Halloween and Misguided Beliefs

It’s that time of year again when some well-intentioned Christians, albeit somewhat misinformed, start questioning the faith of others and suggesting that those who celebrate Halloween are inviting evil into their lives.

A particular individual I spoke with mentioned feeling “called” to alert others about what she perceives as the dangers of Halloween.

The supposed offense? Simply participating in Halloween festivities at all— unless it’s to denounce them. Ironically, these same individuals can be found immersing themselves in activities like this:

I admire the passion of those who propagate these ideas, wanting to steer people away from evil and encourage them to turn towards Jesus.

But honestly, this method raises a lot of concerns.

Let’s dive into some of their core beliefs, many of which I find quite questionable.

The Notion that Halloween is Evil

The primary misconception is that Halloween is inherently bad.

In reality, Halloween’s history is a mix of Catholic and pagan traditions. All Hallows’ Eve (with “hallow” meaning holy) occurred the night before All Saints’ Day, a Catholic observance honoring saints, intertwining with ancient harvest customs that believed the dead might return as spirits—hence the holiday’s eerie associations.

Trick-or-treating likely sprouted from a medieval British tradition known as “souling.” During this practice, the needy would go around on November 1 or 2, praying for the deceased in exchange for food, often soul cakes.

Are there some pagan origins here? Yes, much like various components of our culture today. For example, the names of the days of the week reference pagan gods—like Thursday, named after Thor.

However, the main takeaway is that most people won’t be worshipping Thor this Thursday. The original context often doesn’t matter as much as how we perceive and celebrate these traditions now.

Halloween, which immigrants from Britain, Ireland, and Scotland brought to the U.S., morphed into more mischievous antics in the early 1900s, sometimes culminating in vandalism or more severe actions. To mitigate this, community organizations and parents began advocating for organized trick-or-treating in the 1930s.

After World War II, trick-or-treating gained immense popularity, bolstered by candy companies’ marketing, evolving into a beloved American tradition that symbolizes harmless fun for children.

So, to clarify, Halloween isn’t inherently evil, nor is trick-or-treating in its American form.

The “Light vs. Darkness” Argument

We can all agree that light and darkness should not mix; it’s a biblical teaching—“what fellowship has light with darkness?”

However, trick-or-treating, which constitutes 99.99% of Halloween for most American families, doesn’t fit into the “darkness” category.

Ironically, proponents of this idea often misinterpret this passage, which doesn’t suggest we can’t engage with non-believers. How can we show love if we isolate ourselves?

The passage’s actual meaning becomes clear when read in full:

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? —2 Corinthians 6:14

This statement warns against forming close bonds with non-Christians that might compromise one’s faith—like in marriage or in business arrangements.

It hardly discourages mingling with trick-or-treaters on an October evening.

Fascination with Darkness

From my observations, those who take this stance seem more interested in uncovering aspects of darkness than in illuminating it.

Some even proudly announce they have “gone down the rabbit hole” of Halloween research. But it often isn’t genuine research; otherwise, they would grasp some fundamental truths (as mentioned earlier regarding Halloween’s evil nature).

Instead, they seem to latch onto and spread the most alarming, yet dubious, claims. We’re talking about TikTok posts from questionable “pastors” or sensational stories from “ex-witches,” detailing pagan deities and occult rituals. Most of this surely doesn’t serve any Christian’s time well.

A young woman shared that she feels “called” to investigate such matters, presumably to warn others about the supposed evils of Halloween. She might feel called, but I’m unsure of the source of that calling. Our focus should rather align with what we are instructed to think about:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, consider these things. —Philippians 4:8

There’s nothing dark in that!

Anyway, here are a few common claims made “from the dark side.”

CLAIM: Participating in trick-or-treating is akin to worshipping the devil, whether done knowingly or not! (Action here is often attributed to statements by supposed satanists.)

FACT-CHECK: One cannot be unwittingly tricked into worshiping the devil.

CLAIM: Halloween is the highest day for human trafficking!

FACT-CHECK: No evidence supports this; law enforcement states there is no single “worst day” for human trafficking.

CLAIM: Human sacrifice also occurs.

FACT-CHECK: Again, there’s no substantiation for this.

CLAIM: Witches cast spells on Halloween; being outdoors puts one at risk of demonic attachment.

FACT-CHECK: One cannot unknowingly attract a demon; willful sin is necessary for such occurrences.

CLAIM: If your neighbor is involved in witchcraft or satanism, they might curse Halloween candy and bring harm to your home!

FACT-CHECK: The chances of your neighbors actually being witches or satanists are slim. And if they are? “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” —1 John 4:4

The Fixation on Demons

There’s a particular brand of Christianity that develops an unhealthy preoccupation with darkness, peaking in what is termed “deliverance ministry.”

This focus involves casting out demons and dismantling spiritual strongholds while invoking concepts like curses and “soul ties.” Much of this doesn’t find its basis in Scripture. While some may claim that “deliverance” is their spiritual gift, they delve deep into darkness under this pretense.

The problem is, the Bible doesn’t even mention any such gift. Only Jesus and the apostles cast out demons, and no guidance for the rest of us is provided—nor is there any suggestion that we should seek engagement with demons in any manner.

In fact, the opposite is true, as indicated below.

Instead, every believer is equipped with all that they need to triumph over spiritual battles involving the demonic:

• We don the full armor of God.
• We resist the devil.
• We avoid giving him any space in our lives.
• We seek God, who assures us that we can conquer the world through simple faith.
• We remain vigilant and clear-minded—not a single word in any of that implies commanding demons.

Some concerning notions I’ve encountered stem from believers equating innocuous activities—like touching a crystal or practicing yoga—with “opening the door to demons.” Even a simple pumpkin could be deemed an invitation for malevolent forces, which is alarming. My least favorite? The assertion that alternative medicine might grant access to demons.

Some of the most vocal advocates of this line of thought have previously dabbled in the occult. I respect their desire to avoid anything reminiscent of their past. However, they overstep boundaries when they condemn others for harmless actions, whether it’s a pumpkin, a yoga stretch, or seeing a holistic practitioner.

As believers, we cannot “accidentally engage with evil.” We’re sealed in Christ, who will never abandon us, as numerous Scriptures affirm. While we walk in His light, we should fear nothing from demons. So yes, we can stroll outdoors during Halloween, even enjoy a Hershey bar, without worrying that it’s “cursed.”

That said, Christians can still make conscious choices that might expose them to satanic influence. Deliberately disobeying God does put you at risk. But remember, we are redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice, and adhering to the above Scriptures offers us spiritual security.

The Attitude of the Demon-Obsessed

It might not come as a shock that individuals who fixate on demons react poorly to being told they’re misguided.

But they truly demonstrate their errors through their interactions with others. It’s wrong to demonize fellow believers who enjoy neighborhood trick-or-treating. The spiritual arrogance of those who think they understand the truth can lead to saying some rather upsetting things.

This example highlights just that, and a brief video from Red Pen Logic does a great job breaking down his misconceptions.

The “Halloween Halt” event mentioned at the beginning? It seems rather evident that confronting families about their Halloween celebrations and labeling them as satanic is unlikely to convert anyone towards Christ. Instead, it’s more likely to frustrate and offend parents simply trying to partake in this cultural tradition with their children.

Two essential truths the Halloween critics overlook:

• God placed you in your neighborhood for a purpose.
• For one night each year, God literally brings your neighbors to your doorstep.

This provides an opportunity for sharing the gospel, and I’ll provide tips next week on how to transform it into a truly positive evening.