many non-Jehovah's Witness kids being deprived of their fun? Happiness that the nonbelievers aren't doing their unrighteous rituals?
Matt, jw's do not celebrate halloween and or any other holiday that depicts paganism or pagan symbols. What I don't understand is why everyone is criticizing the jw's for their religion and no one is criticizing their own religion. With all the sexual misconduct in catholicism and the polygamy in other religions I here naught of it. Yes we believe in what we read in the bible. At least we believe and act upon that belief. Not only going to church one day a week trying to wipe out our sins as some do. we live this way of life. I do not judge others by what religion they are, but I would feel absolutely guilty if I did not try and tell someone the good news. I would rather live forever on a paradise earth than subject myself to pagan holidays and or other immoral acts. My belief in Jehovah is astounding, he is my friend and I love him. That said, the children do understand why they do not participate it is their choice or conscious that they have to deal with if they choose to sing or participate. They are not fully baptized in the faith yet but they do have a real understanding of what is right and wrong.
Wonderwoman: Sorry for commenting so late, but I've been occupied with other things (see msot recent post).
I hope I haven't come across in my comments on this post as being critical of the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses, or any other religion for that matter. My point isn't to criticize or to find fault. I'm just wondering why it is that so often people assume that if Person A talks about a belief of his to Person B, then Person B will be offended if he doesn't share that belief.
I'm not offended that JWs don't celebrate Halloween. I'm not offended that Jews celebrate Yom Kippur. I'm just wondering why it is that everyone thinks I SHOULD be offended.
I hope I haven't come across in my comments on this post as being critical of the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses, or any other religion for that matter. My point isn't to criticize or to find fault. I'm just wondering why it is that so often people assume that if Person A talks about a belief of his to Person B, then Person B will be offended if he doesn't share that belief.
I'm not offended that JWs don't celebrate Halloween. I'm not offended that Jews celebrate Yom Kippur. I'm just wondering why it is that everyone thinks I SHOULD be offended.
Yikes! A couple of points to maybe help you tighten your argument.
You start off with the example of a Halloween parade not being held because not everyone celebrates Halloween.
Then you analogize it as follows:
I don't understand why some people in recent years have gotten it into their head that if Person A and Person B have different traditions and beliefs, that Person B will be offended if Person A mentions his beliefs.
Do you understand that a school-sponsored Halloween parade in which the majority participates is not quite the same as Person A simply "mentioning his beliefs"?
Can you really not understand why someone might be offended, or at the least why a small child might feel very uncomfortable? I think you have more empathy than that (or at least I hope you do).
Then there's the strange inconsistency between your paragraph on Christmas and the rainbow flag incident. Apparently if the class all makes paper menorahs or otherwise celebrates the Jewish tradition, a tradition that denies the very existence of the Christ, you would chalk it up to a great cultural lesson with a quick explanation to the kids that we don't really believe all that.
However, if a rainbow flag is flown in school, a gay rights symbol that stands for acceptance of diversity, you blow your top. Now no amount of after school discussion with the kids could rectify the damage incurred by the flag.
Jesus isn't the Christ? "Great cultural exposure!" "Good religious teaching moment."
Rainbow flag on the wall? Oh dear, the school is trying to teach right and wrong!
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You start off with the example of a Halloween parade not being held because not everyone celebrates Halloween.
Then you analogize it as follows:
I don't understand why some people in recent years have gotten it into their head that if Person A and Person B have different traditions and beliefs, that Person B will be offended if Person A mentions his beliefs.
Do you understand that a school-sponsored Halloween parade in which the majority participates is not quite the same as Person A simply "mentioning his beliefs"?
Can you really not understand why someone might be offended, or at the least why a small child might feel very uncomfortable? I think you have more empathy than that (or at least I hope you do).
Then there's the strange inconsistency between your paragraph on Christmas and the rainbow flag incident. Apparently if the class all makes paper menorahs or otherwise celebrates the Jewish tradition, a tradition that denies the very existence of the Christ, you would chalk it up to a great cultural lesson with a quick explanation to the kids that we don't really believe all that.
However, if a rainbow flag is flown in school, a gay rights symbol that stands for acceptance of diversity, you blow your top. Now no amount of after school discussion with the kids could rectify the damage incurred by the flag.
Jesus isn't the Christ? "Great cultural exposure!" "Good religious teaching moment."
Rainbow flag on the wall? Oh dear, the school is trying to teach right and wrong!
