(COMMENTS ON THIS POST ARE NOW CLOSED.)
Christians love Halloween, right? WHAT?! Oh, hold up a second. Christians say WHAT about halloween?! There’s no good in it? This is *not* in fact, a day that the Lord has made, and we shouldn’t be glad and rejoice in it? Hiding in the closet pretending nothing’s happening, you say? Uh, sure…?!
For years as a young adult I went through a questioning period about the morality of celebrating Halloween. I swung from “What could possibly be so bad about little kids in costumes and free candy?” to “OK, so basically, we’re going to hell for this”.
My Favourite Holiday?
Here’s what I discovered just before Halloween last year: it’s actually maybe the best holiday of the year. Do you know why? Because it is celebrating the victory of God over evil. We dress up in those lame-o “scary” costumes to mock them, not to try to be them. We make a total and complete mockery of the devil. He is ridiculous. He is a weak, pitiful excuse for power and deserves to be mocked and laughed at forevermore. Thus, we revel in this. We celebrate the total and utter defeat of Satan (it’s a fact, peeps) by making a mockery of all he holds dear.
Halloween’s Origins
Trick-or-treating, dressing up, carving pumpkins. Some say it has its roots in pagan practices. Others claim the exact opposite. What’s true? Is it even relevant to our modern-day participation? Despite the disagreement, everyone can agree that the day after Halloween (November 1st) is All Saint’s Day. A day to celebrate the union of the saints with Christ. Kind of like a President’s Day or Remembrance Day where we remember many different people at once.
According to this source (a fascinating article) the word Halloween comes from All Hallow’s Eve, with the word ‘hallow’ meaning ‘holy’ or ‘saint’. Thus, it is simply the eve of All Saint’s Day.
Halloween As Celebration of Victory in Christ
The concept explained by the article linked above is enlightening.
On October 31, the demonic realm tries one last time to achieve victory, but is banished by the joy of the Kingdom. What is the means by which the demonic realm is vanquished? In a word: mockery.
The one thing that Satan hates more than anything else is to be ridiculed. As Christians we can do this because we know that he has lost the battle already. Dressing up as a devil or a ghost while laughing and knowing that evil has already lost is the best form of mockery.
By doing so we say to the demonic realm that we have no fear because we serve the victorious Jesus Christ who conquered even death! It is no longer to be feared!
What About the Non-Christian Version of Halloween?
I totally get that most people these days are not participating in Halloween as a celebration of Christ’s victory over evil. They revel in the creepiness and gore and evil overtones without a thought as to why. There may be some customs that have less than stellar roots and past uses. Yet as another fantastic article reasons:
Yes, it has a weird history (so did I before Jesus). Yes, it’s mostly about buying stuff (like everything in America). But for most ordinary people it’s just a silly holiday where kids have fun and we satirize things that normally make us uncomfortable. American culture doesn’t have any real answer for death or demonic forces. So, Halloween is just one attempt to cope with those fears.
Think about it – this really makes sense.
If you believe that Halloween is a celebration of Christ’s victory (as I do) and that people don’t really understand the true meaning (most don’t), then you are in good company.
It seems to me the same thing happens at another very important holiday. The one involving the Jolly Old Red-Suited Dude and lots and lots of shopping.
Yes, Jesus’ birthday has been sacrificed on the altar of consumerism by so many, and yet we don’t give up on it. We redeem it. We call it what it is, and we celebrate the Truth. A celebration of the incarnation of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace. He has come, he has been victorious, and we can celebrate His grace and glory and power for ALL of our days!
So What Does This Look Like, Practically Speaking?
Last year we dressed the kids up and had a lot of fun doing it. Our kids are still little (5, 3, and 16 months) so we keep it minimal. We trick-or-treated on our street then drove 2 minutes to trick or treat at Grammy and Grandpa’s house.
The worst house that we saw in terms of gore and yuck was my parents’ neighbours. The bloody skulls and severed hands and everything else was a bit much for me. Next year we’ll just avoid that house, and when they’re old enough to notice or care then we’ll talk about it.
