Celebrating Halloween as a Christian

Celebrating Halloween as a Christian

October 25, 2018

The big debate over whether or not a Christian should celebrate Halloween is one that I didn’t realize existed until my mid-thirties.

Throughout my life, my family always celebrated Halloween, even had a Halloween party once. So, I did not see a conflict with the “holiday.” I do remember, however, while attending Catholic school, Halloween being called a day to worship Satan, witchcraft, or something along those lines, but I just charged that to the same accord that we were not allowed to wear nail polish. In other words, another one of their bogus beliefs that had no Biblical support.

So, should Christians participate in Halloween activities or not?  Well, let’s first look at the origins of the holiday itself.

Halloween’s origins go back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of summer and the end of harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. This was a time that was associated with human death due to the lack of warmth and food. “Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.” (History)

  • In 609, Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome in honor of all Christian martyrs, and the Catholic feast of All Martyrs Day was established in the Western church on November 1st.
  • In 1000, the church made November 2nd All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead.

Looking back at the origins, Christians played a major role in Halloween becoming the holiday we know it as today. Although a lot of the traditions have changed, looking at the history of the holiday, activities such as Trick-or-Treating, make more sense. Although, as a Christian, I don’t believe in ghosts of the dead returning to Earth, or leaving Earth for that matter, I don’t see any witchcraft or satanic worshipping coming from that origin. But, I could see that conclusion being made with some of the later traditions taking part during that time.

If you look at Halloween as just another tradition, I don’t see anything wrong with participating as a Christian. My conflict comes with the added connection to witches and witchcraft. However, I don’t hear of any Christians complaining about the magic and talking animals portrayed in fairy tales, yet they read those stories to their kids every day. Maybe I’m just a more open-minded person and therefore am able to see the separation in things I believe in and things I don’t. If you are able to keep that separation  I do think it’s important to understand the history and origins of anything to make sure you are not going against your beliefs and morals. Make sure you read the entire article from History for the full story and better understanding of the history of Halloween.

I think the major conflict exists with how far you go with this holiday when it comes to your way of celebrating, or any holiday for that matter. Practicing self-control is key. I for one love fall decor, and will use pumpkins to decorate my house. I, however, will not use witches, witch hats, cauldrons, etc. because I don’t feel comfortable using them as I don’t agree with witchcraft. But at the same time, I absolutely love Harry Potter. Contradictory, right? Yes! And that goes back to the separation factor. I can appreciate great art, and I think the Harry Potter franchise (books/movies) is a creative genius in itself. Just like I love Disney, yet most of the stories used in Disney animation have really horrid origins. I can appreciate the art in it, even if I don’t always agree with it. So, in this case, self-control would be you not allowing yourself to be tempted.

I don’t think there is a problem dressing up like a character and getting candy from your trusted neighbors, carving pumpkins, and telling scary stories.  Of course, there will always be those who will completely disagree with my viewpoints and that is completely fine. I’ve probably left some of you more confused now than you were before you read this. But, God gives us free will to make decisions and to think on our own. If you think Halloween is too tempting, don’t participate. I would never want anyone to feel as though they are going against God or their beliefs. However, don’t be quick to judge Christians enjoying Halloween festivities when you’re home enjoying movies about vampires, werewolves, fairies, and talking animals or telling your child the tooth fairy and Easter bunny exist. Things that make you say, hmmm.

This would be a great time to have a conversation with God about your conflicts on the matter. He knows your heart. If you are still feeling conflicted, I think you have already made your decision about whether or not you will partake in Halloween activities.

xoxo Tish

 

P.S. Do not conform to the patterns of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2

 

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