Halloween is a Christian holiday.  The word "Halloween" comes from "Holy" or "Hallowed" and "Evening."  It was the holy evening before All Saints' Day on November 1st, which celebrated all deceased Christians.  In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes the origins of Halloween, and the Christian reason and purpose for asking for candy, which was originally the hungry and poor asking for food in exchange for a promise to pray the deceased Saints and other Christians.  Costumes were to trick evil spirits.  Carved pumpkins and parsnips with a candle inside were to scare evil away spirits, Satan's follows.  Halloween traditions and pagan influences are also discussed.