Actually, let me clarify: we already talk about it in little kid terms. We just talk about general ‘scary things’ as having no power over us because Jesus is the winner and he’s on our side!
Halloween actually presents amazing opportunities to have some deep conversations with kids. I gave a basic explanation of death and evil, and how we are mocking the devil. The conversation will deepen as the years go by, but for now this is a great way to introduce the concept of principalities and powers to your children.
The worst part of Halloween, in my opinion, is the candy. I know, I know… harmless fun…? But really – that stuff is nasty. The ingredients in those things? Mostly unheard of and unpronounceable, high fructose corn syrup solids, artificial colourings that have been linked to behavioural issues in kids, and loads of highly processed sugar in all forms. A few ideas to minimize this, without opting out of Halloween altogether:
- Eat a few treats the night of and throw/give the rest away.
- Do a trade-in for a new toy the next day.
- Host a costume party for a few friends with homemade (waaaay healthier but still yummy!) indulgences, and also hand out candy to the neighbour kids that come to the door.
- Go around to the neighbours handing out homemade hot chocolate mix, then come back for your own party with homemade treats.
- Our church is trick-or-treating this year for canned goods for their food bank.
Does your family participate in Halloween? What are your kids dressing up as this year?
(I’ve got a leopard, a queen, and a firefighter!)
COMMENTS ON THIS POST ARE CLOSED.
Marci
I think that the tone of the original article (and the assumption that those of us who don’t celebrate Halloween should) is lacking some key context.
[I think this was unintentional, though…I don’t think you were trying to suggest that the “don’t goers” were all just nuts, but your tone was unclear in some points. Now I just pray God MY tone doesn’t go to the crapper trying to discuss a super sensitive issue like this one!!!]
[I partly don’t want to reply at all, but I’m really disturbed at some of the assumptions being made…and the lack of representation of the honest concerns of those in the “we prayerfully considered Halloween and felt strongly we shouldn’t participate” bunch. You don’t have to agree with us, but don’t we already have a huge problem with people not ‘hearing’ the other side of the argument? It’s gone the way it has already, but I can’t help being wistful about the kinds of things that could’ve been said to bridge the gap, or at least leave things at a “we Christians will just have to respectfully agree to disagree” etc. But your reply could be that you wanted to fully explain your view, and that your post wasn’t intended to be comprehensive…and that would be a fair response too]
And I’m not at *all* surprised at many of the responses to the article – because this is North America.
This is North America – where a lot of Christians *STILL* believe that witches aren’t real.
[As a comparison – of all the friends and family I know of African or West Indian descent, ONLY ONE sends their children out to celebrate Halloween. Why? Because everyone I know is from a place where they know that the demonic spirit world is very, very real. Obiah and Obiah man aren’t considered something funny at all. Not remotely. And everyone I know can tell you stories about seeing demon possession, etc. North American Christians certainly experience spiritual warfare, but in my experience, they are FAR less attuned to the signs and symptoms of it than folks from the aforementioned backgrounds. Like I said – many North American Christians still believe witches are make belief, and if they do believe they are real, they think it’s a big joke]
Like others have said, a number of Christians who disagree with sending their kids out for Halloween are individuals who have researched it thoroughly.
As in – people who know that every Halloween, innocent children are actually killed in ritual sacrifice in honor of the day. Every. Single. Halloween.
[As in – all those reports after Halloween of kids missing etc etc? Ummm that’s not just a few kidnappers taking advantage of the festivities. That’s the premeditated kidnap and slaughter of children. Yup.]
[YES. Not a typo. Not a fake story. For reals, folks]
Christians, if I were on the mission field, and my kids wanted to be part of local celebrations that I knew regularly involved the killing of innocent children for ritual sacrifice, I wouldn’t go. Nor would I let my kids partake in any part of such celebrations.
Even if there was a really FUN part of the celebration that seemed harmless, if children are being killed during that night? NO. My kids are not participating in any of the celebration while other kids die.
