It’s tempting to answer, “Sure, this year everything is!” But taking a post-pandemic view, the question is posed every year by a lot of well-meaning people…
“Is Halloween evil?” Short answer: No, we are. Evil lives in people, not in things (Romans 3:23). People are, to use the classical term, sinful. But it’s easier (and less convicting) to focus on things. Many point to the pagan traditions behind Christmas and Easter, or that unholiest of holidays, Halloween!
As a zealous new believer back in the 80s (typical of a converted atheist), I once stood on a coffee table, tears streaming from my eyes, and rebuked a youth group for participating in a popular church-sponsored haunted house! I’ve mellowed since then—and read my Bible. The apostle Paul tells us that things are just things (I Corinthians 8:4-13), and that it’s the evil within ourselves that needs to be confronted.
A few years after later, I was in a comedy act called Mitch & Allen. One of our more popular pieces was a quirky Bible-based take on the ultimate alien invasion story, the fall of Adam and Eve. We’d been watching The Blob, a classic monster movie from the 1950s, when it struck us that this was exactly how sin entered the world. First, evil (sin) consumed a couple of naïve teenagers–then it spread like a hideous blob! (This is vintage 80s stuff, so be kind!)
Mitch & Allen (Live) was the best-selling Christian comedy video of the 80s
“Two innocent teenagers,” the narrator tells us, are overcome by “a horror so hideous, so corruptible it will change their lives forever–It Came From Outer Darkness!” (Matthew 22:13) “Gosh, isn’t it great to live in a place where we’re so protected and provided for?” teenager Adam Godson asks. (Genesis 2) But just then a “falling star” (Isaiah 14:12) is “cast out of its place in the heavens” (Revelation 12:9) and crashes down “somewhere east of Eden County, New Mexico.” (Genesis 4:16)
Adam and his girlfriend Eve Ribstein, played by a remarkably unattractive Hollywood starlet (me), are overcome by the creature “from the planet Sin.” Soon it is consuming everything that comes near it. “No one is safe!” (Romans 7:14-15)
The situation is hopeless (Romans 3:10-12) until one day, “earth’s last hope,” the Stranger shows up, announcing, “I can take that monster to hell and be back in three days!” (Matthew 12:40) It’s a creature “so real,” the narrator shouts (me again), “you’d swear it was right there in the theater with you! Well, it is!”
This horror thriller is true–and we are the monster! (Romans 3:9-10)
Halloween isn’t evil, we are. “All creation groans,” Romans 8:22 says, waiting for the evil in us to be taken away. And if we let the Stranger, “the earth’s last hope,” do his job, it will be. (I John 1:6-7)
I once toured Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and was astonished to see gargoyles (demons) all along the spectacular roofline. When I asked why they would include such symbols of evil, the translator replied, “Ho-ho, we do not embrace evil, monsieur, we mock it! You see, the demons are racing away!” (Each gargoyle is countered by an angel directly inside.) “And,” he added, “we humble them by making them serve as water spouts!” Now that’s the Halloween spirit!
So if you celebrate Halloween, don’t celebrate evil, celebrate the overcoming of it. You might even want to practice saying, in your best faux-French accent,
“Ho-ho, I do not embrace evil, monsieur. I mock it!”
If you’d like a copy of this video, you can download it here!
Mitch Teemley 
I like your thinking here, Mitch. Things aren’t evil, people are. I recall a out of control Christian in college who refused to sit down next to me at lunch because I was eating a bowl of Lucky Charms. She said, “Get those tarots away from me!” She was freaking out because of the marshmallow shapes in my cereal!? Even at 20 years old, I knew this was nuts? Jesus Himself would eat Lucky Charms; it’s just a silly cereal. Great post!
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Well, I like to think Jesus would eat something healthier, maybe granola with tiny fishes-and-loaves symbols in it, but… ;>) point well-made, David!
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Maybe Lentil Charms. Beans have lots of healthy fiber.
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;>)
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Great article. I love the counter angels on the inside and the powerful thought that we are mocking them. After all, Christ himself made a spectacle of them! “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Colossians 2:15-17.
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to clarify: we are mocking the demons, not the angels
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Perfect verse to illustrate this, Hannah!
