The Irish brought the custom of halloween to America, they also brought over the custom of carving a Jack O lantern. They did have to modify the custom though because what the ancient Celts had began was the tradition of hollowing out and carving a demon's face in a large turnip. when the immigrants found few turnips in their new land, they substituted pumpkins.
It was also the Irish who originated the tern Jack O lantern. Irish folklore, has a legand about a nam named Jack, he tricked the devil into climbing up a tree. quickly carving a cross into the tree trunk, Jack trapped Satan until he swore never again to tempt Jack to sin. Jack wasn't welcome in Heaven or in Hell so he was forced to wander the earth. He begged Satan for a coal to light his way. Jack chewed the center out of a turnip and put the coal in it to forn a lantern.
If you want to participate in Halloween activities, just know that origianlly they weren't basically evil. They have taken on different meanings, through time. Avoid the dark side to Halloween these days. But if you don't feel convicted joining in, or feel like you are a stumbling block for someone else, have fun, but be careful.
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