Unmasking Halloween: The Sweet, The Scary & The Sacred
- Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
- 1 hour ago
- 7 min read
From carved pumpkins and trick-or-treating to costumes and ghost stories, Halloween is a holiday beloved by many. In my pre-teen and teen years, the cities around our area would coordinate truck or treating and publicize dates to coordinate with parents. The benefit to this effort was that some cities did trick or treating on the weekend, instead of Halloween night. This provided us with ample opportunities for a greater “haul” of treats. We’d often hit two or three cities in the same week.
My Grandma Leta knew all the best spots. In either 1990 or 1991 we finished our last evening with a record number of spoils. My brother and I had three piles on the floor. Separating the chocolate, gum, and “yucky” candy was the first step. Second, we made our trades and surrendered our “tax” to our parents. For me it was the Whoppers, Recee cups, Twix, Milky Way and Rolos. And don’t forget the double bubble gum. Great memories!
We live in a different world now. Our generation wore homemade costumes or just thin plastic masks held together by a thin rubber band and staples. You could trust your neighbors not to poison or kidnap your children. As I’ve grown older I’ve learned there is a terrible dark side to a once beloved evening of fun. Adults have made it darker. Scarier. More demonic even. Why? Behind the spooky fun lies a rich and complex history, deeply intertwined with ancient traditions, religious observances, and cultural evolution. So grab a pumpkin spice latte and let's delve into the fascinating origins of All Hallows' Eve!
Echoes of Samhain: The Celtic Roots
Our journey begins over 2,000 years ago with the Celts, who inhabited the area now known as Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. For them, October 31st marked the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter – a time often associated with death. They celebrated a festival called Samhain (pronounced sow-in), meaning "summer's end."
The Celts believed that on the night of Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return to the earthly realm. While some spirits were benevolent and welcomed, others were mischievous or malevolent. To ward off these unwelcome visitors, bonfires were lit, often with animal sacrifices, and people would wear costumes – often made of animal skins and heads – to disguise themselves and confuse wandering spirits.
Feasts were prepared for both the living and the deceased, and divination games were common, with people seeking to predict their future in the coming year. Sound familiar? Many of these ancient customs laid the groundwork for modern Halloween traditions.
The Influence of Christianity: All Saints' Day & All Souls' Day
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, it inevitably encountered and sometimes incorporated existing pagan practices. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV established All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day) on May 13th, dedicated to honoring all Christian martyrs and saints. Later, in the 9th century, Pope Gregory III moved All Saints' Day to November 1st.
The night before All Saints' Day became known as All Hallows' Eve – eventually shortened to Halloween. The Roman Catholic Church also established All Souls' Day on November 2nd, a day to pray for the souls of all the faithfully departed. These three days collectively formed Hallowtide.
While the Roman Catholic Church aimed to reframe pagan festivals within a Christian context, many of the folk customs associated with Samhain persisted. The belief in spirits, the tradition of disguises, and the practice of offering food continued, gradually merging with Christian observances. This was not an uncommon practice. In fact, Spanish and African traditions have a striking similarity.
Medieval Practices: Guising, Souling, & Jack-o'-Lanterns
During the Middle Ages, "souling" became a widespread practice. Poor people would go from door to door, begging for "soul cakes" in exchange for prayers for the dead. This is often seen as an early precursor to trick-or-treating. Children and adults also began "guising," dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door, often performing songs or plays in exchange for treats.
The iconic jack-o'-lantern also has a fascinating history. It originates from an old Irish myth about Stingy Jack, a man who tricked the devil. When Jack died, he was denied entry into both heaven and hell, doomed to wander the earth with only a burning coal inside a carved turnip to light his way. When Irish immigrants arrived in America, they discovered that pumpkins were far easier to carve than turnips, and thus, the pumpkin jack-o'-lantern was born.
Halloween Comes to America: A Melting Pot of Traditions
Halloween was largely suppressed in colonial America due to the strong Protestant beliefs of many early settlers, who viewed the holiday's pagan roots with suspicion. However, in the 19th century, with the arrival of large numbers of Irish and Scottish immigrants, Halloween traditions were revitalized.
Initially, Halloween in America was a time for public gatherings, costume parties, and mischievous pranks. As the 20th century progressed, communities worked to tame the more destructive elements of the holiday, shifting the focus towards children and organized activities. Trick-or-treating as we know it today truly took off in the 1930s and 40s, becoming a safe and structured way for children to participate.
Why Do Some Christians Choose Not to Celebrate Halloween?
