Russia’s War on Halloween

ABC News ^ | 10/26/12 | Kirit Radia

[marshmallow]

MOSCOW – While many in the U.S. bemoan what they see as a war on Christmas, in Russia a very different holiday is under attack: Halloween. Here some don’t see it as the holiday of tricks and treats, but as a sinister celebration that endangers children.

The latest salvo came from a group of Russian Orthodox Church leaders and a group of Cossacks, who are spearheading an effort to cancel Halloween celebrations in the region of Stavropol Krai, in southern Russia. A nearby region, Krasnodar Krai, recently prohibited celebrating the holiday in schools.

But why are the church and the Cossacks, the feared horseback defenders of the tsars, spooked by Halloween?

“I consider it absolutely unacceptable for certain reasons. Halloween celebrations have been imposed on us for 20 years, and we are perfectly aware of how it all looks: revelry, baboonish behavior and scoffing at death, and thus at the memory of our deceased loved ones, whom all of us certainly have” said Andrei Sakhno, a youth leader at the local diocese in Stavropol Krai, according to RIA Novosti.

[Jemian]

Yes! The Five Solis.

[foundedonpurpose]

The State should have nothing to do with it.

I believe the article is from the viewpoint of the Russian Orthodox Church.

[Greysard]

Yea, let's get the State to enforce what people can or cannot celebrate! [/sarc]

Nobody can force you to celebrate or not to celebrate something. However the people, being the source of power in the country, have every right and opportunity to tell their hired help (such as the public schools) to not spend public money on things that the public considers unwelcome. There is only one little difference here. In the USA the public considers everything welcome - any abomination, that is, to the point that government officials fall all over themselves trying to out-tolerate each other. In Russia, as this news item demonstrates, when Cossacks and the Church speak the government listens. (As the photo illustrates, Cossacks are conservative and religious.)

[ari-freedom]

"How many people who participate in Halloween destroy property? 0.01%? "

What Halloween is like every year in Detroit.

[ari-freedom]

Here's another pic of Elvira.


At the gay pride parade in LA. Sorry.

[LiveFree99]

Technically, most of the arson and other mischief in Detroit does not occur on Halloween but rather “Devil’s Night,” the night before Halloween. As if the local thugs need an excuse to run wild and cause destruction. Of course, some might consider torching old abandoned houses in Detroit to be an effective form of urban renewal.

[Joseph Harrolds]

What Halloween is like every year in Detroit.

Actually, the arsons in Detroit occur on Devil's Night, which is October 30th.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Night

In 2010, there were 169 reported fires in Detroit on Oct. 30th.  Even if we attribute these to Halloween, compare that number to 170 million peaceful Halloween participants.  I'll stand by my 0.01% figure.

[Joseph Harrolds]

Here's another pic of Elvira at the gay pride parade in LA. Sorry.

So if I post a picture of a sexy Halloween costume worn by someone who isn't featured in a gay pride parade, you'll agree with my point?

[James C. Bennett]

 In Russia, as this news item demonstrates, when Cossacks and the Church speak the government listens.

LOL, don't be too gullible:

A Mending in Moscow?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/april/6.16.html

EXCERPT

 

In January, the Russian Orthodox Church enthroned its first new patriarch since Soviet days. Kirill, who led external relations for the church for 20 years, succeeds Alexy II, who died in early December.

 

Many evangelical churches in Russia currently experience discrimination under unevenly applied laws. Non-Orthodox organizations are not permitted to offer religious education and sometimes have trouble registering with the government for a legal identity. (Some organizations refuse to register on principle.) Also, changes to visa laws in 2007 have affected missions in Russia by requiring foreigners to leave the country for 90 out of every 180 days.

 

Evangelicals in particular are struggling against the concept that non-Orthodox Christianity is foreign and even unpatriotic. William Yoder, spokesperson for the Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptists of Russia (RUECB), explained the popular conception of religion in Russia: "If you're Russian, you must be Orthodox. By the same equation, if you're Baptist, you must be an American."

 

"Technically, religious freedom for all groups is protected in the law. But there is often infringement of this at the local level—often, unfortunately, at the instigation of the Orthodox hierarchy," said Anita Deyneka, president of Russian Ministries. "Protestants and Catholics are treated as interlopers. From Kirill's past, I don't think it's likely that this is [going] to be reversed."

 

The 16th Moscow patriarch in the history of the church, Kirill has been described by Western media as a savvy, prominent, and even glamorous modernizer. However, he emphasized his own conservatism and that of the Russian Orthodox Church in the run-up to his election, asserting in speeches that "I speak out categorically against any reforms."

 

While some consider Kirill the most independent of the candidates for patriarch, most assume he will have a close relationship with Russia's political leaders, even if he helps his church regain some autonomy.

"The state pretty much has the upper hand," said Felix Corley, editor of Forum 18 News, a religious freedom watchdog. "The Russian Orthodox Church cannot make the state do anything the state does not already want to do."

 

----------------

Like I said earlier, the Russians lack the capacity to understand or value the importance of something like the First Amendment. They are culturally inclined to be under an iron fist, and you will continue to see this for the foreseable future. The Orthodox Church is implicit in fostering this attitude.

 

[James C. Bennett]

However, the celebration of Halloween is the celebration of Samhain, a false god. I cannot agree with that at all.

True, but you have no (zero, zip, nada) rights to stop others from doing so (celebrating Samhain or whatever other mythological figure).

[James C. Bennett]

However the people, being the source of power in the country, have every right and opportunity to tell their hired help (such as the public schools) to not spend public money on things that the public considers unwelcome.

In a democracy, yes. In a republic, no. Otherwise it would not have taken one of the bloodiest wars in America to "settle" the issue of popular acceptance of slavery in the South.

[NoGrayZone]

Hey, go ahead and celebrate the day of evil. Have a Great time!

[NoGrayZone]

Damn cavities!

[bramps]

Big fan of moral relativism,huh?

The genesis of Christmas is God.
The genesis of Halloween is false god’s, which God vehemently warned against.

It’s no surprise that the rise in popularity of Halloween is proportionate to the decline in moral and values in this country.

[Joseph Harrolds]

Hey, go ahead and celebrate the day of evil. Have a Great time!

Always have...!

[Jemian]

You did read my entire response, didn’t you?

[Salvation]

Be Not Afraid: The Surprisingly Holy Origins of Halloween

Hallowe'en (with facts and recipes)
How Halloween Can Be Redeemed (from Catholic Update)
History of Halloween
Bishops’ Halloween Advice: Dress Children Up as Saints, Not Witches
Halloween (CNA Video)
All Hallows' Eve
Celebrating 'All Hallows Eve' and the 'Feast of All Saints' in a Pre-Christian West
Halloween Prayers: Prayers and Collects for All Hallows Eve
Holiday Hysteria (a Christian defense of Halloween)
Hallowe'en - Eve of All Saints - Suggestions for Reclaiming this Christian Feast

[redgolum]

Can’t say I blame them. My daughter will be a mermaid, but trick or treating no longer happens on Halloween.

Honestly I hope we can make it to church that day.

[Joseph Harrolds]

Thank you for the links, they were interesting. While I have no interest in “Christianizing” Halloween (as I’m not a Christian), I figure to each their own.

[KevinDavis]

I would most likely to join her.. That is my fantasy... Looks like the Puritans is still around..