Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
Ephesians 5:14 NASB
Driving through the neighborhood, orange lights shimmer after dark, outlining houses. Snarling ghosts, the size of giants, stand illumined and poised with hands raised and ready to pounce. Thick spider webs shimmer around bare branches of trees, and several black spiders hang in every direction. Illumined Halloween blow-ups of witches and goblins rock in the wind. Carved pumpkins are on every doorstep.
On Halloween night, children will fill the sidewalks, costumed, masked, and carrying open bags, ringing doorbells, shouting “Trick of Treat!” The tiny ones, precious in their princess or bunny costumes, will be led by their parents who prompt them in what to say. The older kids will be dressed in scarier costumes, some too tall or too old to be trick-or-treating. (Have you noticed how truly evil some of those costumes look?) Even some adults will be dressed up too, perhaps as witches with broomsticks, seated at their doorsteps as they hand out candy. It’s all in good fun.
Or is it?
At home, parents sift through their kids’ bags, making sure all the candy is wrapped. Anything look suspicious? Remember not long ago when razor blades were hidden inside those delicious-looking treats? Sounds like the evil queen in Snow White may be lurking behind some of those decorated doors. But surely not in 2022.
Our children are our most precious possessions and can never be replaced. Should they be taught to dress up like devils and witches? To believe that fear is fun? I hope we can remember the origins of this festival and what the Bible says about this issue.
As Christians, let’s think twice about participating in this holiday glorifying Satan and his world of evil.
Here is an interesting perspective in the article below, written by a former witch high priest.
Should Christians celebrate Halloween?
by William J. Schnoebelen
“An old proverb says, “When you sup with the devil, use a long spoon.” Presumably, NO genuine Christian would want to sup with the devil at all and yet many may be doing so in ignorance.
As a former witch high priest now saved by Jesus, I was astonished by how many Christians let their kids celebrate Halloween. Some churches even sponsor “haunted houses” and similar events on what is the Number One satanic “helliday” of the year. Halloween used to be called Samhain, and is still celebrated as an ancient pagan festival of the dead by witches all over the world. Unfortunately, just giving the date a “holy” name like All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve cannot change its grisly character. Halloween is an occasion when the ancient gods (actually demons) are worshiped with human sacrifice. The apostle Paul warns us: “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (1 Cor. 10:20).
If you are a Christian parent, God has given you a precious responsibility in your children. Remember, their ability to resist spiritual wickedness is much less than yours. If you allow your children to participate in Halloween (Trick or Treating, costume parties, etc.) you are allowing them to play on “the devil’s turf,” and Satan will definitely press his home court advantage. You are opening up doorways into their young lives for evil by bringing them into a kind of “fellowship” with these ancient “gods.”
We are commanded not to become involved with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11). Both from my experience as a witch, and since getting saved, as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have seen far too many examples of how breaking this command works out in lives. Remember, while we have God’s promise of protection for ourselves and our children, that promise may not hold if we allow our children to celebrate this dark holiday. Case after case has come to us of children in rebellion. In many of these families, the problem can be traced back to the children being exposed to Halloween at a young age. It is hard enough to raise children these days in a Godly way without exposing them to Satan’s realm.”
…but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 5:18b-21 NASB
Dear Father in heaven, may we wisely guide our innocent children away from Satan’s evil influence. Thank you for defeating the devil at the cross. We come against the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? by Karen Jurgens copyright 2015 and 2022, All rights reserved.
Great article Ms. Karen. I’ve formed my objection to the Halloween holiday over many years, and agree with a great many facts you presented here my friend. While we have no children at home and we have very few that would venture so far for a piece of candy, we don’t see trick or treaters. I have to believe you about how evil costumes are becoming, because I see how evil society is becoming. For me, I decided that instead of turning the lights off or being away from home on that night, I will welcome those children with a smile and a kind word. I won’t “ooo” and “ahh” over their costumes or pretend I’m afraid when the “scare” me, as I think this only cements the image in their mind. Instead, I would try to make each feel recognized, but along with the candy, I gave them a brochure about the evils of Halloween or a small pocket-sized copy of John’s gospel. I didn’t want to deny their fun but wanted their parents to at least know what they were exposing little “Johnny” and “Susie” too. There’s better alternatives.
What a great way to turn a spooky night away from fear and reroute to the gospel! Years ago our church used to pass out little gospel tracts we could include with their candy. We need that tradition again! Blessings, dear friend, to you and Ms. Diane. 😊