Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
A question asked by many, “Should Christians participate in Halloween?” It’s just innocent fun for our kids, right? That little baby looks so cute in her little pumpkin costume. The little children have so much fun going Trick or Treat. Is Halloween as innocent as treats and costumes? According to Christian Today 23 percent of Christians in the US do not celebrate Halloween and of Non-religious Americans (75 percent) have no issues with Halloween and only 11 percent of Americans avoid it altogether. This means that 75% of Christians do celebrate Halloween.
Where did Christian Holidays originate from anyway?
Everybody loves a party, right? Most of the holidays today originated from an ancient feast or pagan celebration. Even the Jew’s had days they would observe. Christianity did not come with any such celebrations. In early Christianity the church rulers thought it would be easier to convert followers if they could incorporate their pagan holidays to Christian holidays. This is how Easter and Halloween came to be in the Christian circle. Most of the holidays originated from a pagan holiday.
What is Halloween and Where did it Originate?
It is worth understanding what Halloween is and where Halloween originated. As Christians we observe many holidays throughout the year that we consider to be honoring to God. A couple of these holidays would be Easter and Christmas. There are other holidays we recognize and/or celebrate with usually little to no reservation such as Valentines Day and Thanksgiving to name a couple. Depending on which sect of Christianity you are in there may be a few more to many more days that you set aside to celebrate. There are even some who refuse to recognize any day as a holiday. Let’s take a deeper look into Halloween in order to decide if Christians should celebrate.
Where Halloween Began
According to WorldHistory.org Halloween began over 1900 years ago in England, Ireland, and Northern France. The Celtics celebrated a day called Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”) which occurred on October 31. Samhain was considered an opportune time for the druids to practice divination. It was believed the connection to the spirit world was stronger than at any other time. Spirits, both friendly and wicked, could interact with the human world and were . Samhain is still observed by wiccans.
Halloween was an attempt to contain Samhain in the Christian Holidays. It began in the Christian church as All Saints Day and was originally on May 13 but eventually moved to November 1st. In the 19th century as settlers came to America the more traditional Halloween customs became increasingly popular. Such as carving pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, goblins, and candy.
In the 1930’s and 1940’s Halloween began to gain momentum. Candy companies began selling kid’s costumes and Halloween parties became popular. Through the years Halloween has become more and more popular. Halloween is not the 2nd largest retail holiday despite false reports. From the data I can find it probably ranks around the 4th largest retail spending Holiday.
Should Christians Participate in Halloween?
This is a decision each individual must make on their own; however, if you are looking for guidance on whether Christians should participate in Halloween let your decision be based on what the Bible has to say to answer this question.
We can begin with Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Does Halloween fit any of these attributes?
Philippians 1:27 says , “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” Understand here that “conversation” means conduct/behavior. Does dressing up as an evil spirit, death, or other wicked beings classify as conduct that becometh the gospel of Christ?
Halloween is a pagan observance of Samhain with a name change in order to fit into the Christian church. The Celts did indeed use this day to “communicate” with the dead. Leviticus 19:31 says, “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”
Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Halloween was not exposed by the church for the darkness it was, but instead was taken into church holy days in disguise as a day to honor the dead.
When you think about what Halloween represents and where it originated can you say with confidence it is suitable for a Christian to celebrate? Does changing the name to “Trunk or Treat” and putting it in the church parking lot make it less than what it is?
2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
Answering the Question: Should Christians Participate in Halloween?
To answer the question of whether Christians should celebrate Halloween, it is best to measure it to the word of God. The Bible is our compass if we are looking to find what is right or wrong. If poison is disguised in coats of sweet candy is it any less poison? If evil is disguised by costumes is it any less evil? If Halloween is compared to the Gospel of Christ is it compatible to Christian conduct? In a world of darkness, as Christians, we should do everything in our reach to allow the light of the Gospel to shine.
Free online Bible Resource: https://www.biblegateway.com/