Quick Philosophical Thoughts On Halloween

Vancouver-trekearth

My Enhanced Security Training exam is tomorrow morning. Basically a semester of textbook in 1.5 weeks. I aim for 100% on exams as when I likely miss a perfect mark, I am closer to passing than if I just aim for a pass, which in this case is 60%.

Therefore the short post.

No, I am not pleased with writing academic exams again!

I switched to thesis research degrees largely because I strongly reason they have more academic credibility as far as knowledge and ability to work is related fields!

Driving home from my long commute from central Burnaby, some thoughts:

I have never been that interested in Halloween, even as a young child.

I think I have always been interested in the eating chocolate bar aspect, but not into the dressing up aspect.

As a moderate conservative, Reformed Christian I can agree with some Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals, and others that are opposed to any overt occult celebration at Halloween.

However, just as there are Biblical Christians that are very committed in the range of fundamentalist as in very conservative and conservative, to moderate conservatives and moderate liberals (yes I reason there are some moderate liberal Christians that hold to Biblical essentials), a Christian could be very liberal culturally in regard to Halloween.

I would suggest that a Christian could be very liberal in regard to Halloween, as opposed to very conservative and conservative, and basically not believe in or support the occult background and nature of Halloween.

Instead Halloween can be seen as ministry opportunities both officially and unofficially to reach those in society.

To clarify, I am stating 'very liberal' in disbelief of occultic Halloween, and instead viewing the event as ministry.

I have been thinking that someone may twist my words...perhaps unintentionally.

An example would be officially:

Churches having Halloween parties tonight or Halloween/Reformation Day parties for those in the church and the public.

In particular ministering to children.

An example unofficially:

Christians being involved in what is a rare occurrence in Western society today, as in a rare family event, that many in society participate in.

Christians have the opportunity while taking children out trick or treating, or giving candies at the door to be a witness to those in society.

Even simple kindness and love from a Christian household could make a lasting positive impression.

Or by attending certain parties or events.

In particular ministering to children.

End

My professor for EST has some funny quotes. One was that as a security professional (I am not studying to be a security guard, although that is part of the course) one should never state to a child while questioning.

'Hey, kid want some candy'?

Yes, no kidding, I knew that one already...

And in Halloween tradition we ended up discussing the famous Manitoba, Greyhound bus decapitator and cannibal from a few years ago...

You may wish to skip...below the cartoon.

Google Images

Mar 05, 2009

CBC

Found not guilty...

'Greyhound bus killer found not criminally responsible'

'Vince Li has been found not criminally responsible for the unprovoked killing and beheading of fellow passenger Timothy McLean on a Greyhound bus last summer. Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench Judge John Scurfield said Thursday that Li, 40, could not be found guilty of murder and is not criminally responsible for the crime because he was mentally ill at the time of the killing.

"These grotesque acts are appalling... but are suggestive of a mental disorder," the judge said. "He did not appreciate the act he committed was wrong."

Li had pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder. Psychiatric evidence at his trial suggested he is a schizophrenic who suffered a major psychotic episode last July 30 when he fatally stabbed McLean, 22, ate some of the body parts, and cut off McLean's head. For five hours after the killing, Li wandered around on the bus, defiling the body while an RCMP tactical team waited to subdue him. Rather than go to prison, Li will be kept in a secure psychiatric facility, most likely in Selkirk, Man.'

May 23, 2012

CBS

'Greyhound cannibal interviewer: Vince Li thought he was attacking alien in beheading of Tim McLean'

'(AP) WINNIPEG, Manitoba - A Chinese immigrant who beheaded and cannibalized a fellow passenger on a Greyhound bus in western Canada four years ago thought he was attacking an alien, according to a mental health advocate who interviewed him.'

My EST professor stated paraphrased: 'Don't take the bus'.