Should Christians Observe Halloween?

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It’s that time of year again. Vampires, ghouls, ghosts and skeletons will be haunting our doorways. American retailers celebrate a 5 billion dollar a year candy, card and costume business ($1.5 billion in Canada).

But, Halloween is not just a time for cornstalks, pumpkins, apples and cute and not-so-cute costumes. There is much, much more. Before deciding to celebrate or not celebrate any holiday, it is important to understand the history of that holiday.

Before we look at the history and what the Bible says about pagan holidays answer these questions:

How would you feel if your spouse kept photos of his or her former girlfriend of boyfriend?
How would you feel if he or she celebrated an anniversary of special times with another after marrying you?
Our God is a jealous God demanding exclusive devotion (Exodus 20:5). Do you think He cares if you encourage your children to partake in a holiday that honors Satan, the god of this world?

Halloween’s History

Halloween’s roots come from the ancient Celts, a tribe living about 2,000 years ago in the areas that are now Ireland, Great Britain and northern France.

The Celts were first described as a fierce, warlike, terrifying people, many of whom would have strings of human heads tied on their bridles. Halloween was their main holiday, called Samhain. It was a festival that honored the Samhain, the Celtic lord of death. The celebration marked the beginning of the season of cold, darkness, and decay. The Celts related this with human death; they believed the Samhain allowed souls of the dead to return to their earthly homes for that evening. On the evening of the festival, the Druids, the priest and teachers of the Celts, ordered the people to put out their hearth fires.

The Druids built a huge New Year’s bonfire of oak branches, which they considered sacrificed. They burned animals, crops, and even human beings as sacrifices. Then each family re-lit their hearth fire from the New Year’s fire. The lighted jack-o’-lanterns used today are symbols of fires and torches. During the celebration people wore costumes made of animal heads and skins. They told fortunes by examining the remains of the sacrifices.

These pagan Celts believed that evil spirits lurked about as the sun god grew pale and the Samhain grew stronger. The Celts believed the evil spirits would come to your house and you would have to treat them or they would trick you.

The Romans conquered the Celts in A.D. 43 and ruled what is now Great Britain for about 400 years. During this period, two Roman autumn festivals were combined with the Celtic festival of Samhain. Both pagan rituals, one of them, called Feraila, was held in late October to honor the dead. The other festival honored Pomona, the Roman Goddess of fruit and trees. Apples became associated with Halloween because of this festival.

Regional Halloween customs developed among various groups of Celts. In Ireland, for example, people begged for food in a parade that honored Muck Olla, their sun god. The leader of the parade wore a white robe and the head of an animal. In England, families sat by the fire and told stories while they ate treats such as apples and nuts.

Halloween in the United States

In the United States, many early American settlers brought with them various customs such as the above. However, because of Christianity among so many of the settlers, Halloween celebrations were not celebrated until the 1800’s when several immigrants from Ireland and Scotland introduced their Halloween customs. They brought various beliefs about ghosts and witches with them. Other groups added their own cultural influences to Halloween customs. German immigrants brought a vivid witchcraft lore, and Haitian and African peoples brought their native voodoo beliefs about black cats, fire, and witchcraft.

All Saints Day, a day the seventh century church set aside for remembering early Christians who died for their beliefs, was first celebrated in the month of May. By the year 900 the date was combined with the pagan rituals to be celebrated November 1. Another name for All Saints Day was All Hallows. October 31 was known as All Hallows Eve which was shortened to Halloween. The church made a grave mistake trying to combine pagan worship with Christianity. This is not scriptural! Because of that unwise decision, Halloween remains a holiday in America today.

Scriptures warn us that the sins of the fathers are visited upon the third and fourth generations. You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me. Exodus 20:5.

Those who disregard God’s warning and make contact with occult spirits risk terrible repercussions in the form of misery, sickness, insanity and even early death.

Why do people living in this age, especially Christians, desire to be a part of any pagan worship? This pagan belief, even celebrated by Christian churches, celebrates the union of gods and a goddess in the universe that supposedly control the seasons, bring fertility to crops and animals, and bestow magical powers on their followers.

What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?

Although the Bible doesn’t specifically mention Halloween by name, it makes it very clear that the origins and practices of Halloween (adapting pagan customs or borrowing the ways of those who worship a false god and using them to worship the true God) are detestable to God. Deuteronomy 12:29-32. The Bible clearly teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who…practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium, or spiritist or who consults the dead. Deuteronomy 18:9-11

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.

