Days of the Dead and "Ghosts" vs. God

"Although many affirm that Samhain was the origin of modern-day Halloween, it is significant to note how many cultures throughout the world have celebrated a “day of the dead” (often with sacrifices), occurring at the end of summer and fall. There seem to be too many parallels to call these similar celebrations a coincidence.

For example, in the Americas, there is the Mexican Day of the Dead

(El Día de los Muertos) that goes back to the ancient festival of the dead celebrated by Aztecs and the more-ancient Olmecs. 

Brazilians also celebrate Finados (Day of the Dead). Bolivia has the Day of the Skulls (Día de los Natitas).

In Asia, there are similar festivals. For example, the Chinese celebrated the Ghost Festival, which was a day to pay homage to dead ancestors. 

The Japanese celebrated something similar called O-bon or merely Bon. 

Even Vietnam has a variant of the Ghost Festival called Tet Trung Nguyen. 

In Korea, there is Chuseok or Hankawi, in which deceased ancestors are ritualized. 

In Nepal, there is the cow pilgrimage called Gia Jatra to honor the recently deceased. 

In the Philippines, there is the Day of the Dead (Araw ng mga Patay), where tombs are cleaned and repainted. 

Death is a terrible reality for all of us—not something to celebrate or treat as fun. 

*Death is the punishment for sin. 

Since all of us are sinners (Romans 3:23), we must realize that death is coming. 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)." 

AIG