Good for the Vatican, although the pope and his men dress up in some pretty wild outfits themselves. There is nothing wrong at all with condemning Halloween. If you are smart, take advantage of the day and give out Christian tracts. I gave out 125 last year along with all natural kids bars. Show the devil what he has in store for him here on earth, even though he knows he is going to the lake of fire. Thanks.

Every year goes by and I still get shocked at all the hysteria from the Christian fanatics. There are still some people that believe their kids will turn to witchcraft and worship the devil because they dress up as witches or goblins or whatever else. Get real!

They will be no more lured into all that nonsense than they will be reading Harry Potter.

A message to parents: Let your kids have fun. Let them dress up as whatever they want and just enjoy themselves. Ignore the silly warnings from the Vatican and just make sure your kids are safe.

Danny, satan loves it when people look like him and think that it is all just a joke because it isnt. I am not saying that all Halloween costumes are scary or have to be. But there are always the devil worshipping and evil sprits parts to Halloween and always will be. It cant encourage kids to do what God wants if it gets away from simple fun and hay rides, etc. Some of it does get away from that. Kids should never watch movies like Friday the 13th or whatever. Thanks.

"Hallowe'en" was invented by Christians in order to encourage pagans to assimilate.

Christians actually celebrate "samhain," the Celtic festival upon which Hallowe'en was based - only they celebrate it two day later on Nov 2nd and call it "All Soul's Day" - but really they are both the same: a time to honour the souls of one's dead ancestors.

Isn't it interesting that the Vatican is not warning on how to follow safety rules for this children's holiday?
But in view of the 10,000+ child victims in just the USA and Ireland of clerical sexual abuse that went on for decades, who are they to be worrying about just one night of the year for others???

The L'Osservatore Romano is actually the Vatican newspaper, so reporting "Vatican Condemns Halloween" when quoting L'Osservatore Romano, is somewhat inaccurate. The headline should read "Vatican Newspaper condemns Halloween" if you are to indicate who is "condemning."

L’Osservatore Romano does not always and everywhere speak for the entire Catholic church. They're the Vatican NEWSPAPER with their very own editorial board.

Halloween, at least here in the Midwest, is an innocuous part of our cultural heritage. From my perspective, L’Osservatore Romano's Halloween article is just another example of European bigotry and cultural insensitivity. They're fools to boot.

“The nations gathered in the Upper Room at Pentecost did not hear in their respective tongues a discourse about their own human cultures, but they were amazed to hear, each in their own tongue, the Apostles proclaim the marvels of God.” (“Towards a Pastoral Approach to Culture”, Pontifical Council for Culture)

I say "Boo" to the Holy See that needs a seeing eye dog to see for it. What the hell is wrong with this Vatican? A celebration of fear, terror and death is what this Vatican newspaper says of Halloween? Those are precisely the three words that catapulted the Vatican to power post Rome---ever since the inception of this church men have been terrorized with what awaits them in the netherworld, fear was sown in the deep, dark recesses of every ignoramus's soul until each came begging for papal mercy or indulgence or the intercession of the sinning Catholic clergy with God--as for death, that is the middle name of every Christian church--without the death of Christ, without the constant threat of eternal death in the arms of Satan versus eternal life after Jesus acceptance this church or any other wouldn't be around and L Osservatore Romano condemns Halloween? Consumerism and materialism! That's rich! The pot calls the kettle black. The Catholic Church is nothing more than big business. Not even all the abuse suits can drown this church that is on the cutting edge of the Darwinistic mode of survival--first hide the sexual abuse committed behind rosary beads and cassocks, then keep transferring abusive priests from diocese to diocese until the abused can't even locate where the abusers are, then admit the abuse when the statute of limitation for filing suit against the guilty churches has elapsed, and THEN when the statute of limitation is lifted, as in the case of Delaware, declare preemptive bankruptcy so no one can come and get the money that swells the church's obese coffers--that's what I call a pitiless godly sect without scruples. 'Halloween could replace Christian customs like devotion to saints and praying for the dead"--what a laugh! Even if it does who would know the difference? Celebration of the occult, pure and unadulterated, decorate the walls of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. As for Clay's Christian tracts, if you are smart and you happen to be the recipient of one, feed a bonfire with it and relax to the sound of Edgar Allen Poe or ghosts riding on the wind outside your door or the occult whispering in your ears that the Vatican is a deadly bore...
Ravensfan Anon

For gosh sakes satan it didnt work. A boy up the street whom I gave a tract to went to church today with my neighbor and I had never seen him go to church before. Take that!

Anon - Wow I didn’t realize that Halloween meant that much to you. If the Catholic Church is really teetering on the brink of survival as you’d like to believe why the lengthy discord on only selected bits of history? Why would you care what the Church thinks about Halloween if it is “When I first saw this article I laughed and looked at it as over reaction on an immaterial event. Maybe you should start a movement to make sure we protect important holidays like Halloween from being destroyed by the evil Vatican and its minions. And you called my post on clergy suicide foolish? Sorry my friend this one beats that by a mile.

Come on Clay, just because you did not see something does not mean it never happened. May be the kid was trotting to church every Sunday like a fool when you were not watching. What are you by the way--a peephole for the church? Fool yourself by saying "Get thee behind me Satan!" Clearly shows that you religious guys swell the membership of your churches by intimidation, threats and indoctrination of the young.

