How OR Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Before I begin, I want to make it clear that this is NOT going to become a mean spirited type of discussion. We are all sisters in Christ and we should act accordingly. If ANYONE posts a mean come back or has the profound need to force others to believe what they believe to the point of arguing, their comments will be deleted and never again approved on this site. So play NICE!
OK…on to the discussion part…
Do you think Christians should celebrate Halloween? Why or Why not?
Also, if you do not actually celebrate Halloween, but DO participate in “alternative” fall festival type events, don’t you think that is also a form of celebrating?
I ask this, because we do not “celebrate” Halloween in and of itself. However, we do go to our church fall festival every year and dress up and participate in the activities there. The other day, I was thinking about it and I had a sort of epiphany…AM I CELEBRATING Halloween??? I think yes!
I would also like to know what other Moms of Faith think!
I’ve also struggled with this. We’ve gone out, avoided, holed up, hide, gone door to door, done the trick or canning thing and finally, I’ve just come to a place where, in our home, we seek to glorify God in the way we wander around the neighbourhood. I now let my youngest dress up, and go out for candy. He is not allowed to dress in anything that would be offensive to God and he is only allowed to go to homes that are not ‘decked out’ in Halloween gore. We lovingly walk with a non-Christian neighbour and enjoy coffee and visits afterward. Our oldest kids go trick or canning or hang out a friends house and we give generously at the door. Finally releasing the idea in my own mind that if we are out, we’re in sin, allowed me to realize that it’s not always what we do, but how we do it, that matters. I’ve never felt the Lord admonish me in this, but the moment I do, I’ll change the plan. As for now, we find that a peace that surpasses all understanding in this area, is the best witnessing tool we can use.
I agree with what everyone has pretty much already said. I do dress my kids up for Halloween and we do go trick or treating. But I think in the way that it is done is innocent. We are not devil worshiping by partaking in Halloween Festivities, we are celebrating which the bible speaks of different celebrations. I decorate my house with cute little pumpkins and window clings and candles of Halloween. We also go to Fall Harvest Festivals as well. I think God knows where our hearts are and how we feel and we really do not need to justify for any reason. I don’t celebrate Halloween the same way I celebrate Christmas. Christmas is much more different and meaningful. But it is fun to do activities with your kids.
I remember reading somewhere in the Bible (wish I could remember where…) that celebrating pagan holidays is NOT pleasing to God and will be punished. I would consider Halloween a pagan holiday. I do believe that any celebration on that day with costumes and candy is celebrating Halloween. We have a celebration at church that does not involve scary costumes or the word Halloween anywhere, but I still think it is celebrating Halloween. My children (ages 8. 6 and 3) decided a few years ago to do what they call a “Jesus play” where they act out a scene from the Bible and we discuss why we choose not to participate in our church’s function or trick or treating. I want them to be able to read the Bible and understand it for themselves, instead of just following what everyone at church is doing.
I don’t feel that celebrating halloween is wrong and against anytype of the bible…It is all in how you teach your children…They are good things that you are able to dress up your children, let your children be children, they grow up so fast nowadays. and don’t get the chance to have fun and be kids..Why continue to take things from our children of today, alot of times i think this is what causes the children and teens of today to act out…Let them have childhood memories…
My kids do dress up as G rated characters or themes and they do go door to door for candy, but we do not allow them to say, “Trick or Treat”. The history behind that phrase has to do with something called Souling, where you go door to door asking for food in exchange for prayers for the dead. So, my kids just say, “Happy Halloween”. We also go to our church festival.