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!
When my daughter was younger, this issue stressed me all the way out, year after year! For many years, we didn’t “celebrate,” but for some years, we joined in to the activities of our church.
A great book on this subject is called Redeeming Halloween by Kim Wier and Pam McCune. It’s a quick read and offers a perspective on Halloween that both sides can appreciate. It’s on sale now for $3.99 at Christianbook: christianbook.com/redeeming-halloween-kim-wier/9781589971554/pd/71550?item_code=WW&netp_id=339409&event=ESRCN&view=details
I think it’s important to remember not to get into condemnation one way or the other around this or any issue. We shouldn’t beat ourselves up for depriving our kids of candy and costumes if we choose not to “do” Halloween; and we shouldn’t feel less holy than the next mom if we decide to have fun with the events of this month.
These two links summarize this topic well for me.
billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=2069
billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=1844
I don’t personally believe in “celebrating’ Halloween since the Bible says to avoid even the very appearance of evil. I do however go to my Christian bookstore to pick up Halloween kits that give candy & tracts to pass out. I used to put a sign on my door that said “no candy” but since this is the one time of year that the world actually comes to your door with literally open arms you might as well take advantage and share the good news. My church also offers alternatives like Hallejuah Harvest.
First I want to share about the Halloween I experienced as a child. In the weeks before Halloween, we decided on a costume. My Mother didn’t believe in wasting money and she tried to use what we had. So a long fancy dress with a crown and wand made me a princess. A purchased cape with a made hat made wizard or magician costume. The costumes were always fun and something to look forward to. Each of us had time with Mom to talk about what we were going to wear for a fun day.
We only trick or treated on our block with our neighbors. We went to about 30 houses. Everyone on the block marked their candy with address labels. And everyone was super generous. One couple made these baseball size popcorn balls and every year at Halloween I think of them. Mini and Bill didn’t have kids, but they were so kind and generous to all of us.
Halloween in NYC has changed a lot of people don’t want to answer the door to trick-or-treaters. Each year we do it up for the kids and in memory of all the people who did it for us. I want the kids in this area to have great memories of generous people as I do. I see Halloween as a day of celebrating being a kid, dressing up and having fun.
I feel that as Christians we shouldn’t participate in Halloween. The whole story behind it and representation behind it isn’t something God inspired or spirited. At my children’s school they had fall festivals were the kids dressed up in the theme of each years topic but I soon noticed that my kids were becoming confused. We prayed about it and asked our pastor and came to the conclusion that it was to the spiritual well being that we no longer participate.