A Controversial Question: Why Do We Celebrate Halloween?
Halloween has been around for thousands of years, taking one form or another. In the ancient times, it was a very serious series of festivals and rituals that were vital to the cultures of the time. Today, it is a silly and seemingly harmless holiday that young children love to celebrate. So why is it that some people do not want to celebrate Halloween? This is just one side of the great debate over the Halloween holiday.
A Happy, Harmless Holiday
One side of the issue says it doesn't matter why we celebrate Halloween-it is a fun holiday, and children love having the opportunity to dress up and get lots and lots of candy. Though Halloween might have once had pagan origins, it is primarily a commercial holiday in this day and age. People spend $6.9 billion dollars on Halloween every year, whether it is on candy or decorations. It is a wonderful way to get spooked and have some fun!
Only for Heathens
Other people have problems with why we celebrate Halloween. Those that usually have a problem with the holiday tend to have religious concerns. According to some, Halloween is a pagan holiday that contradicts Christianity. Others call it the holiday of the devil. While it is easy to see why Halloween has gotten such a reputation, people who do not like why we celebrate Halloween for religious reasons are disregarding some very important facts.
A Religious Component
Whether you know it or not, Halloween does, in fact, have a religious component. It is the night before All Saint's Day, and it was long believed that the dead returned to the earth on October 31. Many of the symbols commonly associated with Halloween have religious origins: a black cat, for example, was long thought to be reincarnated people with the ability to see into the future. While the religious aspect might not be why we celebrate Halloween today, it is certainly something that should not be forgotten.
What Is the Verdict?
Regardless of the Christian component of Halloween, the debate over why we celebrate Halloween is likely to continue. Some children will ring doorbells once a year seeking treats and others will be required by their parents to not leave the house on this evening. The reasons that we celebrate Halloween are a matter of personal opinion, and so whether or not a child goes trick or treating is a personal decision.
