Traditions used to be much worse

It was odd to read that “Some Christians balk at Halloween on Sunday” (The Herald, Oct. 29) and then shift their celebration to Saturday to avoid celebrating a pagan event on God’s day.

Sunday, named for the Sun, is still being called God’s Day, although the Jewish Sabbath is Saturday.

Saturday, in the English language, is named after the Roman God of agriculture, Saturn. In other languages it is called Bathing Day or Laugir Dag, not because it became the habitual bathing day of the citizens but of their god or goddess.

The first century Roman historian Tacitus tells of the worship of the goddess Nerthus and the celebration and the bathing of the goddess whose final act was the drowning of her attendants at the bath because they had viewed the naked goddess. Thank God we have dropped some of the original Halloween traditions but retained the fun ones.

FINN HEDIN

Everett

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, April 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

The Washington state Capitol building in February. (Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard)
Editorial: Lawmakers puzzle over taxes, cuts and consequences

With the governor balking at one tax proposal, lawmakers look for balance among cuts and revenue.

Longshoremen offload containers from the Queen B at Port Manatee in Palmetto, Fla., April 1, 2025. Businesses that had ordered the cargo on the vessel were doing all they could to get their purchases through U.S. customs before Wednesday, to ensure that they would not have to pay the new, higher levies. (Scott McIntyre/The New York Times)
Comment: Trading tariffs for global uncertainty

What the highest tariffs in decades could mean for U.S. maufacturing, jobs and the economy.

Courts must review federal actions for detention, deportation

Why is the president of the United States of America being allowed… Continue reading

If government cuts services, keep our tax dollars in state

With all the federal government’s recent firings of American workers, several problems… Continue reading

U.S. is a republic and a democracy; if we can keep it

In regards to the debate as to whether our government is a… Continue reading

U.S. is alienating its allies

It used to be that other countries sometimes didn’t like us, but… Continue reading

Skip the stories on luxury homes

I think it’s nice the New York Times wrote a piece about… Continue reading

What’s purpose of obscuring history by scrubbing websites?

The war against DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) has gone too far.… Continue reading

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Senator Maria Cantwell walk through the Lynnwood Center Station to board the 12:30 pm train during the Lynnwood 1 Line extension opening celebrations on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Transit board, new CEO have much to deliver

Sound Transit’s board hired one of its own as chief. The stakes for success are high for all involved.

Everett mayor Cassie Franklin delivers her State of the City address on Friday, March 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Editorial: The state of Everett amid the state of play

In her state of the city speech, Mayor Cassie Franklin makes the case for optimism amid dark clouds.

Genna Martin / The Herald
Piles of wires, motherboards and other electronic parts fill boxes at E-Waste Recycling Center, Thursday. 
Photo taken 1204014
Editorial: Right to repair win for consumers, shops, climate

Legislation now in the Senate would make it easier and cheaper to fix smartphones and other devices.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.