By Eric Barger and David Benoit

When we were kids growing up, we always looked forward to Halloween. We knew nothing about how it began, or what the meanings were behind it. All we knew was that we could get dressed up funny and go through the neighborhood and people would give us candy.

The information you are about to receive is to help you understand the seriousness of Halloween. It is not to spoil your fun, but to ask the question: Should we, as Christians, join in a festival whose history and practices are for the dead? Today, with Halloween being a billion dollar business second only to Christmas in retailing, few understand the true nature and historic foundations of this occult celebration.

Origin of Halloween

The word "Halloween" actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from the words "All Hallows Eve," "All Hallows Day," or "All Saints Day." This day was set aside to honor saints. The holiday was founded to try and divert attention away from the pagan practices taking place on this day each October. Though perhaps well intentioned, trying to "Christianize" pagan practices can never be pleasing to God, and Halloween may be the most vivid example of this. Some believe Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine may have brought its origins to America in the 1840s.

In occult and witchcraft circles, October 31 represents a day of worship called Samhain (pronounced sow-en). This is the Celtic New Year. History tells us that the Celtic people were worshipers of earth gods, woodland spirits, and sun deities. One legend explains that on Samhain the spirits of all those who had died throughout the year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed to be their only hope for entering the afterlife. It was also the day that the living were to communicate with the dead (with magnified effectiveness). This practice is called necromancy. Time and again we read - from occult sources - that Halloween is focused at the worship and contact of dead ancestors and communication with the spirit realm.

Deuteronomy 18:11 tells us that God considers this practice evil. We see examples of necromancy portrayed in movies like The Sixth Sense, Lion King, and Ghost, to name a few. Regardless of where or how the ritual practice started, one thing is certain-God forbids contacting any spirit unless it's the Holy Spirit!

To access the complete printable pamphlet of Halloween: The Trick is No Treat! CLICK HERE.

I encourage you to print and distribute our pamphlet "Halloween: This Trick is No Treat" however you like. You can print as many as you want. Print it front and back on three 8 1/2x11 sheets (in color) using the "landscape" setting on your printer. Then, just fold the pages in two (staple if you like) and you'll have a nice booklet sized resource to help warn others with concerning the facts about Halloween. 

Distribute the pamphlets at Church, bible study, small groups, work, school, etc. Many folks give them to those who'll knock on your door looking for candy and goodies on October 31. I know this resource will be a conversation starter with those who have no understanding about the origins and practices of the witches holiday - Halloween.

Yours for the Kingdom...I Peter 3:15