Should Christians Participate in Halloween--Maybe We Can Even Be a Witness

Should Christians participate in Halloween? Is it a harmless fun time, when children have a chance to get some free candy? Or is it bad for children to go out with other children who might be wearing costumes dressed up like ghosts, witches, and devils? Some Christians take their children out trick or treating; others would never do that; turn their lights off; and refuse to answer the door, much less give out candy to other children. Rather than give a definitive answer to ignoring Halloween or not as a Christian, let's just say some provide fun alternatives for children and use the event to share their faith to parents and children who come to their door.

As Andrew Micklefield points out in the article, Christians and Halloween, on the website, www.thecalvalrywebsite.com, the origin of Halloween is not innocent. A full 500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, druid priests in France and the British Isles held religious ceremonies for six weeks leading to October 31. At that time it was called Samhain. The Druids believed the dark powers of the winter overcame the light powers of summer. They believed this released the spirits of the dead were then free to torment the living. The druids feared the spirits and wore scary costumes to blend in and hide from the evil. Because they believed they spirits were transferred into animals, humans and animals were sacrificed to avoid the upcoming evil. This continued for centuries. It did not even stop when the gospel of Jesus Christ spread to England.

Christians began to look down on such practices more and more. They began to believe something should be done. Pagan temples began to be destroyed. They were rebuilt as churches. Christians' All Saints Day was moved from May to November 1. This holiday celebrated Christians who had overcome the powers of darkness the druids feared and gave believers a chance to witness. The night before began to be known as "All Hallows Evening," later shortened to Halloween.

Some may wonder why protest the innocent fun of trick or treating, while others may wonder how Christians could any in way participate in Halloween. After all, wasn't all this in the past anyway? Not totally. Similar Druidic or Satanic practices still occur in some places in the world. In some places, including Canada, children are sexually manipulated by adults.

Some believers say that even though trick or treating seems innocent, allowing children to dress up as ghosts, devils, and witches exposes them to negative influences and thoughts, when the Bible in Philippians teaches to dwell on things that are true, noble, and just. Others say Halloween can impact the minds of impressionable children. Children who trick or treat may seen harmless things like children dressed up like Superman or Batman, Bible characters, and animals, but they may also see things like masks which depict axes through a human head, bloody face wounds, and scary looking masks.

Many Christians, however, believe that rather than ignore Halloween, they should heed the teaching of Bible verses that teach that we should overcome evil with good and that we are the light of the world. They believe it may provide the best chance to be a positive witness in the whole year.

Just providing wholesome alternatives to Halloween for children--yours and other children too-- can be a witness in of itself. For those who desire to do so, Halloween can also give Christians a chance to share the gospel of Jesus Christ too. Halloween can provide the opportunity to build your family relationships. Mary Fairchild, in an article, Christian Halloween Alternatives, on the website, www.christianity.about.com, gives suggestions to do just that.

Many churches offer a harvest or fall party, including games, pony rides, food, and other events. Others offer carnival booths with various themes, with one possible example being a hoola-hoop contest. Prizes can be given. How about raising a pumpkin patch and use many activities involving pumpkins, such as pumpkin carving, pumpkin food related cook offs, a pumpkin bake sale, or a pumpkin carving exhibition? If your church doesn't do anything like that, your family could do a pumpkin carving project, tapped with a piece of pumpkin pie. Another alternative is a Noah's Ark party. Besides reading in the Bible what happened to Noah, you could provide food, perhaps based on a feed store or pet store theme and provide games that go with the theme. There are plenty on the Internet.

Halloween can even give Christians a chance to share their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. There may be any number of other ways to do that, but www.chick.com, sells cartoon tracts at a very reasonable price that explain the gospel in a way children can understand. Their parents will read them too. You can give some to children who come to your door, along with some candy.

According to some, the devil should not get all the glory or fun at Halloween, as Christians have a chance to use the day for the glory of their Savior!

Citations:

Christians and Halloween, Andrew Micklefield, Thecalvarywebsite.com

Christian Halloween Alternatives, Mary Fairchild, Christianity.about.com

Halloween witnessing doesn't get any easier, no author listed, Chick.com