WITH Halloween growing in popularity among Jamaicans, two church leaders are on opposite sides of the fence on whether the ancient festival should be observed here.

Bishop Dr Grace Ade-Gold is calling on Christians to rise up and condemn the “demonic” celebration, while Anglican priest Sean Major Campbell believes the church has bigger issues to tackle within its own walls.

In a fiery call to action, Bishop Ade-Gold said that the celebration, which is observed in many countries on October 31, is rooted in demonic principles and evokes evil spirits which will cause further chaos in Jamaica.

“The Church should speak against it. The Church should rise up against it. Unfortunately, there are some churches that cannot discern to see that this is devilish and so they participate by also putting on the costumes and doing parties and all kinds of stuff.

“People have to be taught, they have to be enlightened about these things that it is devilish,” said the founding president of Arise Shine Apostolic and Deliverance Ministries. “We must not participate in it.”

“A lot of people are carried away with the ceremony and the dress up, but they don’t know that they are evoking evil spirits into the nation. We need to stop doing it. We need to have some seminars or workshops and conferences to let it go and call back the Church into the real gospel of Jesus Christ,” Ade-Gold told the Jamaica Observer.

Halloween is known for its pagan and religious roots as well as secular traditions. The day marks the beginning of Allhallowtide, a three-day event dedicated to remembering the dead, followed by All Saints Day on November 1 and All Soul’s Day on November 2.

It is said that during Halloween, those who died are believed to return to visit their homes. To mark the occasion, people would set bonfires on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits roaming around and wear masks to avoid being recognised by the ghosts thought to be present.

Now, the day, mostly celebrated in Europe and North America, is marked by individuals wearing masks and costumes for parties and trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treaters go from house to house with the threat that they will pull a trick if they do not receive a treat, usually candy. Individuals also decorate their homes with pumpkins, skeletons, and cobwebs for the spooky season.

The celebration has grown in popularity in Jamaica, with many event planners and party promoters hosting Halloween-themed gatherings at which patrons are encouraged to dress up in costumes. Decorative items to mark the occasion can also be purchased in some local stores and supermarkets.

But, Bishop Ade-Gold is adamant that due to its origins, and the belief that on the day evil spirits are roaming around, the day should not be highlighted in Jamaica. She is calling on religious leaders to push back at those who celebrate the occasion and enlighten people about the possible consequences of bringing this tradition to Jamaica.

“The people in the Church need to go through the method of fasting and praying, but they think to pray and to fast is too much, so they are looking for quick relief to some problems, which is why we are easily pulled into all of these things that are not Godly… The devil is waiting to pull anybody and draw people to the things that are sinful and of sinful nature,” said Bishop Ade-Gold.

“The Church is sleeping and we need to wake up now,” she stressed.

The bishop argued that righteousness exalts the nation and sin pollutes the nation and causes many evil things to happen.

“After all these ceremonies, some things that are not good are happening in the nation, some bloodshed, and all kinds of things will happen because we evoke evil spirits into the nation and so we must really desist from doing these things,” she said.

However, Father Major Campbell said that the Church has bigger issues that need to be addressed.

“While not one to celebrate Halloween, I often find it interesting those who invest time condemning those who like costume parades and trick-or-treating. The ghoulish stuff does not appeal to me at all. The world has enough ugliness,” Major Campbell told the
Sunday Observer.

“However, if someone enjoys a Halloween party, why does a Christian need to do a crusade against this? I use my energy instead to fight against prejudice, hate, injustice, and all that goes against love and human rights for all,” he said.

An avid human rights advocate and public theologian, Father Major Campbell said that the Church should spend more time combating the evils within its walls.

“It is quick and easy to condemn Halloween and costume parties. It is more difficult to address lies, hypocrisy, child molestation, stealing, and corruption in the Church,” said Major Campbell.

“Trying to combat Halloween celebration is tantamount to imposing one’s religious beliefs on others. The Church should spend time advancing equal rights and justice for all,” he said.