Halloween Frights: Witches Cook Up a Spooky Surprise

Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”, celebrated over 2,000 years ago in regions that are now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and parts of Northern France. Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter, which was often associated with death. The Celts believed that on October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, allowing spirits to return to the earth. To protect themselves from these spirits, people would light bonfires and wear costumes, often made from animal heads and skins, to disguise themselves and avoid being recognized by wandering ghosts.

As Christianity spread through Celtic areas, the Church sought to replace pagan festivals with Christian observances. By the 9th century, All Saints’ Day was established on November 1, also called All Hallows’ Day, with All Souls’ Day following on November 2 to honour deceased saints and souls. The evening before All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually transformed into Halloween.

Modern Halloween traditions, like dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins, evolved over time. Irish immigrants brought many of these customs to North America in the 19th century, where Halloween developed further and became more secular. Over time, it has become a popular holiday, especially in the U.S., celebrating themes of horror, fantasy, and the supernatural.

For many Christians, Halloween is a complex issue due to its origins, themes, and symbols, which can feel contradictory to their faith and beliefs. Here are some reasons why some Christians may view Halloween celebrations as problematic:

1.            Historical Roots and Pagan Associations: Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated by pagans as a way to mark the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, often associated with death. They believed that on October 31, the boundary between the physical world and the spirit world was thin, allowing spirits to roam. Early Christians sometimes rejected such practices because they conflicted with Christian beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife. For some Christians today, these origins and any connection to pagan rituals remain concerning.

2.            Occult and Dark Themes: Halloween often features symbols like ghosts, witches, skeletons, and demons, which can be associated with darkness, fear, and evil. For Christians, who focus on faith in God and see Him as a source of light and life, participating in a holiday that celebrates or normalizes symbols of death, fear, and occult practices can feel contradictory. The Bible, in verses such as Ephesians 5:11, advises Christians to “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them,” encouraging a separation from any association with evil.

3.            Biblical Warnings Against Witchcraft and the Occult: Certain Halloween customs, like pretending to interact with spirits, dressing as witches, or using supernatural symbols, may seem harmless to some, but the Bible includes clear warnings against practices related to witchcraft, divination, or spiritism (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Galatians 5:19-21). For some Christians, these verses suggest that even “playful” associations with magic or the supernatural can lead people away from their faith in God.

4.            Focus on Positive Spiritual Influence: Many Christians believe in focusing on things that promote spiritual growth and draw them closer to God. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8 to think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely.” Halloween’s emphasis on fear, gore, and death may conflict with this encouragement to focus on positive, godly things.

5.            Influence on Children and Personal Convictions: Many Christian parents are concerned about the influence of Halloween on their children, especially regarding what values are conveyed and what children might become desensitized to over time. Personal conviction and family traditions play a role here; some Christians choose to abstain from Halloween to avoid sending mixed messages or conflicting with their church’s teachings on moral values.

6.            Focus on Death and Evil: The holiday’s imagery often includes death, skeletons, and other elements associated with mortality and darkness. For Christians, who believe in eternal life through Jesus, celebrating a day that focuses on death and evil can feel counter to the message of their faith.

Romans 14:23 “anything which is not of faith is sin,” in the New Testament. It’s a powerful statement by Paul, urging believers to act in alignment with their faith and conscience.

Here’s the context: Paul is addressing a diverse group of Christians in Rome who hold different views on matters of food, drink, and special religious days. Some, for example, feel free to eat meat that might have been offered to idols, while others feel it’s sinful. Paul encourages each believer to act according to their conscience, being guided by faith and what they truly believe is right before God.

When Paul says, “anything which is not of faith is sin,” he’s pointing out that if someone does something they believe is wrong—even if it isn’t technically sinful—they are acting against their conscience. This act is a “sin” because they aren’t being true to their faith or trust in God. So, for Paul, “sin” here isn’t just about breaking a rule but about violating one’s own understanding of what is faithful and pleasing to God.

In essence, this line calls believers to act with integrity, choosing actions that align with both their faith and understanding of God’s will.

I Corinthians 10:21 states:

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (ESV)

In this verse, the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian Christians regarding the practice of participating in pagan rituals alongside their Christian faith. Here are some key points for understanding this passage:

1.            Dual Allegiances: Paul emphasizes that believers cannot simultaneously align themselves with God (the Lord) and with demonic influences (the cup of demons). This reflects the broader biblical theme of loyalty, where one cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).

2.            Covenantal Implications: The “cup of the Lord” symbolizes communion and fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. In the context of the Last Supper, it signifies participation in the new covenant established by Jesus. In contrast, the “cup of demons” represents the worship practices associated with pagan gods, which are inherently linked to idolatry and spiritual corruption.

3.            Spiritual Consequences: Paul warns that participating in both tables—God’s and demons’—can lead to spiritual compromise and confusion. It suggests that believers should be careful about their associations and practices, as they can affect their relationship with God.

4.            Call to Holiness: The verse encourages believers to maintain a distinct identity in Christ, rejecting practices that conflict with their faith. It serves as a call to live in a way that is consistent with their commitment to God, highlighting the importance of exclusivity in worship and allegiance.

Overall, this passage underscores the importance of faithfulness and integrity in one’s spiritual life, urging believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to God alone.

Vikiho Kiba Pastor

NCRC Unity Village 5th Mile Chumoukedima