One point often made in favor of eliminating Halloween celebrations from Christian homes is its adoption as a major holiday by modern Wiccans and other Neopagans, who are accused of continuing the supposed 'dark traditions' of the Druids. Satanists, too, are implicated in misdeeds on Halloween ranging in seriousness from pranks to poisoning candy to human sacrifice.

In reality, although Neopagan celebrations are ostensibly based on Celtic Samhain celebrations, these are usually celebrated separately from Halloween and are generally of the nature of a harvest festival. Typical Samhain celebrations include New Year's rituals, bonfires, celebratory suppers and other activities one would associate with Harvest festivals. Ironically, the "harvest parties" sponsored as Halloween alternatives by many churches and schools resemble modern Pagan celebrations more than more traditional Halloween activities do! Apple bobbing, yes. Black masses, no.

Religious Satanists, on the other hand, do not ascribe any special significance to Halloween; they certainly do not practice human or any other sort of sacrifice on that night. Most of the suspicious 'signs' found on occasion in communities are usually the product of the same teenage pranksters who have plagued the holiday from the beginning.

Fears about Satanic covens secretly poisoning candy are purely a product of overactive imaginations- Halloween poisonings are extremely rare, and almost without exception, such cases turn out to be the opportunistic family members of victims attempting to take advantage of an urban legend. There is also little basis to the persistent rumor that black cats are sacrificed on halloween, although many animal shelters will still refuse to adopt out black cats near the holiday for fear they will be used as holiday props and later abandoned or mistreated.

It should be emphasized, however, that animal sacrifice is not an accepted practice of any organized Satanic religious body Of course, there are always occasions where disturbed individuals may fancy themselves a servant of satan, and incidents do occasionally occur. Ironically, it is not from Satanists or even Pagans that such individuals get their ideas, but from the religious scare mongers who perpetuate such silliness as 'typical Satanic practice.' Not having any reliable information, would be Satanists imitate the tales and rumors.

As for the poisoning of candy, there have been fewer than three cases of strangers poisoning halloween candy in all of US history- and no cases of Satanists or Satanic imitators doing so. It shouldn't need aying that no documented human sacrifice has ever been carried out by halloween revelers, Satanic or otherwise.

See the first installment

Links:

Grim Reaper Gallery