until the mass-exodus that occurred from Ireland during the Potato Famine. The Irish people, descendants of the Celts, brought many of the customs to American shores. One in particular, the practice of carving turnips or beets into lanterns to represent undead souls underwent an interesting evolution. Unable to locate a good supply of turnips and beets, the Irish found a substitute in pumpkins. This is where we get the popular jack-o-lantern. Bobbing for apples, black cats, witches and more grew out of Samhain in one way or another. As Halloween becomes more unique to our American culture, its roots in Samhain have been largely forgotten.
Christians and Halloween: How Should We Respond?
There are many things to consider when discussing the value of participating in this holiday. First, it’s important to realize that many of the holidays we celebrate, even Christmas and Easter, have roots in pagan celebrations. Christmas and Easter, the most sacred of Christian festivities are based on the pagan feast of Saturnalia and the birth of the false god Ishtar, respectively. Should the fact that people once worshipped pagan deities on the same days as what we now worship our Lord affect our ability to enjoy these customs? It’s something to think about, homeschoolers.
One more thing. Just because your homeschool family does not choose to participate in Halloween for any reason other than just to have some fun doesn’t mean that there are those out there who have much more deviant purposes for the holiday. Satanists, witches, and warlocks do exist and they view Halloween as their most sacred day. This is why we read about twisted acts of animal sacrifices and other deviant behaviors the day after