No they should not because for Christians, the question isn’t simply whether something is popular or enjoyable, but whether it agrees with what our Lord God wants His servants to do. Halloween and the activities involved in it are not among the things our Lord God commanded His people to observe.
In This Episode:
00:00 Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
05:00 The Ancient Origins of Halloween
08:00 How Halloween Became Associated with All Saints’ Day
11:00 Does Halloween’s Origin Matter to Christians?
13:00 The Biblical Standard for Christian Decisions
16:00 The Origins of Costumes and Trick-or -Treating
19:00 What Does the Bible Say About Pagan Practices?
22:00 Avoiding Evil and Resisting Temptation
25:00 Handling Peer Pressure and Family Expectations
27:30 Should Christians Still Celebrate Halloween?
Full Transcription:
[Show open]
Click to expand transcript
[On-screen logo graphic]
INC International Edition
00:00 Should Christians Celebrate Halloween or not?
Brother Bob Pellien: Should Christians celebrate Halloween or not? Is it really just harmless fun, costumes, candy, and community, or is there something Christians should understand about the celebration itself? Where did Halloween even come from?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Brother Bob Pellien
Anaheim, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob Pellien: I’m Bob Pellien, and we’ll ask these questions to our international panelists here today on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. And joining us in this important discussion is Brother Jake Edic there in Bonn, Germany; Brother Andrew Fisher in Melbourne, Australia; and Brother James Malabanan in New Jersey.
Brother Bob Pellien: Brothers, thank you for giving your time to join us on this important panel discussion. Now, Brothers, let’s begin with you, Brother Jake, since you’re there in Germany, before we begin discussing actually the history and such of this very popular holiday, what are the practices that you notice there in Germany taking place during the time of Halloween? Do they even celebrate Halloween in Germany?
[On-screen text graphic]
TODAY’S TOPIC: “CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN?”
Brother Jake Edic: Brother Bob, Yes, they do, and children. In fact, not only children here, but also adults, wear costumes and go from house to house. Many dress as skeletons, zombies, vampires, or other figures connected with death. And those practices show how the modern celebration still uses themes involving the dead.
Brother Bob Pellien: Very interesting, Brother Jake. I hope you’ll elaborate more on that as our panel discussion unfolds. But let’s pause for a second and go to you there in New Jersey, Brother James. Is Halloween also something widely observed where you are there in New Jersey?
Brother James Malabanan: Oh yes, Brother Bob. Halloween is very popular, not only here in New Jersey but throughout the states. You know, we could see children going out with their parents, going street to street, knocking on doors, trying to get candy and trick or treating, and then we could even see from many young adults. They have many parties. They dress up in their costumes, and they do so to celebrate Halloween.
Brother Bob Pellien: They have a lot of activities on that night of October 31st, right? How about in Australia, though, Brother Andrew? Maybe in the land down under, they don’t know about it, they don’t observe Halloween, or do they?
Brother Andrew Fisher: Brother Bob, Halloween’s actually getting pretty popular here in Australia too. Interestingly, growing up here in Australia, it was never really popular when I was a kid. But nowadays, perhaps due to the influence of you know social media, pop culture, and influences, Halloween is definitely becoming a very popular thing amongst not only the children but even the adults here in Australia as well.
Brother Bob Pellien: Do they also wear the costumes and go trick or treating and wear, you know, the skeletons and vampires and all those kinds of costumes there?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Andrew Fisher
Melbourne, Australia
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Andrew Fisher: Oh, they do, Brother Bob. I mean, in years past, we never used to get those trick or treaters knocking on our doors, but nowadays, the previous most recent years, definitely increasingly more so.
05:00 The Ancient Origins of Halloween
Brother Bob Pellien: Brother Andrew, before we can even answer whether or not Christians should be participating in the celebration of Halloween and its practices, can we just back off for a moment and let’s take a look? Can you share with us a little bit about the history, like history of the traditions, and what Halloween actually rooted in?
