What is the big deal with Halloween?

Question

It is wrong to "DO" Halloween. Why do so many people participate in this nonsense.

Answer 1

Because some people don't realize the consequences of their actions. As Christians, we should not participate in something that does not glorify God--it glorifies Satan and all his followers. Parents justify it by saying it's just going out and getting candy--it's all in fun for the kids---but isn't that compromising our christianity??

Answer 2

The term Halloween, and its older spelling Hallowe'en, is shortened from All-hallow-even, as it is the evening before "All Hallows' Day"[2] (also known as "All Saints' Day"). In Ireland, the name was All Hallows' Eve (often shortened to Hallow Eve), and though seldom used today, it is still a well-accepted label. The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries and given a Christian interpretation.[citation needed] Halloween is also called Pooky Night in some parts of Ireland, presumably named after the púca, a mischievous spirit.

Halloween is often associated with the occult. Many European cultural traditions hold that Halloween is one of the liminal times of the year when the spiritual world can make contact with the physical world and when magic is most potent (e.g. Catalan mythology about witches, Irish tales of the Sídhe).

Answer 3

I love Halloween. Wondering around in the dark this time of year aways gives me a chill b/c of it. As for participating I do it b/c it's fun like going to a amusment park. I just think those that have problem with it using religous reasson are little nutty. B/c it's just a day to do something fun thats all it has nothing to with Sining anymore.

Answer 4

Now you're just being silly, my dear. Halloween is fun. It was originally the Celtic New Year, when the old year ended and thenew began. That's where the Christian problems with it comes in...it was pagan...ooooooo It's fun. let the children (and us adults) just have fun with it. If you don't like it, don't participate. other than that, I'm going as a killer Bunny. Toodles!

Answer 5

I live for just such a nonsensical night when I can put all cares aside and delight in being someone other than *me*. It's fun, the kids get to beg for candy, everyone is in festive spirits...what could possibly be wrong with a little harmless fun?

Answer 6

Halloween did not become a holiday in America until the 19th century, where lingering Puritan tradition meant even Christmas was scarcely observed before the 1800s. North American almanacs of the late 18th and early 19th centuries make no mention of Halloween in their lists of holidays.[7] The transatlantic migration of nearly two million Irish following the Irish Potato Famine (1845–1849) brought the holiday and its customs to America. Scottish emigration from the British Isles, primarily to Canada before 1870 and to the United States thereafter, brought that country's own version of the holiday to North America.

When the holiday was observed in 19th-century America, it was generally in three ways. Scottish-American and Irish-American societies held dinners and balls that celebrated their heritages, with perhaps a recitation of Robert Burns' poem "Halloween" or a telling of Irish legends, much as Columbus Day celebrations were more about Italian-American heritage than Columbus. Home parties would center around children's activities, such as bobbing for apples and various divination games, particularly about future romance. And finally, pranks and mischief were common on Halloween.

Commercial exploitation of Halloween in America did not begin until the 20th century.




Halloween is a tradition celebrated on the night of October 31, most notably by children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door collecting sweets. It is celebrated in parts of the Western world, though most common in Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, Ireland, and with increasing popularity in Australia, and sometimes celebrated in New Zealand. Halloween originated among the Celts in Ireland, Britain and France as the Pagan Celtic harvest festival, Samhain. Irish, Scots, Calan Gaeaf in Welsh and other immigrants brought versions of the traditions to North America in the 19th century. Most other Western countries have embraced Halloween as a part of American pop culture in the late 20th century.

The term Halloween, and its older spelling Hallowe'en, is shortened from All-hallow-even, as it is the evening before "All Hallows' Day" (also known as "All Saints' Day"). In Ireland, the name was All Hallows' Eve (often shortened to Hallow Eve), and though seldom used today, it is still a well-accepted label. The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries and given a Christian interpretation.Halloween is also called Pooky Night in some parts of Ireland, presumably named after the púca, a mischievous spirit.

Halloween is often associated with the occult. Many European cultural traditions hold that Halloween is one of the liminal times of the year when the spiritual world can make contact with the physical world and when magic is most potent (e.g. Catalan mythology about witches, Irish tales of the Sídhe).

Answer 7

I live in Indiana so we celebrate everything there's never anything to do here and during halloween there are haunted houses, movies come out, we go to kings island, and we get to get out of the house and do stuff I love it.

Answer 8

...Beats me. We never wanted to participate in anything that even resembled a day homage to Satan. We always found some alternative to Halloween (church Harvest/Fall Festivals) for our kids, or else took them out somewhere for ice cream.
...This year, I am giving out tracts and candy, while my wife and kids go to our church's Fall Festival and serve, which is a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treat activities, and great way to reach out to neighbor kids, also.

Answer 9

How is it wrong? Expand your question.

It's culturally important, it's good to remember the past and the things that were important to our ancestors. And this holiday signals not only the beginning of the winter and dark times but a time to remember those that have died and what they gave us. We have stories and tales that may seem a bit silly in this day and age but they are still important to remember.

Answer 10

What gives you thr right to put down an important holiday that is steeped in tradition AND is great fun? If you want nothing to do with it, fine, but leave the rest of us alone to do as we wish, you ignorant fool.

Here, attempt to educate yourself.

http://www.history.com/minisites/halloween/