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There are very few christians in my life that I would call "reasonable". Many of them (not all of course, you are proof of that!) cling to their religion like a pitbull on a steak. Unlike the pitbull they do not understand why they believe what they do, it's just their way.
Here I read an intelligent, well researched and reasonable website about the "most evil holiday". Bravo!
As an anthropologist I am given to both fits of laughter and head shaking sadness the way people cling to half-truths and hastily made up myths. Many of these stories don't have the charm that goes with a good old fashioned urban legend. And yet they stand as "truth" to those with influence over others. Wasn't it Pope Leo VII that said "the smallest of minds are the easiest to fill with faith"
Thank you for your site, I would like to see more. Are you planning on an addition in the near future?
Pedro Bedard
Whilst I am still concerned with the origins of Halloween, I am more concerned with its implications today. As you say, Halloween could be on par with Christmas in that it is a Christianised pagan celebration, so in that sense there is no reason for Christians not to celebrate it and try to look at it from a Christian perspective. For some reason though I still feel uncomfortable with all that is associated with Halloween today, regardless of it's roots. I would imagine many see it through dualistic eyes in that it represents evil (or the darker side). Unfortunately we live in an age where darkness is embraced and many are happy to play with the spiritual world. With many young people involved in the occult, I fear the encouragement that Halloween will give others to "play" in this way. I am challenged that we must not compromise our holiness by embracing a 'holiday' that many associate with darkness and that possibly encourages some to play with darkness. I am equally challenged though that we can't stick our heads in the ground and be legalistic and judgmental. I am aware that the American culture is very different from that in the UK, and the US is doing much to take the evil image out of Halloween, do you think though that this can ever be fully accomplished? I can't ever see it happening in England and see the UK more akin more to the vandalism of the US 1920's.
My heart is to let the grace of God abound and not tie people in chains of bondage. Clearly though as Christians we must be in the world but not part of it, and there are some things we can't be involved in. I must be honest that I am still wary of the origins of Halloween and consider the old adage "where there is smoke there is usually fire". I would most grateful is you could let me know your thoughts on the things I have written (if you can make sense of them) and where you realistically believe Halloween is going with regards to Christian involvement,
Yours in Christ,
Daniel Bull
Thanks for a great resource!
In His Majesty's Service,
Gene Savage
Savage Rock
Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
As a believer in Jesus Christ and thus a child of God, I personally do not honor Halloween since in the popular culture it seems to honor things that God does not consider honorable. In addition, I do not celebrate Christmas or Easter because I find no reason to in the Bible.
We do not know the day of Christ's birth, it is not recorded and Christ did not tell us to honor such a day. The date of the Easter celebration is not consistent with the true time of the crucifixion and should be celebrated during the Passover celebration rather than on the date it is.
Besides, I do not see how honoring a day honors God. We must honor God with all our minds and hearts everyday.
Best Regards,
Dr. Scott S. Campbell
Your treatise makes the best case for a Christian not celebrating Halloween that I have read to date. Your logic would have one believe he or she could "christianize" such things as abortion, homosexuality, sexual perversion, etc. etc.
Whatever else Halloween is all about, you correctly identified the historical data surrounding the date. A celebration of any sort that involves disembodied spirits looking for someone to possess; and doing unwelcome deeds is in itself deplorable. It speaks of fear of evil spirits being the motivation behind human behavior. Whether or not all of your other observations are accurate, inaccurate, or just smack of your personal opinions is really irrelevant. I thank you for your website. I am sure that anyone reading it will agree with me .... Halloween is no celebration I want any part of. Nor do I want my kids involved in it.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil!
drh
Some Christians, tho', unfortunately, seem more comfortable hating their neighbor instead. They seem to forget the "Judge not lest ye be judged" and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" rules.
As for Samhain/Hallowe'en...I'm truly sad that many Christians are willing to believe half-truths, rumors and out right lies about the holiday. When I was a child, my parents bought into this anti-Hallowe'en stuff and it just never seemed correct to me.
I have a great interest in Celtic history as well as a strong Celtic bloodline and I see nothing wrong with observing Samhain as a harvest holiday or a cultural holiday. After all, my church (which is Lutheran) sometimes observes the Jewish Seder (I'm not sure if I spelled that right) Meal, and, technically, that could be considered "non-Christian" since it's a Jewish festival. I can definitely understand why some people might want to discourage their children from dressing up as demons or ax murderers for Hallowe'en, but as for participating in trick or treating I don't see any harm in it myself.
I also think it's great that churches might want to offer alternative celebrations, but I wish that more of them would research deeper into what Samhain really was and not just buy into the quick "oh it's all just an evil, satanic holiday" idea. It's not evil, it's just different.
But, anyway, thank you again for putting up your website and I hope that more people will find it, open their minds and realize that passing along someone else's lies, rumors and half-truths is absolutely no way to spread God's word or show God's love to the world.
