Saluting souls | The Columbus Dispatch

Leticia Vazquez-Smith of the Latino Arts for Humanity, sponsor of the event, lights a candle at an altar.

[amazed]

I find it remarkable that someone at the Dispatch was assigned to do a story on the pagan beliefs of some regarding a pagan activity. More so that our government school employees (teachers) are promoting it. Reading between the lines this story illustrates again how Roman Catholicism merged with pagan practices to meld all together. I suppose now that central Ohio has so many immigrants (illegal and legal) from Latin America we will have more and more of this sort of thing. The ancient indigenous people of Mexico referred to in this article, why are we supposed to practice their pagan beliefs? Are we supposed to also believe the dead return and roam the earth? Or are we just to pretend we believe it and go through the rituals? Are these beliefs still held? Clearly they are. Does school teacher Rondot promote this to her captive audience? Hoholik ended her article on a very approving note.

[Phil Theeju]

This agenda of promoting mexican culture is getting old quickly. And that's what is is, an agenda. There are scores of other cultures, and especially our own traditional culture, that are more important to us. This is a getting to be a steady drumbeat and given the obvious problem with illegal immigration, is only an encouragement to more of that. Day of the Dead is only celebrated in backward, third world nations. It celebrates superstition and death. It is a corruption and syncretism of pagan and Christian beliefs but certainly not Christian. And certainly not American. But on with your agenda.

[Shaking my head]

Honoring the dead, honors the living! So many today think they as just another link in the genealogy have the right to decide who doesn't get to be born. Sorry to nag but abortion is the greatest evil in our society today. Notice how it has affected attitudes toward all human life and created a self centered and ugly society.

[Shaking my head]

amazed wrote:

(teachers) are promoting it. Reading between the lines this story illustrates again how Roman Catholicism merged with pagan practices to meld all together. I suppose now that central Ohio has so many immigrants (illegal and legal) from Latin America we will have more and more of this sort of thing.

What a shame that you can't see the forest for the trees. Whatever you may be, atheist or self righteous anti Catholic which is so common today because the "true" Catholics refuse to bow down to the secular society slowly eating away at our culture and souls. Remember, these Illegals will replace most of the "white and Anglo" society. It might just be a good thing!!!!

[dal]

day of the dead is my all time favorite holiday

[traveler]

Are there any caucasian festivals or holiday's celebrated in U.S. these during the year?
Seriously it seems every minority in this country has at least two a year.
If there is one I'm someone from one of the minorities will protest it
ENOUGH!!!!!!

[curious]

Do Roman Catholics believe the dead return and roam the earth? I did not know that. But then they do pray to dead people do they not? This practice, putting food and drink and flowers and such on an altar, it seems quite primitive to me. Primitive and pagan. I understand some statues are dressed up and carried around in processions in certain countries. Hard to fathom in the twenty-first century.

[Bob]

Last I looked, this was the United States of America, not the United States of Mexico. Why is it that we have to celebrate other countries' holidays such as this and cinco de mayo. Do you think any other country celebrates our July 4th Independence Day? Not likely. I am not a racist. I am a proud citizen of the USA who is tired of seeing our traditions eroded. English is the language of the USA, not spanish. It's time that we, as citizens of the USA, take a stand.

[Iztel]

OMG, wrong statement if you remember that Spanish was before English in this USA territory. I think USA should recognized Spanish and English as a first languages=bilingual country. It will be good to remember that this country is a mix of many different cultures. Also just to clarify Mexico is in North America and the continent is called America and we are people from the USA. Welcome everybody, welcome diversity!

[shannon]

CHABBLALABBA DING DONG!!!!!! comma comma comma celimion!