Originally Posted by
Zardoz
Bishop of Bolton, the Right Reverent David Gillett, has called on retail outlets to think twice about stocking paganistic costumes because, he says, they ‘trivialise the reality of evil’: ‘[O]ccult practices should not be condoned, however light-heartedly.’ (5) The UK Evangelical Alliance, which represents evangelical Christians, warns that ‘while Halloween [appears] to bring people together in fun, in reality it is a celebration of the dead and of evil’ (6). Echoing earlier concerns about Harry Potter books turning kids into occult-worshipping wizard-wannabes, the evangelists believes there is a ‘real darkness to Halloween’ which is ‘potentially dangerous’ for children (7).
Somehow comforting to know that people are the same the world over. Sheesh!
I don't mean to be disrespectful of anyone's religous beliefs, but we've been hearing the same thing from fundamentalists on this side of the pond for ages. Sounds over the top to me, nevertheless. Halloween is a totally secular holiday, long divorced from All Hallow's Eve and its original intent. It's dress-up, it's make believe, it's a chance for kids to get some candy and the adults to get drunk or whatever. Perhaps many are convinced those of us in the States are doomed to Hell anyway, but I doubt Halloween has anything to do with it. Well, at least they can't blame that "evil" Potter boy on us. 
Last edited by HarborSpringsPiper; 20th September 09 at 11:39 PM.
Reason: typo
Ken
"The best things written about the bagpipe are written on five lines of the great staff" - Pipe Major Donald MacLeod, MBE
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