Looking at Samhain vs. Halloween

Samhain was an important ancient Celtic religious festival because it was believed the pagan gods became visible to humans that day and played many tricks on their worshipers who were fearful and offered sacrifices and gifts of every kind were to counteract the mischievous, if not outright evil, activities of those deities. Probably rightly so, Samhain is considered by some to the precursor to Halloween, which will be celebrated this Sunday.

The connection between Samhain, held on Nov. 1, and Halloween came about largely because after Christianity spread throughout the Celtic regions of Europe and Asia Minor, alternative religious “holy days” were instituted by the pope to counteract the pagan religious festivals. By the 9th century, the celebration became a multi-day festival including All Hallows Eve (Halloween, Oct. 31), All Hallows Day (Nov. 1; aka All Saints Day remembering Christians in heaven) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2; to pray for those in Purgatory).

From almost the beginning, the October/November Christian-based holy days included superstitious aspects of Samhain, including the desire to appease evil deities with treats to prevent their tricks and wearing costumes to ward off ghosts. Because of its connections with Samhain, many Christians are concerned about celebrating Halloween (to be consistent, Christmas and Easter apparently also have pagan connections). But what does the Bible say about that?

Evil spirits and influences have existed since the beginning (Genesis 3:1-13; Ephesians 6:12). Evil is deceitful and not to be messed with, so we must be on our guard, even avoiding the appearance of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Hebrews 3:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Rather than appeasing evil spirits, we’re to please God, maintaining a strong faith/belief that he exists (Ephesians 4:22-23; 5:8-19; Romans 8:5-8; Hebrews 11:6). Christians aren’t to be worried about evil spirits because they cannot harm us (Romans 8:31-39; Psalm 23:1-6; James 4:7-10; John 16:33).

We’re not to make more out of any matter than is really there because then we actually give it credence. Some early Christians were concerned about eating meat sacrificed to idols and later sold in the public marketplace, but Paul said that idols were nothing because there’s only one God and the meat didn’t interfere with our place in God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Romans 14:1-23). We should not let what we consider good to be spoken of as evil, although we’re also to be careful about others’ opinions and our influence on them. Whatever we believe about a particular matter that isn’t based in a biblical command still in effect is a matter of opinion, and we’re not to impose those beliefs on others or allow others to impose their opinions on us (Colossians 2:16-23).

So, keeping in mind that every day should be devoted to God, enjoy Oct. 31 however you like, either by dressing up to collect candy in a way having nothing to do with appeasing evil spirits or as just another day like any other. If the latter, just leave your porch light off.

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].