VSG
I have read your page with great interest and a big smile on my face. I appreciate your scholarship and fairmindedness greatly. As I read the comments you have received, I have been warmed by the knowledge that there are people who call themselves Christians who practise love as Christ did. As a pagan, I often let myself fall into the trap of believing all followers of Christ are hate mongers. Your page has brought me back to reality.
It is my wish for you that you and your house continue to prosper in this and all following years. Blessed be, my friend.
A Pagan from Houston, Texas U.S.A.
(Name Withheld)
this crazyness. God WILL NOT BE MOCKED> I pray you have a change of Heart and find out who our Lord really is. If you want to discuss your thoughts on how Holloween or any other topic like this is, I would be happy to. Oh, by the way, I was the High Preist for a coven in Alabama & Califonia. I got some real inside knowledge that you know to be true, I hope and Pray you decide to accept it BEFORE you gain your enternal reward, IN THE PITS OF HELL and then alitimately in THE LAKE OF FIRE WHERE THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS ARE. You know the truth in your heart so stopp spreading this TRASH>
Ronald D. Godwin
Interesting site. It seems that much of the 'ancient lore' of Halloween was of modern origin. Having done research into the ancient Church in Britain, I found some interesting things. For one thing, Christianity was brought to Britain by St. Mary the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph of Arimathea, coming to Glastonbury (or, Inis Wytrin) on an island in a lake called 'Avalon' (the lake has long since been drained). It was "in the reign of Tiberius" according to St. Gildas the Wise.
Christians and Druids got along with one another for close to 500 years in Britain. It was only then that some strife erupted between the two, and battle ensued. There may have been political motivations, for the two leaders were Arthur and Modred, who killed each other in the initial battle. The civil war between Druids and Christians lasted for some 40 years, when, it seems, an army of Picts came down and defeated the Druids.
It was perhaps at the time of civil war that the Feast of All Saints was instituted. What the Christians did was to move one day from the feast of Samhein. Samhein itself was a day when there would be an animal sacrifice, some form of thanksgiving, followed by a great feast in a king's or nobleman's hall (or a town hall in a city). This festival was one in which departed loved ones were commemorated. So, in the new Christian Feast of All Saints, it was a time of commemorating departed loved ones. It seems to have spread to Ireland before the end of the sixth century and to what Christians there were in Germany early in the seventh. The Papacy had nothing to do with the origin of this Feast.
As to stories that the Druids were bloodthirsty and all that, there appears to be little evidence for it. Human sacrifice appears to have been a matter of carrying out the death penalty. Also, it appears that a Druid would sacrifice himself for weighty cause. Both these disappeared with the coming of Christianity. Now, in the east of Britain, there were tribes akin to the Belgae, who were partly Germanic. These did practice human sacrifice in the ancient Germanic fashion. But this was not typical of Britons or Welsh- or Cornishmen.
There is perhaps one implication for all that: during the civil war between Christians and Druids, no doubt the Christians believed that the Druids' festival was a time of 'ghoulies, ghosties and long legged beasties'. Many stayed in to avoid being 'hexed'. But it was a wonderful opportunity for the children to sneak out and play pranks, knowing that they could blame it on the 'ghoulies and ghosties'
Hope what I had to say was informative to you.
Pax Domini sit tecum.
Henry
M. Swofford
To close, I really enjoyed your work, and I am glad to see that at least a few Christians out there are not the intolerant types that I see on a daily basis. Please keep up the good work, and I hope that you will give me permission to add your site to my list of interesting links on my own webpage.
Matt Crandall
Pacific Lutheran University
Parkland, WA
I would like permission to copy your article on the origins of Halloween for use with two Presbyterian congregations in New Mexico. Maximum number of copies would be 25, and I would of course cite the sources.
Thank you,
Christina
Please let me know before Sunday so she can take a look at this !!!
Thank you so much!
(name withheld)
Thanks again,
GOOD JOB!!!!
N. N.
I found it very informative and interesting to read. I learned so much from reading what you have available to us here on the net. I added your page to my list of favorites so that I might reference it again.
I find it apalling that just because someone's belief is different from mine, that they would condemn me. I had no idea how or when Halloween started. I had grown up with it as a fun time and continue to do so now with my children. However, I will now try to instill in them the history behind this fun Holiday.
Thank you for a job well done!!
Lori T.
Most sincerely,
Sue B.
THIS YEAR, WE ARE HAVING A HALLOWEEN PARTY (ADULTS&CHILDREN) AND I PLAN ON PASSING YOUR WRITINGS AROUND (SINCE I PRINTED UP ALL 21 PAGES) TO LET EVERYONE SEE & LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN.
THANK-YOU AGAIN FOR THE INFORMATION,
C.L.
Your site is one of the more remarkable in that it takes a hard, clear-eyed look at this pseudo-controversy. I'll admit that I no longer roam around on a cold, dark night asking people for candy; but I do very much enjoy digging through my Classical Music collection and listening to Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique (The ULTIMATE in Halloween fare!), Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre and so on, or reading Stephen King's book of the same name, or watching a repeat of some old Horror flick for the umpteenth time.
