COMMENTS WE HAVE RECEIVED
PAGE SIX


I have just finished reading your site, and I want to say thank you! It is very well thought out :)

I have noticed that a few people have posted comments contending that Halloween is indeed Satanic. Hogwash.

First, if it does, indeed have the Pagan roots that these folks insist it has, then where does Satan come from? To worship Satan, one first has to believe he EXISTS. I have just recently started reading on Pagan beleifs, but as far as I can tell, there is no Satan there. He is a Judeo-Christian demon.

Anyway, thanks for your neat site.

Have a wonderful Halloween (and try not to eat too much candy!)

- Name deleted by request

I just wanted to say "THANKS!" As the new 5th and 6th grade teacher at a private Christian School that does not celebrate Halloween, I assigned my students the following: write a one to two page paper on the origins of Halloween and, after doing the research, conclude with whether or not you believe that people should continue to celebrate Halloween.

I am ashamed to admit it, but my own "knowledge" of these origins was/is shallow and perhaps based on wrong or biased information. (I am relieved, however, that I have yet to share my limited view with the class...WHEW!) My husband is a pastor (Baptist) and only last night challenged our youth to examine what they believe and why (in ALL matters). We concluded that we either believe things because somebody told us or because we have experienced/researched for ourselves. But, with the shallowness of the research materials out there, how can that be done well?

You have obviously spent an enormous amount of effort researching the subject at hand. I would like to make a copy for myself and each of my students, with your permission. Even in saying this, I plan to do my own research in the future, as I am still believing based on other peoples words (yours). Of course, a subject such as the history of Halloween cannot be experienced for oneself; only researched and compared.

One more comment, if I may: regardless of the origins, as a mother of 4 (and former Halloween enthusiast, as a kid and young woman) I am concerned with the continued trend in "evil" and/or excessively frightening costumes and themes (disgustingly gory and violent movies, etc.) surrounding Oct. 31. I believe that many people take advantage of the "myths" or true origins, whichever they may be, and throw all caution, restraint, and decency to the wind. That, I believe, is the main reason I have chosen to forego Halloween for the past few years.

Still, thank-you! My students will have a better chance at coming to an educated conclusion to their papers, and maybe, just maybe, my own family will once again enjoy the fesivities of a Halloween, without the "guilt" so often applied in the Christian cirlces today.

(Note: I grew up "with" Santa Claus but we have never done the Santa-thing since having children...yet, somehow he has managed to come every year..."Mom! Look what Santa brought!" How do you explain THAT one!!!:-) )

Bonnie Groves, MO

Bonnie, I e-mailed you, but the message bounced. You have my permission to reprint!

As all of the folks with listed reply's have done, I thank you also for the huge amount of work represented on your site. I would like your permission to reference your information for an upcoming bible study I am leading in our home. I do feel it is important to have accurate backround understanding in all issues one choses to use as a value basis to operate their life from. Once we all have the facts as best we can obtain them, we can then let the Holy Spirit work to guide our individual response to what ever the issue before us.

As a commited Christian I search the scriptures for the truth there and then try to understand my world in the light of those truths. While there is no obvious prohibition against Halloween participation in scripture, we are admonished to act in certain ways;

1) dont judge others, thats the function of Christ theologically,
2) dont be a stumbling block to the work of the Holy Spirit in the bringing of faith into anothers life, if my participation in Halloween could bear upon the spiritual workings of my own life or the lives of those who observe my walk with God, then I must act accordingly.

While the roots of Halloween are founded in a genuine ancient culture, the Festival as it is now represented, as it is now socially defined, as it now stands with all the appended baggage, is the festival I chose not to participate in. With all the divergent views and understanding of what does or doesnt occure 10/31 it is a better choice not to try to walk a tight rope, especially not in light of what I feel are potentially enormous consequences spiritually.

I feel everyone must decide for themselves what tack they will persue, I hope they give their choice the time and effort it deserves.

Thanks again.
Pat Treadway, California

Just read your article and had to drop you a "thank you" note. Splendid! Not having time to do the research myself, but aware at least of a good bit of the info you posted there, I was quite gratified to read same. As a former Christian (of the uneducated, American fundamentalist variety, I'm afraid) and now, well, not, I've endeavored to do my part in ridding myself, and any others interested enough to listen, of that ignorance and (frankly) rather sad superstition.

Please continue the good work.

Best regards,
C Cherry

I teach a Sunday school class at church and would like permission to reprint your article as a background to a discussion on christianity and halloween this sunday, 11/4.

JMP

Dear Author,

Thanks for the informative article. You give voice to the feelings of many Christians.

In my opinion, why don't we all just continue to Christianize the "holiday" and rejoice?

Also, in response to your quotes about medevialism, I encourage you to check out these guys:

www.credenda.org

They seem to think it wasn't such a bad time to be alive.

Best regards,
Robert C. Phillips

Thank you for taking the time and energy to research the history of Halloween and post it on the website. I am a Lutheran pastor and was looking for some reliable information to talk about the history of Halloween in a service tonight for some fun. I like to find out and share where things come from and how they begin. Anyway, I ran into a lot of superstitious nonsense on the web about Halloween, most of it prophaganda against Satan by so-called Christians! "What," I thought, "does Satan have to do with Halloween!?" I couldn't find anything that even resembled true scholarship until I came across your site.

