Halloween Is Not Christian

Halloween in Ireland | CREDIT: Allen Kiely/Olga Kuzmenko

Multiple millions of people will soon be observing “Halloween.” And, multiple millions consider that it is a worldly holiday appropriate for Christians.

The very origins of Halloween are not biblical.

Should true Christianity and Halloween belong together!?

Halloween is an Old English word meaning “Hallowed Evening.” It is the night before the Roman Catholic holiday that they claim to have adopted from the Eastern Orthodox – now called “All Saints Day.” In Mexico, it’s celebrated as “The Day of the Dead.” Truly part of the Catholic rationale for All Saints Day is that they have so many saints they wish to honor, that they decided to lump them together on a specific day. Certainly, while most Catholics support and celebrate Halloween, others do not.

the Origins of Halloween

Research any reputable encyclopedia and discover that it does not shy away from the fact that Halloween is of the origin of Samhain (pronounced SAH-WUN – apparently meaning “summers end”).

“Halloween had its origins in the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. On the day corresponding to November 1 on contemporary calendars, the new year was believed to begin. That date was considered the beginning of the winter period, the date on which the herds were returned from pasture and land tenures were renewed. During the Samhain festival, the souls of those who had died were believed to journey to the otherworld. People set bonfires on hilltops to relight their hearth fires for the winter and to frighten away evil spirits, and they sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the ghosts thought to be present. It was in those ways that beings such as witches, hobgoblins, fairies, and demons came to be associated with the day. The period was also thought to be favorable for divination on matters such as marriage, health, and death. When the Romans conquered the Celts in the 1st century A.D., they added their own festivals of Feralia, commemorating the passing of the dead, and of Pomona, the goddess of the harvest.”

(Halloween - https://www.britannica.com/topic/Halloween).

It appears as if the original timing of Halloween was related to certain movements of the sun. Notice -

SPOOKY ASTRONOMY: Halloween is a date of astronomical interest. It has to do with seasons: Halloween is a cross-quarter date, approximately midway between an equinox and a solstice. There are four cross-quarter dates throughout the year, and each is a minor holiday: Groundhog Day (Feb. 2nd), May Day (May 1st), Lammas Day (Aug. 1st), and Halloween (Oct. 31st).

“Long ago, the Celts of the British Isles used cross-quarter days to mark the beginnings of seasons. Winter began with Halloween, or as they called it, Samhain," says John Mosley of the Griffith Observatory. "Halloween marked the transition between summer and winter, light and dark -- and life and death. On that one night, according to folklore, those who had died during the previous year returned for a final visit to their former homes. People set out food and lit fires to aid them on their journey -- but remained on guard for mischief the spirits might do.”

(https://spaceweather.com/ 10/31/07).

Also, in Asia, versions of Halloween - like what the Celts celebrated and the pre-Hispanic Mexicans - are celebrated.

“The Chinese celebrate the ‘Hungry Ghost Festival’ in mid-July when it is customary to float river lanterns to remember those who have died. ... Chinese Christian churches hold religious celebrations. ... Mainland China has been less influenced by Anglo traditions than Hong Kong and Halloween is generally considered “foreign.” ...

Halloween arrived in Japan mainly as a result of American pop culture. As recently as 2009, it was not appreciated and only celebrated by expats. ...

The Philippines ...

The period from 31 October through 2 November is a time for remembering dead family members and friends. Many Filipinos travel back to their hometowns for family gatherings of festive remembrance. ...

Singapore ...

Around mid-July, Singapore Chinese celebrate ‘Zhong Yuan Jie / Yu Lan Jie’ (Hungry Ghosts Festival), a time when it is believed that the spirits of the dead come back to visit their families.”

(Geography of Halloween - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Halloween).

So, the modern Western version of Halloween has been spreading like wildfire around the globe. Yet, it is certainly not Christian.

The ‘god of this world’ (2 Corinthians 4:4), Satan the devil, (who does indeed exist, despite many who falsely claim otherwise - such as a Melanie Cottam, a Dianic leader - See: History of Halloween traditions; lost symbolism, meaning) has been successfully spreading this holiday and getting it endorsed by many cultures and even religions around the world.

Bonfires

Having grown up in rural Oregon, my family had many bonfires, and I simply believed that they were pretty cool. However, later I learned that their origin is related to Halloween.

“True Origin of 'Bonfire': Bonefire

The word is actually derived from Middle English bonefire, meaning literally "a fire of bones." (Way cooler etymology, right?) The earliest appearance of the word is glossed ignis ossium—Latin for "fire of bones." And a citation from the 15th century confirms that this is not just a learned folk-etymology.

