Halloween...Why do Christians celebrate Halloween when most of them are so against Paganism?

Question

All saints day is Nov. 1st. It was All Hallows eve and ended up being Halloween, which is what I consider Samhain. I didn't mean to classify "ALL" christians. Many of them though Thank you for you opinions!

I celebrate Christmas out of respect of the Christian members of my family.

oh wow. I know Pope Gregory started a trend in Catholicism by moving "All Saints Day" to November 1 in an effort to put a religious spin on a pagan holiday that was not going away. It originated from the Pagans though......not the Christians.

Answer 1

You are right! For that reason I do not celebrate Christmas, Halloween or certain other holidays. They are based on paganism. Christmas is not even mentioned in the Bible....nor is the date of Jesus Christ's birth. Jesus Christ came for the message, or the gospel, not for people to celebrate his birth! And if you do any research on modern hoildays, you'll find that almost all of them are based on paganistic rituals. Actually, some religions are as well.
Most people could care less if it is paganistic, and even more of them probably don't know any better.
Did you know that Christmas was actually only started in the United States in like the 1800's in the state of Alabama? I think it was actually against the law before.

Answer 2

Alot of Christians that celebrate Halloween haven't done much research into the History of it. Most are aware that it was at some point All Saint's Eve, and then All Hallows Eve. They do not, however realize the practices that used to go with it- townsepeople did disguise themselves, and then they went through the village, and actually tortured random people... or at least, that is my understanding (Somehow, I think this is misinformation though).

The reason so many Christians celebrate it is the same reason so many Pagans did long ago- Because at one poit in time, Christians had to Celebrate it so that the Pagans would stop going to Samhain. It was one of the Churches tactics for converting Pagans.

So, for amny , it is a tradition that has been passed down the generations from when the Roman Empire invaded Europe and started converting as many people as it could.

Answer 3

I celebrate Halloween as a commerical "holiday" just as some atheists might celebrate Christmas. Christianity has adapted so many non-Christian events to their needs (and vice versa) that I don't see what the problem is.

Catholic Fact - The Feast of All Saints (All Saints Day) is November 1, not October 31. The name halloween actually comes from this - All Hallow'ds Eve. That time of the year is rich in meaning to a lot of groups. Hey, we can all share, can't we?

Answer 4

All Hallow's Eve is actually a christian holiday to pray for your departed ancestors and help them get into heaven. It was merged with some superstitions that said the departed join us again for 1 night out of the year and people used to set out food for the departed. People also were concerneed that enemies they had in life or malicious spirits (devils, demons) would attempt to harm them and their ancestors onthis night so the practive of the jack-o-latern being used to scare them off was born (along with other traditions). Another part of the ritual was staying up all night to be with your ancestors and dining. Eventually this developed into street parties that people used as an excuse to get drunk. These parties were so bad that the Puritans refused to celebrate the holiday when they came to the New World. Immigrants from Europe renewed the traditions and it took an American twist with the adoption of costumes. Candy for children replaced food for the dead and a new form of the holiday became the one we know today. Oddly, certain christians are opposing halloween as a pagan festival and instead holding harvest festivals. This is actually what the non-christians were celebrating while the christians celebrated halloween so it would appear that what they detest most they have embraced.

Answer 5

Thats a good question. How can you say your a christian and celebrated a pagan holiday? That sounds really hipacritical to me. Seems like some christians are making up their own rules instesd of adhearing to the Bible and Gods rules. Jehovah Wittnesses do not celebrate any pagan related holiday and they profess to be christians . Do you think that there is alot of false religian going on in chrisidom? I do. Look around more than you already have. Jehovah wittnessses have the true religan going on.

Answer 6

As a Christian, I would like to know the answer to that also. I celebrated as a child, and went trick or treating, we had little money and that night we got free candy. After I got saved and grown, I learned about the pagan roots and quit celebrating it. I know some churches have an alternative. I also wonder way non Christians celebrate Christmas.

Answer 7

Halloween is a contraction of "All Hallow's Eve", a Christian celebration of everything hallowed (sacred). With homes and churches "hallowed ground", no evil demons/spirits, ect. could enter.
The celebration of demons locked out in the dark got twisted over the years into kids in costumes hunting candy.

Answer 8

because halloween is not a pagan holiday.

Saween or Samhien would be the pagan holiday that happens around that time of year.

the christians , in their tradition of laying their holidays on top of the pagan holidays placed "all saints eve" near the end of october to be near to the pagan holiday. and then started customs that were similar so that they could win more converts...

i find it funny that the converts just inserted their customs and traditions into the christian holidays and now we have millions of christians keeping Pagan colture alive today.. the meek shall inherit the earth.

Answer 9

Many Christians do not celebrate Halloween but do celebrate All Saints Day. Are you to be praised because you condescend to celebrate Christmas out of respect to family members? That's a rather solicitous act on your part. Not very sincere to say the least.

Chow!!

Answer 10

Many Christians realize that Halloween is a pagan celebration, yet recognize it for the joy of costumes, food and joy of having a party.

They aren't being hypocritical, it is just that Christians with children give out and receive candy freely. The adults enjoy masquerade parties for the fun of dressing up, not to honor Satan in secret. Honest!