Friday, October 25, 2013

Why We Don't Celebrate Halloween.

I've been praying, researching and thinking about what I want this post to say.
 About how I want this post to be received. 
 It's a post that I knew I wanted to write. 
It's an issue that I'm passionate about. 
 It's a day that challenges me. 

 My parents became Christians when I was in elementary school and from that point on we no longer participated in Halloween activities.
 Overtime, especially now as a mom, my feelings towards this holiday have only been confirmed.


I know I'm in the minority.
I know this is not a popular stance.
I know I might offend.
But I want to share what's on my heart
and explain why we've made this decision. 

 I had originally planned and hoped that I could just find another blog post about this issue that would perfectly execute, better than I could, why we, as a Christian family, don't participate Halloween.

 I did find one article that I felt shared what's on my heart and what I believe and I will quote a few lines at the end. 
 But much to my surprise {I'm still in shock} there wasn't much out there. 
 How could this be?? 
How is this holiday accepted by so many Christians?

 I won't go on and on about the origin of this holiday
 {but if you don't know it, I'd encourage you to read it}.
 Instead I just want to state the facts. 
The facts that feed my strong conviction to not participate. 

 Halloween was created to not only celebrate the coming of winter, but celebrate and commune with the dead - it is a holiday filled with spirits, superstitions and fear. 

 Jack-o-laterns were intended to scare off evil spirits. 

 Costumes were worn to divert ghosts.

Treats were left out to calm unwelcome spirits.

I realize that due to the commercialization of the holiday, the origin and traditions tend to be forgotten and pushed to the side. 

 I get it. 


But as much as I've heard it said that it's just about cute costumes and candy, I can't ignore the fact that many still celebrate as the holiday was intended.

 Halloween is an opportunity, and one of the main days, for some to embrace the dark side of the spiritual world. 
  
As much as we may not like it to be, even with one search on google, this darkness is seen.

A drive down our street, darkness is seen.
A trip to the party store, darkness is seen. 

A family day at the pumpkin patch, darkness is seen. 
Last week on our weekend away, we went to a pumpkin patch.
Adalyn was walking behind me and I turned to hold her hand and I saw her look up in the tree and then look at me with a look of fear in her eyes. 
I looked in the tree and what do I see? 
I just don't see why, as a Christian, I want anything to do with a holiday that celebrates that. 
It broke my heart when I saw Adalyn's face after seeing that. 
And I know it was only a glimpse into our future of all the other things of this evil world that I wish I could hide her from that I can't. 

When I look at this.
When I look at the reality of Halloween.
When I look at how Halloween is typically celebrated- even with its origin and the rituals of witchcraft aside- I ask myself, is this a holiday that brings honor to God?
Is it glorifying God?

Here are some other facts. 

Halloween celebrates darkness, evil and death. 
I celebrate the God who gives life.
*Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” (Luke 20:38)
*The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

What the holiday represents is detestable to the Lord.
 And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. (Deut. 18:10-12)

I am called to abstain from the appearance of evil.
Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thess. 5:22) 

I am called to be set apart. 
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.(Rom 12:2)

*But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Pet. 2:9)

*Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Cor. 5:17)

*If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Col. 3:1)


I am a child of light.
* You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness (1 Thes. 5:5)

*8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord.11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (Eph. 5:8-11)


To me it's clear. 
God is of light.
Halloween is of darkness. 
Therefore, as a child of light, I want no part in this darkness.

There are some Christians who take a missional approach to participating in Halloween.
My personal belief is that there are other ways to reach the lost on this day without funding or participating in these events. 

It all boils down to personal conviction.
Do I think little kids in costumes are cute?
Yes!
But for our family Halloween is the perfect opportunity to teach Adalyn that we are called to be different.
We are called to not be of the world. (1 Jn 2:15)
We are called to be as a city on a hill. (Matthew 5:14-16)
This is a biblical principle that, through this holiday, can easily be instilled at a young age and an opportunity that comes around every year. 
I find more value in that than any other Halloween festivity.
She can dress up any day.
She can have candy any day.
But on this day she will learn ways to be bold in her faith.
She will have an opportunity to explain why she doesn't go trick or treating.
Why she's not dressing up as her favorite character.
A day that she will be set apart.
Because she is called to be.
Because she is a child of light. 


I know we can't avoid the darkness in this world, but that doesn't mean I am going to
celebrate in this holiday of darkness. 

I'm all for alternatives that put the focus on Jesus.
I'm all for celebrating Reformation Day.
I'm all for a special family night.
I'm all for "treating" neighbors or families in need.

