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October 18th, 2006

Halloween

halloween items

The Bishop of Bolton has started a campaign to encourage supermarkets to give shoppers a choice of things at Halloween. He has done this (according to the Cof E website) by revealing a shocking poster. The image above is not the shocking poster that the bishop is going to reveal. It is one I found on the internet. If you want to see the Bishop’s shocking poster go to the special website.

I have to say that I am often against such initiatives because I think that when Christians protest it usually backfires and makes them look reactionary and grumpy. However, on this occasion it is being done in quite a positive way and is one of the better anti-halloween campaigns I have seen. I’m not quite sure about the ‘offering a choice’ argument as surely people can choose to buy crisps and pop if they do not want to buy masks and witches hats. The positive alternatives that the Bishop is suggesting include:

glow tubes
balloons
face paints
coloured (felt) pens
crayons
coloured scoobies
paints
coloured paper and card
bright clothes
mozaic pieces
fruit
hair braids
hair bands
friendship bracelets
books on party alternatives

Some of them are good although I cannot see the campaign being successful in persuading the supermarkets to stock fruit.

I must say though that I find the sort of violent toys that are sold in the shops at this time of year and illustrated in the picture above quite unsavoury. There is enough violence in the world as it is. Also the makers and sellers of such items need to recognise that there are a lot of stupid people out there who cannot necessarily distinguish between plastic axes and scythes and real ones. I am also against trick or treating as it relies on scaring people such as the elderly (and pets). Anyone who goes trick or treating and gets bitten by a dog (or a granny) is getting what they deserve.

In summary: I am not saying that readers of the Cartoon Blog should drive their shopping trolleys into the displays of axes and scythes in the supermarket scattering them left, right and centre. But I for one would turn a blind eye to any such misdemeanour.

Alternatively you could support the Bishop and his shocking posters.

Update: Mad Priest has been having fun with the shocking poster. Naughty fellow.

7 Comments »



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7 Responses to “Halloween”


  1. Bimble says:

    wasn’t the Bishop of Bolton the who said that Hallowe’en was scary a couple of months ago??

    October 18th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
  2. rain says:

    Ah, this is helping answer my question. So, I’m gathering that the kids get dressed up in the UK. Do the children also walk from house to house, knock on the door, and say “trick or treat!” and hope to fill their candy bag full of candy treats? If not, what’s the tradition?

    many thanks :)

    October 19th, 2006 at 8:04 am
  3. jody says:

    rain

    i, being the ‘alternative’ evangelical christian that i am, do indulge in carving a pumpkin (if i have the energy it gets a nice celtic cross, if not it might say I LOVE JESUS, which i have noted is quite effective in making sure NO-ONE turns up at your door, he he), i also make pumpkin pie, because it’s nice, not because i worship the devil.

    i have also given out christmas decorations in the shape of angels and stars – a kind of ‘focus on the light’ type thing.

    so, i reckon i’m with the bish, although i haven’t looked at his shocking poster yet.

    my door has been egged on halloween tho’. make of that what you will.

    love Jody

    October 19th, 2006 at 9:45 am
  4. Paul says:

    I was wandering along the street last night, and I was struck by the display of axes, scythes, tridents, masks etc. in one window of the greeting card shop, and in the next lots of “cute” bunnies and teddies, which are to be expressions of love and affection. Is it me, or is this just a bit weird? Or is it just another way to make money?

    Paul

    October 19th, 2006 at 10:14 am
  5. Emma says:

    We once had trick or treaters arrive on the doorstep on an earlier night than halloween because they would be away at halloween, the cheeky beggars! They were sent away empty handed.

    October 19th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
  6. Ulrich says:

    Traditionally the 31st of October is Reformation Day in Germany (in the Protestant parts). In recent years Halloween has become quite a big thing, so churches are now hitting back with their own “HalloLuther” celebrations (see for example http://www.hallo-luther.de).
    Last year we had a pumpkin with a Luther rose carved into it. Hard work! Kept away the trick-and-treaters until the 10th of November – Martin Luther’s birthday.
    (But we have special Luther sweets to keep them entertained :-)

    Ulrich

    October 20th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
  7. Pumpkin Stencils says:

    Kids go to doors for sweets yeah right we are in the 21st century they want money if they do not get you get egged.

    November 2nd, 2006 at 4:02 pm