Halloween's History and the Christian Response
| Halloween’s history and the Christian Response Every year one calendar day is sure to spark controversy among Christians. I have even read articles written by Christians exclaiming the overreaction of the church concerning Halloween. Should Christians be concerned about Halloween? Should believers celebrate or even entertain the thought of participating in Halloween festivities? To answer these questions a close examination of the history of Halloween is needed in order to provide a better understanding and a clear Christian perspective. The rituals of Halloween originate with the Celtic people and dates back between 1000 – 100 B.C. The Celtic name for Halloween was called “The Vigil of Saman” or Samhain, named after the Druid lord of death and evil spirits, Samhain. Depending on the source used to obtain information, the names may vary from Saman, Samana, Shamhain or Samhain. Founded by the Druid’s, the Celtic priests of Druidism, Shamhain was the biggest and most significant observed day of the Celtic year and was held in honor of Shamhain. According to Celtic mythology it was at this time of year “Muck Olla” the sun god or god of summer, ended his reign and Samhain, the god of the dead, began his reign. The Celtic’s also held the belief that Muck Olla was weakening and being overpowered by Samhain. At this time of year, night was coming sooner and the leaves were falling symbolizing death. They also believed Samhain gathered the spirits and the dead of the previous year and at this point in time physical and spiritual realms interlinked and overlapped. “During this interval the normal order of the universe was suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the sidh lies open and all divine beings and spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere, sometime violently, in their affairs”. (Celtic Mythology p. 127 Prionsias MacCana). Samhain was a time of fear and anxiety among the people, not only fear of the roaming spirits but of the Druid priest’s because it was a time of sacrifice; of animal as well as human. The heavy involvement on human sacrifice by the Druid’s is a proven, historical fact not only by archaeological discoveries and recent excavations of mass graves and Druid sacrificial pits, but also by documented history. Sometime in the first century B.C. Caesar, conquering the territory, recorded a detailed account of the Druid priests. “All Gallic nations are much given to superstition, offering up men as victims to the gods or vow to sacrifice themselves. The Druid’s hold that the wrath of the gods can only be appeased, and mans life redeemed, by offering up human sacrifice”. The objects of the Samhain sacrifices were forced into wooden cages and burned at the command of the Druid priest’s. According to Ward Rutherford, Samhain was an occasion marked by the burning of human offerings. (The Druids and Their Heritage p.124). Recent discoveries have also revealed the uncovering of sacrificial pits where victims were submerged and preserved for thousands of years. The Druids believed that by preserving the bodies of the dead the victims would be trapped between worlds and suffer eternal torment. Modern occult involvement, activities and observance of Halloween As Christians we must first understand the evil, pagan roots of Halloween, but it is very important we understand today’s involvement of occult and satanic activities practiced during Halloween. WICCA is the contemporary name for today’s witch’s organization and by their own admission they observe Halloween as the most important religious day of the year. They practice “drawing down the moon” as one of their rituals. “Halloween is a day witches celebrate above all other days”. (Halloween and Satanism, Phil Phillips) Research confirms the Halloween meetings of wiccan’s, satanist’s and the occult as well as the activities they engage in, such as group sexual activities, spells, curses, conjuring up spirits and the offering of animal as well as human sacrifices. The week prior to Halloween the number of missing children increases and unknowing to the public many children will fall victims to the unholy rituals of satanic human sacrifices. Occult researcher Jack Roper says Halloween has the highest rate of satanic ritual crimes. Every year occult related Sacrificial remains are discovered after Halloween and are found surrounded by satanic symbols, alters and pyramid type structures. There have been documented police reports of fearful occult members who seek freedom from the occult after having their family members and children sacrificed in Halloween ceremonies. The fact is Halloween is a satanic, occult, pagan day of worship in today’s modern world and needs to be realized for what it truly is. Christians should have no desire to honor satan. Why provoke God (Dt 32:16). Halloween glorifies and promotes the occult and many children and teenagers are introduced to cultic practices at Halloween parties. Many kids first learn about and participate in séances and Ouija board games at Halloween parties. I will not go into the history of how the name of Halloween came about or how the pope in the eighth century promoted “All Saints Day” to counter Halloween. I do not see the relevance. My point is the factual history and the evil, pagan roots of Halloween as well as the proven heavy involvement of satanic, cultic Halloween activity we see even in today’s modern society. The Christians response should not be church festivals or any recognition of the day at all. I suggest a day involving activities that are Christ centered. Perhaps a family or church gathering that could include activities such as a time of interceding prayer, Bible study, a family meal and perhaps a Christian movie as well. Our children are NOT missing out on anything when it comes to participating in pagan rituals. |
| The History of Halloween |
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