Brother Andrew Fisher: You know, Brother Bob, that’s a good place to start because when we look at Halloween’s history, you know many might find something that they don’t actually realize. So, the first thing that we should ask is this: Where did Halloween come from, and what exactly does it celebrate? Let’s first understand its origin from this book entitled “Catholic Customs and Traditions: A Popular Guide” written by Greg Dews on page 196. We can read the following:
[“Catholic Customs and Traditions: A Popular Guide” by Greg Dews, page 196] “Halloween has its origin in pre-Christian times and there is no direct connection between this day and any Christian tradition…. The Celts in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany in northwestern France, celebrated New Year’s Day on November 1. Among the Celts, under the influence of the religious leadership of the Druids, a festival was held the evening before to honor Samhain, their Lord of Death.”
08:00 How Halloween Became Associated with All Saints’ Day
Brother Andrew Fisher: So, dear viewers, Halloween’s original celebration came from the ancient Celts and had no basis in true Christianity or even in the Bible. It was not something celebrated or participated in by members of the early Church Of Christ in the Bible during the time of our Lord Jesus Christ and even during the time of the apostles.
[On-screen text graphic]
TODAY’S TOPIC: “CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN?”
Brother Bob Pellien: So, what’s recorded there in that book? Clearly, identify October 31st as a date that was already associated in the past with ancient, with an ancient pagan religious observance. And can you review with us there, Brother Jake, who is that connected to again?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Brother Jake Edic
Bonn, Germany
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Jake Edic: Brother Bob, they were pagan Celts. They even held a festival on the evening before their new year in honor of Samhain, their Lord of Death, under the religious leadership of the Druids.
11:00 Does Halloween’s Origin Matter to Christians?
Brother Bob Pellien: You know, Brothers, that’s really very very interesting. But how is it that that pagan observance eventually developed or evolved, if you will, into what people nowadays just call a family holiday of Halloween. What’s the connection, or let’s say, what’s the bridge there, Brother James?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Brother James Malabanan
New Jersey, USA
Minister of the Gospel
Brother James Malabanan: Well, Brother Bob, there’s a very important connection from that pagan observance to what is called Halloween today. We can find this connection in a book entitled “The Facts on Halloween” by John Ankerberg Show, we can read on pages 5, 10, and 11.
[“The Facts on Halloween” by John Ankerberg Show, pages 5, 10 and 11] “Halloween took the place of a special day celebrated by the ancient Druids… and they worshiped another god, the Lord of Death or the Lord of the Dead on Samhain, October 31…. In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church attempted to oppose the paganism involved in the Samhain festival by making November 1, All Saints Day. In 835, Pope Gregory IV transferred this feast of All Saints… So November 1, All Saints Day, the day after Halloween became a day dedicated by the Catholic Church to the Virgin Mary and the Saints.”
Brother James Malabanan: So the historical record shows the progression from the ancient pagan observance to practices later associated with All Saints’ Day.
Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you, Brother. So, we can see how the bridge is beginning to be formed, right? We can see a progression there, but how did October 31st become connected with the Catholic practices when, originally, it came from a pagan feast to the an ancient pagan god or the Lord of Death, Sawhian?
Brother James Malabanan:Well, the Catholic Church, in its desire to convert pagans, changed November one from the pagan New Year celebration into what became known as All Saints Day.
[On-screen text graphic]
TODAY’S TOPIC: “CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN?”
Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you for that, Brother Andrew. You know, people may be wondering about the name itself. Is there anything we should know about the actual name, Halloween, the name of that festival? Where’d that come from?
Brother Andrew Fisher: Brother Bob, I’ll go back to that book I was reading from earlier, Catholic Customs and Traditions: A Popular Guide. It also states this:
[“Catholic Customs and Traditions: A Popular Guide” by Greg Dews, page 196] “Halloween is observed the night of October 31. It takes its name, (All Hallow e’en) from being the eve of the holy day of All Saints on November 1 (All Hallows Eve).
