Why Does Halloween Keep Getting Banned?

Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve, often brings about images of trick or treaters, costumes, candy, scary movies, and spooky decorations. Still, the holiday is a sinister one to some groups who try to ban the celebration of the holiday, whether it's through a lack of Halloween-related activities at a school or altering what sort of public displays can be made.

The holiday has Celtic origins, and throughout the course of history it evolved into All Hallow's Eve, the night before All Hallow's Day or All Saint's Day. According to a History Channel minisite devoted to the history of the holiday, the act of trick or treating probably derived from poor people begging at homes for food and money. People also left bowls of food outside their home to appease ghosts travelling on the holiday, and wore masks when they went out at night so that ghosts would think they were fellow spirits.

The sinister aspect of Halloween which includes superstitions and costumes depicting devils, witches, and other scary creatures, came under fire as early as the late nineteenth century. Communities encouraged children-friendly parties and celebrations, and this helped bring about a revival in trick or treating for children and young adults. While trick or treating is still very much a strong tradition every Halloween, the holiday is still criticized for its dark side.

Religious groups take offense with the holiday, with Christians believing it honors the devil, Muslims disagreeing with its pagan and Christian roots, and according to Jewish beliefs, Halloween doesn't follow Jewish sentiments and therefore should not be celebrated.