NO
NO
NO
I really believe that it’s wrong to send one’s kids, out while other kids die, during the SAME celebration.
My mission field is right here at home. And no, I really am not okay with sending my kiddos out to party while other kids die.
[Am I the only one who is sickened by the thought? I just think it’s hypocritical to come out against child slavery and child abuse etc all over the world…and then ignore the killings that happen right in our own back yard in North America.]
All too often, when this conversation about Halloween comes up, it becomes blatantly obvious that the folks against Halloween actually know it’s roots, where it comes from, and what actually happens (besides collecting candy and dressing up) on Halloween….while the folks who think it’s fine as long as their kids dress up as a princess or a sugar plum fairy or a farmer start hearing, for the first time ever, what ACTUALLY happens during Halloween from the “don’t goers”.
That’s part of why this is complicated. It’s one thing if everyone is privy to the same information….and have just come to different decisions. It’s another when you regularly discover that many of the “goers” don’t know some of the things the “don’t goers” do. And there are many reasons for why someone might know or not know.
Many of the folks I know have, like myself, done a lot of research about the roots of Halloween; a bunch of us even watched Halloween: Trick or Treat? as a group. http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1143It’s created from a Christian point of view. It’s very informative and has live footage of occult rituals and has real witches speaking, etc to explain how the symbolism is all very Satanic. Beth, if you haven’t watched this DVD, and plan to write a response, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts about how this sort of history fits in – or doesn’t – with your stance on Halloween. This is the DVD that changed many people’s minds…I know folks who were on the fence about Halloween or flat out ‘for’ Halloween who reconsidered and stopped celebrating it after viewing.
Most of the world is NOT mocking Satan on Halloween; most of the world is celebrating the occult. And the Bible is very clear about shunning the appearance of evil. Christmas and Easter do not appear evil in the way Halloween does: the Church has a strong center during those holidays and yes, there’s consumerism, but we have sway socially and a central message that is clear to the world. There is no such message during Halloween. So no, it’s not the same…and also, all those kiddos don’t end up dead during Christmas and Easter; Halloween is where the kiddos die. Halloween looks like evil and IS evil, through and through.
Part of the problem with this is nostalgia – folks remember what it was like to get all dressed up and go out to swap candy, so it becomes really difficult to move away from that sweet memory and face what Halloween really is. And I hear many parents say they worry because little Johnny will feel left out if he doesn’t go out to trick or treat…well, what’s gonna happen when Johnny goes off to university???! If you have taught your child that being accepted in everything is more important than upholding the Christian value of shunning the appearance of evil, I wouldn’t be surprised if such a child fell away during university. What happens when all the boys are going out to a strip club, and Johnny has never had to stand strong, and sometimes be uncomfortable, for what he believes? What happens when all the guys are doing drugs and Johnny has never had any practice standing up for his beliefs in an uncomfortable setting?
[And we wonder why so many fall away then.]
The variety of Christianity being peddled by so many these days is a “feel good” Christianity. I’m not against reaching out to neighbors and having deep friendships, etc. But I’m really concerned about this idea that Christians need to sugar coat everything so that the kiddos “don’t miss out.” So all of a sudden, shunning the very appearance of evil doesn’t matter because we’re going to try to “redeem” Halloween by mocking the devil.
Even if someone thought it were wise to mock the devil, it does not change the fact that *all of us* are instructed to shun the very appearance of evil.
My husband and I were listening to Christian radio the other day and there was a show discussing the recent obsession with vampires and vampirism as a cult. A lot of Halloween celebrations are now bolstering this new interest amongst young people in Vampirism (the guy who was being interviewed was now saved and no longer in this cult). So suffice to say, there is a marked interest in dark spirituality, and Halloween seems to fuel and be fueled by more and more spiritual practices with which Christians should take real issue. Even looking outside, the way people dress for Halloween has changed since I was a kiddo looking through our windows at home
[I have tons more to say, but I’ll stop here.]
Marci
And I should be clear here – some of the things I highlight in my initial post were responses to Beth’s article; other’s were responses to common arguments I hear from “go-ers” who I know :).