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. Ephesians 5:8-11 says,

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Halloween is more than childish fun.Witches have eight special holidays during the year. Halloween is their day above all days. Witchcraft is not child’s play. It is an abomination to the Lord. Johanna Michaleson, former occultist and author of The Beautiful Side of Evil said, “For a true Christian to participate in the ancient trappings of Halloween is as incongruous as for a committed Satanist coming from blood sacrifices on Christmas Eve to set up a nativity scene in his living room singing Silent Night, Holy Night with sincere devotion to baby Jesus!”

One thing Halloween should not be for the Christian is a time of fear. It should be a time to rejoice in the fact that The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8). This is a time of spiritual warfare. October 31 should be spent in prayer for the community and children; a time of worship by singing praise to the Lord. This can be a good time to teach our children to sacrifice by not sharing in the rituals because you love the Lord. Whatever your family decides to do on this day, ask yourself, “Does it glorify the Lord?”

…they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Leviticus 17:7.

Halloween and Purim?

Someone recently mentioned they thought Halloween came from the holiday Purim. It is true children dress up during Purim to reenact the story of Esther but it has nothing to do with Halloween. Halloween is centuries older and Purim costumes are Bible characters. Purim is observed on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar (February-March). It is a celebration of the deliverance of the Persian Jews over one of the most dastardly plots in history to exterminate the Jewish people. The book of Esther tells the story.

There Are 51 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Susan :

Yes and amen!

We have never ‘done’ Halloween. I don’t think it’s quite as big here in Australia as it is in the US. I cannot believe that some people think it is a harmless time of fun and games! I can’t believe that some churches participate by having parties or structure their kids club programs around it – outreach or not.

Good article Robin…I’ll be linking to it.
Comment by Penney Douglas :

Very good comparison of how I would feel if my husband kept pictures of a former girlfriend. I would not be a happy camper. Our marriage would suffer, to say the least! You are so right about God being a jealous God. He is so wonderful and perfect and loving, why would we ever want to hurt His heart like that?

Penney
Comment by Angela :

I’m a former Christian who is looking forward to Samhain (Halloween). My children will dress as cartoon characters and we’ll pass out candy. But what I’m looking forward to is recognizing the turning of another wheel of a year. I’m probably speaking on a moot point, but not only do I not worship the Devil, I don’t believe in the Devil. Any evil within the world has been created by its inhabitants.
Comment by Kara :

I have struggled with what to do with Halloween over the years and gone back and forth about what we do. I’m interested to know if you would have the same convictions about Christmas? It seems to me if we choose not to celebrate Halloween we should not celebrate Christmas either — as I understand, it also has very pagan roots but doesn’t tend to be as controversial. Easter would probably be in there as well. Just curious as to what you think??
Comment by Robyn :

Robin,
We have never celebrated Halloween and dont plan to. Last night in my children’s class we talked about Hallelujah night we will be having next week. That is an alternative, but as for me I would rather stay home and pray. But so many of the children do celebrate Halloween. I guess its how your conviction goes? Be Blessed!
Comment by Jono :

G’day Robin,
Excellent! It is an enormous encouragement to read passionate posts from likeminded people, especially when likeminded people are in the minority! Anyway, Chrissy keeps reading me your posts and I’ve noticed a lack of blokes in your comments so I thought I’d throw one in every now and then… don’t worry… it’s probably just a phase. God Bless
Comment by Sharon Sue :

we really never have celebrated Halloween. When I was a kid (I am 53) we lived in the country and in those days country/farm kids didn’t do Halloween-it was the town kids who went trick or treating. There were a couple years that I went with my cousins-I hated it-it frightened me terribly!!!!! One year my mother and a couple of her friends played tricks on some other friends-I was young but thought it was mean. When we got married and had a home of our own in a small town, I resented that I was expected to spend a bunch of money on candy to give out to other people’s kids!!!!!

So from an early age I didn’t like Halloween. Then in my 20’s as a Christian I read a few items on the evil behind it. So I did some research in the Bible. I read through the New Testament and jotted down all the verses having anything to do with witchcraft, sorrcery, spells, magic, etc. I decided right there and then that none of this would be a part of our lives. God hated these things so I wanted nothing to do with them!!!!!!

