Ep. 19 - Should Halloween Be Celebrated?
Should Christians celebrate Halloween? In this episode, I go over the roots behind Halloween to find out whether or not it's wise to take part of this popular holiday.
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Intro (0:07)
What is going on everyone! Welcome to The Message with yours truly Angel. Thank you so much for tuning in today it’s truly a blessing to have you listening right now. I hope all is well with you and just always remember that God is always near. Anyways we are finally in the month of October. I’m a fan of the Fall as I’ve said before. Love the leaves changing from green, to red yellow and orange. I love the air getting cooler, but not to the point where you’re freezing your butt off either. Even fashion wise, you’re just able to come up with more creative combinations of clothing because you can now layer stuff on top of that t-shirt. Sounds odd? Don’t judge me I just like the Fall haha. So for the month of October, I really wanted to speak on the big holiday this month which is, Halloween. I’ve been really excited about this episode. I’m going to share some stuff from my childhood, that I haven’t really gotten the opportunity to share with anyone. I mean how often does the topic of whether or not Halloween is a holiday to celebrate, actually get brought up? So for this month’s episode, I will be going over the origin of Halloween, my childhood experiences, and of course answering the question as to whether or not Halloween is something we should celebrate.
History of Halloween (2:14)
Now before we go any deeper in this episode, I do think it’s important to very quickly go over the origin of Halloween. When we think of Halloween today, trick or treating and being costume I’m sure some of the first things that pop up. Believe it or not however, its origins are a little different. What is known today as “Halloween,” actually was known as “Samhain,” which started in what is today Ireland, around 2,000 years ago by a group of people called The Celts. It was a day made to celebrate the end of their harvest season which also was their New Year on their calendar. They believed that during this time, the dead were able to walk the earth. Pretty creepy right? I started thinking of the movie Night of the Living Dead haha. So apparently the Celts thought it was pretty creepy too, and so they would actually wear creepy disguises themselves, with the intention of being mistaken by a spirit as one of their own and thus being left alone. The concept of Jack o’ Lanterns actually is from turnips being carved with a candle inside meant to symbolize a soul trapped inside it. They would also be placed outside houses to ward off evil spirits roaming the earth that night. Pumpkins replaced them later in America during the 1800’s because it was much easier to carve a pumpkin, than a turnip. Now obviously I can go way deeper in regards to the origins behind Halloween, but that is the abridged version since we have a lot more to talk about this episode. As you can see many of the traditions of today, have origins dating back thousands of years. Halloween today is one of the biggest holidays, especially in the United States. So much money is spent yearly on candy, costumes, pumpkins, etc. I remember working at a supermarket when I was younger, and they actually sold Jack o Lanterns that either were already painted on, or came with a carving kit. Horror movies are released yearly around the time of Halloween and certain cable channels will even run marathons of horror movies such as Halloween, Friday the 13th, etc. Basically what I’m trying to say is, if you live in the United States during the month of October, this holiday is all around you. Whether you like it or not.
My Childhood Experiences (4:56)
Growing up as a kid raised a Christian, this meant the time around Halloween was a very odd time for me. Growing up and even today (spoiler alert) I never celebrated Halloween. I was told that it was an evil holiday and I should have nothing to do with it. I was so hard about my faith back then as well, and even though it was uncomfortable to not celebrate Halloween, I did just that.
Thankfully my memory goes pretty far back and I do remember some of my experiences with Halloween while growing up. I remember in 2nd grade, we had a Halloween party in class. Everyone would bring Halloween themed candy and deserts, and share it with the whole class. People brought in tons of stuff! Thing was, I didn’t bring anything. I’d be handed a plate of cupcakes, and all the candy you could want. And I remember as clear as day, picking up the plate of Halloween candy and deserts, going to the garbage can and saying, “In the name of Jesus, I throw this out.” I still can’t believe at 7 years old, I did not budge, even if the whole class was in costume celebrating Halloween. I felt like a complete outsider, even though the class didn’t hate me for it. I was doing it for God and I can’t imagine what his face was, seeing a 7 year old Angel not conforming to everyone else. I’d hope he was proud.
