Russians Taking Halloween Too Seriously?
No, sorry, they aren’t having an excess of fun with it. Instead, many schools have banned it because it “includes religious elements, the cult of death, the mockery of death.”
I can’t decide if it’s funny or sad that they take it so seriously. I mean I know some people in the United States would also love to see Halloween banned, due to various historical meanings, but I’ve never understood the arguements completely.
After all, if you don’t celebrate Halloween due to its Pagan origens, shouldn’t you do the same to Christmas? Lots of Pagan symbolism used there too.
I’ve had people get mad at me for asking that question.
The concerns in Russia also relate to moral and spiritual issues. I don’t know many people who are interested in the spiritual or moral side of Halloween. Most people want to dress up in ways they won’t the rest of the year and get candy. That goes double for kids. And since they’re talking about school parties, that’s relevant.
Even the more adult parties aren’t about the spiritual side. One might argue about moral issues, but that is more likely relevant to individual behaviors that may or may not be present the rest of the year.
I hope my kids have lots of Halloween fun tonight.