We have had to “fight” for the right to not celebrate Halloween but it was a great decision. All of my children have understood the difference between pleasing God and doing things that please God. The other day my oldest daughter told me about her 4yo son who saw several houses with Halloween decorations-he commented “those people need to know about Jesus”!!!!!!!!! Praise God.

Over the years, Halloween has become bigger than any other “holiday” in our area. (It really makes me upset that Halloween over shadows Thanksgiving.) The decorations in the stores come out in early September-this year I saw some in late August!!!!!!! Many homes are decorated-it is so ugly and discusting!!! However, for those of us who have refused to participate a couple things have improved: the schools in our area have fall parties but with no Halloween as part of it and for the most part, if we do not have our porch light on the Trick or Treaters will stay away!!!!!!!

I try to just ignore Halloween each year but it always does bother me that the ugliness spoils the beauty of God’s creation-in our area the fall is so very beautiful.

I do not understand why Christians celebrate Halloween or even question if they should. I also do not understand churches having “alternative” parties-most of these that I have known of are just cleaned up Halloween parties.

Well, anyway, Robin, thank you for your blog post on the subject.
Comment by Vienna :

Halloween was never a problem for me and my family or my husband until we had children. I remember having loads of fun getting candy. It was all about the candy. I also got a few salvation tracts in my bag. I used to think that was a slick move wrapping a salvation track around a candy bar.

When my first boy was 2 or three I dressed him up and we would go trick or treating on the military base where we lived. That place was like walking through a mall! You could walk for miles and fill large paper grocery bags full of candy. I have to admit it was a lot of fun. (Keeping the sugar frenzy afterward to a minimum wasn’t though.)

But a couple of years ago we just didn’t have a good feeling about it anymore. Especially when we would watch t.v. and all the commercials and shows started being dedicated to horror. So my husband started saying Halloween was stupid. And now the kiddos hollar out everytime they see a carved pumpkin, “Halloween is stupid!” What can I say, I duck my head and hurry by.

To avoid having to stay home with the lights off hiding from trick or treaters our church started “Hallelujah Night” to give everyone an outlet and so the kids don’t feel like they are missing anything. The cost to go is a bag of candy which is promptly dealt out among a carnival of game booths where you throw darts at ballons, knock cans over, make basketball throws, ect.. for prize candy. They even have a cake walk. The kids love it, and I don’t have to buy candy nor hide in my house all night.
Comment by nathan :

“Trick?” or “Treat?” – Unmasking HALLOWEEN

Americans spend $2.5 billion on Halloween each year. It is the second largest holiday, after Christmas. What is the true origin of Halloween? Is it harmless fun—or something much different? How did it become a common practice? Should you observe Halloween?

Trick or treat! When said by children, these three words bring back a flood of childhood memories to most adults. Memories of masquerading as vampires, ghosts, witches, ghouls, monsters and fairies. Memories of canvassing the neighborhood, going door to door, shouting those three little words, and watching their bags fill up with all sorts of candies, apples, nuts and other goodies. Memories of parades, parties and playing “tricks,” like soaping the neighbors’ windows, “decorating” their trees with toilet tissue, or playing “baseball” with their roadside mailboxes.

Yes, hearing the words “trick or treat” from little children can cause adults to wish they were kids again.
“After all,” one might reason, “what’s so wrong with Halloween?” Most believe that it is just another harmless childhood indulgence—much the way they view Christmas and birthday parties. Many wonder, “What’s so wrong with having a little fun?”
Besides teaching children that it is alright to beg for something instead of earning it through work, and also turning them into extortionists (“trick or treat” essentially means “give me a treat or I’ll play a trick on you”), Halloween—its spooky costumes, scary jack-o-lanterns, juvenile tricks and colorful parades—may look like clean, innocent fun. But its traditions, customs and practices are rooted in a past far darker, far more sinister and far more demonic than you may realize.

Where did Halloween actually come from? How did it originate? How did it get to be so widely observed, especially in the United States? And what does God think about it? Does He view Halloween as clean innocent fun?

To find the answers, we must look into the history of Halloween. We will see that it is filled with pagan customs, masquerading as Christian traditions!

