I remember seeing something on TV with Richard Dawkins about how big religion is in the US, and there was an amazingly high statistic about the percentage of the population that believed in angels. Viewed through the eyes of someone with no religious belief at all, it seemed staggering and distinctly strange. So its not surprising that Halloween is seen as a threat in some circles.

Yeah, I saw a poll about that a while back. If I remember correctly, it was somewhere around 80%. I've lived in Utah nearly my entire life, and spent a good amount of (bad) time being Mormon, so that number doesn't sound too weird to me. It does seem quite strange when comparing it to other countries though.
I'd call Mormons pretty extreme on the religion spectrum, but at least 94% still celebrate Halloween. Halloween parties are even hosted in the churches. There are always a few people that believe anything fun must be a sin though. Luckily only a few.

And then it can be resurrected with lightning after watching...?
I've been fascinated by vudu.com, since I managed to sort the region lock with mediahint :)
Unfortunately it doesn't have that big a collection, but there are some good films.

Its surprising how many 'horror films' aren't horror films. All of the psycho thrillers get put in the same place as the horror stuff and then they 'become' horror films. The current GOG sale is the same. Still, there looks like some appropriate movie titles there to keep you chewing your knuckles :-)
Religion's a curious thing for me. I've never been compelled to take it up, yet I can see why a lot of people get comfort and a kind of understanding from it. As long as its passive and accepting of others' beliefs then it isn't a problem.

Don't you have something better five days from now? You actually get to set fire to stuff.
Dawkins cracks me up. Not him though, the nutcases he interviews.

Well mormons aren't the only ones who can be dicks about Halloween. I just read about how the Bishop of Cádiz forbade a Halloween themed children's party on grounds of it being satanic.

I didn't really have a choice. My parents, and theirs, and theirs were all Mormons. I stopped believing in anything remotely religious at all about 6-7 years ago, and I'm much happier this way.
I'm fine with anyone believing whatever they want, if they are accepting of others... but I find that is not often the case here. Every friend I've ever had is a Mormon, which makes me a bit of an outcast at times. They say they are accepting, but at the same time they try to convert (or re-convert) me. I know there are quite a few topics that I can't talk about with them, because while they say they don't judge people, I think they really do.
Damn, I haven't even been to a single friend's (or even sibling's) wedding, because I can't enter the temple if I'm not a practicing and worthy Mormon :-\ Now that I think of it... I've never been to a wedding in my entire life ô__ô

Well... I'm rambling :-p

Spiritually I believe agnosticism is the best way to go. But for everyday life, full atheism baby!

I really don't understand the flak agnostics get from both sides though. It seems the most tolerant and even rational point of view.

wow, now installing Deadly Premonition... 6.6 GB... that might be a nice halloween's midnight game :)

to try to add something to the on-going talk: I'd be happier if all the religions and spiritual systems and atheists of the world could become tolerant of all the other religions and belief thingies, that would be a nice thing to do.

Yeah, Mormon bishops are not that mean. It's usually just a few "fringe" Mormons that are that crazy.
I do hear about other (usually small) religious groups that forbid Halloween every year, but I can't recall which ones.

Mormons have bishops? I thought they modelled themselves after the protestant hierarchy, which isn't.
Also, that bishop's probably a hardcase who still remembers the good old times.

Yes, we do! \o/ Guy Fawkes Night might well be my highlight of the year - sorry, Halloween, I love you, but Guy Fawkes Night is terrific :-)

I agree. Some of the fruitcakes he's talked to are astonishing, and rarely in a good/safe way.

Such blinkered bullshit makes me dislike religion deeply. All of that interference in peoples' lives, and its attitude that it can butt in on any subject and put forth an opinion that deserves respect and should be listened to. Sickening.
Hugs from the UK to Finland :-) You got the Halloween fever too :-)
I admire you for breaking free of your indoctrination (however well-intentioned it might have been) and applaud you for remaining yourself. Unfortunately religion can be very two-faced - I've experienced this myself. Its just another thing to rise above.

Yeah, I think they are totally different from other bishops though. A Mormon bishop presides over a "ward" (usually about 100-300 people.) They aren't paid, so they have to keep their regular job. They don't dress or act differently from anyone else. Mostly they deal with organizational stuff, and are just "there" as a helpful person to all the members, giving spiritual advice when they need it. As far as I know, they don't really have any kind of "extra power" that a regular member does not.
I don't really know anything about protestantism, but I know that parts of Mormonism are based on Freemasonry.

Agnostics think for themselves - this is why they're attacked by much of the religious community. Likewise atheists.
Spoken like a true believer! :P And I agree :-)

and now... for something completely different ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7gu2beGJ4I
*hugs to you all*

Well, I didn't really have to do much. Electroconvulsive-therapy did half the work :-p