Is halloween a religous thing and why should it not be allowed in schools?

Answer 1

For some it can be religious because tomorrow is All Saints Day and Halloween is the eve of that.
I think that it should be in schools. I know that when I was a kid we were able to dress up. We would have a parade in the schoolyard where the parents would come and watch.

Answer 2

Like Christmas, Halloween has religious origins, but plenty of people with no religious beliefs at all love to dress up and have Halloween parties and so on. Just as there is a completely secular side to Christmas, I don't see why such holidays cannot be celebrated IN THEIR SECULAR FORM in public schools. But no doubt the law is touchy on the point. Why not allow children to have a generic Winter Solstice party? That's an astronomical thing, and need not be religious. Similarly, Halloween can be celebrated as a "traditional" holiday because it actually has a dual origin; pagans regard it as the start of their year, and the day when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest. To Christians, or at least Catholics, it is All Hallows Eve; the evening before All Saint's Day, and therefore the wicked forces (witches, ghosts, dead people, all sorts of scary things that go bump in the night) have their "last chance" before the holy day. Just like Mardi Gras: the day before Catholics are to settle down (Ash Wednesday) and begin the somber season of lent.

I think kids should be allowed to have the fun part in school, but if parents object (and they do), I guess it cannot be.

Answer 3

Very few people attach any religious meaning to Halloween any more. For that matter, I don't think it was ever religious. November 1 is All Saints Day, and that would have some meaning to some religious people.

A lot of public schools don't have a huge Halloween celebration because there would be kids from poor families who could not participate as much as others. It is distracting, and the sugar high after kids eat all that candy makes teaching even harder.

It is not disallowed because of lazy teachers.

Answer 4

It's more likely that Christians in your area are blocking it being celebrated, but this is sour grapes since they can't really celebrate Christmas and other christian holidays in public schools.
Conservative Christians hate Halloween since they imagine it's some kind of satanic holiday (which is a bunch of nonsense, it's been celebrated by Christians for centures as "all saints day").
Sorry, do your trick or treating at home. Plus nobody can stop somebody from wearing a costume to school as far as I know. Check to make sure you won't be sent home or some stupid thing, which means your PTA has way too much time on its hands.

Answer 5

Yes, it’s a religious thing, but like Christmas it’s become very secular. Schools really should treat it the same as Christmas. If Christmas Vacation is now called “Holiday Vacation” or worse “Winter Break”, then the school should call Halloween, “Candy Day” or “Costume Day.” Let’s make sure to discriminate against all holidays equally.

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

Answer 6

There are some religions who don't not believe in participation of Halloween. And got very upset when their children were exposed to something that they felt was.... ummm... not holy? Anyway, we live in a PC world. Rather than offend those people, it's easier to just eliminate the practice from the schools.

Answer 7

It was actually started by Druids and has always been termed a 'pagan' celebration. The Pope actually created 'All Saints Day' as a counter to this pagan celebration.

I think it should be allowed in schools! It has become a secular holiday so why can't everyone enjoy it?? 99% of kids really look forward to dressing up and trick-or-treating- it's a big deal. Talk about stifiling free speech... I think they should ditch the 'Autumn' party and bring it back to the 'Halloween' party!!!!!

Answer 8

The only possible reason I would see for not allowing it in schools is because people take Halloween as an opportunity to dress really inappropriately (slutty for girls, scary or oversexual for guys), and school is still school. Imagine trying to learn something when there is a giant Penis sitting next to you!

Answer 9

Some people consider it religious but the majority do not. If halloween were banned from schools on religious grounds then so should chistmas, saint valentine's day, saint patrick's day, and easter. Heck, you could even argue that april fool's day is religious because it came about from pagan rituals to celebrate the new year.

Answer 10

For me, it is a religious holiday. I personally miss the way things were done in schools when I was a kid. Kids could dress up for Halloween, if they wanted. The Pledge of Allegience was recited in schools. Those whom it was against their beliefs for any of this simply stayed respectfully quiet until it was done. No one's feelings were ever hurt.