Halloween & Paganism

"There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." - Mark 7:15

Over the years, many things have been labeled as occultic or pagan by certain sects within Christianity. Holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, and Easter, as well as certain kinds of stretches and personality tests, have been condemned as "pagan." What is less evident in these condemnations is what the condemners actually believe paganism is. So let's discuss that. 

I'd also very much recommend this paper that goes into more of the historical Christian roots of Halloween. Today, however, I'm just going to focus on the "paganism" accusation.

Are Halloween traditions actually pagan? Do these traditions have evil spiritual power? No, these traditions or "spooky" objects do not have any demonic power. But thinking they do may actually be pagan.

Pagans believe that there is real spiritual significance to temporal and material objects and symbols. For example, certain animals, signs, words, symbols, trees, figurines, days, dances, clothing, hairstyles, and so on all have an inherent spiritual value that purveyors of said magic can tap into for certain powers or blessings. Some of God's creation is intrinsically cursed, and some of God's creation is intrinsically blessed. Sometimes, through various rituals, what is holy and sacred can be turned cursed and evil or vice versa. According to the pagans, purveyors can use some of God's creations to coerce or manipulate the spiritual realm for the "people's good." These pagans believe their rituals, holy objects, dances, traditions, etc., can be used to control the spiritual realm. It's a worldview of nature commanding the supernatural. However, this worldview is a fantasy.

On the other hand, Christianity believes that all creation is good and redeemable if the individual's heart is pure and actions appropriate in regards to the relationship to the material objects. (So, for example, a baseball bat is good, but you can't worship a baseball bat or use it to beat an image-bearer of God).

Satan did not create this world, this world does not belong to Satan, and Satan is not reigning as King over this world. This theological fact means that we need not fear Holidays, objects, stretches, or personality tests; instead, we should be wary of our own hearts. We can take and twist any good gift from God, so don't get me wrong. In that way, the material objects do have spiritual value, but only in the context of how man has used those objects. 

It is our hearts we should consider, and not inanimate objects or innocuous tradition. Not handing out candy. Not watching a scary movie. Not Pokemon. Not D&D. Not Christmas trees. Not plastic skeletons. Not silly costumes. Not hairstyles. Not certain foods. Not shapes. Not yoga poses. Not personality tests. The problem isn't stuff; the problem is man making stuff into idols. 

Even in the most pagan and wicked cultures, their idols had no power, but their hearts were wicked and gave control over to demons. There are real evil spirits, principalities, and forces that we must oppose. However, we don't "open ourselves up" to these powers by mere use of natural objects, tests, costumes, poses, etc. It is idolatry that gives power to demons, not things. 

This isn't to say that things cannot have power, but the distinction is how these things get power. God does supernaturally use material objects in special (and thus supernatural) ways. I recall mud used to heal a man (John 9:6), Elijah's Bones (2 Kings 13:21), the Rod of Aaron (Numbers 17), and so on. These are all examples of God giving specific attributes to material things as a talisman of sorts for very specific and particular purposes. 

However, believing in the ability of man to do regularly what God did irregularly is paganism. And I question even more intensely the capacity of evil men to do the same. Even if Satanists (or whoever) could readily create these talismans, only the creator and user's direct intent allows for the opportunity for such power. Again, idolatry invites demonic control, and the will of the man does not bind the demon. Even genuine idolatry does not guarantee some magical or pagan power. Regardless, any hypothetical spiritual power is not intrinsic in the staff or medallion itself. That's a vital distinction. The examples of powerful objects in scripture are nothing like the "pagan" traditions or objects often condemned in fundamentalist circles. Holy Objects created or infused with God's power do not indicate a natural > supernatural dynamic, but rather a supernatural > natural dynamic. 

To connect the dots, thinking that wearing a costume or handing out candy, children's games, created objects, nature, shapes, poses, online tests, and so on have inherent spiritual value is buying into the pagan worldview. These practices and things have no spiritual power in themselves. The idea that these practices or objects conjure up evil power or invite demons is more in line with the pagan worldview than the traditions themself. 

In other words, the "everything is pagan" nonsense I see from people on social media all the time is what is actual paganism. 

Remember that the same arguments against the celebration of Halloween (the popular topic this time of year) are used to condemn Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, D&D, yoga, Christmas trees, Christmas, and even certain haircuts. God forbid if a woman cuts her hair short. 

If you want to celebrate Halloween just for the fun of candy, kid's games, costumes, and so on, then there's nothing wrong with that. Or, perhaps, you want to mock death and celebrate in the more appropriately traditional All Hallows' Eve fashion. You do not need to fear the candy, costumes, or silly cultural traditions. They have no power. 

With this said, I see pastoral value in purging practices of pagan origin to those coming out of pagan religions, New Age occultism, etc. In fact, I see a great deal of pastoral significance in this. 

But there's a difference between pastoral advice that's helpful to people in specific situations and spiritual realities. Someone coming out of Satanism may be uncomfortable and perhaps even tempted by card games that feature magic systems. Someone coming out of an Eastern faith may be very uncomfortable with yoga, and yoga could even entice them towards idols again. Someone from a culture of tribal paganism may be deeply uncomfortable with ritual masks or items that most others would only see as cultural items. 

So I respect pastors who give warnings and are hesitant to provide practices with pagan origins or pagan influences a carte blanche pass. Still, we should also see this as wise situational pastoral advice instead of buying into the same basic worldview of paganism. In themselves, the traditions and items have no power, and it is bad theology and practice to fear them in this way. 

The pagan sees magical power in the five-pointed star. The Christian sees geometry. The pagan sees an evergreen idol in a living room. The Christian sees a fun tradition that we can have or not have. The pagan sees costumes, carved pumpkins, and handing out candy as "demonic." The Christian sees that all belongs to Christ. 

So let's stop being pagans and instead see this world belongs to Christ. You don't have to seek out Christians who celebrate Halloween, like The Hobbit, or use some yoga poses to find paganism. Paganism is in your own heart already.