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A Real
Halloween Scare
Tue, Oct 24, 2000
A recent letter to the editor in
the Virginian-Pilot written by Rev. Donald Spitz was frightening to this
proponent of Individual Rights, the Bill of Rights and Religious Freedom.
Spitz suggested in his published letter that Halloween was a Satanic holiday and
that children in schools should not be allowed to make Halloween decorations,
have Halloween parties or in any way recognize the holiday of Halloween.
That is Spitz' opinion, and he is certainly entitled to feel about Halloween any
way he wishes. It was his vehement attack on the holiday and his vehement demand
that children not be allowed to partake in what is substantially a fun holiday
that is frightening. Halloween, as celebrated by the masses, like Christmas, as
celebrated by the masses, is overtly secular. Both Halloween and Christmas have
their real meanings in religious antiquity. People in this country who are true
to their religions celebrate each holiday, respective to their own beliefs, with
great reverence.
Well, Rev. Spitz, why are you not against children drawing Santas and Reindeer?
Why against the drawing of pumpkins, ghouls and witches? Neither is accurate
with respect to the religions in question, Christianity for Christmas and
Paganism for Halloween. Why pick on one and not the other? Both, as celebrated
by schools and malls, are secular holidays. Adherents to each belief system
celebrate the religious aspects outside the schools and malls.
I think I know why. Spitz is a known religious eccentric (Visit his web site: Army
of God) with whom only a minority of local Christians agree, and those are
only the extremist fundamentalists; most local Christians do not see things as
Spitz does. Spitz is the man who reportedly housed the man who was convicted of
killing an abortion clinic worker in Boston several years ago. He is the man who
stated that doctors working in abortion clinics merely reap what they deserve if
they are gunned down. That is not mainstream Christianity in Hampton Roads nor
anywhere else.
Leave the children alone, Spitz. They are not aware of any of the religious
meanings of Halloween, nor would they care if they did. Children of Jews, Pagans
and other religions make paper Santas. Let Christian children make pumpkins,
wear costumes and collect candy from their neighbors. Let all children enjoy the
fun aspects of all the holiday celebrations, irrespective of their religious
beginnings. It's secular, Spitz, secular.
As for you, Spitz, try attacking the real problems of society, problems such as
poverty, hunger, child abuse and violent crime. Or is that too much for you and your
god to handle?
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