 |
| Say No To Valentine's Day |
VALENTINE'S DAY: ADOLESCENCE‘S RITUAL OF LOVE
February 14th has become a special day awaited by teenagers in the world, including teenagers in Indonesia. They already believe today as a day of love that must be filled with special celebrations. Starting from exchanging gifts, expressing love, kissing, to free sex is an activity that also colors valentine's day.
History of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day, which is now interpreted as a day of love, does not just show up and be celebrated. There are several versions of the origin of Valentine's Day. The first version, according to The World Book Encyclopedia (1998) notes that the history of Valentine's Day stems from a belief in Europe. This ancient belief says that male and female love birds began to blossom on February 14. The birds choose their mates that day. Based on ancient beliefs among the people of Europe at the time, they then suggested that young people choose their partners on the same day as the love of male and female flowers blossoming. Especially in Normandy, there is the word Gelantine which means love. The sound equation between Gelantine and Valentine is the basis for determining the day of love.
The second version, connects Valentine’s Day with a priest. According to some historians that Valentine's Day was adopted from the name of a priest named Saint Valentine. He was captured by emperor Claudius II for claiming his Lord was Jesus. He also refused to worship the gods of the Romans. The emperor then ordered him to be imprisoned and ultimately sentenced to hang. People who sympathize with him, then write a letter about their love for the prayer of the pastor. The letter was then displayed and tied to the former prison bars.
While the third version refers to a feast by the ancient Romans called Lupercalia. This is the strongest version that is believed to be the truth up to now. Lupercalia is a series of purification in ancient Rome. A special ceremony is dedicated to remembering and glorifying the goddess of love (Queen of Feverish Love) named Junointangata. At the party, the young men took the girl's name in a box at random. The name of the girl he took earlier became his companion for a year for fun.
Shifting Meanings of Valentine’s Day
Over time, in 496 Pope Gelasius I turned this ceremony into a day of church celebrations under the name Saint Valentine’s Day. The ceremony in honor of the dead Saint Valentine was hung by emperor Claudius. He was hanged for violating the emperor's rules forbidding young men to get married. Emperor Claudius argued that a young and bachelor soldier was stronger on the battlefield. Unmarried men are more patient in surviving war than married soldiers. Therefore, the emperor ordered to forbid men to get married. However, Saint Valentine opposed the policy. He believes that young people still need to have ample room to vent their love desires. He then secretly married many young women.
Since the ancient Romans knew Christianity, this feast of love (the feast of Lupercalia) was associated with the ceremony of the death of Saint Valentine. After Pope Gelasius set February 14 as a date of respect for Saint Valentine, then finally this celebration took place continuously every year until now. Today is used as a moment to exchange messages of love and place Saint Valentine as a symbol of the sower of love. Valentine's Day is marked by sending each other poems and gifts such as flowers, chocolates and sugar caves. Valentine's Day is also filled with gatherings, dance parties, drinking alcohol to sex parties. In short, this celebration of affection is dedicated to glorifying Saint Valentine, which is considered a symbol of fortitude, submission, and courage in the fight for love.
A Teen's Attitude
Then how should be the attitude of adolescents, especially young Muslims toward 14th of February: Valentine's Day? Should they join in the celebration? Of course, the answer is big NO. Because Valentine’s Day is against Islamic values. Valentine’s Day originates from paganism of idol worshipers. Valentine’s Day has actually been demeaning and narrowing the meaning of love. Love is not limited to chocolate, roses, greeting cards, kisses and free sex. Valentine’s Day also narrows down love and affection for just one day. Yet in Islam, compassion needs to be actualized at all times and in every place. We are even commanded to spread compassion to all humans respecting Haram and Halaal relationships.
Say No To Valentine's Day
0 Comments