Halloween’s Pre-history

Let’s begin with the ancient Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, in what is now Ireland, Great Britain and Northern France. The Celts were pagan nature worshippers who had many gods, including the sun, which they believed commanded their work and rest times. They believed the sun maintained the earth and kept it beautiful, and caused their crops to grow.

The Celts observed their new year on November 1, which marked the end of the harvest and summer (“the season of the sun”), as well as the beginning of the cold, dark winter ahead (“the season of darkness and cold”).

From October 31 to November 2, the Celts celebrated a 48-hour festival, the Vigil of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). They believed that Samhain, the pagan lord of the dead, assembled the souls of those who had died during the previous year and decided what form they would take for the next year. The souls would either pass on to human bodies or would be condemned to live within animals (the most evil of the bad souls or spirits would take the form of cats). Hoping to coax Samhain into giving lighter sentences, the Celtic worshippers tried to bribe him with gifts and prayers.

The Encyclopedia Britannica says the following: “Samhain (Celtic: ‘End of Summer’), one of the most important and sinister calendar festivals of the Celtic year. At Samhain, held on November 1, the world of the gods was believed to be made visible to mankind, and the gods played many tricks on their mortal worshippers; it was a time fraught with danger, charged with fear, and full of supernatural episodes. Sacrifices and propitiations of every kind were thought to be vital, for without them the Celts believed they could not prevail over the perils of the season or counteract the activities of the deities. Samhain was an important precursor to Halloween.”

On the night of October 31, the eve of the new year, the Celts, after harvesting their crops and storing them for the coming winter, began their festival. First, they extinguished the cooking fires in their homes. Then the Druids (Celtic priests) met on hilltops in the dark oak forests (they viewed oak trees as sacred), and built huge sacred bonfires to frighten away evil spirits and to honor the sun god. Next, the people would burn crop and animal sacrifices to their gods, dancing around the fires as the “season of the sun” passed and the “season of darkness” began. The Celts wore costumes of animal heads and skins, and told each other their fortunes. The next morning, they re-lit their cooking fires from the sacred bonfires, in order to free them from evil spirits—as well as to help protect them during the coming winter season.

“In ancient Britain and Ireland, the Celtic festival of Samhain eve was observed on October 31, at the end of summer. (It) was the occasion for one of the ancient fire festivals when huge bonfires were set on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits…The souls of the dead were thought to revisit their homes on this day, and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, black cats, fairies, and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. In addition, Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death” (Encyclopedia Britannica).
Who Is the “Lord of the Dead”?

Now what about Samhain, the so-called lord of the dead? God tells us about “…him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14). Satan the devil was lord, or master, of the dead! The ancient Celts, who thought they were serving God, were deceived into worshipping the god of this world, who is the father of lies and religious deception. We will see that this same being stands behind the modern-day festival of Samhain (Gal. 4:8; Rev. 12:9; II Cor. 4:4; John 8:44).
We have established that Satan once had the power over death—but he does not anymore. So who is the lord of the dead today? At this point, we need to briefly consider several scriptures.

Notice Matthew 22:31-32, where Jesus answers the Sadducees concerning the resurrection. “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Since the patriarchs are dead and God is only the God of the living—the dead do not serve God (Psa. 6:5, 115:17)—then there must be a resurrection from the dead so that they might live and serve Him.

But in order to make the resurrection possible, “Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Rom. 14:9). Christ became the Lord and Master of the dead through His resurrection, and gained the keys of the grave and death (Rev. 1:18). Jesus Christ will resurrect the dead back to life so that they will serve Him and God the Father in the soon-coming world tomorrow.

As the Encyclopedia Britannica states, “[The festival of] Samhain was an important precursor to Halloween.” So far, Halloween’s origins do not seem so innocent.

And Then Came the Romans

During the first century, the Roman Empire invaded Ireland and the British Isles, conquering most of Celtic territory. The Romans ruled over them for hundreds of years, influencing Celtic and Anglo-Saxon customs and traditions. During this time period, two Roman festivals mixed in with the Celts’ festival of Samhain—Feralia and Pomona Day. Several American cities bear the pagan name Pomona, thereby unwittingly endorsing “Pomona Day.”

Feralia, which was held on February 21, was a Roman holiday designed to honor the dead, but essentially amounted to mass drunkenness and orgies, not unlike the other Roman holidays. Pomona Day, celebrated on November 1, was a festival held in honor of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit, trees and fertility. Her sacred symbol was the apple.

