Hi Herb, I agree with you 100% That's exactly what I was trying to convey. That events like halloween have merely become cultural traditions that rarely reflect the original meaning or significance of them. At the same time, the day one celebration is over, whatever it is, you walk into any store (Wal-Mart) and they are already preparing us for the next. The other problem, as you point out, is that it is often difficult for many of us, myself included, to celebrate Easter, Christmas, etc., and pass down the spiritual significance when we are of a secular orientation. So, what drives us? As you say, mass consumerism!
Mike On Thu, 23 Oct 2003, Herb Coleman wrote: > > > > > >Subject: Re: applying psychology to halloween > >From: "Michael Lee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2003 11:22:36 -0500 > >X-Message-Number: 10 > > > >I often wondered this myself, but now, as a dad of a year-three-old, > >I have to start playing the game! But the same goes for many such > >traditions we celebrate (Easter, Thanksgiving, Xmas, Birthdays, etc., etc.). > >Is it simply the strong transmission of cultural traditions that are > >passed down over generations (sometimes with variations and mutations) > >coupled with the economic factor exploited by corporations and manufacturers > >of products that we tend to buy up during these times that perpetuates these > >traditions? It would also be informative to compare how "we" (Western > >cultures generally) celebrate these events relative to other cultures. > > > Michael, as one who now has to transmit these traditions to third > generation (read grandfather) I have noticed that without spiritual or > significant cultural grounding many of our traditions have become hollow > exercise in mass consumerism. It has become so ingrained in our society > that now many people can think of celebrating Christmas without Santa, > Easter with out chocolate or Thanksgiving without football. All of > these things CAN add to the festiveness of the holidays (Holy Days???) > but when they become the center of the occasion the real meaning is > lost. It is up to each of us who hand down the tradition to determine > how to ensure the meaningfulness an spiritual significance of these > occasions. > > Just my $0.02 > > > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
