Why We Don’t Celebrate Halloween: Understanding Its Pagan Roots and Choosing Light Over Darkness
- Skulla
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
Each year, the world celebrates October 31 with costumes, candy, and decorations of ghosts, skeletons, and spirits. But few stop to ask: Where did Halloween come from, and should God’s people take part in it? For Covenant Servants, our answer is clear, we walk in light, not darkness. To make that decision wisely, we must first understand the origin and spiritual meaning of Halloween.
1. The Origin of Halloween
Halloween began as Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and the start of winter. The Celts believed that during this time, the barrier between the living and the dead was thin allowing spirits to wander the earth. Bonfires were lit, costumes were worn to disguise oneself from roaming spirits, and offerings were made to appease them.
When the Roman Catholic Church later spread into Celtic lands, it renamed November 1 as All Saints’ Day, also called All Hallows. The night before became All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually shortened to Halloween. Though modern culture hides it behind candy and fun, the holiday’s foundation remains tied to fear, spirits, and the dead, not to the God of Israel.
2. Why We Don’t Celebrate it
The main reason is we don’t have to. We aren't of those people that have to keep up with societal norms or follow trends. We have the freedom to be different and set apart. We live our lives according to God’s word. The Scriptures consistently warn God’s people not to mix with pagan practices.
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.
Ephesians 5:11–12 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Leviticus 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul.
Participating in a festival that glorifies fear, death, and unclean spirits goes directly against our covenant walk. Even if we “only do it for fun,” we align ourselves with what God calls darkness.
3. Choosing Light Instead
Our camp teaches that holiness is not just avoiding sin, it’s actively choosing light. Instead of joining Halloween, we celebrate the Feasts of the Lord, and teach our children the difference between clean and unclean ways.
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
4. The Dangers of Halloween
Even beyond the pagan origin, Halloween has long carried physical and spiritual dangers that align with the spirit of confusion and harm rather than protection and peace.
1. Increased Crime & Ritual Activity – Law enforcement reports show spikes in vandalism, animal cruelty, and even occult-related gatherings around October 31. Some use the night to perform secret rituals in wooded areas or abandoned spaces. These acts are rooted in the same dark origins as Samhain.
2. Candy Tampering – Parents have found razor blades hidden in apples, needles in candy, and unsealed sweets laced with drugs or toxins. Whether each case is isolated or exaggerated, the risk is real enough that police departments still issue public warnings every year.
3. Kidnappings & Disappearances – October is one of the highest-risk months for child abductions and missing-person cases, especially around Halloween events where masks and large crowds make identification difficult.
4. Spiritual Open Doors – Costumes and rituals that glorify fear, witchcraft, or death invite unclean influences. Even 'pretend witches' and 'funny demons' make light of what God has commanded us to cast out. Every open door is an opportunity for deception.
💬 4. How to Respond Gracefully
Our separation is not condemnation, it is protection.
When co-workers or friends invite you to Halloween events, respond kindly but firmly:
“Thank you for the invite, but I don’t celebrate Halloween. If they insist you can respond with my faith calls me to keep myself from customs that glorify death and darkness. I hope you enjoy your evening safely.”
✨ 5. Covenant Reflection
Am I allowing “harmless fun” to make light of unclean things?
Does this custom bring me closer to God or closer to the world?
How can I shine light in a season that celebrates darkness?
Conclusion
Halloween’s history and its modern dangers share one truth. It glorifies darkness. What begins as a night of “fun” often leads to fear, confusion, harm, and compromise. We are called out of that. Let this season remind us to guard our homes and our hearts, to protect our children, and to show others that joy and celebration don’t need to come from the world’s ways. Our covenant life is full of festivals, joy, and light all ordained by God Himself.
Join us this Friday at 7pm cst for our normal Sabbath Service. The world will be worldly while the saints will be engaged in praise and worship this Halloween. Come expecting to hear a word from your Lord then buy candy the next day for 50% off.
💬 Join the Conversation:
How do you keep your home filled with light during Halloween season?
Share your family’s alternatives below — let’s encourage one another to walk in covenant and stay set apart. 🌾✨
We represent God. This picture spreads fear and horrific murders. How many images of a groosome death flashed in your mind?
2 Timothy 1:7
[7]For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
I already dont celebrate it. I agree with what Sister Neekey said
i feel like the devil has done such a great job at pulling and keeping God'd people away from the truth by making halloween such a "fun and silly" type of thing and how it has people looking at you sideways if you don't celebrate it.