If Christians and pagans observe the same holiday, Christians must have stolen it from the pagans, right?

Not according to Joseph Abrahamson. A conservative Lutheran pastor, Abrahamson has established the intriguing website “ Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies ” on which he systematically and meticulously debunks claims that Christmas, Easter, Candlemas, Walpurgisnacht and other holidays were copied from ancient pagan festivals.

That especially includes Allhallowtide, which begins with All Hallows Eve on Oct. 31, leading to All Saints Day on Nov. 1, honoring the saints, and culminating with All Souls Day on Nov. 2, to honor all departed souls. All these, we are told, came from the Celtic harvest festival called Samhain (pronounced sow-in), and this mantra is repeated as an unquestiona

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