When I became a Christian, I did much research about the subject of Halloween, and whether it was appropriate to celebrate it. I was confused about how I could separate my family from most secular traditions, like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, when they’re exposed to them everywhere – in stores, in television commercials and children’s programs (even PBS), and in school. In regard to Halloween, I’ve recently come to the conclusion that many of the ideas that people have about the origin (it has both pagan and Christian origins, just as some Christmas traditions do) and meaning of Halloween are based on unfounded myths or falsehoods. My attitude is that it’s impossible to avoid Halloween altogether in our culture, so it would be best to observe the holiday in a way that does not disobey the word of God.
I’m not going to offer an involved explanation of my argument, because this essay does a good job of explaining the origin of Halloween, and debunks some of the myths. I assume that you will read it and decide for yourself whether you agree with me or not. The article also offers some guidelines for a God-pleasing holiday:
(1) Christians should avoid any custom or practice of Halloween that glorifies that which God calls evil. This means specifically avoiding anything that glorifies the occult (including divination, contacting spirits of the dead, fortune telling, sorcery, witchcraft), the devil or the demonic, death, or violence. This includes costumes, decorations, music, and stories that promote these things as positive and/or fun. (We’ve had one costume that was inappropriate – Bee’s witch costume last year. We won’t be allowing anything like that in the future. We don’t have many decorations, but I’ve eliminated the few that I felt were questionable).
(2) In deciding which Halloween events must be avoided, it might be helpful to ask, “Is the event designed to glorify offensive customs of Halloween or not?” In my opinion, a haunted house is an example of an event designed to glorify these things. On the other hand, a school party or an organized party for young children normally is not, even though costumes or decorations may appear which do. Ask questions before attending! (Our church has a “candy carnival,” and the kids all wear their costumes. It’s both fun and wholesome).
(3) Christians should be prepared to share their faith on Halloween. This could include handing out tracts to children that knock on your door to having children give Sunday School tracts to homes that they visit.
(4) This article has intended to show that Christians have freedom to either observe Halloween or not do so without fear of sinning. However, no one should be forced to participate who still believes that doing so is wrong – this would be sinning against one’s conscience: Romans 14:14 — “I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” (see Romans 14:22-23; see also Romans 14:3a, 5-6).
(5) On the flip side, the Christian who abstains from Halloween for conscience’ sake, should not condemn the Christian who chooses to participate. For the Scripture says, “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day– 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ” (see Romans 14:3b, 5-6).
(6) If a Christian knows that by participating in certain customs of Halloween that he is offending the weaker brother/sister, he should first try to educate and persuade the other of the truth. But if he is not able to convince the weaker brother/sister of the truth, in love he should put aside his freedom and avoid the custom (see Romans 14:15-16 — “For if because of food [or Halloween] your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food [or a Halloween observance] him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;”).
May God help each Christian to see Halloween as a grand opportunity for the Gospel, rather than something to be feared. May He also keep Christians from those Halloween customs which clearly go against His Word.”
(From Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY: “A Halloween Essay.”)
Excellent advice, in my opinion.
My husband says, “Just because you dress up in a costume on Halloween doesn’t mean you worship the devil, just like athiests aren’t worshipping God when they celebrate Christmas. What matters is what’s in your heart, and whether you’re right with the Lord.”
He always has a unique way of putting things.
Some people will argue that participating in Halloween at all is putting on an “appearance of evil,” but I don’t see how dressing my kid like a ballerina, and taking her door to door appears “evil.” Remember that Halloween is just a day, and like every other day, we as Christians can set ourselves apart by our actions. By refusing to take part in the evil or scary aspects of secular Halloween celebrations, I believe that we are taking a stand and witnessing for Christ. My personal opinion is that I’m not an effective witness if I shut myself up in my house and pretend that Halloween doesn’t exist. My husband’s Bible study leader once said that we can’t be so focused on heaven that we are of no use here on earth, for that is ignoring the great commission given to us by Christ.
I’ve even heard people say that Halloween is wrong because kids are “begging” from strangers. It’s been my experience that “begging” is unnecessary, because people who turn on their porch lights and give out candy do so simply because they really enjoy little kids. I think that some Christians simply go too far in an attempt to justify their choice to not participate, and the result is that Christians who do participate are made to feel that they’re doing something wrong. Remember, as the above article states, we have the freedom to either observe Halloween or not, without fear of sinning, and we must not condemn each other.
If you choose to not celebrate Halloween, I absolutely understand and respect your decision. I hope that you will do the same for me.