For us, we look forward to a fun family night on October 31st. 
We go out for dinner and play at a local play place.
Making memories, having fun and praising the Lord that He has overcome evil.
He has conquered death! 

I'll finish this post with a quote from one of the articles I read that I feel is spot on.


"Ephesians 5:1 tells us to be imitators of God. Our Lord Jesus would not go to a party to honor the feast of the Samhain. Moses did not come down from Mount Sinai and combine the Israelites Passover holiday with the idol worship that was going on. Allowing children to dress as witches and sorcerers or hanging evil decorations in our windows is imitating that which is evil.
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people. Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
The verse says, “come out from among them, says the Lord.” Does that mean come out from among them–but don’t deprive your children from all that fun and candy — celebrate the same pagan ritual in your church building? The Bible is very clear about Christians being involved in such celebrations. "

At the end of the day I think it's important to ask 
"Does this holiday honor the Lord?"
I think the answer is pretty clear....absolutely not!
I think it's important to look beyond the cute costumes and candy, look beyond the feelings of being "left out" and focus on something of greater importance- something the Lord has entrusted us with as parents- to raise up a generation that is not of this world, that is not ashamed, that chooses to be different and that stands firm in their faith.

240 comments:

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Anonymous said...

http://wildhunt.org/2014/10/blessed-samhain-4.html#sthash.2iJFGIKL

I agree with your beliefs as I am a Christian. An acquaintance practices Wicca and had this posted on her page.

Anonymous said...

I do think these comments are sad. So many Christians just don't get it. I'm not expecting unbelievers to get it. If you allow children to participate now, when and where do you draw the line of what ok and what is not? It all comes out of the same garbage can.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for your honesty and Godly wisdom! I have really been convicted about Halloween this year and your post just encourages me in seeking light and goodness in life. It is so easy to say "I don't really believe in it" and make excuses but that is what the enemy wants us to do. We must be set apart and that doesn't bring resentment it brings freedom!
Thank you for such a wonderful post!

Anonymous said...

I love your heart. We do not celebrate this holiday either.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your insight and sharing your convictions :) I don't think I really agree though. I grew up not celebrating Halloween (I was always told it was evil, plus we lived in Australia so it really didn't exist until 3 years ago). However, when kids came to my house trick or treating last year it was really nice - I finally got to meet some of them, got to say hello to others I knew and it's the closest thing my neighbourhood gets to being a 'community'. Friends from church have previously given out invitations to kids programs or little bibles along with the candy, and I like that idea of reaching out that way.

However, like you said, evil and darkness are real, there is a spiritual battle waging. But to dress up as a character that represents a noble character or fruit of the spirit - someone brave, or kind or joyful, really is the opposite. To be a light shining in the darkness on Halloween is just about the easiest it can get, and your house decorations could reflect that and even start some worthwhile conversations as parents or kids ask why on earth your house looks like some kind of sunny paradise or clouds in heaven! Great ways to talk about how Jesus has defeated death and has power over any pathetic evil spirits, demons or witches. People might still think you're a bit nutty, but it's a great opportunity to give out the gospel in one little line.

So I agree, origins aside (there are good and bad), the feeling I get from Halloween these days is that it's a celebration of evil. Christians probably shouldn't participate in celebrating evil - if they do, they show a severe lack of awareness of the spiritual realm which God tells us is very real. But to me, shutting yourselves up inside is wasting a very good opportunity to proclaim Christ's power over evil. I'm hoping to use this day to teach my kids to be bold too. They just might be wearing a Superman costume at the same time, that's all :) Louise

Anonymous said...

Thank you for caring for what the Lord cares for. The Lord in this day and age needs some who will not bow their knee to Baal. Daniel and his friends refused to conform even at the risk of their lives bc they were ones after God's heart. May the Lord gain a remnant who know His heart.

Unknown said...

Praise the Lord!

Anonymous said...

HI! thanks for this beautiful post! My family and I do not celebrate halloween too due to the same reasons! I'm from Singapore and I guess I'm just glad my country is not SO BIG on this, but it is getting bigger/ more hype throughout the years. But thanks for pending down your thoughts and stand about this! Really appreciate it! :)

Anonymous said...

If dressing your kids up and having them get candy is what you really want, then dress tem up on any random day and buy them a bag of candy. You can be weird one day and at the same time not follow the world. I was a kid once...I never celebrated Halloween. Look I'm alive. Yor kids won't have their lives ruined. They will have better lives because they followed what Jesus taught and not what the world teaches

Anonymous said...

