Bobbing for Apples Long Way From Celebrating
the Dead
by April Shenandoah, Columnist
October 24, 2002
When I was growing-up Halloween was a fun time to dress in costumes, go to the
neighbors for "trick or treat," soap windows, bob for apples, and tell ghost
stories. At the time, it all seemed so harmless; little did we know that we
were actually celebrating Satan's holiday. Halloween was, and is, subtle exposure
to the occult. Regardless of All Hallows Eve, today our schools are blatantly
introducing cultic activities to our young people, such as séances, New Age
meditation, and witchcraft.
Most recently, McNear Elementary School in Petaluma City, California decided that their fourth-graders were going to celebrate the dead in a weeklong classroom ritual commemorating the Mexican holiday "El Dia de los Muertos," (Day of the Dead). The holiday will be observed as an alternative to Halloween. The children are instructed to bring in pictures or write memories of deceased family members, friends or pets. These items will be put on an ofrenda (altar) that has been created for this purpose.
The ancient Aztec El Dia de los Muertos religious holiday typically celebrated in Mexico and Mexican communities honor the dead by dancing on the graves of deceased relatives or around altars, while wearing wooden skull masks. Pictures, flowers, food, and candles are all part of the altar display. The flyer sent to Petaluma City parents describes, El Dia de los Muertos as a "ritual event in which the spirits of dead loved ones are invited to visit the living as honored guests."
Other materials sent to parents and teachers describing the event refer to 'altars,' 'ritual.' 'symbolic items.' 'cycle of life,' 'dead animals,' and welcoming 'death.' The literature clearly indicated that the entire event is intended to be a practical application of these spiritual and religious themes. McNear principal, Clare Eckhardt, said, "the school is merely following state guidelines for curriculum. The question is, who is preparing this curriculum and what is the agenda behind it?
A few years back, "death education" was introduced as a game in the lower grade levels. Example: The children were asked if they were in a rowboat with family and friends and the boat was going to sink unless someone was thrown overboard, whom would they choose to let die. This is not only sick but it desensitizes the idea of "death!" What are they preparing our children for? Think about this! Islam (a three month extensive course) has been implemented in many schools and now "death" is part of our children's studies. Parents should be up in arms!
The Day of the Dead is described as a religious holiday, yet we are told that it is unconstitutional to celebrate Christmas and Easter in the schoolroom. The birth and resurrection of Jesus noted on our calendars and designated as official school holidays in this country have been replaced by "paganism" and "witchcraft." And, this Day of the Dead instruction is not just for one day -- it is an entire week of this intrusion into our children's fragile minds. No wonder our children can't read and they need calculators to add and divide. Teachers are too busy taking over the minds, bodies, and souls of their students to fit the "robotic new world" a comin¢. Be aware that the scriptures direct us not to dabble in divination, witchcraft, sorcery, or consult mediums who claim to chat with the dead.
[Egan, the satanic high priest at the Church of Satan in Salem, Mass has a message for Christians: "The hypocrisy of celebrating Halloween is stupid. If you believe in the two opposing forces, good and evil, you can't fight the Devil everyday of the year. Then join his side for one day."] ***
Here is a clever description comparing a Christian to a pumpkin. You can copy this and hand it out to the "trick or treaters" in your neighborhood or send a copy with your child to his/her teacher.
The Pumpkin
A young boy asked his playmate "What is it like to be a Christian?" The playmate said, "It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and, scoops out all the yucky stuff. Then He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc., and then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."
© 2002 April Shenandoah
April Shenandoah's Internet home is: http://www.politicsandreligion.tv
COPYRIGHT © 2002 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.