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Halloween: Just Good Fun Or Demonic Tradition?

October 31, 2006

Originally Posted On October 25, 2004

In my search to discover more about the history of Halloween I was taken to the History Channel's website. On October 31st, 2004 they are airing a show on the history of Halloween, but if you can't wait until then there is plenty of information on their website. Here is a quick overview of the history of Halloween from the History Channel's website:

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future.
To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.

Our celebration of Halloween is wholly different than what October 31st meant to the Celts. To them it was their religion, their belief, their life, and they were serious about it. They depended on the natural world and to see the predictions of the future. To do things to help them through the winter was important to them. In America Halloween maybe somewhat similar to the practices of a false religion or cultic practice, in reality, it is not the same. Is what we do at Halloween wrong? Is it the practice itself or the meaning behind it? For instance, they dressed up to attempt to tell each others fortunes during a festival in which they were sacrificing animals to a false god. We dress up and go door to door collecting candy and having fun. It seems to be there is a big difference in those two things. To Americans it is a fun holiday. Things like pumpkins, ghosts, ghouls, monsters actually entertain us. So how did this buisness of "trick or treat" become a tradition in the United States?

The American tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.
The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.

I have found tons of information on the subject of Halloween and the history behind it. For Christians, the biggest fear of celebrating Halloween is the fear of practicing or participating in some type of cultic practice or demon worship. (I won't get into, but these same poeple should not own Christmas trees if that is the case.)

To me, Halloween is nothing more than good fun, enticing some of the basic human emotions, fear and fun. We like to be scared, thats why we like scary movies. It's not something that is associated with the devil. These kids don't dress up and sacrifice people or animals to false gods. The devil doesn't come in the form of a big monster or an ugly demonic creature that bites our heads off. The things we potray as evil are not what evil looks like at all. Satan and his demons were angels of light and were made as beautiful creatures. However, I am teachable in this area... I don't have the answers and in fact this could be a disputable matter.

What do you think about Halloween? Demonic holiday or just good fun? Let me know in the comments below.

Posted by Pressed at October 31, 2006 03:34 PM

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Comments

Posted by: Christopher
October 26, 2004 06:50 AM

I will discuss my thoughts later when I have more time for a more complete response. However, something in the articles you cite caught my attention. I really think we should go back to the old traditions of giving children ale on Halloween.

That could be fun.

Now where is that sarcasm tag? I can never find it when I need it.

Posted by: Pressed
October 26, 2004 09:35 PM

That could be interesting.

Posted by: Anna
October 31, 2004 06:12 AM

GOOD fun for the Evil one He (The Evil one) can tell how EASY we have accustomed ourselves and joined HIS paths - a PATH that leads to destruction!

NO thank you --- tell us more about the christmas tree! Pls

Posted by: The Original Anna
October 31, 2004 08:31 AM

I don't know who this other "anna" is, but I didn't write this...

Posted by: Pressed
October 31, 2004 02:47 PM

I don't think Halloween has anything to do with the devil to tell you the truth. Satan is not some ugly grotesque creature and his demons are not red with horns and evil yellow eyes. Satan's work is about thwarting God's plans and deceiving people, knocking on a door and floppin some candy in a bag has nothing to do with Satan's work and I am sure he laughs at the silly things we come up with and blame on him. We have a fascination with dark things that represent what we call evil, when in fact much of it doesn't even exist. The realm of darkness, vampires, zombies, ghosts, goblins, and little evil princesses are simply a figment of our imaginiation created for our own entertainment. If we dismiss Halloween as being a cultic tradition because of its background, then we must also dismiss the Christmas tree that has it's origin in cultic practices as well.

Posted by: jenni
October 31, 2004 06:05 PM

I don't see how it has any association with Satan himself. Besides, when you celebrate it do are you doing it in the name of Satan? No. It all really matters on your frame of mind. If you were to be doing Satanic rituals on Halloween, and doing other sinful acts, that is evil. The way we celebrate Halloween has nothing to do with sin.