Amen to this! I know it's a touchy subject because many see nothing wrong with it... But I myself have never celebrated it in my 21 years of life and I am not missing out on anything. Driving by some halloween gatherings and events, it's scary. You always see smoke covering the area and hear horror laughing - why do I want a part of that? Plus, being a newly married woman... I am going to teach my children not to celebrate it either. As kids, we always missed school on Halloween and it was fun to stay home and spend time with one another instead!

Anonymous said...

I support your opinion on this matter. For those who state that she loves Disneyland hahahaha it's funny how you guys went to look for fault in her life when your full of them yourselves as i have, we all are full of flaws. For those who say Christians are suppose to shine in the dark is to stand apart from the dark. Not to conform to the worldly things. She still has a lot to learn as we all do so stop judging people.

Anonymous said...

halloween is what you make of it. I've been a Christian for 40 years and Halloween is my favorite time of year. And yes I let my kids read the Wizard of Oz and Harry Potter and dress like witches if they want to. It's people like you who suck the life out of Christians. Lighten up. My kids and grandkids know what is real and what is not, know what is wrong and what is right. Its a shame your kids have to walk the plank and lose any imagination that they might have.

Nikki said...

We don't celebrate it either and it is very hard when all of your Christian friends do. I hate to feel "left out", glad you mentioned that! (We also don't celebrate Christmas or Easter for similar reasons, but do celebrate holy days mentioned in the Bible such as Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication) and Passover, among others). We saw an ex-Satanist talk about Halloween on YouTube, can't remember his name, Steven something, I think. He talks about how the candy is even cursed. I think Satan has been very good at tricking well-meaning, faithful Christians into participating in his darkness. It's really easy to dismiss it, I totally get it, but I don't want to even come close to it. It's not worth it to me.

Anonymous said...

That is a great point of view & the same view should apply to DISNEY!! Most of their movies, even the old ones, promote sorcery, withccraft, the occult, paganism, death of parents (happens in almost all of their movies or there are no parents to start with). Christians probably single handedly keep Disney in operation! They also celebrate gay day & own porno channels! Just type in Disney assets and click the wiki link to see the hundreds of companies they own. They throw in sex scenes & illuminati/mason scenes & philosophy & have brainwashed kids (and adults) that were starts from there & millions who just watch their crap. Check it out and see the filth and objective of these smart and wealthy people!

Unknown said...

Your article would be more purposeful if it was devoted to the abominations against the 2 greatest Christian holidays-- The Birth of Christ the Lord and His magnificent Resurrection and ascension into heaven...or are you one of those who leaves cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas eve...and gives your child an Easter basket filled with chocolate Easter bunnies ?... Let the jack-o-lanterns glow on All Hallows eve, and focus on keeping Christ in Christmas...

Jayn CArson said...

For years, our kids would dress up and hand out suckers upon which we had written, "Jesus loves you" and "God has a plan for your life" We also used that as a time to visit the local retirement village and bless them with candy and toiletries and cards, and singing. It would also be possible to hand out Christian trinkets or New Testaments. But I can't believe how much kids looked forward to the suckers with a message.. After we moved they expressed such disappointment that they couldn't get their special message suckers from the house we used to live in!

Amanda said...

All of this is very true. Also how is it logical to encourage kids one night of yr to beg for candy usually from mostly strangers. It just makes no sense. Yup lets go beg for candy from strangers. You can go buy discounted candy next day and eat some. You can dress up in safe costume any other day of the yr.

Anonymous said...

I think you and the girl taking a stand against yoga pants should meet. You guys seem to have a lot in common. I appreciate that you trying to do the right thing by boycotting Halloween for spiritual reasons. But I disagree and think this is a great opportunity for Christians to get out in the community and build relationships and share the gospel. I absolutely love Halloween and dressing up. My kids don't think we love Satan because we trick or treat and wear costumes. I mean I think that is a stretch. I think if you are going to boycott pagan holidays you should be consistent. Jesus was technically born in the Summer and the Christmas tree is a pagan tradition and then there is Santa Claus. Easter eggs and the Easter bunny are derived from a pagan holiday where the goddess of spring was celebrated. What is your stance on Harry Potter?

Anonymous said...

You're preaching to the choir here. My family never celebrated halloween either and I agree with you, but you aren't convincing anyone that doesn't share your beliefs. So biased.

Unknown said...

Thank u for this post!!! As Halloween approaches and we r the only ones we know not celebrating it, my kids r asking a lot of questions. Even their schoolwork is full of ghosts and goblins, which truly bothers me. I'm so glad you posted this so I can have some concrete verses to tell them.

Mick said...

