Comments on: Halloween is a window into our collective soul

By: Oto Faiva

Oto Faiva — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 09:16:11 +0000

Thanks for your explanation. Very helpful for someone like myself coming from the pacific island.

By: Mike Frost

Mike Frost — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 10:37:10 +0000

In reply to Bob Faser. Interesting. Thanks for that tip.

By: Bob Faser

Bob Faser — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 19:55:49 +0000

Thanks for a stimulating post. Another potent “inversion ritual” is Purim for the Jewish community. In a community which normally places a high value on sobriety and moderation, there is one night of the year where inebriation is regarded as a religious obligation.

By: Bob Faser

Bob Faser — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 19:51:49 +0000

In reply to Sylvia Pickham.

In many ways, it’s not an “either-or”. The Hallowe’en observance can both be linked to the Christian observance of All Saints’-All Souls’ AND be the “inversion ritual” described here.

By: Richard Tavender

Richard Tavender — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 06:31:36 +0000

Thanks Mike for posting this perspective on Halloween celebrations. How much does the celebration of Halloween highlight distinctions between spirituality in America and Spirituality in Australia?

By: Mike Frost

Mike Frost — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 01:22:59 +0000

In reply to Sylvia Pickham. Thanks for being so open to an alternative view.

By: Sylvia Pickham

Sylvia Pickham — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 23:45:36 +0000

I thought it was All Saints day. And yes I was judgmental as you say about what seemed to me in my uneducated mind a worship of things evil and so I appreciate the explanation from you, for it gives another view I would not have reasoned. Thank You.

By: John Longard

John Longard — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 21:54:08 +0000

Good article. I’m particularly grateful for your word rejecting the judgementalism that I hear from certain Christian groups. I think a helpful word to parents would be observe the message their children’s costume choice is sending. Quite often it’s a message of powerlessness.