Even a year later I remember being in 3rd grade and every year around Halloween, my elementary school would have a Halloween parade where we would walk around the field in our costumes. The only thing was, I’d always be like the only kid without a costume. Was it awkward? Absolutely. As a kid, you always want to be a part of a group and be with the crowd. And yet, here I was at 8 years old, doing the exact opposite. I remember a classmate was dressed as Superman and just thinking how cool it’d be to wear that costume around school also. I sacrificed being with the in-crowd, to stand out as an obedient child of God. Wasn’t easy let me tell you. There were times, especially in my teens where I wasn’t so strict about not having anything to do with Halloween. In fact during my Freshmen and Senior year of High School, I actually came to school in some sort of costume. I remember going to class with a Spider-Man mask on when I was a freshmen and a V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes mask when I was a senior. Not particular proud moments, but it does show I’m not perfect either in this walk I have with God.
Is Celebrating Halloween a Sin? (7:26)
You would think that with my childhood stories that my answer to the episode title would be so simple right? To be honest, no. In preparation for every podcast, I do research just so I know I have a well rounded perspective on what I plan on talking about. What I’ve found is that, there are many Christians out there that do not see celebrating Halloween as a sin. Many argue that as long as you don’t go dressing up as Michael Myers or something representing death, that you should be okay. Some argue, “what’s so evil about a child dressed up as a power ranger going door to door for candy?”
If you look at The Bible, you won’t find scripture either that says “Halloween is evil and not to be celebrated.” In fact there are Christians out there that will dress up and celebrate Halloween, including dressing up and going trick or treating. After all, there’s nothing evil about a kid dressing up as a doctor or something and going to door to door asking for candy right? But while I’m saying that The Bible doesn’t necessarily say that it is a sin, I do want to point to some scripture to help you see why I decide not to celebrate the holiday Halloween.
If we look towards the Word of God, Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:23 says,
“You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.”
As you can see from the scripture, Paul clearly says that while something not be necessarily be bad such as a sin, it doesn’t necessarily mean either that it’s encouraged. Remember that this walk with God isn’t about, what can I get away with but rather, how can I best represent Christ by the way that I live? you need to ask yourself if it’s wise to celebrate Halloween. Will I draw people to Christ by celebrating? How does the outside world view a Christian taking part in a holiday that is rooted in Paganism? You can’t honestly sit here and tell me that a Christian carving faces into a pumpkin and having it lit outside isn’t going to raise some eyebrows.
The holidays all about dressing up in creepy costumes, getting scared, throwing toilet paper on houses, egging houses and cars and other pranks, watching tons of horror movies, etc. I ask myself where is God in all of this? You think Jesus would be dressed up on a day like Halloween? I don’t know about you, but I doubt it. The holiday seems harmless because it’s been so commercialized now, but remember the origin of this day.
We are Different (9:46)
In my personal opinion, there is literally nothing about Halloween that glorifies the body of Christ. Nothing. This day celebrates death, while the Lord came to give life, and life in abundance.
Read the news, how many people disappear every year during the time of Halloween? You may think things have changed since the days of Celts and believing in the spiritual world roaming the earth, but there are still people today that believe this. People still study witchcraft today, I’ve even met one years back so trust me. And for those curious of the story, I’ll make this super quick. Back in like 2012 I was over a friend’s house hanging out one night and this girl who was a friend of their cousin had came in and introduced her to me. I thought she was pretty, and she had found me attractive too. But I felt something off about her and while we were all hanging out in the patio, as she was talking she had revealed that she studies witchcraft and could communicate with spirits while on drugs. I was 19 so instead of being freaked out, I was making jokes with my friend the entire night on how out of her mind she was. I had a good laugh but I was young and I do regret not having preached to her at some point as I would have today at 25.
But anyways my point is people still study the occult. People still believe the time of Halloween to be a time where the spirit world and physical world meet and do rituals and such during this time.