Poor thing, as a Christian (which you profess you witnessed your parents "become") your life is full of spirits, superstition and fear. You were better off without it altogether, it seems...just saying!

alina said...

Who did you write this article for; other Christians who you hope to convict them of their ignorant and sinful ways? Non-believers who you hope will feel the wrath of God? People who already agree with you who can now pat you on the back and say “good job, you are part of the enlightened now!”? 

I just wanted to say none of above. Just simply to encourage (not condemn or judge) a fellow believer and if by some chance God uses this to bring someone to him then Glory to our wonderful God! I know I was encouraged. I was often to ashamed to speak up for what I believe because I was afraid of all the hatred and conflict that see now in response to this blog post but this encourages me to not be ashamed. I too grew up not celebrating Halloween and at times I did feel left out growing up but thanks to the Lord that he saved me and showed me that it was sin enticing me. I pray that God shows and works in each person that is debating this topic including me. May he show us the right path to him, and if I am wrong in any way I pray the Lord will open my eyes. Glory to our amazing savior! God bless you!!

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Unknown said...

We moved to America when I was five and one of the first uniquely America experience for me was Halloween. We (the kids) weren't given a low down on what was going on, all we understood was walk around knocking on doors pretend to be someone else and say "trick or treat" and voilà! Free delicious American candy! So while the parents were chatting it up with family at a dinner all the kids who had came to the U.S. a year before told us about this candy handout masquerade, and we got creative and pretended to be ninjas and whatever other aliases you can think of from clothes and sheets, and we walked around...I was five keep in mind and no one said a bad thing about this holiday to us, I was a fresh slate. First of all, I was excited, then nervous cuz duh stranger danger and we were walking right up to their doors for food, then it got downright scary because many are covered in their costumes with varying degrees of frightening visages and the houses I noticed all had indicators of death, darkness, spirits, monsters, evil. That night was the first and last time I would ever want to ( or be allowed to! lol , boy were our parents mad when they found out!) Participate in Halloween. At 5 years old I recognized the godlessness of it, that it was actually a lot more serious and meaningful than just free candy..it was an acceptance of evil under the guise of sweets and dress up. More than ever before people, Christians, need to realize that our choices no matter how small they seem hold weight in God's eyes...intentional living, conscientious and informed choices, Biblical standards but most importantly God centeredness is what should fuel us...DAILY! Think it thru and pray about it, read God's word and be guided by His spirit. In all seasons may God be glorified through us. It my biggest lesson to live the above mentioned way, I'm in no way the epitamy of perfection just FYI, I just wanted to weigh in with my impression, and thought about this. Thanks for reading!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you posted what you did! I agree with you COMPLETELY! I don't like this holiday one bit! My mom raised my sister & I not really celebrating Halloween. We did do the pumpkin carving thing though. I have chosen to remain child-free, but if I had kids we wouldn't celebrate it either! Halloween is Satan's holiday for sure & I really want no part in it, myself. My boyfriend's kids are all into it, but I've really been considering telling them they can celebrate it without me! And now I'm pretty sure I will! Thank you for your post! Saundra = )

Anonymous said...

The Word is our authority, for all of us. We all must give account. Let Him guide you, but be wary of judging others for their freedom to celebrate candy, fall, and fun with their kids. No, it's not the intellectual or historically accurate view of All Hallow's Eve, but it's likely how most of us view it.

Having raised our family in 5 large cities and in two different countries, I can tell you that there is a vast difference in each city. One city even had a "Devil's Night", and one city basically had the day as a dress up day. The way in which each city did or did not focus on the dark elements varied widely. To write a blogpost from your one view shows me you haven't seen other regions of the U.S. or abroad. And that's fine. But be aware there are other perspectives.

As evangelical Christian parents, we didn't celebrate with our kids either, til we moved to a less-dark city. By then they were older and had seen the dark cities, and had been on missions trips and seen firsthand the work of a real devil with people lost in his grip. We found as we celebrated that it was an opportunity to develop relationships with our neighbors, the people we live alongside.

May God bless your parenting choices. May you honor Him in all areas of your life. You only owe Him an explanation for your decisions. He sees where you live and how you express His love to your kids and in a lost world. I haven't taken the time to read your blog nor the comments above, but I can assure you as a grandparent, my kids see how we have changed and loosened our views on this issue. And they know we are learning and growing. Enjoy your kids. Don't worry about what anyone but the Lord thinks. It's not an issue that should divide believers. If you are convinced you shouldn't do it, it's a Romans 14 issue, my friend.

We live in the middle of a generation that has THREE bathrooms in Elementary schools now, we cannot let the enemy divide us.