I appreciate your attempt to dispel some fear and hatred sounding this day and to open the mind to truth.

Thanks again!
-Pastor Christine Olson


I had to write a doctrines paper for my school and your site was a big help in looking at this subject very objectively. My parents and many people that I know are against Halloween. When I was little we used to celebrate it but then a movie came out about how many satanist groups use this night to sacrifice children and many other wicked things. Since then my parents have despised the day. I can't blame them because they would never want that to happen to me or my sisters. Also it is contrary to what we believe.

I think that you have supplied very adequte information that the whole purpose of Halloween isn't to be "satans holiday" or something like that, but it comes from lots of superstition and other things. I just want to say something to the Christians who are writing in to this site and bashing it.

Don't forget what the real issue is here. We are not against people or against a holiday, and writing in to this website and accusing a man who has done an excellent job of presenting facts and actually using the Bible in context, even though he doesn't embrace the true scriptures is wrong. The real issue is that people who embrace anything else besides Jesus Christ and His finished work on calvary are truth suppressors as described in Romans 1-3. Attacking a person for what they believe only inflames them more. We need to love the person and address the real issues at hand. Those people who believe in Druidism and Wiccanism are probably for most part very kind people, just like many Homosexual's and Lesbians that I know personally, the issue is that they deny that Christ is Lord of there life. They deny the fundamentals and those are the things that we should try to show them in love. It's pitiful that we think that calling in and bashing on someone is going to accomplish anything. We are trying to change the way someone believes through their brain and that doesn't work. People believe things based on their heart. Everyone's system of belief is based on their heart whether they admit it or not.

As for the guy who wrote this paper, I think you did an excellent job of presenting the facts. I would hope that you haven't studied the Bible and left it at that. Consider the truth of the Bible and it's hope for mankind. You have done an excellent job studying this topic out why not try to study out the beliefs of Christianity and ask God to show you the truth? Thanks for listening and if you end up posting this, which I doubt will happen, please don't include my e-mail. Thanks so much for all the info, it is an excellent source.

Marty

Bravo! I was not only impressed with the information you presented but, also with the comments you have received from Christian and Pagan alike. Some of the comments of course I was left shaking my head at, yet most were so enlightened and educated that I found this page a joy to read. Thank you for taking your time and effort to put this informative work together.

Pagan in Louisiana, USA

Dear author,

I thought your site was fabulous!!! As as Christian, I must say I am so proud to find someone who can write rationally and FACTUALLY about the different traditions of different belief system in a loving, non-judgemental way -- toward ANY belief system, mainstream or not.

Thank you. Keep speaking out!!

Sincerly,
Radene Marie - Cook

Mr. Bethancourt,

Clearly you are a pro. The excellent quality of your work is clear and I wanted to add my name to those who thank you for your scholarship in response to Halloween-phobia. Also for making your efforts and this material available.

I am a conservative evangelical "Charismatic" Mainline pastor with Masters degrees in both Theology and Philosophy, and extensive work towards a Ph.D. in Philosophy (medical ethics). I am told I am quite Spiritually ‘aware' and theologically my focus is on Scripture, Grace, and a dynamic, living, and love based relationship with the Lord.

Since the early 70's I have been bothered by the poor scholarship, fallacious logic, and plain ‘pseudo-Christian' superstition which is the heart of Halloween-phobia. The worst part is that it diminishes the Christian's sense of the power and presence of God in their lives, and ignores His absolute control over Satan and his activities in the world. I have actually found better reasons to reject the current date and celebration of Christmas (which I do celebrate) than I have to reject Halloween.

I am very zealous to refer people to your site for information.

Rev. Michael C. McNeese

Mr. Bethancourt,

I have just read your wonderful article titled, Halloween, Myths, Monsters and Legends.

I would like permission to quote you on several of your rebuttals against certain myths and errors regarding Halloween. There are certain fundamentalist Christians that are circulating false rumors and myths with respect to how Halloween is 'satanic' and evil, and should not be celebrated by Christians.

Also, I would like to know a little about your expertise regarding Halloween myths as you are certainly adept at refuting the nonsense that I hear from Christians about how people that take their children trick or treating are subjecting their kids to the powers and principalities of darkness and are going to burn in hell.

Best,
Gary Ziegler

Hello, W.J. Bethancourt III:

I was looking your website about Halloween and I like your attempt to sort out the loopy from the sane on both sides of issues.

I am recommending this site to my ESL (English as a Second Language) students as part of a research that I'm asking them to do about various holidays celebrated in America.

regards
L. Ermentrout(F,29) York Technical College
Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

I wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed your website a great deal. Your work is informative, appears well researched and is very interesting. Your "tolerant" responses to emails published on the site are appropriate and amusing as well. I imagine that isn't a fraction of what you have to deal with! It is very nice that someone has published such data on the web for those of us too lazy to do our own research.

Chris M.



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