Do you ever just want to ring someone's neck for being so ignorant?

Question

I am so sick and tired of seeing stuff that says proven facts are wrong. Yes, people, I'm talking about Halloween.

Here is the TRUE history of Halloween.

The festival of Halloween as we celebrate it today is an interesting juxtaposition of a Christian and a pagan festival.

Searching for the history & origin of this festival takes us back to the 5th. century B.C. in Celtic Ireland. In those days, the year ended with the end of summer which officially used to end on 31st.October. This day was called Samhain.

The Celts had a strong belief in the afterlife and they believed that the spirits of those who died in the preceding year came back on this day to possess the living bodies for the next year. This was the only hope of the spirits for afterlife. But obviously those who were living did not want to be possessed.

So to repel the evil spirits the common custom was to extinguish all the fire in the house and then dress up in a horrible manner and parade in the streets. If anybody was believed to be possessed then as a warning to the spirits that person was burnt alive. A better explanation of why the Celts extinguished their fires is that this was done not to ward off the evil spirits but to rekindle it from the Druidic fire that was kept burning in the middle of Ireland.
The Romans adopted this Pagan festival but in the 1st. century A.D. the custom of burning live human beings was replaced by the custom of burning effigies.
The custom of Halloween came over to America in 1840 with the Irish who had immigrated there to escape the potato famine. The favorite prank in New England at that time was tripping over the outhouse and unhinging the poultry gate.

The custom of trick or treat is thought to have originated from a ninth century European custom called souling. On 2nd Nov..."All Saints Day" the early Christians went from door to door begging for 'soul cakes' (square pieces of bread made with currents). The more cakes a person gave the more prayers were said for the soul of those dead in that house. It was believed that the souls did not receive entry into heaven till prayers even by strangers were uttered on behalf of the dead.

Do you see where I'm coming from, people? It's not evil....there's nothing evil about it!

It's a holiday for gods sake! If you don't celebrate it, keep it to yourself! Stop trying to recruit normal people into your "religion"....they obviously don't want to go there!

And by the way, for you smartazz people out there - "Ring somebody's neck" is a figure of speach. Once you seen how long the post was and decided you didn't want to answer it - why did you?! Stop complaining about how friggin long it is and don't answer!

Of course, that would only require common sense. Something I question if the lot of most of you even know the meaning of.

To those of you who understand where I'm coming from, thanks. The world needs more people like ourselves.

Sorry, tmreiber, but you're incorrect! I think I know what I'm talking about here - I'm Pagan!!!!!!!!!

Every year for the past 10 years, I've had to bite my tongue when it comes to Halloween. After surveys, studies and research, this is what I've come up with!

Hence contrary to the popular belief Halloween did not grow out of evil practices. Today Halloween is celebrated in a jovial mood. People dress up in different costumes and go from door to door calling out "trick or treat." They are given candies and sweets. There is NOTHING evil about this day.

Ok everyone...I understand that I spelled "Wring" wrong....do 6 of you have to remind me? is it really all that necessary?

And I never said that by myself being Pagan made me all knowing about this holiday, did I? Nope. Again, if you don't like what was stated - as a fact - simply don't answer it. Hit the "Back" tab on your browser. *sigh*

Sometimes I'm almost ashamed to be human by the way we act at times.

Answer 1

First, for all you out there that said it was too long and you quit reading it at some point....why complain? You were not forced to read it, and you said you didn't finish reading it. Your read as much as you desired and then quit. It doesn't matter how long it was if you were not forced to read it. Do you complain every time you go to a library and see a long book? Probably not, you more than likely go on about your business and ignore the long books. Just like you could have done with this question if you didn't care about the information.

Moving on....from ignorant answers!!!

Thank you for the history. Despite if its true (you can ask a preacher and he'll probably have a different history lesson-and believe his is the correct one). You really seem to be educated and knowledgeable in your heritage and the meaning of a largely misunderstood holiday or festivity, whichever you may call it. I really enjoyed reading your insight.

Like you said and one perosn answered-It's only as evil as you let it become. Disregaurd all the debates if it's evil of not. What is evil in letting children and kids go from door to door and ask for candy?

And there are some people that believe that it is evil and we the people should not celebrate it-ok fine it is your right to believe what you want...........BUT what is evil in going from door to door and asking for treats? It's NOT the trick or treating from door to door that makes this holiday evil. If indeed it is?!?! But who's to really say?

So take the holiday or festivity and believe what you want. But don't force your decision on other people. They can decide and believe what they want just as well as you can.

Haha and for all you that thought the question and informatin given was too long....................don't bother reading this. I'm sure you will classify this as being too lang as well. I'm not going to make you read it.............But I guess if you've got this far you have sucessfully read it all and....really wish I would have put this at the beginning of my answer huh?!?!?

Answer 2

First off, thank you. It's nice to see someone who actually has some real research on the topic. Though, all told, the evidence for the whole Wicker Man thing is kinda shaky, in terms of how prevelant it was.

