How did the tradition of dressing up for Halloween start?

Answer 1

Answer

It has been a "tradition" as long as people have believed in God. The idea is to present yourself to God in a respectful and humble way. "Sunday Best" means that you want to express that humility and respect, and at least temporarily, be your best.

Another view:

When Moses met God on the Mountain top he came dressed as he was and even took his shoes off. Jesus said it is not what goes into a man but what comes out of him that makes him sinful. He would also probably say that that it isn't what was on the man but what was in him.

When we go buy clothing that is to be used only in church, or our Sunday best, is it humility that guides us or is it a desire to be seen by men. If in our actions, we stop cursing on Sunday so we can go to church, but continue the rest of the week, is this presenting ourselves to God at our best or is it hypocrisy?

Only God really knows our hearts because they are deceitful even to us. In the Old Testament, humility was expressed by wearing sack cloth and putting ashes on their heads. Not by dressing in their best.

Real humility does not dress up or down to be seen by others, because dress is not the issue.

The early church was persecuted and often had to worship in secret. It is doubtful they advertised they were going to worship by dressing up. Only after it became socially acceptable to worship God, did they start dressing to be seen.

In defense of the dressers, there is a place for setting things apart or aside for God as long as they are merely reminders of holiness and not substitutes for it.

Answer 2

According to history.com, many people felt on Halloween ghosts of the dead returned to earth. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits.

Answer 3

It is a long held tradition that people wear costumes on Halloween. This is due to the old superstition that actual ghosts and spirits roamed around on October 31st. People believed that dressing up would scare away the ghosts and keep a person from becoming possessed.

Answer 4

Immigrants from Ireland would dress up to blend in with super natural creatures. Their traditions came with them.

Answer 5

To act as spirits.

Answer 6

to worship spirits