Halloween Ramblings

I don't know if I am getting more prude or more spiritual awake as I get older or both but I have an increasing dislike for the acceptability of violence and vulgarity in our society. I go to the video store to rent a movie, at least half of them are brain dead, no pun intended, violent slasher movies, there seems to be no end to this genre because more keep popping up all the time and I can't figure out where the ideas come from. I don't mind a good scary movie, I like the good mind trippers like Silence of the Lamb, Seven, 8mm and the like and even the Exorcist for it's ground breaking subject, plus Hitchcock movies where brilliant. I don't mind some of the vampire stuff if there is a good plot behind it, True Blood series is really great. The old horror flicks are a treat too. But it seems we are bombarded with violence for the sake of violence and it just isn't horror movies. I have had a beef with a lot of actions movies as well because they lack substance and it is all about killing for no reason other than some person or group is bad, the bad are killed in mass volume with as much blood, gore and graphic violence as possible. Vulgarity is another form of violence in my opinion, I am not going all PC here campers but the lack common decencies is becoming appalling, when women are looked upon and nothing more than play things to be used and thrown away, when is common fair to trash peoples religion, sexual orientation, culture and values for the sake of a good laugh, I have to disagree with the status quo. Alright jokes about bodily functions gone array and sexual innuendos are funny but not every 10 minutes of a 2 hour movie It is violent in the sense that we have dumbed down our society. I am not saying that the works of Plato, Voltaire, or other philosophers and idealist need to be made for the big screen, I am just saying it is disturbing to me that it is getting harder and harder to find a good movie that is funny or thrilling without an over abundance of violence or vulgarity in them. I won't even write about popular video games, most of those make me sick.

When society becomes dumbed down the reality of the real violence in the world lacks the concern it deserves. When the reality of a real wars seem as harmless as video games, movies or music, or even the talking heads of the media, it is disturbing. When young kids and people in general are so desensitized to violence that they kill, harm and rape without any real conscience thought to the ugly nature of what they are doing something is wrong. When people in the workplace glorify such entertainment, I feel we have lost our moral compass. I don't have any answers towards fixing this problem. Some would say we need more religion and need to elect politicians with more values, some would say more censorship, I honestly can't agree completely with either of these because when a government dictates choices to a the people we no longer have a democracy we have a Totalitarian state. My humble view is that those of us that disagree with this social norm whether we be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Pagan, Agnostic, Atheists, or what ever, need to humbly voice our displeasure. With compassion we teach our children, grandchildren about why this is wrong. When we are with others we can address this in a non-aggressive way be saying we don't agree and state the reason why without getting into an argument. We have the power of the purse, we don't rent, buy or put money in the pockets of those who profit from things we don't agree with. When the young people want music, games or movies that have context we feel that is offensive we simple say no and explain to them our reason and we give them an example by the way we act and behave. Alright maybe I do I an answer but it is the answer for Scott and not for you. I am not naive campers, I don't believe we can change society over night and maybe not even in the time I have left on mother earth but I do feel my actions have an effect on my daughter and granddaughter which in turn has an effect on their friends. The examples of Gandhi, Jesus, Buddha, Dr. King, Nelson Mandela, John Lennon, Bob Marley, Mother Teresa, the Diary of Anne Frank and others are very much alive and well today because people still believe in a civil and peaceful world, negative entertainment hasn't killed them which is a good sign. I pray they continue to live on and will do my part to keep their flames burning.

All this violence and vulgarity is reflected at Halloween. Yes I like the macabre in and fun and healthy way but I take it as a joke. I forget that a lot of people are really fascinated and obsessed with the macabre in unhealthy ways. When look at all the costumes that reflect characters from slasher movies that are available for kids, when I see raw sex on display for adult costumes I have to scratch my head in wonder. Yes adults have the right to wear as much or as little clothing as they choice at Halloween or any other day of the year for that matter but are all these adults responsible enough to say to the young people it is not appropriate for them to wear such provocative clothing. I saw some very skimpy costumes aimed preteen and teenager girls which makes me sick. These children are not mature enough to understand the implications nor the consequences of overtly sexual costumes, crap I don't think some adults are mature enough their. I saw horribly realistic costumes for very young children depicting the worst of the mass murders from movies. Jason, Michael Meyers, Freddie Kruger and the rest are replacing Superman, Batman, pirates, knights and the like as the costumes of choice, o.k. Harry Potter is still a biggie kudos for that. Pirates, cowboys, indians, knights and the super heroes are not non-violent but there was a since of civility about the way they behaved at least or maybe I am just blowing smoke up my nostalgic butt. Honestly I love Halloween, I love seeing the little princesses, football players, walking cartoon characters and even the monsters from days of old walking the streets. I just have this disagreement with other aspects of the holiday and I am taking the liberty to voice it on my blog.

Yeah maybe I am getting old. Maybe I need to park my butt on the shelf next to Twain, Steinbeck, To Kill a Mockingbird, Casablanca, the Wizard of Oz, the Princess Bride, and any number of movies, books, or recordings that reflect my values and ethics. But I have think would Buddha, Jesus, Gandhi, King Arthur and the rest given up, the answer is no, not that I can make a change like they did, but I can make a small change maybe in the microcosm that is my universe. In the end it is about trusting the God of my understanding and doing a bit of footwork to change the things I can't accept and yes to know the difference.

Sorry campers if this has been a boring and strange post, a subject that many may think is much to do about nothing. It has been on my mind for a while now and this morning I read a great post by Jamie Lee Curtis voicing much of the same, yes the same actress who made a living starting in a couple of slasher movies, she has some regrets about them now, anyway her post fired up my muse.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween and weekend!!! I will be sober tonight and I hope everyone else is also.

Peace Love and Light and a special Namaste for those that understand.
May the sunlight of the Spirit shine upon each of us.
Scott