Brother Andrew Fisher: So we can see that the name itself, it comes not from the Bible but from a pagan practice.
Brother James Malabanan: So, dear Brothers and viewers, it’s not surprising that a pagan practice eventually became associated with a Catholic celebration.
Brother Bob Pellien: Why should we not be surprised about that, Brother James?
Brother James Malabanan: Well, we could read in the book entitled “The Spirit of Catholicism” by Carl Adam, page 166.
[“The Spirit of Catholicism” by Carl Adam, page 166 ] “She (The Catholic Church) does not hesitate even to take over pagan ritual and pagan symbols, whenever such things can be Christianized and reformed.”
Brother Bob Pellien: Do that also with Halloween?
Brother James Malabanan: Well, the answer is yes. They also did this with Halloween. They took this pagan ritual and celebration and Christianized or reformed it to fit Catholic beliefs.
Brother Bob Pellien: I see. So, dear viewers, what we’ve learned thus far: Halloween. Well, it has its roots in ancient pagan religious traditions, and some of those traditions were later presented as a Catholic celebration. You, our dear viewer, you might be thinking, “What if I don’t believe it? Maybe you would say, “Well, I don’t accept, and I don’t believe in paganism, and I don’t celebrate Halloween to connect myself to ancient pagan worship of religious Druid god Sahwain. I do and celebrate Halloween just for fun. It’s what it’s always been done in my family. Does its origin, here’s the question, dear friends: Does the origin of Halloween really matter to a true Christian? Brothers, let’s pose this question to our panelists: What’s the Bible have to say about all of this, dear friends? That’s the question we’re going to pose to them, and the panelists beautifully. Ready to present a response. We’ll be right back here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Stay with us. Hello, dear friends, and welcome back to the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition.
[On-screen logo graphic] INC International Edition
So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths; even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence. There is a river that brings joy to the city of God, to the sacred house of the Most High. [Psalm 46:2-4m Good News Translation]
[On-screen logo graphic] INC International Edition
13:00 The Biblical Standard for Christian Decisions
Brother Bob Pellien: Today we’re talking about Halloween. Before the break, we asked if someone, and we pose this question to you, our panelists, if someone doesn’t believe in Halloween’s pagan religious meaning and participates in it only for fun, does the origin and its connection to ancient pagan practices does that really matter? Let’s go to you, Brother Jake, and as when a Christian is deciding whether or not they themselves or they will allow their children, for example, to participate in the various Halloween traditions. What should determine, or what should be the criteria that they’re going to use to measure whether or not they’ll participate?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Brother Bob Pellien
Anaheim, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Jake Edic: Well, Brother Bob, when it comes to determining what to decide, we shouldn’t rely on our own feelings or opinions to determine what we do, but what’s written in the Bible, and we will read from the Bible what our Lord God expects from His true servants, and we can read that here in Jeremiah chapter 7 and the verses 23:
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Brother Jake Edic
Bonn, Germany
Minister of the Gospel
But I did say this, commanded this: ‘Obey me. Do what I say, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Live the way I tell you. Do what I command so that your lives will go well. [Jeremiah 7:23 The Message]
Brother Jake Edic: So, dear viewers, obedience to our Almighty God is of utmost importance. Therefore, for a a Christian, the question isn’t simply whether something is popular, famous, or enjoyable, but whether it agrees with what our Lord God wants His servants to do, and Halloween and the activities involved in it are not among the things our Lord God commanded His people to observe.