Posted by: booger man
October 31, 2004 06:08 PM

OH, if you'd like to know. A real pagan ritual is decorating pine trees, i.e. christmas trees. It even says in the bible that decorating trees is a pagan act.

Posted by: HL
October 23, 2005 11:46 PM

Exodus 32:4-10. Notice that the Israelites adopted an Egyptian religious practice but gave it a new name,a festival to God. But God severely punished them for this. Today we see only 20th-century practices associated with holidays. Some may appear harmless. But God knows firsthand the pagan religious practices from which these originated, and how many began with worshiping false gods.Even if a holiday doesn't say its worshiping God this show it may not be exceptable to God depending on it's orgin. Should not his view be what matters to us?

Posted by: Gina
October 2, 2006 10:35 PM

I think people analyze things way too much now a days. I mean we are not celebrating it because we believe it is satantic, that is ridiculous. Its a great day for children. A child gets to pretend they are someone or something different, and go door to door getting candy. If u just think about it, when you are a child it's innocent. We arent analyzing who we are offending or what religion states we shouldn't take part in it. Holidays or whatever you may call it give people something to look forward to. It someone gets everyone together and have a great time. And sometimes they even make you feel like a kid again. Don't read into things so much...take them for what they are.

Posted by: Julie Smith
October 27, 2006 05:13 PM

Thank you for your studies because they helped me prove to my children why they should not be participating in Halloween activities. You also know and understand why but you choose to ignore them. When the bible says "do not do as the heathen do" it is a command, not a request. Satan loves it when Pseudo Christians mix holidays together. He is the author of confusion. The pine tree is the symbol of Christ and the tree that you are not to knock down and decorate is concerning totem poles. Reguardless of how some Pagan might have used the tree, to make it apear dirty so that others might have ammunition, the tree is God's creation and is here for His children to use. Teaching children all of the truth is important so that WHEN THEY ARE ADULTS they can make good decisions. God does not want to take you out of this world he wants to teach you how to live in this world. You are to keep your respectability so that others will come to you for counsil. You are not to say "NO" to everything but there are times to take a stand against powers that are not obvious to most. Personally the 1st commandmant is worth taking a stand for Do Not Worship Other Gods Before Me. If the world could only observe the first commandment can you imagine what this place would be like. By observing and obeying His word you will be blessed.

Posted by: Anna Foster
October 31, 2006 11:56 AM

Halloween is not an evil holiday. The only proof anyone has that it is, in fact, an evil holiday is their own opinions and let's all make it clear that mere opinions mean NOTHING when deciding the truth about an issue. Being a strong christian myself, I see that some people refer to certain bible verses...although all verses in the Holy Bible are Holy and true, people are using them out of context and translating them in ways that God did not intend. Until REAL biblical truth tells us Halloween is an evil holiday...I will continue to celebrate in a pure manner.

Posted by: Pressed
October 31, 2006 01:53 PM

Julie, I guess I don't understand how you can justify using the Christmas tree "regardless of how some pegan might have used the tree" and reject the whole idea of Halloween. Can we not also use dressing up and giving gifts "regardless of how some pegan might have used" the same thing? You are basically saying that we should not celebrate Halloween because of the pegan practice it is associated with, but then when it comes to the almighty Christmas tree, we can use that regardless of what pegans also used it. That seems to me a condradiction.

Posted by: John Hughes
October 31, 2006 02:46 PM

Our tradition of Halloween in the United States is not evil. It is based on ancient traditions by evil-fearing people who believed that departed souls could cause mischief on this day. Their response was to masquerade and leave gifts for them so they would be left alone. As Christ Followers we are to live in the world and not of it. Halloween is a perfect day to share the gospel with non-christians. It could be a verse wrapped around a treat or one of the many pamphlets offered by so many churches these days. My wife home-schools my children, we attend regular church services, I teach memory verses on Wednesday evenings. I use Halloween to remind children that Jesus died for our sins so that we could conquer and not be afraid of death. As Christians should we lock ourselves away and hide from the community we live in? I am not going to hide my light under a basket! I use this night as an evangelism tool. I will stand on my street corner playing Christian hymns on my bagpipes (dressed as a skeleton) and when asked I will share the gospel with anyone who will listen.