Susan Weeks
More than 10,000 people of all ages will die TONIGHT, in America–from elderly street people to infants–sacrificed as witches celebrate the ‘highest’ day of the Satanic calendar. I say more than 10,000 because there are at least 10,000 witch covens presently operating in America. People have been kidnapped and held hostage for tonight’s ceremonies, all throughout the month of October.
You all enjoy your fun Halloween parties and candy, and try not to think too much about it ok? Don’t bother to take the time (while lots of you are gathered together in HIS name) to say some prayers on their behalf. Just go right on celebrating.
Evil is real! If you think I’M mean (an ‘unloving’ Christian), you ain’t seen nothing! Ask those lying on the altars tonight what THEY think of ‘Christians’ celebrating on Halloween.
Alan
Here’s another good read supporting Christians participation in Halloween that has actual scripture references:
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/when-jesus-haunts-your-halloween
Also, as a person of Irish decent, let me say that “Samhain” is roughly translated “summer’s end.” “Samhradh” = summer. There is no pagan Celtic lord of the dead named Samhain. In fact, the Gaelic word for “November” is “Samhain.” So tomorrow will be the first day of the month of ‘summers end’ in Ireland – Samhain1.
While we’re on such a fit about pagan words and our use of them, let’s discuss our days of the week. If we’re supposed to be so legalistic and in such bondage to the law over a holiday that has no power, why are we not throwing a fit over theses days:
Day of the Sun
Day of the Moon
Tyr’s Day
Woden’s Day
Thor’s Day
Frige’s Day
Saturn’s Day
Mariam
Wow. I read throigh this article and all the comments and I have to say I feel disgusted at these responses for several reasons:
1. Not a single one is loving. Most are judgy and holier than thou, and reeking of smugness. Especially the commenter who went out of her way to write a smiley after each comment that disagreed with Beth’s. Please get a grip- there must be other things you need to get done other than this.
2. We are not called to judge others, yet we are called to judge actions. How dare you call someone else a heretic? Are you perfect? No. Am I perfect? No. Calling someone a heretic over an article on Halloween is out of line and unacceptable. Maybe you are unaware of what a heretic actually is?
3. Whatever happened to respectfully stating your opinion and then moving on? Commenting multiple times is not going to “save” anyone, rather alienate them with your sanctimonious arguments (which have already been stated multiple times).
4. I was also disturbed hearing that so many of you do not celebrate Easter, the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our faith and why we are able to be saved to begin with.
5. Reading these comments made me feel ashamed that if a non believer read this that they would want no part in our faith for fear of being judged in such a hateful way.
May God help us all and help us to see the log in our eye before we try and take the speck out of our neighbors.
Susan Weeks
Most unbelievers that want nothing to do with Christianity cite HYPOCRISY as the reason. So-called Christians tell them that they are going to hell, yet LIVE JUST LIKE THEM and think that because they simply ‘believe’ in Jesus their eternal destiny will be different. (Now THAT is truly a log in one’s eye.)
The smiley faces I posted were because I was encouraged by others who understand that God has called us to be a people who are SEPARATE from the world, who do our best to live in holiness, and who have the courage to reprove those who participate in sin and who teach others falsely.
Any judging I do is not based on self-righteousness or my own personal standards. It is based on the word of God, which is SUPPOSED TO be the foundation for the life and actions of every Christian. I can stand firmly and confidently when I speak according to His word, so long as I myself am not living hypocritically.
Catholic connotations aside, the Bible reference to a ‘heretick’ simply denotes someone who follows false doctrine (and certainly one who perpetuates false teaching would fall in the same category).
Susan Weeks
“Wow. I read throigh this article and all the comments and I have to say I feel disgusted at these responses for several reasons: 1. Not a single one is loving.”
Is that really truthful Mariam? You can paint me as the posterchild for the disgusting opposition, if you like–but MOST of the other commenters were very humble, loving, and respectful in what they said. I am sorry if my comments did not come across as loving and humble, but God knows my heart.
