Anyone with young children will know that next Wednesday is the festival of "Halloween". Most children today see it as a time of fun, and many have already been planning what they will wear to go out "Trick-or-Treating". I have heard of a number of families planning Halloween Parties.

This festival has been very popular in the USA, and has been growing in popularity here for the last couple of decades. The children see it as a lot of fun and enjoy the prospect of getting dressed up in strange costumes, and especially the possibility of being given a "treat" of lollies.

Some concerned adults have warned of potential danger to children calling on strange homes, walking around the streets at dusk, and accepting gifts from strangers. However, hardly anyone seems to be aware that what they are celebrating might have possible sinister implications. They have no realisation that they are actually dabbling with the dark side!

The World Book Encyclopaedia gives some interesting information on both the current observance and ancient origins of Halloween. It points out precautions that should be taken to avoid motor accidents or stranger danger, or poison lollies. It also notes that "people once believed that ghosts roamed the earth on Halloween" and that "they also thought that all witches met on 31st October to worship the devil". But it dismisses any possible problem with the conclusion: "Today, most people do not believe in ghosts or witches, but these supernatural beings remain symbols of Halloween".

That final statement should make any sincere Christian wary. For the Bible clearly teaches about witches and 'ghosts' or evil spirits, as being very real and dangerous. A considerable part of Jesus' ministry involved the casting out of evil spirits, and he commissioned his followers to continue such a ministry. Jesus has power and authority over the powers of darkness and he has given that power and authority to us. But the Bible clearly warns us against playing frivolously with such things. The Lord said in Deuteronomy 18:10 "Let no one be found among you...who practises divination or sorcery, interprets omens or engages in witchcraft."

Unlike the celebrations of Christmas and Easter, Halloween is not based on some important Christian event. In fact it is generally thought to have originated in pagan Celtic new year festivals, and festivals of the dead that were celebrated in Great Britain, Ireland and Northern France before Christ. The Celts believed that Samhain, the lord of death, allowed the souls of the dead to return to their earthly homes for the evening prior to their New Year's Day, November 1st.

The Druids build huge bonfires to drive away witches and evil spirits, and sacrifices were made to assure a good year. Food was left our as a "treat" for the spirits to prevent and evil "trick". Fortune telling was also an important part of Halloween celebrations, as it still is in many places today.

During the 800s, after many of the people had become Christians, the church decided to combat the pagan festival of death with a celebration of the Lord's life. So November 1st was observed as All Saints (All Hallowes) Day. However, pagan customs and superstitions continued on the evening prior, which became known as "All Hallowes Eve" - later contracted to "Halloween".

In the mid-1800s the Halloween customs were taken to America by Irish immigrants, with some adaptions. The Jack-o-Lantern, for example, which was a hollowed-out turnip in Ireland, became a hollowed-out pumpkin in America. However, the occultic symbols of witches, black cats, bats, and skulls were retained. In the USA today, Halloween has become a major focus for commercial interests, and stores are full of ghoulish-looking decorations. It would seem that the commercial potential is at least partly behind the recent growth of Halloween in Australia. While Halloween is all the rage, All Saints Day is barely noticed.

All in All,  Halloween has very little to commend it from a Christian point of view. The Bible encourages us to focus our thinking on whatever is right, pure, lovely, admirable, etc. (Phil. 4:8) The images of Halloween hardly fit such a description. The Bible also tells us to have nothing to do with godless myths. We need to be careful lest we give an opportunity to the devil. I have prayed for numbers of people whose lives were messed up because they dabbled with occult powers. Playing with the dark side can be dangerous!

Realistically, though we may be able to do little to stem the tide of Halloween observance, we can be prepared. Some Christians have a "Halleluia Party." When children come knocking at our door, why not have some positively Christian treats to bless them with? Instead of being simply negative, let's reclaim this time for Jesus!

John Davies
28 October 2001