Should Christians Celebrate Halloween or Is It Pagan?
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What is the origin of Halloween? Many historians trace the origin of Halloween to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated over 2,000 years ago. Samhain was a pagan festival that marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, which the Celts believed was a time when the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest. Farmers would bring in livestock for winter and harvest their crops, offering sacrifices of crops and animals to appease their pagan gods in hopes of protection through the harsh season. This was seen as a way to guard against evil spirits and gain favor from the gods for the year ahead.
The Celts Believed the Dead Walked on October 31
One of the central beliefs during Samhain was that the dead could walk the earth on October 31. The Celts believed spirits of the dead returned to visit the living, and these wandering spirits could bring harm by damaging crops, causing sickness, or even possessing people. To ward off these spirits, people would dress in costumes, often of animals or monsters, to confuse or scare away the spirits. This practice echoes the modern tradition of dressing up in costumes during Halloween.
In addition, bonfires were lit to keep away evil spirits, and people would huddle near them for protection. It was believed that these fires also helped the souls of the dead find their way. While these practices were rooted in superstition, they highlight the fear and reverence ancient cultures had toward the afterlife.
Pagan Roots of Popular Halloween Traditions
Trick-or-Treating also began during Samhain. The tradition was an ancient custom of “souling.” The poor would go from house to house to beg for soul cakes. In return for the “soul cakes” the beggars would pray for family members who had recently died. Soul cakes were round loaves of bread filled with currants.
Pumpkins and Jack-o-Lanterns were also part of Celtic lore. A tale was told that a drunken farmer named Stingy Jack was so wicked that when he died, he restlessly wandered between heaven and hell, unable to enter either one. As he roamed the darkness, he hollowed out a turnip and placed a burning coal inside to light his way.
Celts carved “Jack-o-Lanterns” to guide lost souls home on the eve of Samhain.
Bobbing for apples also has mythical roots. The Celts believed that the practice used to be considered a form of divination. According to NPR, bobbing for apples was a practice where people would dunk their heads in a vat of water and try to bite into floating fruit in a quest to figure out their future spouse. Ladies would mark an apple and toss it into the tub. The thinking was they’d be destined to whoever pulled it out of the water.
In 800 A.D., the Catholic church moved “All Saint’s Day” from Spring to November 1. Hallow’s Mass is November 1, and All Saint’s Day is November 2.
One would think this Catholic celebration would be an opportunity to Christianize Halloween, but it is not.
Author Scott P. Richert, content manager for Sunday Visitor, the largest Catholic publishing company, writes that the purpose of All Souls Day is to pray people out of purgatory by prayer, almsgiving, and the Mass. But purgatory, and praying people out of purgatory is an anti-biblical practice.
Is Halloween Evil?
From a biblical perspective, we know that evil is real, and we are called to resist it. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Halloween’s roots in paganism may raise concerns, but it is the intent of the heart that matters most. As Christians, we must be vigilant not to allow the holiday to glorify or trivialize evil, but rather to celebrate in ways that align with our faith.
At the heart of Halloween’s history are themes of death, fear, and the supernatural. However, as Christians, we have the ultimate victory over death through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:14-15 reminds us, “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we no longer need to live in fear of death or darkness. Instead, we can walk in the light of Christ’s resurrection, assured of the eternal hope we have in Him. Halloween, with its focus on death and fear, is an opportunity for Christians to teach their children about the victory we have in Jesus. We can use the holiday to proclaim the gospel truth that death has been defeated and that eternal life awaits those who believe in Him.
God loves us and sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. When we place our faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven and our home is heaven. Death is final. Eternity is real. Jesus is victorious over evil. We can stand secure and unafraid!
How Should Christians Handle Halloween?
First, I believe it is the choice of the Christian parent to allow or disallow children to participate in the festivities. If the children are old enough to understand, I think it’s appropriate to explain the pagan roots of Halloween. It’s a great opportunity to teach what the Bible says about the finality of death, the promise of heaven through Jesus, and the hope of resurrection.
Churches can use Halloween as a time to build community, to show compassion and to share the message of Christ. Our church celebrates “Boogers and Halloweenies,” where communities in our area hold cookouts and free food for neighbors, while sharing the Good News of Christ.
Many churches around the country have harvest festivals or other events to provide a safe place for families to celebrate.
Communities need to know that Christians are not isolationists. They can welcome trick-or-treaters with ‘Snickers’ and a smile.
Halloween, however, should not be celebrated in ignorance. We need to teach its origins and contrast it with biblical truth.
Read more:
Does Halloween Celebrate Evil?
Is It Okay for Christians to Celebrate Halloween?
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