(https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/the-secret-history-of-bonfire).

Certainly, when I was in my youth, no one ever mentioned that bonfires were originally BONE FIRES.

Jack-O-Lanterns

The origin of the jack-o-lanterns is rather amusing - also known as a will-o-the-wisp, foxfire, or fairy fire, also a friar's lantern, or a corpse lantern - was believed to be a wandering soul that could not find any refuge because of a particularly evil deed that was committed in its lifetime. Others believed it was a malignant imp. The Finns believed that it was the soul of a child who was buried in the forest. Today's carving of a face on a pumpkin is symbolic of a mocking spirit - a spirit who chased terrified victims through mud and brambles until confused and then left them stranded with the sound of laughter ringing through their ears. The corpse candle (a modern carved pumpkin) is said to be a small flame moving through the air in the dark and is believed by superstition to be an omen of the observer's imminent death - or the death of a loved one. Only the foolish would follow them.

Now, I could mention many more traditions with this pagan holiday - or rather "holy day" of ancient Samhain - but NONE come from the Holy Bible.

Turn with me if you will to Leviticus 23 - for the Lord God (the very One we now know of as Jesus Christ) had Moses, under the inspiration of God's Spirit list His feasts –

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2) 'Speak to the children of Israel [or also the New Covenant Church of God], and say to them: 'The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, THESE ARE MY FEASTS.’” - Leviticus 23:1-2.

Halloween - also known as ‘All Hallows Eve’ or even All Saints’ Day, IS NOT LISTED! It is not a commanded feast of the LORD - it is a tradition of paganized man. And there is no hint whatsoever of it in the Bible.

God’s living eternal word WARNS us against worshiping the LORD God the way the pagans did! – Leviticus 18:3; Deuteronomy 12:31; Jeremiah 10:2-3.

The living word of God repeatedly WARNS against the practice of sorcery and witchcraft – Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10; Galatians 5:20. Along with what many call “ghosts,” “ghouls,” and “goblins” – Deuteronomy 18:11; 1st Chronicles 10:13. □

ADDITIONAL RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST:

Is Halloween Biblical? - The short answer is - a resounding no.

Should Christians Observe Halloween? - October 31st will soon be here again, along with a strange festival – Halloween. With demons, goblins, witches, ghosts, human skeletons – which are glorified. But, what do all these have to do with All Hallows Eve!? And why the demonic-looking masks and gaudy decorations!?

New Wine In Old Skin - Are you seriously thinking about making some changes in your life – the way you live!?

Satan's World - this world is changing! And sometimes it does feel as if it’s with lightning speed for a man in the autumn of his years. I have seen such drastic changes – rapid changing – in technology, science, medicine, and in cultures, neighborhoods, and in our cities and towns all throughout the world.

St. Valentine's Day - where did it come from!? - Now friends, surely school teachers, and other professional educators would know the origin of St. Valentine's Day!? Yet, most do not.

Commentary: Happy New Year? - Here are various sources on this so-called New Year.

The Truth Concerning Christmas (AI Audio Articles) - In three parts - so far.

When Does God's New Year Begin? - Let me begin today by asking these questions – “How did the celebration of New Year’s ever begin!?” “Why is the beginning of a new year placed in the dead of winter!?” “Where did this custom originate!? Did it come from Almighty God!?”

Commentary: Pagainism and this world - It is EASY to spot a person who is under the influence of Satan the Devil. The person is embracing worldliness, of which the LORD our God says to be no part of.

Is Your Belief Biblical? and can you prove it? - ... we hold that the freedom of religion is maybe the one we hold most dearly. ...

Are You But A Traditionalist? - Why in this world is there such grave religious confusion!? Also, why in these worldly churches do they look to a different Jesus than the living Jesus Christ of God’s living word!?

ChristMas... Its Origin - Well, here we are dear friends just on the threshold of another Christmas.

Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Easter - Did the Original Christians Observe These? - Now, indeed to the Catholics and others this all seems just fine. The majority consider this to be inspirational. Yet, THIS IS NOT INSPIRED BY GOD!

Easter or Passover? - It's so very sad that so many people - especially among the English-speaking nations of the world - do not understand that the holiday they call Easter is truly supposed to be Passover.

Should Biblical Christians Observe St. Patrick's Day? - Would this tradition of man be one that Jesus Christ would endorse!?