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Halloween is nearly here, and for some Christians, it’s a truly frightful time of year. For others, however, it’s seen as a mostly benign secular holiday.
Growing up in a non-Christian household, I always looked forward to Halloween. It wasn’t because of the costumes or macabre imagery often associated with it though. I looked forward mostly to one thing: Free candy! Now, however, as a Christian, I admit that it seems a bit askew to see little kids running around in witch or devil costumes.
Do you think Christians should participate in Halloween? I’m not asking whether Christians should celebrate Halloween, meaning to fully embrace all that this holiday is about. I really don’t think we should celebrate evil. Rather, should Christians have anything to do with it at all, or just choose not to bother with it?
The question may be easier if you don’t have kids. Without kids, it may be easier to ignore. But if all your kids’ friends are going trick-or-treating and they’re not allowed, they’ll want to know why. We should be careful to separate our intent from the history of the event: Can this time still be celebrated, but somehow sanctified for God?
Bob and Gretchen Passantino of Answers in Action suggest this course of action for Christian parents:
Christians should evaluate Halloween and determine an appropriate response for themselves and their own families. Christians should refrain from any participation that would compromise one’s faith or bring dishonor to the Lord Jesus Christ. A good principle is to look for ways to become a positive, Christ-honoring voice in the midst of secularism and paganism. Each Christian must be persuaded in his own conscience about how he approaches Halloween. (Source: Answers.org)
What do you think about Halloween? Do you celebrate it and allow your kids to go trick-or-treating?
Related reading:
Can God be glorified through Halloween? – Examines the origins of Halloween and suggestions about how Christians can respond.
Halloween Alternatives – Some different ways you can celebrate the season.
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We have chosen not to celebrate Halloween in any way. We send a note to school with our kids each year, letting their teachers know that if any Halloween activities are scheduled, they are to plan an alternative activity for our children. Our kids understand that we view Halloween as a holiday that does not bring honor to Jesus and that our goal is to honor Him in all we do. While some people think we are a little strange, others have admitted that they admire our commitment. Our kids (ages 7 and 9)don’t seem to mind either, as they both want to be a witness at their school
I am the AWANA (www.awana.org) Commander in our small rural community. Each halloween all the downtown business in our town open their doors at 4 pm to hand out candy. This year our AWANA program has chosen to “trunk-n-treat on main street”. We wiil be handing out candy along with invites to AWANA. The goal is not to “participate” in halloween, but reach kids for Christ by being where most of the kids in our community will be for a 2 hour period and encourage them to attend AWANA.
You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Don’t be controlled by a holiday.