It is interesting that all of the response seem to focus on HOW the truth was shared, and on judging those who spoke it, rather than standing on Scripture to give a defense.
The truth is, those who want to participate in this holiday HAVE no Scriptural defense, so they resort instead to ad hominem attacks (attacking the messenger), as though the fact the the message wasn’t couched with enough niceties and apologies would somehow let them off the hook and make it unneccessary to listen.
Yes, apparently I have violated many people’s standards of ‘loving’ and ‘nice’ . . . (I guess I’m just deficient in terms of ‘social graces’), but I don’t think any of you have a Spirit led answer for the truth that was presented to you. Sorry I couldn’t wrap it up more prettily–but most of the other (opposing) commenters did. Please don’t paint them with the same broad brush you use to indict me.
Allan
I was very excited to see a blog with this title as I believe Halloween can be celebrated by Christians without conviction but very disappointed in the content. No one really dresses up as a dead person or a witch in order to mock it, they dress up because it’s fun to be it for a night.
And your statement “The one thing that Satan hates more than anything else is to be ridiculed” is not true. The one things he hates most is to be rendered powerless which many times means ignoring him and not putting effort or attention his way when it’s not necessary.
Good topic just a poor argument, especially in an attempt to represent Christians in any generality.
maria
Thank you for this post! The thing is, although you & your kids might understand dressing up in a certain way as a ‘mockery’, the average person won’t see that interpretation.
I think that Christians should use Halloween as an opportunity to be generous and loving, like we should every other day of the year! But I personally also think we should not dabble lightly into any of the spiritual stuff, including dressing up as devils or ghosts.
Lexie
Trick or Treating is HUGE in my neighborhood! I’m talking, the fire trucks come and it’s a huge party. There are hundreds of kids/parent/etc… probably even THOUSANDS. I do no lie!
I also ask myself what Jesus would do in certain situations. If Jesus had the unbelieving world in his neighborhood he wouldn’t shut himself up and not come to the door. He would be right out there with them. Would he be acting the same way? NO! But he would be there. He WAS there in scripture. He wasn’t tucked away with the church people, he was eating/drinking with the sinners.
So, since I’m trying to reach my neighbors for Christ (and the ones I’m actively reaching know exactly where I live) we decorate for Fall and we hand out hot chocolate. This allows us to take a little more time and care with each family who comes to our door. It allows us to start a conversation, and let them know that we care about them. Do we always share the Gospel story in this setting? No! But I’m actively sharing my life with my neighbors and they know that. And they watch me. And they know that I care.
Thanks for this, Beth! 🙂 ((hugs))
Lexie
I should proof read! Sorry! haha! 🙂 I’m sleepy. Yup, that’s my excuse.
Danielle B
I really hope the author reads all of the comments. And considers them seriously. Especially since she claims to represent all Christians.
Susan Weeks
Yes. And then there is this:
‘A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.’ (Titus 3:10-11)
She has certainly received more than two admonitions. I’m ‘shaking the dust off’
ANYONE can claim to be a Christian, but Jesus said we should judge (yes JUDGE) by their fruits:
‘A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.’ (Matt. 7:18-20)
‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ (Matt. 7:21-23)
You can do whatever you want, and justify it to yourself, and find other people who will support your decision. But on judgment day, you cannot say that you were not warned, carefully, lovingly, and patiently, by MANY people, that what you are doing (and teaching others to do) is wrong. May the Holy Spirit work in your heart, to bring conviction and to grant you repentance.
Danielle B
I reeeeaallly don’t think it’s a good idea to dress up like evil characters and mock Satan. The Bible never mentions anything about Christians mocking satan. Yes, God has won the victory over death, but that does not mean we should be taunting the devil. As Christians we should never have the appearance of evil but only think on “that which is pure, holy, lovely, of good reputation,” etc. We should be so busy worshipping Christ that we have no time to mock the devil. The devil doesn’t deserve our time and enjoyment. But Christ truly does deserve our time and our best.