Brother Bob Pellien: Yes, Brother, it may not be precisely among the things that God commanded His people to observe, as you just said. No argument there. But let’s get a little bit more specific. Let’s go to you, Brother James. Can you address what many people ask, which is, can’t Christians celebrate Halloween just for fun? Because you know, we’ve heard people say, I don’t believe in the pagan beliefs connected with Halloween. I have nothing to do with that. I reject those again. I’m just doing it for fun and for the fun of my children. I think any one of us who are parents, we all want our children to be happy. We all want our children to have fun. They want to receive candy. They have fun school activities. They enjoy something. Maybe a parent would even even be saying like, “Hey, I used to do that when I was a kid, and I know how much fun it is. I don’t want to hold back my child from experiencing the traditions of Halloween. Can we be very specific, Brother James? Would that be wrong for a parent to think that way?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Brother James Malabanan
New Jersey, USA
Minister of the Gospel
Brother James Malabanan: The important thing is that as God’s servants, we have a decision to make, and what should determine that decision? This is what we can read here in Second Thessalonians 2:15:
So, my dear friends, continue to stand firm in your determination to live only to please God. And continue to hold on to all the truths you were taught… [II Thessalonians 2:15 The Last Days Bible]
Brother James Malabanan: So, according to the Apostle Paul, what kind of life does God expect us to live? You know, the Apostle Paul didn’t say do the things that make you happy. He didn’t say, “Do what everyone thinks will make you happy. In fact, Apostle Paul said, “Continue to stand firm in your determination to live only to please God. So the determining question for a true Christian isn’t simply, “Is it fun? The question is, “Does it please God? So we know that worship to the Lord of the Death, or worship to, or practicing paganism, those are things that do not please our Almighty God.
16:00 The Origins of Costumes and Trick-or-Treating
Brother Bob Pellien: But what makes us so very, very sure that it wouldn’t please God? Can you, on behalf of all our viewers, brother panelists? Can we really, really narrow this, follow this to be very specific? For example, what about wearing costumes on Halloween? What’s that about? And going trick or treating and those practices? Are you saying that all those practices are also connected to paganism and should not be participated in by those who truly want to serve God as a true Christian?
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
Andrew Fisher
Melbourne, Australia
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Andrew Fisher: If I can answer that, Brother Bob, the answer is yes, and this is what we can read from a book called *Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays* by Robert J. Myers on pages 260 to 261.
[The Complete Book of American Holidays by Robert J. Myers, pages 260 to 261] “The modern custom of going from door to door, begging candy, nuts, apples, and pennies, while masked and dressed in a grotesque or outlandish costume goes back ultimately to the pagan New Year feast. …At the end of the feast, masked and costumed villagers representing the souls of the dead paraded to the outskirts of town leading the ghost away.”
Brother Andrew Fisher: Dear viewers, according to the reference that we just read, wearing costumes while going from door to door for candy, which is essentially what trick or treating is. It ultimately goes back to the pagan New Year feast. They do not come from the Bible. That’s why, even though for many people it may seem like a harmless fun activity to go trick or treating, dress in costumes, but without realizing it, they’re actually participating in paganism.
Brother Jake Edic: Exactly, Brother Andrew, and there’s another reference that specifically addresses the treats, and we can read from that reference, Brother Andrew quoted a while ago, Catholic Customs and Traditions. But let us read in pages 196 to 197.
[Catholic Customs and Traditions, pp. 196 to 197] “There are several possibilities for the origin of the tradition of giving treats as part of trick or treating… The more probable origin lies in the pagan New Year celebration among the Celts.”
Brother Jake Edic: So, dear viewers, the tradition of giving treats as part of trick or treating can be traced to the pagan New Year celebration.
[On-screen text graphic]
TODAY’S TOPIC: “CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN?”
19:00 What Does the Bible Say About Pagan Practices?
Brother Bob Pellien: Brothers, even if we will wholeheartedly accept that these practices do have their roots in paganism, what does the Bible have to say about Christians participating in practices that have their roots in pagan traditions? Is that bad?
Brother James Malabanan: Well, Brother Bob, the answer comes directly from our Lord God through the Holy Scriptures. Can we simply say that it’s okay to do because it seems fun? Well, this is what is written in Ephesians 4:17 to 18.
