Archives for: October 2009
10/29/09
Of course not. Celebrating Halloween suggests that there's something good, not just fun, about it. It's also inappropriate to observe Halloween, as it's a day of no significance. On the other hand, Christian parents don't have to willfully resist Halloween either as long as the kids don't confuse it with anything meaningful.
I have fond memories of "Trick or Treating," watching scary shows on television, and participating in school costume parades as a youngster and I've encouraged my children to experience these things themselves.
The problem in 2009 is that the secular/sacred polarization (secular people are more boldly anti-religious causing religious people to become defensive about their faith) has caused Halloween to stray from its fun, childish roots to become a sort of gay/pagan/anti-Christian holy day: Celebrations in West Hollywood, Santa Barbara, and other places around the country are often the most festive of the year, a time to don their id-directed costumes; witches or Wiccan priestesses actually do celebrate Halloween or "Samhain"; and women nurture their inner-hoochie by dressing in ways that would make Brittney Spears blush (this is a huge problem at my high school, too).
I don't mean tomar any of these things for those who wish to participate- I certainly don't wish to ruin it for the men who enjoy ladies dressed in "Pirate Cutey" costume- but I think parents should keep a couple of things in mind during this season.
Perception is key.. As long as Christian parents emphasize Halloween's triviality (like some secularists do for Christmas), kids should be OK. Otherwise, a Christian parent can use Halloween as an opportunity to teach about history or some contemporary issues (for Catholics, it's a wonderful chance to explain All Souls' and All Saints days.), or just ignore the controversies altogether and just let the kids have fun.
A reason to participate in Halloween is to prevent anti-Christian forces from claiming Halloween for themselves, something which will surely happen if Christians abandon Halloween altogether. Who knows what it'll evolve into, then.
Stipulation: If you live in a community where people make a big deal out of it or your child gets mixed up with some friends that do, then it may be smarter to assert your different-ness.
For a professional debate, you can hear Michael Medved and his wife argue over the issue tomorrow. I'll post the show.
Update:
10/27/09
So, following a polygamist defrauder and paying thousands of dollars for phony-baloney e-meters and other pseudo-scientific treatments wasn't enough to make Paul Haggis break from Scientology. Supporting traditional marriage, however: forget about it.
"The church's refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly," the letter says. "I can think of no other word. Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent."
Well, I too can't stand bigotry so I won't be watching the next Bond movie which, if Quantum of Solace is any indication, won't be that large a sacrifice.
), 06:29:14 pm, 95 words PermalinkCategories: Religion and society :: Leave a comment »
10/12/09
Saints are those people the Church has determined to have made it to Heaven. You can read about the process here. Since they're there and, assuming that people in Heaven have a lot of time on their hands, it's OK to ask them to pray for us. One also assumes that their prayers are more effective since they're "plugged-in," so to speak.
(CNN) --
Pope Benedict XVI canonized five new saints Sunday, including a 19th-century priest who worked with ostracized leprosy patients in Hawaii before contracting the disease himself and dying from it.
Pope Benedict XVI canonized five new saints Sunday in a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
10/09/09
1. The Church has never spoken on the authenticity of the Shroud. Still, I imagine people of faith pull for the Shroud and people who hate the Church yank the opposite way.
2. I'm not a scientist and therefore wouldn't dare weigh in on the debate, but semi-official response is here and a good forum thread on the subject here. News report on scientist claim is here.
3. It doesn't matter that the scientist was funded by atheists. The only thing that matters is the truth. Which is why I'd like the Church to take the shroud out again and have them perform further investigations.
4. It could be that the scientist's shroud proves an inadequate explanation and further examination of the real shroud leaves room for doubt as well, leaving whether to believe it Christ's burial shroud up to a person's faith; which is how God prefers it.
10/05/09
The St. Francis day "blessing of the animals" is an intersection of religion, modern sensibilities, and just plain fun.
It's helps people to remember the great St. Francis. People who tend to miss mass (but who like animals) might make a point of attending that day. That's the religion part.
It satisfies the modern emphasis on the environment and animal worlds while placing them in a proper context: humans as caretakers of God's natural gifts to humanity. Or, that we're to take care of God's creation, not because nature deserves it a priori, but because He gave it to us to serve our legitimate needs (dogfighting excluded).
People who worry that such ceremonies blur the line between animals and people, shouldn't. Priests bless inanimate objects like Rosaries and swords (the Asymmetric blade of smiting +5 will soon receive one); why not animals?
It's also a lot of fun. My kids were very excited about taking the animals. Our dog and two cats found the experience quite stimulating as well (my female dog didn't exactly act in the most lady-like manner, however). We made jokes about whether our mean cat, Smokey, would behave better after the blessing.
Anyways, a nice tradition and one parishioners and the Church should encourage.
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