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colossians 2:40-42
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If we know the truth that something being of pagan origin as Christians we do not partake in what is not pleasing to the one who has given us the knowledge to see the difference between what the world celebrates and what Christ has set us free from. We are called OUT of the world not called to participate in its traditions. The Pharisee’s and sadducees were famous for this and were warned of following their tradition more than the laws of God. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8) If something is of a pagan origin that should be a red flag it is not of God. Blessings.
Julia
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I appreciate your view, Julia, but would respectfully suggest that mocking evil on Halloween (which also has Christian roots in All Hallows Eve), is not being “taken captive” by it (Paul’s words), any more than using our pagan names for the days of the week and months of the year is. God bless you!
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One thing that I have noticed over the last decade particularly is that many folks try to make out that Halloween is evil and really push that angle quite hard. They seem to be doing so to make the day more ‘special’ and more like a pastiche of a horror movie, as if the day needed evil rather than merely pagan roots. Quite why some feel the need to embellish the day with a false narrative is beyond me.
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Lol lol I just watched the video lol. Too funny! But what was all that talk about New Mexico? I live in New Mexico, and… hmmm… Okay, pretty accurate!
Right now I am sitting by the window watching the snow coming down. We already have about a foot of snow on the ground. In this part of New Mexico our temperatures ate typically in the 70s and 80s. Last week we had highs in the 90s. The forecast says it will be 80 again next week. But right now, we are buried in snow.
That’s because this is New Mexico, in 2020.
I have had very mixed emotions about Halloween for most of my life. I like your perspective, Mitch. Thank you!
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linda can you multiply 505 * 9
same as to add 4500 + 45
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No, I cannot do math without a calculator. Math used to be like a language to me. I loved numbers! But several years ago I had a head injury and I lost my math skills. I’m glad that you are able to see the beauty in numbers. ❤
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by the way remember 4545
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Ah ha! Now I see it! 😀
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do you have a 45 dollar bill
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I always love your stuff. Great work Mitch… and a blessed Halloween for you.
Len Freeman+
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And more to the point, a blessed All Saints day on the 1st.
Len
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Thank you, and you too, Len!
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Thank you for this very interesting post! Its so true, we may not accept the evil, we can fight against, also with humor. By the way, here in the most Roman-Catholic area, Halloween is totally denied, to celebrate. They only making pumpkin soup.Lol Best wishes, Michael
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I’m going to try and just mosey on through it……
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;>) Lookin’ a bit thin there, GP. Maybe you should eat a few Snickers bars.
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haha, wish I had that trouble with the real me!!
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romans 3:48
i corinthians 8:11
i corinthians 33:
matthew 22:11
isaiah 39:37
revelation 37:
matthew 15:37
romans 33:47
matthew 47:38-36
romans 32:39-40
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Great video!
As for Halloween’s threat of glorifying evil (so to speak!), I worry far more about guys who have horns installed under their scalps..
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Thanks and, yeah, I hear you.
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Nice response! Dig it, I used to be extremely legalist when I early in my 20’s married into the church I grew up in. I know that we are to Fear God, but I left church always feeling doomed. Almost as if there was nothing as believer to look forward to. This was a non denominational church too. Today I am so happy to be free, and have an understanding of God’s Grace. To have a very intimate daily walk with Jesus. Great post!
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Thank you, Lisa, and amen!
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Love your thinking. I’m not a fan of Halloween (I don’t like scary things or horror movies), but I will hand out candy to the kids. When I was a kid the meaning of Halloween was free candy. I still use that definition. And yes I do eat what isn’t given to the little ghosts and ghouls that show up at my door.
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Us too, Andrew. We don’t really “celebrate” it, but we do the candy thing (although probably not this year).
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Never knew that about the gargoyles of Notre Dame–love that imagery. Thanks Mitch!
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See you at Writers Group, Nancy!
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I applaud you again, Mitch. “Don’t celebrate the evil, celebrate overcoming it”. You know the line and nothing truer was ever written: “The best trick the Devil ever played was convincing people that he doesn’t exist”(I may be paraphrasing). Keep people thinking and aware that the Devil and demons exist, but they have no power which we do not give to them.