“Here then is my word to you, and I urge it on you in the Lord’s name: give up living as pagans do with their futile notions. Their minds are closed, they are alienated from the life that is in God, because ignorance prevails among them and their hearts have grown hard as stone.” [Ephesians 4:17 to 18 Revised English Bible]
Brother James Malabanan: So, Apostle Paul was very clear when he said to give up living as pagans do. Well, why should we give up living as pagans do? Because they are alienated from the life that is in God. So it’s important to know that it’s the words of our Lord God that guide people away from the mistakes and false beliefs of this world, such as doing, practicing what pagans do.
22:00 Avoiding Evil and Resisting Temptation
Brother Bob Pellien: Which is the worship of untrue gods. Well, what if someone says this, Brothers? Well, I don’t believe in those beliefs. I’m just joining the activities and enjoying the activities of my workplace, enjoying the activities of my child’s school and such things as that. Should Christians really avoid even the outward participation in such things like that?
Brother Andrew Fisher: Well, Brother Bob, the Bible is very clear about what we should avoid. We can read in the book of First Thessalonians, chapter 5, and the verses 22 I’ll read what’s written:
Abstain from every form of evil. [First Thessalonians 5:22 New King James Version]
Brother Andrew Fisher: So even if it’s just the outward form of something, but it goes against God’s will, the Bible is very clear. We should avoid it, no matter how fun or enjoyable people may think it is. We have to stay away from it.
Brother Bob Pellien: Avoid that. How careful should we be about that? Is there any gray area there, Brother Jake? Anything that we could say to our viewers that it might be okay? Is it how careful we need to be about making sure we draw the line, stand our ground, and avoid all those things where that might be prevalent around us in this world?
Brother Jake Edic: Brother Bob, in fact, that’s a really good question, and the answer we can read in Ephesians chapter 4:27:
Don’t give the devil a chance. [Ephesians 4:27 Good News Translation]
Brother Jake Edic: So, dear viewers, why should we succeed in avoiding every form of evil? Because we should not give the devil a chance, and God’s servants should not knowingly make room for influences or practices our Lord God tells them to avoid, even if it’s fun or enjoyable.
Brother Bob Pellien: Brothers, we’ve talked about what the Bible actually teaches about these things, and what about the practices? What does putting all these things into practice look like in the life of someone who truly searches for and wants to serve God with all their heart. Have a look at someone who’s just like that.
[Video starts]
[INC Media] For Halloween and Christmas, it’s pretty much they would say just do what the other kids are doing, and they didn’t really explain anything. Living a life for God, it’s more rewarding than living our own lives, what we want to do because it has purpose, and that’s serving God. It’s not doing what you want. It’s not doing what others want, or really the pleasures of life. But it’s really understanding the doctrines, but also understanding what God wants us to do.
[Video ends]
25:00 Handling Peer Pressure and Family Expectations
Brother Bob Pellien: Brothers, that’s a really interesting perspective from Brother Tim Lee, wouldn’t you say? We could see there how he mentioned something that you know I think many young people can relate to nowadays, which is like just do what the other kids are doing, right? But a true Christian, although he may feel pressured to participate in Halloween at school, pressured among their friends to wear the costumes and go trick or treating with them, or maybe even by family members. For example, in your place, Brothers, what what if what could you say if someone is being invited to Halloween party, for example, what if a friend will invite you to your friend’s trick or treating, or what if a family member will be expecting you to participate in a family Halloween gathering? These pressures are real, and these pressures are felt by Christians all over the world today.