Remember what The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12,
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
The world today wants you to ignore this and focus on the happier side of Halloween which is dressing up in harmless costumes, getting candy or going to dress up parties. And I get it, it’s hard. I love the idea of dressing up and getting free candy going to door to door. I mean who doesn’t like free candy right? As a kid growing up, seeing all the cool costumes made it hard sometimes because I would have loved to use a day like Halloween as an excuse to come dressed up as something cool. Thank God for Comic Con conventions because at least there’s an opportunity there to dress up and it’s nothing to do with Halloween haha.
But to get back to what I was saying. I know what this holiday is rooted in, and it just doesn’t sit well with me that I take part of it in any capacity.
I know everyone has their own personal convictions and this isn’t meant to necessarily prove that Halloween being celebrated is a sin. I won’t judge a Christian who posts a picture of them on Instagram in some costumer, and I’d neither would you. This podcast was just to discuss my personal convictions behind this holiday and why I won’t celebrate it, even though I can admit Halloween does seem like fun celebrating.
But as Ephesians 5:11 says,
“Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them”
My conviction tells me that while I’m in this world, I am not of it. I will not celebrate a holiday so rooted in death and Paganism. A holiday does celebrate death, and not life. A holiday that does not edify the body of Christ in any way. A holiday that causes controversy amongst Christmas. Interesting how Christmas doesn’t do this right? That should say something right off the bat.
Prayer (13:27)
Remember folks though that this is simply my personal conviction behind this holiday and I won’t judge if you happen to celebrate it this year. I do just want to pray that the Lord may continue guiding your steps and for you to continue growing in your walk with Christ. Or if you’ve never accepted Christ as your personal Lord and savior, there is never a better time than now. So where you are unless you’re driving then eyes on the road. But feel free to close your eyes as we pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this amazing day. Thank you for allowing us to live another day here. Thank you for your grace and mercy that you shower upon on us every day. Today you’ve allowed us another opportunity in being a better version of ourselves. Another day to seek your presence. Lord I want to pray for whoever is tuning in right at this moment. I pray that you bless their lives and their families. I pray that they may encounter you if they haven’t already done so Father. I pray that you guide their steps and open their eyes to see your work in their lives. I pray that their hearts may be opened, so that they may hear you speak. Lord we pray for forgiveness for all of our past sins and transgressions. May you show the areas in our lives that may not be pleasing you Lord. We want to honor through our life here on Earth and we ask for your help and guidance always. We thank you and in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Outro (15:34)
As always, thank you so much for tuning in. You have no idea how much I appreciate you giving me your time to hear my thoughts on this particular holiday we call Halloween. I hope I was able get the mind moving and looking at Halloween possibly in a different light now. Feel free to share this with anyone because I do think it’s cause for a good dialogue. Whether we should celebrate Halloween or not will always be a controversial topic among believers and non-believers. Honestly I may touch on this subject again one day, because I would love to sit with a fellow Christian who celebrates it. I think it would create a very interesting episode. But anyways, I truly hope you enjoyed this episode! Next episode will be hitting the topic of whether or not Patriotism is Idolatry so stay tuned for that! That may be even more controversial than this episode haha. So yeah please do not forget to subscribe if you haven’t already done so. The Message is available on iTunes. Just type in The Message Angel in the search bar and it should pop right up. It’s also available on Soundcloud at soundcloud.com/themessagepodcast if you prefer Soundcloud and it’s now available on Spotify which is super exciting if you’re a green bubble person and don’t use an iPhone. The goal is always to make it easily accessible for you guys to tune in from wherever. That’s why I have all my podcast episodes transcribed on my website, mynameisangel.com. This means now you can read the podcasts to get a feel for the audio version before you listen. I also add the time signatures so you can always skip to your favorite parts. So anyways once again, thank you for tuning in! Remember that the Lord loves you, and He wants a deep and intimate relationship with you. No matter what your past is, it is never too late to run back home, to God. God bless you and until next time folks, this has been The Message, with Angel.