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True that, Tonette.
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That was quite the video . . . I do like the translator’s quote!
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No… Halloween isn’t evil. I just don’t like it much as a holiday.
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Me neither, actually, Russ. But I absolutely loved it when I was a kid.
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I had no idea about the gargoyle’s at Norte Dame! Thanks for that little tidbit!
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That’s an interesting perspective. It’s very thought provoking. I hadn’t considered some of it, but it doesn’t really change my mind. It isn’t that I necessarily disagree with the idea that we’re evil. I mean, I’ve preached the Gospel to many an audience. I know for a fact that I am a wretched sinner who would be bound for hell were it not for Christ’s blood shed for me on the Cross. Where I have an issue is in WHAT Halloween celebrates. The symbolism of Halloween is satanic, and the day actually celebrates murder, necromancy, sorcery, magic, terror, and greed. It’s a day where people dress up in costume and celebrate witches, warlocks, monsters and demons of various types.
Going beyond that, I know the history of some of the differing elements that made Halloween what it is. There is the Celtic holiday Samhain, in which people dressed up in scary costumes to keep evil spirits at bay, and placed grotesquely carved gourds by their front doors to prevent evil spirits from entering their homes. Then there is the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, where people believe that family members they’ve lost in the previous year will join them for one last meal before moving on to the other side of the veil that separates our realm from the spirit realm. Both are predicated on the belief that said veil is thinnest on October 31, allowing spirits to travel freely between both realms. I don’t regard this as something to celebrate or observe, especially given that the Bible not only doesn’t support this, but frankly speaks against much of it.
The choice is yours, of course, but I will continue in my refusal to celebrate that day, as will my family.
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Amen…… God does not think much of witchcraft as we see in the old testament a witch was to be killed Deu 18:10 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. A myriad of other practices without the help of the dark holiday of halloween such as sorcery,magic,and mediums who speak with the dead are high on Gods list of things He detests! God Bless you.
Julia
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He does, every day. May He bless you, too.
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julia deu 43:35 put thee in a remembrance
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Yes. I wholeheartedly agree.
Let’s also not forget (at the risk of sounding crazy to many) that October 31st is one of the many nights on the Satanic Ritual Calendar for human sacrifices. Halloween is considered by the occult to be a major Satanic holiday. This particular night on our calendar, in itself, isn’t evil; it’s that which goes on this night that is evil. People don’t want to talk about it or even consider this reality, but it doesn’t change the fact that many will lose their life this night; including CHILDREN.
I have a friend who was a victim of SRA (Satanic Ritual Abuse) as a child and I think everyone should keep in mind that many suffer at the hands of the occult (not just on Halloween but throughout the year.) But for Halloween night in particular, I’ve often pondered over what might be happening in the spiritual realm when so many around the world are “innocently” participating along with those who hate God. Does this participation in some way contribute and fuel the unseen powers and principalities spoken of in Ephesians? Do our justifications and reasonings exempt our willful actions from having any sort of contribution or are we in fact unconsciously feeding into this worldwide ritual?
If there are those who gather to deliberately participate in evil this night, shouldn’t that be all the more reason for the church to gather together and pray against this evil instead of being a part of it? I suppose if one has peace in their own heart to participate in a night that glorifies evil (because ghouls and goblins and bloody corpses certainly aren’t holy) then that’s between them and God, but in my opinion we’re nor glorifying the Lord by participating no matter how trivial or harmless we may think it is. No matter how watered down society makes it, this holiday is dedicated to the darkness, not God’s truth and light.
There was a time when I too joined in, but the more I learned the more conviction I felt, so I prefer to be set apart from it.
And to Mitch . . . Don’t worry, I won’t be screaming from the tabletops and rebuking y’all! LOL!! We all need to walk according to our own convictions. The Lord is the ultimate judge, not me!
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I agree. My family stopped observing this holiday six years ago.