Unfortunately, however, there are too many people (and I use that term rather loosely!) in the world who embody the semi-humorous definition of a "Puritan": One who suspects that somewhere, someone is having fun and believes that it's their God-ordained duty to stop it! (Even if they have to resort to using misstatements of fact or inflicting graphic imagery on small children to do so! Religious zealotry does tend to self-justify behavior that the giver would never tolerate from his recipient!)
Fortunately, there are also those like you who prefer to use their mind as God actually intended; open and receptive to new ideas without regard to what the neighbors might think.
Here's to a Happy Halloween,
E.R.Q
Also, my congratulations on your comment pages. (Including positive and negative impressions) I did find it interesting that the negative (angry?) comments were confusing to me...almost as if they had not actually read your entire work?
My thanks!
Blessings on you and yours! Have a joyous Samhain!
"Regqsi"
I is very simple to guess what is in one's mind and heart. You will show it in your acts. If all you have is CATS, BATS, PUM.., RATS, WITCHES, ETC. YOU WILL SHOW IT. WANNA KNOW WHAT IS IN PEOPLE'S HEARTS AND MINDS THEY WILL SHOW IT ON 10/31 AND THROUGH OUT THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.
HOW DIFFICULT COULD IT BE TO NOTICE WHAT PEOPLE CELEBRATE ON THIS DAYS? HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO READ TO NOTICE? SPEND TIME IN YOUR BIBLE, GET READY JESUS IS COMMING. ARE YOU READY.
H.M.
Man, it's psychotic, isn't it? I guess most Christians are scared, and desire to create their own little "safe" community niche, so they try to change society to accommodate them and thus latch onto whatever ideas will allow them to do that. In doing so, they actually miss out on life -- there's lots of fun things God actually allows us to participate in -- and we present an inaccurate view of God, thus turning people away.
Anyway, I wish I had time to do what you're doing, but my focus in more on the creative ends of things. Ever check Glenn Miller's Christian ThinkTank? (www.webcom.com/~ctt/). He's another strong thinker, with a different focus.
This is just a bit of encouragement. Although I doubt either of us will meet, it's reassuring to see other people like you out there, to keep the Church on track and focused on building relationships with those who are different, rather than simply running "scare" campaigns and doctrinal checklists. Christ dealt with people in personal ways, on their levels and in their own settings, rather than slapping them around with impersonal ideology. He practiced love. This latter stuff is just about control and fear, at its root.
Like you, I'm pretty laid back, but poor scholarship and illogic used to justify mistreatment of others and provoke conflict makes my blood boil. :)
blessings,
david
Respectfully.........
Philip
Two years ago my husband and I were fostering a young boy who decided he wanted to go to the "Hallelujah" party at our church. We thought the whole thing ridiculous but harmless. The priest told the congregation the limits of costumes (i.e.. no demons, witches, etc.). There was quite an elaborate party, and we didn't bother to point out the incongruity that they were having a magician at a counter-Hallowe'en party. Anyway, our foster son really wanted to go as a ninja (one of the unacceptable costume choices, I am sure), so as I made his costume, my husband (also a theologian) and I, created his identity as one from the persecuted Christian communities in Japan. I gave him my "killer cross" (a rather large cross designed for me by a wiccan friend of mine) and sent him on his way. He was almost turned back at the door because of his costume, until he told the story of Japanese Christians being persecuted and having to hide their faith. As the priest, wearing a rather stupid looking bunny costume, walked away, all I heard was "God-damned theologians!".
It is sad, really that people are still hung up on mythology all these centuries later, when enough evidence to the contrary has emerged. Perhaps it is also part of the North American culture were things move so fast that there is a sense of desperation to link things historically. Those of us in Liturgical discussions are often butting heads with this need for historicity, regardless of how tentative.
I want to commend you for your scholarship and hope you have a receptive audience.
Sincerely,
I'm presenting a speech on an event for my communications class and I choose talk about Halloween (since it is October now). I thought I had gathered some "GOOD" information from my local library, but it looks like I got most of my data from the same source as Margadonna. Now it looks like I will have to change my whole game plan for the presentation. I'm just glad that I found your site and I'm not going to put out any misleading information or offend anyone in the class.
Thank you,
Marcus Haner
Because I know the Bible, I was thrilled to see all the references about it and now have some useful info to inform my family about my new beleifs! We have always celebrated Halloween and so when they come at me with "Well, isn't Witchcraft a celebration of Satan?" I will be able to answer them with intelligent sources (something my Mom is very keen on!!).
Thanks and Blessed Be!
Anyway the information is wonderful, and I would like your permission to reprint it to read to our family. The other thing I would like to bring to your attention is that this year the holiday falls on the Sabbath, and while everyone was arguing about if it is a satanic holiday or not, I was hoping that someone else would notice the delimna (sp?) anyhow, we have decided to honor the Sabbath day and to keep it holy, (or as holy as you can get with this many kids) and to "celebrate" on Saturday. My main problem is that any church would want to celebrate Halloween at all , as it has nothing to do with Christ.
Thank you for all your hard work,
Debbie
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