Politically Incorrect
10/27/2004
For thousands of years people have celebrated the honor of their deceased ancestors. The Roman Catholic Church in an attempted to Christianize the pagan festival of Samhain first introduced ‘All Hallows Day’ in the 7th century as time to remember those that have passed away.
Samhain, the ancient Celtic fire festival, is the origin of modern Halloween. This festival marked the close of harvest and the initiation of the winter season. The autumn leaves, cornstalks, apples, and nuts, which are so much a part of the Halloween season, are reminders of the Druids' autumn festival in honor of the harvest.
All Hallows Eve is the night to bring to life those who have passed. It is Samhain, All Soul's Day, the Day of the Dead, Halloween. It is the time to 'hallow', to venerate the dead and in so doing, acknowledge their energy that still flows through us.
Literally translated, 'Hallow' is an old word meaning holy and "e'en" is Scottish/Gaelic for evening. Despite its sacred origins, the natural fear and mystery that surrounds death has lead many feel that Halloween has a more sinister implication. It has long been associated with witchcraft, evil spirits, and even the Devil itself. Today the original meaning has faded and it has essentially it has become a commercial holiday and an excuse for children and adults alike to become someone or something else for a short time.
The Puyallup School District in Washington State decided to suspend all Halloween celebrations this year causing some to question their motives. They said it interrupted the educational learning process and they were also concerned that the customary acknowledgement of Halloween might offend members of the Wiccan religion.
Sometimes referred to as "The Craft" or "The Craft of the Wise", Wicca is a spiritual religion that had ties to Celtic deities, symbols and other traditions combines with other Pagan and non-Pagan elements. Without being completely understood, Wiccans are often mistakenly considered witches. The Puyallup School District believed that if children chose to wear witch costumes complete with big noses, warts, and broom sticks that the Wiccan “witches” would take offense.
Parents, children, and even the Wiccans themselves insist there is no reason for such a ban. The unsolicited cancellation supposedly on behalf of the Wiccans is an example of a society too concerned about being politically correct. The potential, or actuality, of offending a small group has the ability to penalize an even larger one. Has the effort to appease every minority group come so far that the traditions and customs of the “average” American have to conform to a homogeneous society?
The education of the origins of Halloween would be a better lesson for all Puyallup students. The fun things in life can also be educational.
Why? Just Because!