October 31, 2016 (Monday)
Halloween is big business in our country. We spend six billion dollars annually on it, buying decorations and treats. One-fourth of all the candy sold annually in the U.S.A. is sold during the Halloween season.
The history of the day seems to go back to the ancient Celtics. They observed November 1 as their New Year, and believed that some of the dead stalked the living as the dark season of winter began. When the Romans conquered them, they brought some of their own special days with them and they gradually blended. In the 700s, the pope declared November 1 as a special day to honor martyrs, and later all saints. In America the customs were Americanized so that we now observe Halloween as a fun time of make-believe ghosts and goblins, wearing costumes and sharing treats.
In recent years, “Trick or Treat” has been supplemented or replaced by Halloween parties intended to provide safety as well as fun for the kids.
The movie, “The Exorcist,” popularized demon possession and opened the door for wider belief in Satanism, Witchcraft, etc. Many people take these things quite seriously, and some of them campaign vigorously against any such observances as Halloween.
As long as there is money to be made in a holiday, you can bet your life that we Americans will celebrate it. For that reason, Halloween is probably here to stay. Hate it if you must, enjoy it if you will, you will find somebody, somewhere, who agrees with your beliefs about it. You will also find others who disagree strongly with whatever you may think about it.