Halloween:
History and Customs
History and Customs
Samhain:
The origin of Halloween can be traced to this “ancient pagan festival celebrated by Celtic people over 2,000 years ago. The Celts believed that the dead could walk among the living at this time- the living could visit with the dead.” (The World Book Encyclopedia)-Scripture clearly teaches that the dead “are conscious of nothing at all.” (Refer to my study Rest in Peace)
Costumes, candy, and trick or treat:
According to the book Halloween—An American Holiday, An American History, some of the Celts wore ghoulish costumes so that wandering spirits would mistake them for one of their own and leave them alone. Others offered sweets to the spirits to appease them. In medieval Europe, the Catholic clergy adopted local pagan customs and had their adherents go from house to house wearing costumes and requesting small gifts. The Bible, on the other hand, does not permit merging false religious practices with the worship of God.
2 Corinthians 6:16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living Elohim. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people." Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says YHWH. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies:
These have long been associated with the evil spirit world. (Halloween Trivia) The Bible clearly states that we should oppose wicked spirit forces, not celebrate with them.
Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the full armor of Elohim so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full armor of Elohim so that when evil comes you will be able to stand your ground, having done everything, to stand...
Pumpkins, or jack-o’-lanterns:
In medieval Britain, “supplicants moved from door to door asking for food in return for a prayer for the dead,” and they would carry “hollowed-out turnip lanterns, whose candle connoted a soul trapped in purgatory.” (Halloween—From Pagan Ritual to Party Night) Others say that the lanterns were used to ward off evil spirits. During the 1800’s in North America, pumpkins replaced turnips because they were plentiful as well as easy to hollow out and carve. The beliefs behind this custom—the immortality of the soul, purgatory, and prayers for the dead—are not based on the Bible.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine; the soul that sins, it shall die.
Stop teaching these traditions to your children.
