What do You think of this, which the Bishop of Bolton wants to ban?

Question

The Rt Rev David Gillan of Bolton... (Not a real Bishop because we are a town not a City and we do not have a Cathedral)

Anyway... B.B.C. North west tonight reports...

That the Bishop of Bolton is lobbying the Supermarkets and shops to stop selling items, such as Masks referring to Halloween... He wishes to have Halloween banned as it is dangerous, and not very Godly!

He believes that it causes instances of violence...

I hold reservations... Halloween is a great day for the kids and adults alike... a time to spend with family and friends.

1... Religious choice seems a lot more dangerous than celebrating Halloween... It causes Wars (Personal thoughts not intended to offend anyone!)

2... The Church would have too in return Stop the celebrations of 'All Saints Day' November the 1st; The day all saints are celebrated for there War on evil, and welcoming in the good!

After all Halloween, is celebrated on All Hallow's Eve!

What are your opinions on Banning Halloween?

Ah... but the church would have you serve the lord and money... think collections... think where you get that money from in the first place? i'm not trying too be pedantic... but the whole notion that the church and money and greed don't see eye to eye is completely ridiculous... the church is one of the richest organisations on this planet... churches often resort to begging for money... a pastime not recommended in the bible... God states Love your fellow man... yet there are many historical and current events that go against that too. I.e. Forgiveness and understanding... so why the disconcerting retoric against Pagans... this is the same kind of retoric that is being aimed at the islamic nations!

And why oh why are several churches organising halloween parties...

i don't mean to offend again... but for 2000 years the church says it is wrong to have women as priests or homosexual clergy... now that is ok...

My point... If you are going to preach, at least practice it!

Answer 1

Afterall Halloween is the Pagan holiday of Samhain but when the early christians realised they couldn't stop the people following the old religion of paganism the christians nicked it and called it "All Hollows Eve" the day before "All Hallows" or "All Saints Day" hence halloween

Answer 2

I agree wholly with his statement
1 Firstly, the very notion of spirits, strange monsters and ghosts is seen as to be unChristian, as these ideas have roots within PAGAN mythology. Similarly, this then creates an atmosphere of acceptability concerning evil and magic, which Christianity and most other religions try to eradicate.Remember, witches and creatures such as werewolves are associated with Satanic practices, particularly in mediaeval Church views.
2 The whole thing is used as an excuse to indimidate people and hurt them. This again goes against the original idea that spirits rose upon this night to visit the earth once more.
3 It is an excuse for money to be made. The whole thing is now a commercial exercise, with companies making fortunes from sweets, costumes and toys. That combined with the trick or treats, are against the Christian message (You will serve one master but not the other, you will love one and detest the other, for you cannot serve your Lord and Money..").
Why can't the day be used for visiting family, without the masks, costumes and endless sweets. Christmas used to be that before being hijacked by the toy companies, so what is the problem??
Also, religious belief and practice are NOT dangerous if they are moderate beliefs. Religion isn't about ramming ideas down peoples necks and dogmatism, but a moral path to be followed, with promise of a reward or punishment (Read Revelation, its there!). The only danger comes from fanatics who twist the word of the Lord/the word of Allah (PBUH) to their own means- they will be punished for their ways, as promised in the Bible/Qu'ran/holy books.
As for banning All Saints Day, don't you think that triumph of the Lord over evil should be promoted, to give a good message.
So I agree, and would wholeheartedly support a ban.
PS I don't care if I sound fanatical or too religious- it's my beliefs.

Answer 3

It shouldn't be banned it's a festival just like Bonfire Night and even Christmas that children enjoy. There is no meaning behind it other than it's traditional to celebrate it. It's one night where kids can actually wind up their neighbours and other adults and get away with it.
The problem senior churchmen seem to have is that they don't have enough to occupy their time. They feel they should be doing something and choose to pass comment on those things social or political that they disagree with. If this is what they want to do why don't they become politicians. If not, why don't they do what they are supposedly there for and pray for mankind. Surely speaking to the man upstairs will get them a better result than speaking to tabloid newspapers?

Answer 4

It's stupid. Halloween is just a bit of fun. People who commit vandalism on this day are very rare. Besides, he should be glad he doesn't live in Detroit. They have an urban tradition called Devils Night, which takes place on Oct 30th. It involves causing as much criminal damage as possible. Compared to that, the UK has nothing to worry about.

Answer 5

This is the same as when loony council officials want to ban Christmas paraphernalia as not to offend minorities. I'm part of the Muslim minority and trust me, Christmas, Halloween and Halloween masks don't offend me, nor does the haunted house at Alton Towers.

Answer 6

To be perfectly honest, i really don't see the point of it, other than a money making exercise for commerce. It seems as if the UK is simply heading the same way at the US... it is a ridiculous notion that we should celebrate Halloween.

Answer 7

Its fun for kids...it is also the pagan new year...and the night before saints day 'all hallows day' , so in order to abolish Halloween we would have to abolish all saints day - cause both are interconnected.

Answer 8

I suspect that the Bishop of Bolton might do well to find some other way to spend his time. Perhaps he ought to do something useful, like feed the hungry, or house the homeless, or one of those other works of mercy.

Answer 9

christians should not take part in halloween but if others choose to do so then go ahead. halloween may seem like fun but it endorses things that God forbids.

Answer 10

Seems like there are more important matters to attend to than banning Halloween. lol that seems pretty silly.