Brother James Malabanan: Well, it’s true, Brother Bob, that in the times that we live in today, peer pressure is prevalent. A lot of things try to influence God’s servants to not do the things that are pleasing. In fact, there’s so much evil around the world that there are those who try to make God’s servants feel bad for not doing what the popular majority is doing, but this is what is written in Isaiah 51: 7 to 8 and 12:
“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.” “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, [Isaiah 51: 7 to 8 and 12 New International Version]
Brother James Malabanan: So when people try to influence the servants of God to do evil, commit wrong, even though if they try to make you feel bad, well, it is our Lord God Himself who says, “I am He who comforts you. My righteousness will last forever. So the people of God should not fear ridicule or even insults because they refuse to participate in practices that go against the teachings of our Lord God.
Brother Andrew Fisher: You know, Brother James, that’s practical as well because we can be respectful to our friends and family without compromising what we’ve learned and what we believe from the words of God written in the Bible.
27:30 Should Christians Still Celebrate Halloween?
Brother Bob Pellien: Exactly, Brothers. Let’s return to the question that we opened up with, and you know, let’s really try to capsulize it, if you will. Should Christians celebrate Halloween or not?
Brother Jake Edic: Brother Bob, the clear and direct answer is no. Based on biblical principles we’ve learned today, Christians who want to obey and please our Lord God should not or should not participate in Halloween or the practices connected with it.
Brother Andrew Fisher: That’s right, Brother Jake, and we learned where those practices came from. They are not from the Bible. And more importantly, we’ve learned that God’s servants should live according to what God wants, not simply according to what may be popular or what people are enjoying doing in this world.
Brother Bob Pellien: Well, thank you very much for that, Brother Andrew. You know, we thank our Lord God for showing to us today the biblical truth about this important topic, Halloween. We hope you, our listeners and viewers, have benefited from the words of God shared by our panelists that we uphold here inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo or the Church Of Christ. For now, we like to thank our ministers of the Gospel in Bonn, Germany. Brother Jake Edic, thank you. Brother Andrew Fisher in Melbourne, Australia, as well as Brother James Malabanan in New Jersey. Brothers, we thank you for providing to us Bible-based answers, so that as the Apostle Peter said to members of the Church, you’ll be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are. That’s First Peter 3:15.
…Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are… [I Peter 3:15 The Message]
Brother Bob Pellien: Well, that does it for us today here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Dear friends, we hope that you will join us again next time. Thanks for watching. We’d like to invite you to please join us for a short Closing Prayer.
Brother Andrew Fisher: Almighty God in heaven, we thank you so much for allowing us to have this wonderful opportunity to learn and study your words, the truth that will guide us not only in our everyday living, but above all in upholding true service of you, which will lead us not only to blessings in this life, but above all to the blessing of eternal life. Father, may you bless all of the viewers of this program, that we may have the humility to understand and accept your truth in your words, to follow and obey them, and use your words as the basis to everything that we do, so that we can be sure that what we do in serving you will be meaningful, acceptable, and will lead us to the promised salvation. May you bless each one of us, Father, that we may always be determined to do what is pleasing to you, and we can always be assured of your great blessings. Our Lord Jesus, we praise you to glorify our Father. You, Lord, are the only mediator we have to our God. Please intercede for us, dear Lord, and please include the forgiveness of our sins. Holy Father, we return to you in this prayer. We trust that your blessings are with all of us and all the viewers of this program. Your blessings are also with your Church in its entirety, through the leadership of the Church Administration. All these things we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
[On-Screen Text Graphics]
INC INTERNATIONAL EDITION
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2026
[Show Closes]
Key Takeaways
- Understand the history. The program examines Halloween’s historical roots and its association with older Celtic traditions.
- Use the Bible as the standard. The panel argues that Christian decisions should be guided by God’s teachings rather than personal enjoyment or popular opinion.
- Consider the practices, not just the intentions. The speakers question whether participating solely for fun changes the significance of customs they associate with pagan origins.
- Stand firm under pressure. Christians are encouraged to remain respectful while holding to their convictions.
- Make faith-based decisions deliberately. The program’s conclusion is that Christians seeking to please God should avoid Halloween and its associated practices.
