Donna Schimming: Why is it allowed to attack the cultural heritage of Kelts?

To The Daily Sun,

Halloween, a horror movie... (SIGH) every year this erroneous information is dredged up as "fact." Mr. Hanley states that pumpkins were put in windows to allow Samhain (Sow-en) to come and get his living sacrifices. Please cite your reference; I have studied Celtic culture for decades and from no reputable source have I EVER seen this. Yes, there is evidence that criminals and prisoners of war were "sacrificed," but not innocent people. And if you are going to attack and belittle Halloween because it is a "religion" to some, you might want to consider the amount of innocent people killed in the name of just about every other religion on the planet.

I refer you to Deuteronomy as just one example. The Sun should really stop printing these types of letters, you are enabling mis-information to be spread to people who have no idea of what the ancient Kelts actually did or didn't do. The only verifiable reference to Druidic sacrifices is from Caesar — the conqueror of these people. I will cite the reference I take my information from: The Celts by Peter Ellis Beresford, OR Ronald Hutton's The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles. Actual scholars in their field.

How about if The Sun did some research and provided some FACTUAL data on the origins of Samhain/Halloween. And it might surprise you to know that the Christian Church SANCTIONED the celebration of Halloween because they knew they couldn't uproot it from the cultural milieu without causing backlash. It is an agricultural and spiritual acknowledgment. It is the end of summer and the honoring of the dead who have died during the year. Pumpkins lit and placed in windows were to allow the spirits of the deceased to find their way home. Because the veil between this world and the next was thinnest this evening the masquerade part evolved to disorient the 'other' type of beings who were said to roam this night. Fairies, bogarts, pixies, etc. Celtic culture is a rich tapestry of myths, legends and folklore that I invite you to explore. FROM REPUTABLE SOURCES (https://www.transceltic.com/blog/celtic-festival-of-samhain-and-origins-of-dressing-halloween); is a start. I am a Kelt and I am affronted that my heritage is attacked each year by someone who is not a creditable or reliable researcher. I am not permitted to attack anyone else's cultural traditions, why is this allowed in 2020? We have enough to be concerned this year without continuing the denigration of a festival that is open to all, but understand by few.

Donna Schimming 

Sanbornton