In Today's post we will be discussing the Origin's of the Traditions of Halloween, and cover why I believe as Christians we should have nothing to do with this abominable un-holy day.
A) Let's start off by discussing where Halloween comes from . Back in Ancient times on October 31st the Celts and druid priest would gather around the community bonfire where they would sacrifice their animals, crops, and even themselves, in contrast we see that Jesus made one offering to redeem mankind (Heb 10:14).
The Druid's were Pagans who used this day to celebrate Death, and that which is evil. They also taught that souls transmigrated after death from one person to the next, the bible teaches that we are appointed to die but once (Heb 9:27).
It was the Roman Catholic Church who was responsible for why we celebrate Halloween today. They "baptized" it and renamed Nov 1st "all hallows day" and Oct. 31 "Hallows Eve", in the 7th century. It was during this time of the year that the Druids believed fairies, elves, witches, and ghost came out to cause trouble and therefore had to be pacified with offerings of food. This is why the Celts would travel with their children, in order to find food for the devils. It was during this particular night that they feared and worshiped animals as well, this included pigs, snakes, owls, and dogs. The druids believed that Cat's (especially black ones) were sacred also. This is a classic example of Rom 1:25. It's no wonder why we see so many pictures of black cat's, witches and ghosts around this time of the year.
The Celts were also responsible for the belief that witches flew on broomsticks during this time to cast curses on those who didn't participate in this demonic ceremony. The Druids also believed that cats used to be human but were transformed as a kind of punishment for wrongdoing. They also Worshiped Samhain who is called "lord of the dead", the Christian God of the bible is the God of the living (Mar 12:27). The Celts also made costumes from animals for this celebration and practiced telling others people's fortune. This is yet another practice condemned in scripture (Deu 18:10).
B) The origins of Halloween are far from just harmless superstition as the Druids would begin by killing a male slave and then they would drag him by a rope, going from house to house. They would then ask for a slave girl or a female for a treat. If they didn't comply the druids would draw a hexagram from the blood of the corpse they had been dragging around on the door, a devil would then kill somebody that night with fear! If a female was given the priest would give a Jackolantern with a human fat candle in the middle which supposedly ward off evil spirits. The female victims or "treats" were then raped and sacrificed on a bonfire, located at Stonehenge. The bible is clear that God hates the hands that shed innocent blood (Pro 6:16-17).
C) It turns out that the Celts had many gods which included the sun, we see that there were sun worshipers in the bible too, though their fate didn't turn out that good (Jer 8:2). They also believed that Samhain guided reincarnation and would gather the souls from the previous year in order to decide what form they would take on the coming year, whether man or beast. When Catholicism "white-washed" it so they could observe it, they made it so they do not honor all the dead; just dead "saints". It turns out that the Catholics observed this day much the say way the ancient Celts did; with costumes of the dead, bonfires, etc. So much for not being conformed to the world, and abhorring that which is evil (Rom 12:2, 12:9 ). The bible is abundantly clear that we are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, we are supposed to reprove the works of darkness instead of having fellowship with it. How are we to obey these commands if we allow our kids to go "trick or treating"? (2 Co 6:14, Eph 5:11).
D) A few more practices that I thought that I would mention is that the Celts would leave food outside of the home in order to appease ghost or prevent them from entering the home. The tradition of costumes for Halloween comes from when they would wear Mask and costumes out of animal hide in order to make the ghosts think they were just fellow spirits. The bible tells us to abstain from all appearance of evil (1Th 5:22). One last interesting tidbit of information is that in England the poor would trade prayers for the dead in exchange for "soul cakes" on All souls day. This further ties Halloween with Catholicism and the man made doctrine of Purgatory.
So in conclusion Halloween is a day where countless people celebrate and honor the traditions of the ancient devil worshipers of Ireland. We as followers of Christ are instructed by Paul not to have fellowship with devils but to rather flee Idolatry (1 Cor 10:20, 1 Cor 10:14).
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