Lucifer was once an angel assigned to Heaven. He was said to be a favorite of God, given control of the world that God created. Lucifer, or Light-Bearer, became puffed up with vanity and decided that he could usurp God's throne. He and his followers tried to bring off this coup, but God was victorious and Lucifer and his followers, one third of all the angels in heaven, were cast down to the world Lucifer ruled.
Because of his sin, Lucifer could never again count himself among the chosen of God, and could not dwell in God's presence. God decreed that at the end of time, Lucifer and all those who followed him would be consigned to outer darkness, to hell.
Ever since that time, there has been a rivalry between God and his former angel Lucifer, also called Satan or the Devil. Each vied to gain the souls of the people God had created and placed on the world Lucifer ruled.
And this is where the controversy of Hallowe'en comes in.
Many ancient peoples sacrificed animals and people in their worship, feeling that life had to be forfeited for a life. The Celts were no different. Caesar notes the presence of the Wicker Man, which was stuffed with both people and animals and burnt as an offering to the Celtic Deities. Triple-deaths of lone men is attested through archaeology (although Lindow Man may not be one of these, the nature of his fatalities differs somewhat from the death of other supposed ritual sacrifices).
The Celts also had rituals involving fire alone at certain times of the year. One of these times is May Day or Beltain, in the spring. Another is Samhain, our Hallowe'en.
Christians believe that if you are not Christian, you are of the Devil. Pagan religions are not Christian. This puts them in the realm and sway of the Devil, God's arch-enemy since before time began. Pagan practices are seen as tools to gain converts for the time after Time when Satan and all his followers will be sent to hell.
Christians believe in one death, one life in which to make the decision for God or against Him. And they believe that the Devil is desperate for converts in the last days of time as we know it. So the well-being of their children's souls is important to them.
The body of misinformation is large and growing every day. Christians are informed, by people who should know better, that there is a Celtic God of Death and the Underworld named Sam Hain who is really the Devil, and that Hallowe'en is his time. They are told that the ancient Celts were frightened by the supposed yearly visitation of ancestral spirits, hence the dressing up in costumes and hideously-carved Jack'o'lanterns - to drive off the spirits of the dead. They are told of human sacrifices, especially of young virgins and infants. And, since this information comes from people who should know better, they believe it.
It also doesn't help matters that young adults out to shock their families and acquaintances proclaim to be Satanists and go around dressed in black and making veiled allusions to sacrifices and Satanic romps on Hallowe'en.
That the Christians are being led astray by self-proclaimed experts
who don't know what they're talking about and who don't wish to learn better;
That they're also told the same things by young people out to shock;
That they are never told that Pagans do not worship the same pantheon as
the Christians do and that the Devil is solely of the Judeo-Christian pantheon
does not matter here.
Christians are only trying to protect their children from a perceived
threat. The same as any other parent. Their attitude that the
whole world should believe as they do may be offensive to many Pagans,
but the fact remains that they are only trying to do their best.
Education about Pagan religions would go a lot farther to promote harmony
between the two.
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