Second, welcome to being a Facist Meanie Poo-Poo Head. If you haven't already gotten the "I'm a FMPPH" button, you'll be getting your membership package in the mail soon. ;)

Third, for the other folks - yes, people are entitled to beliefs and opinions. That said, beliefs and opinions do not override *fact*. Facts are very solidly proven things that do not change based on religious orientation, and trump beliefs and opinions. I can believe that the sky is hot pink or the moon is made of cheese - but those are, put bluntly, false. You can believe that Halloween or its origins are the work of the Devil - but it doesn't change the facts regarding its origins, nor the facts regarding current practices. If you want to know the truth, try looking outside of the religious section - check out the archaeology information on the ancient practices, or read FBI reports on Satanic Ritual Abuse (or, more accurately, the lack thereof.)

Answer 3

Even as a person raised in a generally Christian household, and someone who believes In God-as an omnipotent spirit and the Jesus truly walked the Earth and sacrificed himself in belief that he was trying to attone for mans sin-I never did undertand the big ole stink some people make about the holiday...how can kids dressing up and asking for candy be evil-anything is only what you make it right?

Answer 4

I did happen to be aware of the information in your question, but it's nice to see it out there again. For those who complained about the length of the question -- go back and read it, you might learn something.

It has only become an "evil" holiday in the last few years. What amazes me are the amount of churches who decry the evil in halloween, but insist on having a "fall festival", complete with a costume contest. Ridiculous.

As for wring the necks of the ignorant, if we did that how boring would it be????

Answer 5

I went via the safeguard at STL airport in my Cubs sweatshirt and the shield used to be like, "You're dressed in the flawed blouse for this line." I simply smiled and mentioned, "Not in step with the list." Luckily he laughed as an alternative of sending me over for an entire frame hollow space seek. I wholly assume the equal factor while I fly out to Arizona subsequent week in my Cubs apparatus. I've had a couple of nasty run-ins with Cardinals fanatics however they are too dull to even repeat. Sorry approximately your harassment, feels like a number of idiots that most commonly do not even recognize some thing approximately baseball.

Answer 6

When someone has this feeling, its because the devil is trying to bring anger and rage and hatred into your life. Just refuse it in the name of Jesus. God gives free choice. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter whether its ignorant or not. Let them keep their opinion, and just KNOW you are equally as entitled to your. and to the pagin that wrote here concerning Halloween. I have also done much study. you are entitled to your beliefs, and I will also say I know you are wrong, but I dont put you down for it. I just offer my own opinion. Yes it does come from evil, and its still evil today. Even witches will tell you this is their day celebration to the devil, their high day to worship the devil. Do all witches do that? surely not. But many do, and they know this comes from evil. More baby sacrifices are done this day that all year. Find a study on the practices of Halloween and what the stood for and you will be so disgusted. Bobbing for apples, one example. The pagans gathered up the people. put huge pots of oil out, boiling oil. you had to bob for an apple or be killed. People were forced to bob for apples and were killed or horribly disfigured for life. Does this sound like a holiday you want to participate in. Dont take her word for it or mine. Get out and do some studying on your own. what I found just absolutey made me so sick. This isnt of God and doesnt bring any good results. study out the other practices, even just the little trick or treat. I am a full gospel christian and didnt know these things till a few years ago, and Halloween was bid a quick farewell in our home. Hope it is everyone that reads this and studies it out. You think a pagan is gonna tell you the truth.? But, Id ont judge her. SHe may just not known about the true origins , and be deceived for herself. Not my place to judge her or anyone else. There are also some great videos on it. Go to some Christian libraries and check them out, get on the christian sites and see what you can find. A pagan surely isnt going to tell you the truth. How would they get in any new members?????? Just find out for yourself, its all I can ask for.

Answer 7

"Ring someones neck" is a figure of speech, yes, but it's still spelled "wring".
You being a Pagan in no way makes you an expert on the origins of Halloween. Although I agree with the facts in your post.

Why would you bite your tongue for 10 years?

Also....a lot of people are aware of Halloweens origins....it's not some secret that no one knows. I think more people are unaware of the Pagan origins of Christmas and Easter than they are of Halloween.

And to answer your original question....yes.

Answer 8

I don't know what you are trying to prove with all that. Are you for Halloween or against it? And some of your facts are off a little. Your historical data is accurate enough, but some of the details are skewed.

Halloween is a demonic holiday and always has been. Demons, witches and other spirits were allowed to walk among humans on that day and they roamed about looking for evil to do and humans to sacrafice.

It is believed that the practice of trick-or-treating was the demons going from house to house collecting their human sacrafices. If the household did not relenquish one, than the demons put a curse upon the house.

Wearing costumes came about because the demons wore them so that the humans couldn't tell the difference between them and humans.

Answer 9

All the time.

Answer 10

I agree, too much written here. I stopped reading after the first paragraph.
I do like the question though. I can't stand ignorance. It's even worse when it comes from someone like your mother or a family memeber.