| | Custom trumps religion. Halloween is a concrete example of people choosing to not think. They follow custom, or cultural traditions, without much thought as to whether the custom is consistent with their religion or their stated philosophy.
Halloween is one of many examples of a cultural tradition that has become divorced from its roots. As Hudgins' article points out, the Eve of All Saints Day has become mostly just a day for kids to dress in costumes and collect candy. A bunny hiding eggs to celebrate Easter is an even better example. Some pagans used the egg as a symbol of fertility and worshiped a goddess of fertility who was symbolized by a rabbit. Yet most "good Christians" hide eggs for their kids, without any thought as to why they are doing so or any recognition of inconsistency.
I believe that everyone has a philosophy and is always acting in accord with that philosophy. A particular individual's philosophy may be a jumble of inconsistencies and superstitions and vary markedly from that individuals stated philosophy. Religion forms a part of that jumbled mess.
On Halloween parents instruct their children to say "trick or treat" at every door, although the parent wouldn't allow any "tricks." Nor would they normally encourage their children to say things they don't mean or to engage in extortion. They have no specific intention to endorse demons or saints. Generally, they just don't think about it.
Halloween is a concrete example of a large group of people choosing to celebrate a custom without knowing the reason for it and abiding by traditions they do not understand. It is a further example of people who claim to be devoutly religious celebrating a mixture of pagan and Catholic traditions. In other words, they are not acting in accord with their stated philosophy, and resolve any cognitive dissonance by choosing to not think. To borrow from Hudgins, they do pretty much the same thing the other 364 days, also.
So custom trumps religion. Given my views on religion, that is generally a good thing. It's not that pagan religions or other customs are ethically superior to Christianity. It's that I view pagan religions as less of a clear and present danger than strictly enforced Christianity.
I have chosen as one of my highest values to make my best efforts to have a philosophy formed by reason, internally consistent, and to act upon my philosophy at all times. I choose to think, and do so to the best of my ability.
I find no harm in kids dressing up in costumes and running around the neighborhood getting candy from willing participants, as long as that is their reason. In fact I get great joy out of happily excited children coming to my door. I do see harm in the recognition of demons, saints, or any other mysticism. Happy Halloween.
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