We like to have a Reformation Night. Eat candy and snacks and watch the Luther movie. This way we are focused on Christ, not on the devil.
Leah Cook
Just thought I would share a quote from Martin Luther himself…
“One must always do what Satan forbids. What other cause do you think that I have for drinking so much strong drink, talking so freely and making merry so often, except that I wish to mock and harass the devil who is wont to mock and harass me.”
In a letter to Jerome Weller at Wittenberg while Luther was away from home during the summer of 1530
Lana
Luther is not God. Nor I’s that biblical. Where is the scriptureal reference?
Emily @ Live Renewed
I think this is a great post – thank you Beth for sharing and for graciously dealing with all of the unloving, unkind, un-Christ-like backlash! Our family participates in Halloween by our kids dressing up in fun and funny costumes and going trick-or-treating. I’m not sure I would say that we “celebrate” Halloween, but we definitely participate and have fun – and I think that is the point of this article that so many people are missing.
And to the point of What Would Jesus Do? I believe that He would go out with and participate with people on Halloween, shining His light into the darkness. He sat down and ate dinner with tax collectors and prostitutes, he touched lepers and healed on the Sabbath, and was condemned by the Pharisees. Jesus was not safe – He was scandalous. He was condemned by those around him who claimed to have the “right” interpretation of Scripture and be the “most” faithful. I’m afraid that truth has been lost on too many Christians today.
Danielle B
Eating a meal with unbelievers is one thing, but I do not believe that Christ would go around dressed up as a witch, a ghost, or anything like that. You don’t need to participate in the evil to shine the light of the gospel. It would probably be more like a preach-the-gospel-on-the-street-corners moment, not an eating-with-unbelievers kind of moment.
Lana
But we are not Jesus. He was not only spiritually strong in the Father, but THE strongest of everyone ever on earth. He was perfect. He had no sin. We, on the other hand, are full of sin, battling Satan every day, every moment even, and sadly, often giving in, unlike Jesus. I believe that few people on this earth are strong enough spiritually, to be hand in hand with evil and not be effected negatively by it. Especially children, who are very impressionable. Who can say that skulls, blood and gore, and headless horsemen etc, is not evil? You may not use those sorts of things in your family, but they symbolize the day. And those sort of things may be seen while participating, at your responsibility.
It’s unbiblical to associate with evil:
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Beliala? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Therefore, Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. And, i will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Thee are many, many verses on this topic.
Lana
Oh and one more thing I’d like to mention about un-Christ like backlash…do you remember how Jesus acted in the temple with the money chargers? Jesus hated evil. He hated it. Nothing personal against the people who wrote this, it’s about fighting evil. The associations that go along with October 31 are evil.
Lana
And for the most part it seems people are trying to be respectful, quoting scriptures, and giving there interpretations. How is that backlash?
lisa
I was raised in a home where everything ,and I mean everything was evil or ” The Devil”. We did not celebrate Halloween because it was ” The Devils day “. We did not do Santa Clause because if you mixed up the letters in Santa you got Satan . We did not eat Lucky Charms , or watch the smurfs because that would be participating in witch craft . I believed that at any second the devil could grab me and take me to hell. I lived in fear , I lived in a prison where everything was a sin and the devil had power over everything . Now things are different . My family does celebrate Halloween. It is simple the eve of All Saints Day . It is a celebration of those that have victory over the grave in Christ . We do dress up and give out candy . We even go to parties . Being a Christian is no longer about what I dont do or what I am opposed to . Rather its the freedom that I have to love others and lead them to Jesus . How many times a year do hundreds of people knock on your door? Thats what got me . We always hand out candy , a book or track that invites people to church and tells them how to have a relationship with Christ . Its not about mocking the devil . Im no longer afraid of him , I mock him every day when I pray , just the fact that I am saved has mocked him . He has no power . Christians are notorious for letting him win. No day belongs to the devil ! Im tired of being yelled at by other Christians for handing out candy or sitting my kids on Santas lap . How is that leading a lost person to Christ ?
Susan Weeks
🙂