Treat Draft, Smash or Pass & The Dark History of Halloween (Origins You Never Knew)
Picture of Candy
COURTESY OF THE FRUITFUL THREE SHOW
Welcome back to another Fruitful 3 show blog post! This week, we're diving deep into Halloween—its fascinating history, controversial debates, and of course, some fun games. Whether you're here for the spooky vibes or the spiritual discourse, we've got something for everyone.
The Ultimate Halloween Treat Draft
We kicked things off with a candy draft, picking our favorite Halloween treats. Here's how it went down:
Isaiah's Picks:
Caramel popcorn balls (nostalgia at its finest)
Caramel apples
Scotcheroos
Snickers bars (because they satisfy)
Twix (refusing to pick a side—left or right doesn't matter)
Levi's Picks:
Reese's (a classic choice)
Gummy fangs (throwback to childhood)
Rice Krispies treats
M&M's
Twizzlers
Honestly, it's wild how Halloween candy has changed. Back in the day, you'd get homemade treats like popcorn balls and caramel apples from neighbors. Now it's just mass-produced candy. The nostalgia hits different when you remember those gummy fangs and hoping for the good stuff in your trick-or-treat bucket.
The Ancient Origins of Halloween
Let's get into the real history—and it goes way back. Halloween's story begins over 2,000 years ago with the ancient Celts who lived across what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Northern France.
Samhain: The Celtic Festival
The Celts celebrated Samhain (pronounced "Sah-ween" or "Sow-in"), a festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter—the dark half of the year. November 1st was their new year, and October 31st was believed to be a night when the boundary between the living and the dead dissolved.
On this mystical night:
Supernatural beings, fairies, and souls of the dead walked among the living
Villagers extinguished their fires, leaving homes cold and dark to avoid attracting spirits
Druid priests lit sacred bonfires on hilltops for divination
People wore animal skins and masks to disguise themselves from spirits
Crops and animals were sacrificed to ensure a bountiful year
Roman and Christian Influence
When the Romans conquered Celtic territories around 43 AD, their festivals merged with Samhain. Two Roman celebrations influenced Halloween:
Feralia: A day honoring the dead
Pomona: Celebrating the goddess of fruit and trees (her symbol, the apple, inspired bobbing for apples)
As Christianity spread through Europe, the church replaced pagan rituals with Christian observances. In 609 AD, Pope Boniface I established All Martyrs Day, later expanded to honor all saints on November 1st (All Saints Day), followed by All Souls Day on November 2nd. The night before—All Hallows Eve—gradually blended with Celtic customs and became Halloween.
Halloween Comes to America
By the 16th and 17th centuries, European children practiced "souling" (offering prayers for the dead in exchange for soul cakes) and "guising" (dressing in costumes and performing for treats). When Irish and Scottish immigrants brought these traditions to America in the 19th century, Halloween transformed:
Pumpkins replaced turnips for carved lanterns (hello, jack-o'-lanterns!)
By the early 20th century, it became a family-oriented celebration with costume parties and parades
The darker superstitions faded, replaced by fun and festivity
Monster Origins and What They Really Symbolize
We explored the spiritual and psychological meanings behind classic Halloween monsters:
Vampires: The Thirst That Never Ends
Origin: Eastern European folklore, popularized by Bram Stoker's Dracula. Symbolism: Temptation and addiction—feeding on others for personal gain. Modern Parallel: Clout chasing, social media validation, consumerism
Zombies: The Walking Dead
Origin: Haitian Voodoo traditions Symbolism: Lifelessness, moving without purpose or soul Modern Parallel: Scrolling endlessly, overworked and numb, the "eat, sleep, work, repeat" cycle
Witches: Power Without Purpose
Origin: Ancient wise women, midwives, and healers accused of dark magic. Fun Fact: Some folklore suggests women who knew how to brew beer were burned at the stake because men were jealous of their skills! Symbolism: Rebellion against divine order, attempting spiritual power without submission. Modern Parallel: Manifestation culture, astrology obsession, "I am my own god" mindset
Werewolves: The Beast Within
Origin: European folklore of cursed men transforming under the moon. Symbolism: The battle between flesh and spirit, civilized versus savage. Modern Parallel: Rage, addiction, impulses we try to hide until something triggers us
Ghosts: Unfinished Business
Origin: Nearly universal across cultures—spirits lingering after death Symbolism: Unresolved guilt, regret, or loss Modern Parallel: People haunted by past decisions, relationships, or identity confusion
Boo or Blessing? Our Halloween Hot Takes
We played a game rating Halloween traditions as either "Boo" (pass) or "Blessing" (smash). Here are some highlights:
Blessing:
Homemade Halloween treats (grandma's baked goods are undefeated)
Pumpkin spice (the seasonal obsession is real)
Pumpkin carving (fun family tradition)
Halloween parties (though they're not as wild as they used to be)
Boo:
Eating all your candy in one night (feels good at first, terrible after)
Pet costumes (too much effort to get them to cooperate)
Halloween is becoming a month-long event (thanks, retail stores)
The Big Debate: Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
This is where things got real. With pastors going viral claiming Christians who celebrate Halloween will "go to hell," we felt it necessary to address this controversy head-on with what the Bible actually says.
What the Bible Says (and Doesn't Say)
The Bottom Line: The Bible does not mention Halloween by name. There's no verse saying "thou shalt not participate in Halloween."
However, the Bible does warn against:
Occult practices
Communicating with the dead
Witchcraft and sorcery
Relevant verses include:
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (warning against occult practices)
Ephesians 5:11 ("Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness")
The Nuanced Truth
Whether Christians should celebrate Halloween depends on:
Motivation: Are you celebrating darkness or just having fun?
Manner: Are your activities glorifying evil or lighthearted?
Conscience: Does it cause you or others to stumble?
Opportunity: Could this be a chance to bring light and connect with neighbors?
As Romans 14:5 says: "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind."
Our Take
Dressing up as a witch doesn't mean you'll join a coven. Participating in trick-or-treating doesn't automatically open your home to demons. These are scare tactics based on psychology and fear, not biblical doctrine.
However, if your participation involves actual occult practices—meditating on crystals instead of praying to God, performing rituals, attempting to communicate with spirits—that's where biblical warnings apply.
The key principle from Colossians 3:17: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Our Top Halloween Movie Picks
Isaiah's Picks:
Boogeyman
The Saw series
Jeepers Creepers
Alien vs. Predator
Levi's Picks:
Halloween (1978) - The original Michael Myers classic
Hocus Pocus (1993) - The most-watched Halloween movie
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Perfect Halloween/Christmas crossover
Trick 'r Treat (2007) - Underrated horror anthology
It (2017) - Stephen King's terrifying clown
Final Thoughts
Halloween is what you make of it. Whether you choose to celebrate, avoid it, or find a middle ground, the choice is yours. It's a night that has evolved from ancient spiritual rituals to modern festivity—a blend of history, folklore, and imagination.
If you want to celebrate Halloween, do it. If you don't, don't. Just remember: whether you're carving pumpkins, watching horror movies, or taking your kids trick-or-treating, do it with intention and joy.
Stay classy, stay safe, and happy Halloween!
