"Halloween is evil"

[Mooehey]

AIBU to be pissed off at my kids head teacher.

They go to a Catholic school because there are no other schools in the area that aren't in special measures. I went to the same school and apart from religion it's a good school.

My kids haven't been baptised and the school know this.

Even though it's a Catholic school there are Muslim kids, Jewish kids etc...

When it's a Muslim festival the kids come home with homework about Eid and Dwali.

Near Christmas they learn about hannuka.

They learn about all different religions.

But the head teacher told the kids they weren't to talk about Halloween because it's evil.

This was said in an assembly. Confirmed by 2 of my kids seperatly.

AIBU to think Halloween isn't evil. It's a Pagan festival and it should be respected the same as any other?

I am pagan and am really annoyed at what she said. We celebrate Samhain big time, not only with modern tradition such as trick or treating (no different to the modern mass market g of Christmas....that doesn't get banned!) And we also celebrate more traditionally with offerings and rituals.

I'm sad that my children 'aren't allowed' to tell their friends at school about our traditions or the fun things we have done this evening.

Would a Muslim child be told that their religion is evil? I seriously doubt it.

I just feel sad and have no where else to rant I guess :(

• applauds walking dead quietly *

YANBU OP.

It’s weird. I was brought up around strongly Christian people and as a kid it always confused me why they get so het up about Halloween if they didn’t believe in it.

Then I learnt that they do believe in it but they believe it is the devil’s doing. That the pagans that celebrate it are worshipping Satan.

And then I learnt of course about the history of Christianity and how when it came to Britain it not only wiped out paganism and stole its festivals but it turned its gods into devils.

And then there were of course the witch hunts. So do Christians who believe in Satan believe that those women were witches? I don’t know.

Either way what Christianity has done to our native religion has been 100% disrespectful appropriation.

I mean it’s a Middle Eastern religion wiping out our native one.

Not on.

Speak to the head and find out what they meant.

there are a few judgemental, older generation staff

Not sure what peoples age has to do with anything tbh.

It's one person with strange views. Not Catholics in general. The vast majority of catholics have no problem with it. I've never met one who had.

I was brought upa Catholic and was told that it was all hallows eve when we remember all the people who went before us.This was before trick or treating was ever thought of though

It's one person with strange views.

Yes but quite a powerful person. I’d kick up a stink OP. We are supposed to be tolerant of diverse beliefs so they shouldn’t just be respectful to paganism, our actual native religion, they should spend as much time teaching it as they do other non Christian religions.

And for someone spouting peace and tolerance for all religions, there are some pretty anti-Catholic sentiments coming out.

It's one person with strange views. Not Catholics in general
I have found it quite common in CofE and Catholic schools (+ Christian parents) around England.

There are a few judgemental, older generation staff

Not sure what peoples age has to do with anything tbh.

Maybe because op has had dealings with these particular teachers before and they have been at the school a long time and are blinkered by thier beliefs in 'old school rigid Catholicism'? Maybe they disapprove of all the non-catholic pupils or ops relationship and cant help but show it?

Stating someones age isnt a crime.

Maybe because op has had dealings with these particular teachers before and they have been at the school a long time and are blinkered by thier beliefs in 'old school rigid Catholicism'? Maybe they disapprove of all the non-catholic pupils or ops relationship and cant help but show it?

Still nothing to do with their age.

there are some pretty anti-Catholic sentiments coming out.

I agree and I'm not Catholic.

It never, ever, fails to astound me how little many religious people understand about other religions. Some of the comments on this thread have my mouth hanging open.

Chat nicely to the head and explain. She probably doesn’t understand

Most very religious people abhor Halloween and think it's evil. The Black church in the US actively campaigns against it here and their kids cant participate. They also think yoga is evil too 🙄

there are some pretty anti-Catholic sentiments coming out
So people have to politely tolerate hate speech hateful speech from Catholics who don't tolerate other religions? I suppose next we will have to thank them for showing the truth about the one true god as they abuse discriminate against us.

But you chose to send your DC to a Catholic school yes? Christians in general are not really in favour of what is seen to be worshiping evil or the work of the devil, witchcraft etc. You can explain the origins all you like but many (not all, some are more moderate) cringe when they see little children dressed up as zombies with blood dripping down their chin or with scream masks wealding plastic knives. Hence why lots of churches host 'light parties' for children so as not to feel left out and to offer an alternative. Also, they will be tolerant to a greater degree of Jewish and Muslims as they believe in God (and Muslims in Jesus), and share many similarities. Paganism and witchcraft was the very thing early christians tried to eradicate, don't think you will find much in the way of sympathy or tolerance from them tbh!

Im sure we can pick holes in every religion under the sun. There isn’t one that doesn’t doesnt have odd beliefs/customs. i was raised Catholic but i still question some of its teachings. We all should, i don’t believe in following like sheep.

still nothing to do with their age.

It is if its only these older staff members who are dogmatic in thier attitude. Stating something thats true isnt wrong.

All Hallow's (or All Saint's) eve is followed by All Hallow's Day which is a Christian feast day.

It's a 3 day Christian festival commemorating the dead including all the saints.

How does she not know that?

Contact the head and send her a copy of Philomena to watch. I have no patience with hypocrisy in the name of religion.

Yanbu and, having 4 children enrolled in my catchment C of E school, I fully understand that not everyone has the option to not send their child to a faith based school.

Our school does not celebrate Halloween in school as an event. I suspect there is discussion about all saint day/ All Hallows' day. But the evening prior is seen more as a secular event.

However; as part of their learning about different faiths, it would be ideal for children to learn about those practised by their classmates.

As usual though people feel very free and confident to criticise catholicism without fear of being called racist. (even though it isn’t a race) Personally i find it a far more tolerant religion than many others.

Christians in general are not really in favour of what is seen to be worshiping evil or the work of the devil, witchcraft etc

Halloween is still a huge festival in Ireland and Scotland. Plenty christians in both countries.
Ops school teaches about Hindu festivals they have a multitude of gods none which relate to the abrahamic god.

Neither pganism nor witchcraft has anything to do with the construct that is 'satan'.

Why is it that some Christian schools feel it is acceptable to demonise some religions? How is it even legal, surly schools have a duty to teach children about all religions. And why do some parents think it acceptable to teach acceptance of some religions and ignorance of others.

Do we not live in the 19th 21st century?

@MrsJayy Halloween or Samhain as I call it, is not about raising the dead,or evil spirits. It's about honouring your loved ones who have passed. Its about the end of harvest time, and the beginning of winter. Please educate yourself. You're probably of the mindset that all us witches worship Satan, run about naked, and sacrifice babies!

Criticising catholicism isnt racist as you rightly said so why should people even consider that?

Questioning blinkered ignorant and blatently wrong beliefs should be encouraged not criticised .