Something to celebrate!

[girlyswot]

I don't like Hallowe'en. Sorry, everyone, but it does make my inner curmudgeon rise to the surface. I would rather be able to go to Tesco without being served by a man wearing fangs in his mouth. And although I enjoy my fictional wizards and witches, there's something about Hallowe'en that is just too close to the reality of the occult for me to find it fun. Also, I think that Trick or Treating is an extraordinary thing to encourage young children to do. Extorting sweets by threats? Um, why would you want your kids to do that? Possibly I feel this more strongly, since a boy I once taught was killed in a car accident while out trick or treating a few years ago.

But October 31st is nonetheless a special day that I like to remember in the year. It was on this day, nearly 500 years ago (1517) that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses against papal indulgences to the door of the church at Wittenburg, prompting the series of events across Europe which we now know as the Reformation. Incidentally, did you know that some of the earliest things to be printed were papal indulgences? Almost literally a licence to print money.

So, anyway, that's what I shall be celebrating today. Happy Reformation Day, everyone!

Comments

[alkari.livejournal.com]

I'm with you about Halloween generally, and especially the Trick or Treating thing with kids. Seems very strange behaviour to encourage, especially when they are also taught 'stranger danger' and to be careful of their own safety! My previous place was in a security block of flats, so I only ever had one group of kids come round (I escorted them out again, yes, mean and grumpy old me!) and my current place is tucked down a concealed driveway. But I worry about my elderly mother, though she assures me she only opens her door to the various neighbours' kids she knows.