The Halloween debate

Halloween is fast approaching, and you'll be sure to have some decisions to make. As believers, it's easy to be confused about the holiday. We know it can be fun, but we wonder if we're doing something wrong or setting a bad example when we participate in the festivities.

We'd like to guide you to think through your decisions about how you celebrate this year. Here are a few things you need to know:
• Halloween does have its roots in the beliefs of ancient druids, a pagan, pre-Christian religion.
• Christians have historically regarded the day as a way to honor saints (faithful believers) who had died and were now with Christ.
• In order to know what to do about celebrating Halloween, you need spiritual discernment, meaning you seek direction and understanding from God. Make decisions based on wisdom and obedience, not what seems like the most fun or what your friends are doing.
• You may choose not to participate in Halloween at all, and that's fine! If you're uncomfortable with the creepy and evil focus Halloween has taken in our culture, not participating may be your best choice.
• If you do decide to celebrate, think through how you do so. Don't compromise your faith to fit in or do something that would cause others to stumble.
• Think through costumes. Is it scary, evil, or mean-spirited? Is it demonic or seductive? Would your costume choice honor Christ?
• Consider who you'll celebrate with. Will the group of friends you're hanging out with encourage you to make choices that reflect your relationship with Christ? Will they present choices or pressure you to do things that make you uncomfortable or fly in the face of how God has called you to live?
• What kind of celebration will this be? What activities will you be taking part in? Will they honor God? Would you want your mom, grandma, or Jesus Himself to catch you doing those things? Ask questions and think through what is going to happen at the party before accepting the invitation. And if you get there and the party makes you uncomfortable or compromises your stand for Christ, LEAVE!
• Haunted houses and gory movies seem to be a major focus of Halloween celebrations in this country. Think before you go or watch. What messages do these activities send? What thoughts do they put into your mind? Would you participating cause another believer to stumble?

Here's what you had to say about Halloween:
“I think Halloween is a great way to reach out to people. My church and other churches come together and have a trunk-or-treat. Kids can have fun, receive candy, cards with Scripture, and even pocket Bibles. Halloween is OK if you use it correctly!” —Ashley

“Halloween is basically a holiday to celebrate evil, and we don’t. However, we often have church activities to balance it; we have trunk-or-treat in the parking lot, and sometimes an All Saints’ Day party.” —Elizabeth

“We don’t celebrate Halloween, but so that we still get candy we have a harvest party on November 1. We wear costumes, but the costume can only be an animal or something from the Bible (no demons or anything scary).” —Jackie
“We haven’t really celebrated it most of my life, but if we do something it usually is a celebration at a local church. I don’t like to dress up, and I don’t think it is a very good witness for me to be dressed in something that is demonic. Sometimes if we just stay home on Halloween, when kids come to our door we still give out candy and try to hand out Christian tracts, too!” —Joy

Sam O'Neal explored both sides of the issue for us in his story "Halloween: Horror Movies, Haunted Houses, and Faith" on page 52 of the October issue of ec. If you'd like to dig deeper, it's a good resource.