"All Souls Day"? Nov. 2nd?

Question

What religion is this?
I was told that, they pray for the dead's souls so they may go to heaven. I was told it is not Christianity, as Jesus said in the Bible to "leave the dead to the dead".
So, I'm confused as to what religion honors this day. And any facts about it you can share. Thanks.

Answer 1

its a catholic thing i'm guessing or a pagan

Answer 2

You should be better informed. Most of the answers are correct. Commemorating such a day is a Catholic way of honoring those who have passed away although it has no biblical base.
They believe there is a place in between hell and heaven called PURGATORY where souls go to purge their sins after death. If people pray hard enough for their salvation, according to Catholic tradition, then these souls can go to the presence of God.
Right! Once you die, that's it, there's no going back. No one can change your destination. You either go to Heaven or to hell. You will be held responsible of all your actions here on earth; that's what God's judgment day is about. So says the Bible.
By the way, this day is celebrated every November 2nd (To Spanish-speakers it is known as "el día de todos los muertos" = "all deadmen's day"). All Saints' Day is celebrated the day before and it has a different origin and purpose. Non-catholics think it is the same celebration but it is not.

Answer 3

I know that both the Catholic and Anglican denominations observe All Souls (Saints) Day. Many Hispanic cultures actively embrace it as a time for the family to celebrate those who have gone before. It was also observed by various European pre-christian faiths as a form of reverence for those who had passed away. It usually occurred during the close of the harvest and seen as a time to give comfort to the dead. For the Celts if was a three day period that made up a transitional thirteenth month that heralded the new year.

Answer 4

Jesus statement, "let the dead bury the dead" has nothing to do with the ancient Jewish practice of praying for the dead. Jesus was talking about priorities and entering the priesthood.

Christians carried on this Jewish tradition because Christianity is a fulfilment of Judaism, not the end of it, and most Christian/Jewish practices, which are still held fast by Catholics, were abandoned during the Protestant revolt. The Book of Maccabbees was thrown out by Martin Luther for this reason, prayers for the dead did not suit his opinions. Today, Jews have the 11 month prayers of mourning for the dead, called the Kaddish prayers.

The burial site of the Christians who were thrown to the lions in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd centuries are called the Roman catacombs. Prayers for the dead are carved into the walls and cannot be easily dismissed.

Your question involves 4 topics.
Purgatory
Prayers for the dead.
Intercession of the saints.
All Souls Day

Due to the complexity of your question, I will refer to some links:
Purgatory:
A list of supporting citations, followed by a brief exegesis of the text. Please note, purgatory does not pay for sins, Jesus on the cross pays for our sins. Purgatory pays for the consequences of our sins that we missed paying for on earth.
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/purgatory.html
Is Purgatory Found in the Bible?
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0511sbs.asp
http://www.catholic.com/library/purgatory.asp
Why Pray for the Dead?
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Nov2000/Wiseman.asp#F1

Answer 5

Many cultures believe in praying for their loved ones that have passed away.

As a way to Christianize this practice and keep God in the picture the Catholic Church has made the day after "All Saints' Day", Nov. 2nd, "All Souls' Day".

Check out the 2nd paragraph in the article/link below to get the history of it...

Answer 6

it is catholicism they pray for the souls of the dead.

Answer 7

it started off as a pagan celibration .. and was " adopted " by the Catholic church
as are many celibrations in religion