Halloween is derived from Europe around the 700's when the leader of the church deemed November 1st "All Saints Day", in honor of all the many Saints, known and unknown who had become so numerous that there were no longer enough days in the year to celebrate them all. On this day they would come to earth to give "Merits" of their "Extra Merits" they had left over which they didn't need to get into heaven, and give them to the Saints who worshiped them and fell short of the needed merits, this way these Christians, if they died, would have enough Good Merit to get into heaven. Well on that day Satan and his followers had no power on earth, so they came out on All Saints Eve, "Halloween" and reeked havok everywhere. So people would leave out an egg or bread or something to keep these evil spirits from doing something evil to them. Thus became the bribe of a "Treat" to keep from having a "Trick" played on them. So essentially kids have it backwards when they go out, they should say "Treat or Trick!" not "Trick or Treat!" Now You know The Rest Of The Story!

The day of the dead is part of the European Penitente religion. These particular Spanish penitents have little houses they build in which they call Maradas. These people I believe it's an honor to have one of the their sons picked by the hooded penitente men, and then have him nail to a cross during their celebration, and if he dies from weather exposer it is then gods will. A tradition in Northern NEW MEXICO. Derived from European Catholicism.

Please tell me who in his right mind thinks this stuff is spiritual. It's down right possession of one spirit and offensive.

IT'S ALL CREEPY! and uncivilized.

Pope Gregory III solumnized this as a holiday in the 700's as Pope, and unfortunately what you see in Mexico and by those in South America is what you might call "Fanaticism" in some respects of religion gone Apostate. For we know the sole reason for Christ's atonement was so that if one repented their faith and effort would bring them the promises found in the bible if they went through with the things needed such as Baptism. It is interesting how the study of religions will bring one truly seeking for the things of a common union to realize that at one time all of the worlds many religions had to have been united as "ONE" base religion, and that off shoots had sprung up one after another, one off of another into the hodge podge we have today of so many faith's, the three main being Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Then you have Budism and Hinduism and all the other "ism's" and the 100's of Christian groups, and Judaism groups, and Islamic groups. It is quite sad, but a careful study will point to the reality these all started out as one faith at the begining of Faith.

It's a very healthy way of accepting the death of a loved one, remembering them, and being able to move on.

Mistaking history for doctrinal necessity often leads to misunderstanding. It is also a logical fallacy to draw a general conclusion from a specific example.

Should you all predecease me, I assure you that during your time in purgatory (if any) you will have my prayers. See you on the "other side."

By the way, all merit comes from and is vested in Jesus Christ. We share in it, as in a mirror dimly. Merit is useless to those who die in the state of mortal sin. The "day of the dead" is for those whose sin is forgiven, but whose penance is still lacking in the element of justice. In other words, you can cross the bridge, but you can't take the off ramp, until you've paid the toll.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.