Posted by: John Hughes
October 31, 2006 02:50 PM

Posted by: Jenny
October 31, 2006 07:13 PM

i truely believe that hallooween IS EVIL.ii am reasearching right now..yes i'mm a follower of Christ.on halloween,they plan rituals and worships to the satan which is known as, "lord of darkness" can't you see!we are all jstu following into santan's trap!sure,God has created satan ,which was once an angel,but this angel sinneed,and is now going agaisnt Jesus Christ.Those who wroship the devil,is not pleasing to God's eye..and to pratice and follow into his tricks is not pleasing either.HALLOWEEN IS ANOTHER SCAM.first off,you must know that satan is one of the most powerful and ittelligent creatures God has created,but not many of us believe there actually is a Satan today,neither there are witches,demons,and devils..but this is what Satan wants you to believe.if you don't think he doesn't exist,you can't fight him,his greatest disire is to hurt and destry people.The kids who are munipulated and hurt EVERY halloween is NO acccident,[the people who do get attacked are sacrifies to Satan].To gain control of childrens' minds, witches make incantations calling forth demonic powers to attack the little ones.But,there is hope,through Jesus Christ.In Fact,Satan will fall dowm upon him and call him Lord.Jesus came on earth to destroy Satan's powers,which is evil.When you recieve Jesus Christ as you're savoir and master,then you will have power available to you to stand forth AGIANST satan.haven't you noticed, each year halloween costums seem to get more bloody and groosum?to go forth,and celebrate the day of halloween,which was evil and now still is happenning,i believe it is sin.Did it not say "do not imitate what is purely evil" 3 John 1:11

Posted by: Pressed
October 31, 2006 09:43 PM

I would venture to say that large amounts of spelling errors, no spaces between sentances, and words with letters out of order are right up there in the category of evil.

Posted by: Julie Smith
November 9, 2006 10:33 PM

Yes, you can dress up and give candy like a clown would but not as a celebration of satan's day. (The day that the modern world comes together in order to celebrate the dead, some with evil intentions most without.) Do it on a different day all you want. Or I guess if you can't beat them join them. I guarantee you nobody wants your bible verses on Halloween. Talk about a contradiction.

Posted by: Julie
November 10, 2006 11:06 AM

Oh, I see. So if you actually use the bible for guidance in your life and quote it on a blog than you're gonna be picked on. You're either overanalyzing or taking scripture out of context. If I were to quote buddha or confucious you wouldn't say I was taking it out of context. So I guess it's better to dismiss the truth instead of check it out for yourself because you don't understand, it's to boring, it would take to much time, or with knowledge would come action. That's what I would do before I accused someone of taking words out of context. Would it be better not to quote the bible at all? Maybe one would make more headway. I think it would be kind of hard to misquote the first commandment. The bottom line is that what you decide to do is between you and God. And you will get your just reward (good or bad) for your diligence. It is interesting how people will study anything but the bible. Spend the time you would in an algebra class and see if some of these "mystery quotes" are such a mystery.

Posted by: Pressed
November 13, 2006 10:50 AM

Julie. I don't think there is one day that is "Satan's Day". That is silliness. If we want to talk about a day that is Satan's day then we need to talk about everyday. He roams the earth like a roaring lion seeking those that he may devour, not just on Halloween.

Explain to me why you think celebrating Halloween is a sin? I've heard a lot about how its an evil day and yadda yadda. But what is the point? It seems to me that the point you are trying to make is that since Halloween is an evil day, anyone who celebrates it or supports it is a sinner who is worshiping satan. Is that it?

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