The leaves begin to turn, and people start to get excited on social media for cooler weather and pumpkin spice lattes from their favorite coffee shops.

This is also the time of year when people begin posting about costume parties, haunted houses, and scary movies. Why? Because of Halloween.

For Christians, Halloween brings a wide variety of responses. Some see no problem with the holiday and celebrate with the normal traditions. Other believers see a huge problem with the association Halloween has with death, darkness, and evil.

Does Halloween really celebrate evil and darkness? Let’s explore the background and expressions of this holiday.

The History of Halloween

The history of Halloween is a tapestry woven from various cultural influences and traditions. This annual holiday, celebrated on the night of October 31, has evolved over centuries into the spooky occasion we know today.

Halloween’s origins can be traced back to ancient Celtic celebrations, particularly the festival of Samhain. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time often associated with death.

It was believed that on the night of October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth. To ward off malevolent spirits and honor deceased loved ones, the Celts lit bonfires and wore costumes made from animal skins.

In the seventh century AD, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 as All Saints’ Day to honor saints and martyrs, a date chosen to supplant the pagan Samhain festival.

The evening before All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually morphed into Halloween. Over time, Christian traditions began to merge with earlier pagan customs, and All Hallows’ Eve retained elements of its Celtic and Roman origins.

During the Middle Ages, Halloween traditions continued to evolve. The practice of “souling” emerged, where the poor went door-to-door, offering prayers for the deceased in exchange for food and money.

Additionally, “guising” became popular, with individuals dressing up in costumes and performing tricks or singing songs in exchange for treats.

When European settlers arrived in North America, they brought their Halloween traditions with them. However, it wasn’t until the late 19^th century that Halloween became more widely celebrated in the United States.

At this time, Halloween parties and community gatherings became common, and the holiday started to incorporate elements like fortune-telling, divination, and ghost stories.

One of the most iconic symbols of Halloween, the jack-o’-lantern, has its roots in Irish folklore. The tale of “Stingy Jack” tells of a man who made a deal with the devil but tricked him multiple times.

When Jack died, neither heaven nor hell would take him, so he was doomed to roam the earth with only a carved-out turnip lit by a lump of coal from hell to light his way. In America, pumpkins replaced turnips due to their abundance, leading to the creation of the jack-o’-lantern as we know it today.

Halloween is celebrated differently around the world. In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) honors deceased loved ones with colorful altars and sugar skull decorations.

In some Asian countries, the Hungry Ghost Festival is observed, during which offerings are made to appease restless spirits.

Modern Celebrations and Expressions of Halloween

Halloween has evolved into a diverse celebration, and as with many holidays, our modern culture has largely commercialized the imagery and ideas.

Halloween costume parties are a hallmark of the holiday. People of all ages enjoy dressing up as their favorite characters, monsters, or creative concoctions. From DIY costumes to store-bought outfits, the variety is endless. Costume parties often feature contests to determine the best and most creative costumes.

A cherished tradition for children, trick-or-treating involves dressing in costume and going door-to-door in their neighborhoods, collecting candy and treats from willing homeowners.

The phrase “trick or treat” is playfully uttered, though tricks are rarely performed these days. Safety measures such as designated hours and well-lit streets have become common.

Haunted houses and attractions have become increasingly popular. These interactive experiences feature actors, special effects, and elaborate sets to create a spine-tingling and immersive Halloween experience.

Many people celebrate Halloween by watching horror movies and TV shows. Halloween-themed film festivals and marathons are common on television and in theaters.

Carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns is a beloved Halloween tradition. Families gather to select the perfect pumpkins, carve creative designs, and illuminate them with candles or LED lights.

Homes, businesses, and neighborhoods often transform around Halloween. Decorations range from traditional witches, ghosts, and skeletons to more elaborate setups with fog machines, sound effects, and animatronics.

In some areas, Halloween is combined with harvest festivals, celebrating the season’s bounty. These events may include apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, and pumpkin patches, offering a family-friendly alternative to traditional Halloween activities.

Occult Connections

Witches and satanic religions, like any other group, can have diverse beliefs and practices, so their approach to Halloween may vary from person to person.

Many modern witches, particularly those who follow Wiccan or Neopagan traditions, often view Halloween, or Samhain as it is known in those traditions, as a significant and sacred holiday.

Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It is often seen as a time to honor deceased ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Witches may engage in rituals, divination, or spell work during Samhain to connect with the spirit world, communicate with ancestors, or reflect on personal growth and transformation.

Some witches may incorporate elements of Halloween, such as dressing in costumes or carving jack-o’-lanterns, into their Samhain celebrations. However, their focus is typically on the spiritual and symbolic aspects of the holiday.

Some satanic groups and individuals may choose to embrace Halloween as a secular or cultural holiday without any religious significance. They might participate in costume parties, decorate their homes, and engage in typical Halloween activities purely for fun and enjoyment.

A small minority of individuals who identify as satanic might incorporate Halloween or Samhain into their own rituals or practices, but this would be specific to their individual beliefs and not representative of all Satanists.

Bible Verses about Evil and Darkness

As we consider how we should participate in Halloween, we should look at the Word of God. The Bible contains numerous verses that address the concept of associating with evil and darkness.

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11).

This verse encourages believers to distance themselves from sinful actions and expose them rather than participate in them, highlighting the need for moral discernment and standing against evil.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers ( as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight.

LISTEN: Is Halloween Evil?

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.

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