Despite its historical connections to All Hallows' Eve and All Saints' Day, some Christians today choose not to celebrate Halloween. Their reasons are varied and deeply personal but should be considered. In the Lord’s church I am aware of many families that sit this one out. Why? I think it revolves around 5 key things.
Halloween Comes From Pagan Origins: For some, the holiday's roots in Samhain and its association with pagan rituals concerning death and spirits are a significant concern (Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, I Corinthians 10:20-21). They believe that participating in Halloween, even innocently, can inadvertently endorse practices that are contrary to their faith. Even more liberal Christians can agree that dressing small children as bloodthirsty monsters, demons and witches could paint the wrong image.
Strong Emphasis on Darkness & Evil: Many are uncomfortable with Halloween's modern emphasis on ghosts, witchcraft, and other symbols of darkness and evil (Ephesians 5:11, I Thessalonians 5:22, I John 1:5). They feel it normalizes or even celebrates themes that are spiritually negative. Christians should flee from evil, not embrace it. And certainly we shouldn’t imitate it.
The Secularization & Commercialization of Halloween: There is a worldly element to the holiday and we are not of this world (John 15:19, 17:14-16, 18:36, Romans 12:1-2, I John 2:15). Some Christians feel that Halloween has become overly secularized and commercialized, losing any spiritual significance it once had for Christians. It seems to be just another way to get Americans to spend money. Regardless of whether you practice the holiday or not it is easy to admit that we will buy (and consume) large amounts of junk food.
Increased Security & Safety Concerns: Children are our future and we have a responsibility to protect them (Psalm 22:6, 82:3-4, 127:3, Matthew 18:1-11). For some, the practical concerns of the holiday, such as children soliciting strangers for candy or the potential for vandalism and pranks, lead them to simply opt out of participation, especially in trick-or-treating activities. Extra patrols of police are needed on Halloween. And there is no way to know what things strangers might give your children.
There Are Alternative Celebrations: Purity is the a major proponent of Christianity (Deuteronomy 12:29-31, II Corinthians 6:14-17). Instead of Halloween, many churches and Christian families opt for "fall festivals," "harvest parties," or "trunk-or-treats.” These events can provide a safe, fun, and faith-affirming alternative, often focusing on light, bounty, and community. Emphasis can be placed on simpler, and more modest, costumes or themes.
It's important to remember that Christianity itself is diverse, and there's no single, universal Christian stance on Halloween. Many Christians participate in Halloween activities, seeing it as harmless fun, a chance for community engagement, or simply an opportunity to celebrate the autumn season. They cite Romans 14 as an example for Christian liberty on this subject. It can be argued that other holidays (i.e. Easter, Christmas, etc.) also have roots in pagan practices, but are arguably easier to filter.
The Enduring Appeal of Halloween
While the ancient origins and modern imagery of Halloween can present real conflicts for some, a thoughtful Christian approach does not require outright rejection. By embracing an open mind, we can choose to engage with the day not as an endorsement of darkness, but as an opportunity for light. Whether you participate by simply handing out candy with a kind smile, hosting a "light" alternative event, or using the historical context to teach children about the saints (All Hallows' Eve) and the victory of Christ, you retain the agency to define your celebration.
Like all issues that confront Christians today, we must approach Halloween with intentionality. We should give allowance to filter the cultural elements through a lens of faith. It is possible to transform the night, often focused on fear, into one focused on hospitality, generosity, and the confidence in Christ. Regardless of its complex past and diverse interpretations, Halloween continues to be a captivating holiday. It's a time when we collectively embrace the fantastical, confront our fears in a playful way, and connect with our communities. From ancient bonfires to modern-day haunted houses, the spirit of Halloween – a mix of the spooky, sweet and sacred – endures.
Misty and I do not open our home to trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. In fact, I’ve not done that for many years. We choose to dress up for our Fall Festival with our church family (usually the weekend before Halloween) but we do not extend any observance past the church sponsored event. No decorations in the yard or in the house. It’s a personal conviction. If we still had little ones at home we might feel differently, but we will not force anyone to share our opinions. The beautiful thing is that we are all entitled to our own opinions on this issue.
If you choose to recognize Halloween, open your home for parties, hand out candy bars, or take your kids out to walk in a friendly neighborhood, you will not hear condemnation or judgment from me. In fact, I'll gladly take any overflow of Recee's Pieces or Whopper malt balls off your hands! In all seriousness, my prayer is that you be informed and make a decision that is best for you and your family. Please remember Who you represent everyday of the year. Be true to your convictions. Be safe. Don't participate in anything that dishonors your God. And make sweet memories.
You are loved.
Ray Reynolds, PhD
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