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The video…😂 When will that star hit? Amen to the power of Christ and his believers in overcoming the evil! As a school principal it was a bit of a sticky wicket. Mainly because of the violence associated with the many costumes kids wanted to wear (why not? it’s what they were watching daily) It was best for me, with over 500 of them, to safely call it a “Fall Festival” and I’d have the kids dress as their favorite book characters. Indeed it’s the people that make it evil. And it’s true evil that can make evil people evil (have I said evil enough?). This season, along with the candy (I should NOT be eating so much of…) there’s one ghost I bank on….the Holy Ghost (someone had to go there). I did not know about the gargoyles. Thank you for sharing Mitch. I love learning and I love celebrating the goodness of God with fellow believers!
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Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Karla. Many schools and churches do the same, i.e. offer an alternative experience with the more questionable elements removed. I like the book characters idea; seems very appropriate for a school event.
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I enjoyed this perspective on Halloween.
I’ve read a lot of those articles about the horrible Celtic customs that form the basis of Halloween, and then I read books about Irish history that say we know very little about ancient Celtic customs. (We get too much of our information from the Romans, who had a strong bias against those crazy people they couldn’t conquer.) Maybe some of those sermons against Halloween are the real evil, by possibly bearing false witness against our neighbors.
If any kids come to my door this weekend, I’ll have some candy ready, but I’m keeping my candy corn all for myself!
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As you know, Mitch, we did a little piece of drama every Halloween night for 15 years, called “Satan’s Worst Nightmare,” an evangelistic outreach. I never thought about our mocking the devil as something we had in common with Notre Dame. … Cool. 😎
P.S. One year when the local newspaper did a write-up on what we were doing, they were asking neighbors what they thought of the display and drama. One lady said she thought it was “disrespectful.” We just chuckled at the thought of not having enough respect for the devil. 😏
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;>)
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We have no control over the pagan names for the days of the week and months put in place that was set so long ago,but we do however have the ability to not choose to celebrate that which is of darkness. I know you clearly say and many others here that you are all mocking evil…..Are you really mocking it when you are a part of its festivities? Can you stand in the midst of a fire and not get burned? As christians we are not to take part in activities of such darkness,for we are the children of light,not of darkness.God Bless you Mitch.
Julia
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You too, Julia.
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Halloween becomes what parents make it for kids. I wanted it to be a fun evening of dressing up (imagination!) and visiting neighbors and family. And that’s what it became. It’s evil if you let it be so.
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Exactly!
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have you quoted isaiah chapter 39
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No, why do you ask, Rudy?
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in case you haven’t tag that verse
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I do not embrace evil, monsieur. I mock it
I am practising saying this 🤣 in front of mirror
Thanks for this article I have always wondered about Halloween..
Also you are right people get so focused on things and the evil of them they forget and lose sight of what’s really important.
~B
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Indeed, B.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
OH…I VERY MUCH ENJOYED THIS ONE—MEN AND WOMEN ARE BASICLY EVIL UNTIL REDEEMED BY GOD THROUGH OUR FAITH IN CHRIST. YOWZA, YOWZA, UYOWZA! 😀
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Yowza indeed, Jonathan!
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AMAZING post 🤩🤩
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I agree with your thoughts on this! Great post!
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Thank you, Aimee.
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Hi Mitch,
I saw that you read my post “Losing”. My blog has actually moved. That is an old blog. Take a look at my new one, if you’d like and let me know if anything speaks to you.
https://wavyandanchored.wordpress.com/
God Bless!
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I’ll check it out, Aimee!
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This is so true. I can still remember our church having Halloween parties and one year my dad showed up in a bright red devil outfit complete with horns, which everyone laughed at. years later, thats unthinkable to even have a little fun. Growing up we always had Halloween parades in elementary school till someone decided it was a plot to turn kids into evil doers.
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Great post! This is a topic that my husband and I always discuss during Halloween. In the U.S. I see that a lot of Christians discourage other Christians and people from taking any part in Halloween festivities. I took it upon myself to find out the origins of Halloween by watching documentaries and doing research. It was interesting to find out that the Catholic Church instituted All Hallows observances, including praying for the souls of the dead. Halloween has its roots in both cultural and Christian religious observances.
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It does indeed. Although some think it was moved to Oct. 31 in order replace rituals observed by pagans newly converted to Christianity. Either way, in the U.S. Halloween is mostly a secular event now.
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Good to meet you, btw!
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