Sean Miller said...

I also have had trouble finding an article that articulates my feelings so well...thanks for posting this!

Soapy said...

Great article. Same with us in Australia except I have the bonus of saying it's American not Australian, but still it's creeping into our culture.
Don't be concerned about offending if being truthful, as the truth will always upset someone somewhere anyway, but it is nice to not offend intentionally. I look at some of the silly responses posted and can tell you, you should take pride in the stand that you take!!!
Well done!!! This will always ruffle some feathers...
Take care.
Chris HB

Unknown said...

Okay so you say you researched but yet you continued to say Halloween is evil and all about evil... Apparently no real research was done because SAMHAIN is NOT about evil at all... Let me tell you what it is really about .. From someone who really researched and knows what the day is about... In the time is pagans they believed that day was the end of the year and the time when the veil between the worlds was very thin... They were superstitious people and believed that the spirits would cause trouble in their crops and homes if they did not appease then especially on this night... Celebrations were done by creating a scared fire to light their home fires after dousing them for the night to keep the spirits out of their homes.. They set out treats to appease them and hopefully garner food luck and keep away evil... See what I just said there... KEEP AWAY EVIL... Not invite it in!!! They dressed their children as spirits to keep them safe because the real spirits would not know the difference between themselves and the kids... The long hard winter was coming and these ancient people wanted good luck for their villages so their traditions were centered around making sure the spirit world was on their side... The religion believes that whatever they did came back at them three fold so why why why would they do anything remotely evil to evoke the wrath of their god and goddess... It offends me every time I see someone shut their eyes to another religions beliefs... Christianity has always tried to force other religions to conform... Through force (the holy wars) and now by condemning anything you don't understand as evil! Yet other religions don't attack Christianity and point out the evil things they do and have done!!! I am sorry to offend but if I was to pick something (how about Easter the day that marks the death of a great soul at the hands of confused Christians) and twist the facts to make it evil you would be mad at me too... This is upsetting to people who believe in the good in the holiday... You let evil in when you believe in it!

Anonymous said...

When I was a kid my church had harvest fest instead. We could still dress up and get candy, but we also talked about what God had done for us that year and how he created the beauty of fall, and had a worship service. I always brought my friends and they said it was more fun than Halloween :p

Anonymous said...

LOVED this!!! So beautifully written! And it explains EXACTLY what God says about this Pagan holiday. It disgusts me when people write in and say, "I think Halloween is what you make it. It doesn't have to be about "the dark" or bad spirits or scary stuff. You can make it fun, decorate and dress accordingly. Every little kid wants to dress up as a princess or pirate or their favorite Disney character. Why not let your little girl participate?" SERIOUSLY??! Did you skip over all of the scriptural references that state that we are to have NOTHING to do with it?? SMH...

Heidi said...

I agree! I grew up not participating in Halloween in any form, but yesterday I let my 2 year old daughter dress up as her favorite character and gleefully give away treats to the neighborhood kids that came by. She, my husband, baby and I spent an hour just swinging on our front porch enjoying family time and being neighborly. I don't believe the devil has any foothold in the time we spent enjoying what God has given us and sharing with neighbors.

Unknown said...

To the person that wrote: "It's what you make it" is what backwater corn bred's say..., I'm curious; are you representative of Christians?

Anonymous said...

Amen to that! I'd rather be weird to the world then be left behind by my Jesus!

Kristi said...

We don't keep this either.

Гука said...

Замечательный пост.. для Вазиры и её детей Нодра-бегим и Лолы..

Гука said...

Zamechatel`niy post dlya moey podrugi Vaziry i eyo detey Nodra-begim i Loly

Kellie Green said...

I understand that some parents have taken away holidays in the wrong way and not explaining it fully to the child and there has been hurt from it but it's not an innocent thing even if you're thinking it's innocent. It's not innocent as far as the devil's concerned cuz he knows full well what it means then when we participate. It gives him access to us and our to our children & it's not really worth it.

Gabrielle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gabrielle said...

I think using earthly wisdom to combat the clear word of God is a grave folly and sin. Sure some sins are fun! Some people brush off sins as "not a big deal" too. Be open to the Holy Spirit's conviction in this. Be open to the refinement that comes with obedience.

Anonymous said...

We celebrate Christmas as another opportunity to send a message to the world that Jesus Christ was born to show how much God loved the world that he sent his only son to bear sin and its consequences that whoever believes on him would be saved and not bear the consequences of their sin. No one knows the actual date that he was born but we simply celebrate each year, because He was born.

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