And you Ravensfan you spout the same old predictable nonsense. At last I am glad you acknowledge that your church is indulging in a lot of hoo ha about immaterial events. Not without reason Ravensfan--this church is loaded with paranoia. Every whisper, every ghost, every Jack O lantern is a threat and they say God protects the holy ones and the believers. The believers are jumping out of their skin that they are becoming irrelevant.
Ravensfan Anon
Ravensfan Anon

Anon - You’re starting to sound as nonsensical as Robert. Are you taking up the cause now that he seems to have disappeared? You seem to be invoking the same lack of logic and common sense. Yes I can sure see where we wouldn’t want parents confusing kids by telling them that Halloween has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints. We certainly wouldn’t want anyone to do anything a vile as trying “to direct the meaning of the feast towards wholesomeness and beauty rather than terror, fear and death.”

I’m sure Clay’s tract somehow intimidated or, threatened that poor boy to fall into the indoctrination of a church. And here I thought your other post was foolish nonsense this one has that one beat by a mile. I don’t know about the Church, but you sure sound like someone loaded with paranoia.
ravensfan

Not exactly guys. My neighbor had been asking him to go with them and he never went. He came to my door with my neighbor's kids on Sat and I mentioned to him that we missed him in my church the night before because my neighbor and his kids came to my church for a fall harvest party. I gave them all a Christian tract and the next day he went to church with my neighbor. I think what my neighbor said to him, what I said to him and the tracts all had an influence. There was no intimidation or threats, and it was something seen and not something unseen. The devil doesnt like it when he is defeated. Most importantly, it was something felt. God bless.

Clay - For someone with as much intelligence as Anon I was surprised he could such a ridiculous comment. I may not agree with you on a lot of issues, but I do think your actions are well intended

Sorry Ravensfan. When you were repeating what anonymous said I now see you were being tongue in cheek about threats and intimidation. I kind of read it fast and thought thats what you were saying also. I have to take more time to read the posts of others. Didnt mean to say "not exactly guys." I should have said "not exactly anonymous." Thanks.

Clay – No apology needed. I figured you misunderstood my intent. I just found it silly for Anon to make such an allegation over handing a tract to a boy. He seems to think we’re still in the dark ages when some people claiming to be Christian were guilty of some very un-Christian behavior.

Lovey, lovey, kissy, kissy, Christian to Christian--"I understand Clay--no need to apologize--it is Anonymous who is the bad one--yes, yes--Anonymous is clearly the Satan-we the God believers understand each other--let's dance on the Satanic grave of Anonymous."--wow--one minute I take my eyes off and my two foes have joined hands against me. These blogs are getting to be treacherous and traitorous. By the way Ravensfan--on another blog someone asked me if I am a fan of the Ravens and guess what I replied--"No, no, I am not a fan of the Ravens--I am a fan of Ravensfan!" Great huh? I know you'll look down your God believeing nose at me and say, "That's sophomoronic Anonymous!" But I'll tell you something--I am determined not to be fazed by this uncharacteristic and unorthodox love fest you are having with Clay. Nothing like a common enemy to bring together strange bedfellows.
Ravensfan Anon

By the way Ravensfan, I want you to read the following aricle--Are the new atheists as bad as Christian fundamentalists? Written by Frank Schaeffer--site Alternet--just google it--you would love it--you may as well have written it--it touches on a lot of points you debated with Littel. I may be committing suicide by guiding you to this article--you would quote from it for ever to thwart me--but heck, I am up to your tricks by now and I am taking the risk. Atheists as you can see are intellectual risk takers. Bowing to you and to other God believers I go off stage for now.
Ravensfan Anon
Joke of the day--Are you a Ravens fan? Answer--No I am a Ravensfan fan. What a trip these blogs.
Ravensfan Anon

Anon - Thanks I only skimmed the article. I will read tonight when I have more time. From what I read it seemed intriguing. I’ll try and refrain from using it against you. I don’t want that boulder to get any heavier. I enjoy our discussions. I like your style even if I don’t always agree with the idea you’re promoting.

Do you ever watch the Colbert Report? I happened to see one rather funny last night while with my oldest son. It was a bit about to gay men getting in trouble for kissing on a public street in Salt Lake City I believe. Apparently the Mormons own the street. Even though I’m against homosexuality I had to admit the bit was funny.
ravensfan

ravensfan
My new moniker as per Clay--Satan--I guess I have to sign off--Ravensfan Satan Anon--I will refrain for your sake--since I have appended me to you. Ravensfan Anon

Wow Anon what did you do to Clay to get that title? Even Robert never managed to get to that level. You could sign off as Ravensfan Anon aka Satan.

Ravensfan,
I clink my glass to thee--yes, I shall expand my name whenever I am in the mood. What a man Clay--there is none like he in the universe! I believe Clay is terrified of Robert Littel. Watch him pop up to chide me, call me Satan and tell me he has no reason to fear anyone with the Lord by his side. A woman desires him Ravensfan and he does not desire the woman--he has confessed to this. I suppose the dilemma eats away at his soul and he shifts his anxieties to Satan and I am readily available as scapegoat for the misplaced anxieties. My joking about his Christian tracts-- distributed on All Satan Day-- making good fodder to kindle a bonfire did not help--I have become the central figure in All Satan day --mama Poe mia is all I can say!
Ravensfan Anon
By the way Robert Littel is back--he is on the abortion blog with what I call vintage Littel. I love the man. Peregrinate over there--your old foe sings again.
Ravensfan Anon aka Satan

Anon - or should I say satan. Now I'm really glad I didn't blow any money on mass cards for you. At times Clay's posts sound like something from an SNL or Colbert Report skit. I see he's also arguing in favor of the Biblical account of creation. Well at least he didn't support the book burning the Baptist Church in North Carolina had. AT least not all the books.

Not any. Thanks.