Question

Whilst christianity came up with the whole ‘all hallows eve' thing, many of the traditions were already firmly established by a pre-christian peoples, whose beliefs are usually referred to as _____ .

Answer 1

Traditional religious beliefs.

Answer 2

Whilst Christianity came up with the whole ‘all hallows eve' thing, many of the traditions were already firmly established by a pre-christian peoples, whose beliefs are usually referred to as paganism. There are many practices related to Halloween have origins in the pre-christian or pagan - the religion of Celts. The Celts held a feast called Samhain as a celebration of the harvest, the end of summer and the turning of the year. The feast was also an opportunity to ponder death and to remember those who had gone before. Bonfires were lit to foreclose the forthcoming winter darkness, but also to forfeit livestock and crops as offerings to the gods and spirits.