Pagans, Christians and Halloween
Why Christians Shouldn't Fear Halloween
The Halloween that is celebrated today in the United States is a day when children and adults alike can dress up and collect candy. People host Halloween parties where guests can bob for apples and drink punch. So, what does that have to do with paganism? Very little, really. Actually, pagans don't even celebrate Halloween as a spiritual holiday.
The pagan holiday is called Samhain, and depending on the pagan, is observed on October 31st or another date in mid-November. Samhain is a time when pagans honor their family members and friends who have passed away. In early times, it was believed that the veil between this world and the Otherworld was thin, and our ancestors could give advice and guidance. People put candles in hollowed out turnips so the spirits could find their way, and set out food as offerings. The spirits of loved ones are not to be feared-pagans greet them just as they would a living relative who has been away for a while. Some pagans also celebrate Samhain as the start of a new year. Samhain is the time to contemplate death, and on the other side of death is a new life.
Christianity actually created Halloween. As Christianity was spreading throughout Europe, the clergy had difficulties convincing the general populace to stop celebrating their pagan holidays. In most cases, the church made up holidays that occurred at the same time of year as the old pagan festivals. Instead of celebrating the Winter Solstice, the church told people to celebrate Christ's birth during the long winter months. And instead of Samhain, the church convinced people that spirits needed to be scared away by dressing up in ghoulish costumes, and Halloween was born.
Pagans all have different opinions of Halloween. For some, Halloween is a part of their American culture that is very separate from their spiritual beliefs. They dress up, trick or treat, and attend Halloween parties, and separately take part in rituals for Samhain. While the two holidays may fall on the same day, they're each part of different cultures and serve different purposes. Halloween is for having fun, indulging the imagination, and being silly. Samhain is a time to remember loved ones who have passed on and to be grateful for the life our ancestors have given them.
Some pagans are offended by the modern, secular Halloween. Samhain is an important festival in the spiritual lives of pagans, and they view Halloween as vulgar and sacrilegious. Pagans celebrated Samhain long before Christians started celebrating Halloween, and they resent that Christians have "stolen" their holiday. These pagans don't give out candy on Halloween or attend Halloween parties. They participate in their Samhain activities, and that's all.
Many pagans are confused by some communities' attempts to stop people from celebrating Halloween. Schools ban children from dressing up during classes on Halloween and cancel parades and parties. Some cities host harvest festivals in order to keep people from celebrating Halloween. All of this is done because some Christians are afraid of the pagan origins of Halloween. These people don't realize that Christianity created Halloween to stop paganism, and that the modern version of Halloween has very little to do with paganism. Any fears of a connection between Satanism and Halloween are completely unfounded-after all, Satanism is actually a form of Christianity, not paganism (for it is the Christian devil that is worshipped, not any pagan god or goddess-and by definition, pagans don't believe in the Christian god or devil). Satanism has nothing to do with Samhain or with Halloween. The only real thing that keeps people afraid of Halloween is ignorance. If people would open themselves to learning the truth behind Halloween and Samhain, they would see that the two are very different. Children will not be corrupted by dressing up as princesses or superheroes any more than they will be corrupted by celebrating Christmas at the same time of year as the Winter Solstice
Published by Rachel Raum
Rachel is currently working towards a Bachelor's degree in English. She has two young sons, two dogs, and one ferret. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentThank you for writing this!
Satanism is worship of self. The "I am god" attitude. Because Satan wanted to be higher than God and so was cast out of Heaven with his followers. As for Halloween, I don't particularly care where it came from. It's commercialized and for that reason my participation is minimal.
Wow this is a big lie... yall better stop believing whatever is over the internet! Christians did not start Halloween because the purpose of the holiday is not Christ-like and WE don't need to scare off spirits by dressing up in ghoulish costumes. Spirits are already afraid of us because the Lord of Lords is our Lord and Savior.. WE are in Him! So this is a lie.. oh and a side-not.. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a Christian.. but only those who do the will of the Father is a Christian! Love ya... READ THE BIBLE!
There are a couple mistakes in this article I'd like to bring your attention to-- First, the practice of wearing costumes during Halloween was not invented by Christians, it is a Pagan tradition (like everything else at Halloween-time.) Second, Satanists do NOT worship the Christian Devil as a God. Satanism is more a way of life than it is an actual religion, most Satanists are Atheists.
Read the article closer before you comment, Aimhigh. Almost everything you say in your comment I wrote in the article. Historically, Halloween was NOT created as a pagan holiday. Halloween was created to REPLACE the pagan holiday, Samhain, which takes place on the same day. As a pagan, I take great pains to educate myself on the history of my spirituality and things that are connected to it. It's a shame you haven't done the same.
FYI the article is wrong....being a pagan and a witch myself All Hallow's Eve, Halloween, All Saints Day or whatever you choose to call it...It is and I repeat it is a pagan celebration. Most ppl have no clue what they are doing and it is a real shame. Halloween was never a celebration of evil...it is a celebration and a time to allow for a remembrance of those family members who died during the year... it was also the time that they would cross to the otherworld. The spirits of those who died could also visit our world and see family and friends. And pagans do not believe in the Christian form of the "devil". Most believe that evil comes from within that person. You chose to do good or evil. grrrrrrrrrr too bad Christians don't just look into this themselves.
Thank you so much, this has cleared up a lot for me. I'm writing a paper, and I wanted to know the facts about the issues between paganism and halloween. (I know the internet isn't the most reliable source but I'm crunched for time.) I just wanted you to know this has helped me more than anything else I've seen (and that is saying A LOT!) Your article was more factual than anything I've read so far, everything else was trying to convince me not to celebrate the holiday. I wish people would learn to think for themselves. Thanks again.
Rachel, thanks for your helpful survey. I would say that as a Christian I am not afraid of Halloween, I just choose not to celebrate a holiday that focuses on aspects of evil (demons, ghouls, witches, and evil inducing skeletons).
I am a bit confused at your statement that "Many pagans are confused by some communities' attempts to stop people from celebrating Halloween." Earlier you said that Pagans didn't celebrate Halloween or view it as tied to Paganism, so why would Pagans be confused at people trying to stop Halloween?
Finally, I take exception to your statement that the Devil is a "form of Christianity." I prefer to think of it that Christianity, or the Church, or God himself, has exposed the Devil, also referred to as the Evil One. No other entity can expose the Devil because the Devil is an angel of light whose purpose is to deceive us. No one in deception can expose the Deceiver, it takes someone like the creator of the universe, who is greater than evil, to expos
Great info, thank you for clearing things up.
Thanks for publishing this & setting the record straight. I'm Pagan & I've noticed many people don't seem to understand why I don't celebrate this holiday in most "tradional" ways.