Over the next three centuries, the customs of the festival of Samhain mixed with the practices of Feralia and Pomona Day. That is, until they were “white-washed” and “cleansed” by another religious power.

Next Came the Catholic Church

During the first, second and third centuries, all professing Christians—both true and false—suffered periodic persecution from the Roman Empire, which viewed any form of Christianity as an illegal religion. But in A.D. 313, that changed for some. The Roman Catholic Church—which began with the sorcerer Simon Magus, who is mentioned in chapter eight of the Book of Acts—found favor in the eyes of Emperor Constantine. (To learn more, read our book The History of God’s TRUE CHURCH.) For the first time in the history of the Roman Empire, the pope, now backed by Roman civil authority, had free reign to determine what was “Christian”—and what was not.

Throughout the early years of the Catholic Church, worshippers observed special anniversaries for martyrs who had been executed for their beliefs. Soon there weren’t enough days in the calendar year to dedicate a specific day for each individual martyr, so the Catholics observed one feast day for all martyrs.

“In the fourth century, neighboring dioceses began to interchange feasts, to transfer relics, to divide them, and to join in a common feast; as is shown by the invitation of St. Basil of Caesarea (A.D. 397) to the bishops of the province of Pontus. Frequently groups of martyrs suffered on the same day, which naturally led to a joint commemoration…[T]he number of martyrs became so great that a separate day could not be assigned to each. But the Church, feeling that every martyr should be venerated, appointed a common day for all” (Catholic Encyclopedia).

So the Catholic Church, with the backing of the government, decided to “white-wash” a Roman holiday. Tired of admonishing the Romans for engaging in drunken revelries as an excuse to honor the dead (and desiring more converts), Pope Boniface IV, in A.D. 609, declared Feralia to be Christian. Instead of honoring all of the dead, they were now just to honor dead “saints.” Instead of drunken revelries, it would be a day of prayer and meditation. Instead of calling it Feralia, he changed it to All Saints’ Day. And he moved the date of its observance from February 21 to May 13. “Boniface IV, [on] 13 May, 609, or 610, consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs, ordering an anniversary” (Ibid.).
Then, Pope Gregory III, who reigned 731-741, “consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter to all the saints and fixed the anniversary for 1 November” (Catholic Encyclopedia). He broadened “the festival [of All Saints’ Day] to include all saints as well as all martyrs” (Encyclopedia Britannica).

Meanwhile, the Celts were still observing the festival of Samhain in one form or another. The Catholic Church took note and Pope Gregory IV (827-844) attempted to replace it by moving All Saints’ Day from May 13 to November 1—the same day as Samhain—officially extending the festival to the entire church. All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows Day, while October 31 became All Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.

More Festival Changes

But the white-washing process was not finished. In A.D. 988, the Catholic Church instituted another day—All Souls’ Day—to commemorate “all the faithful departed, those baptized Christians who are believed to be in purgatory because they have died with guilt of lesser sins on their souls. It is celebrated on November 2. Roman Catholic doctrine holds that the prayers of the faithful on earth will help cleanse these souls in order to fit them for the vision of God in heaven…The date, which became practically universal before the end of the 13th century, was chosen to follow All Saints’ Day. Having celebrated the feast (All Saints’ Day) of all the members of the church who are believed to be in heaven, the church on earth turns, on the next day, to commemorate those souls believed to be suffering in purgatory” (Encyclopedia Britannica).

Now all of the souls of the dead had their own day of worship—saints, martyrs, and even lowly believers who were not worthy to be declared either saints or martyrs.

As with the festival of Samhain, the Catholic believers celebrated with huge bonfires, parades and costumes, masquerading as dead saints, angels and demons. Altogether, All Saints’ Eve (October 31), All Saints’ Day (November 1), and All Souls’ Day (November 2) combined into Hallowmas—mirroring the Celtic Vigil of Samhain! What was proclaimed Christian and clean and wholesome originated from drunken revelries, pagan superstitions and false doctrines dating back to the Garden of Eden.
The Hallowmas festival—and especially Halloween—was so popular that, in 1517, Martin Luther chose Halloween night to post his ninety-five theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany (which effectively started the Protestant Reformation). He picked this night because he understood that large crowds of people would be moving through the streets that evening!

Pagan Customs Come to America

As European immigrants began settling in the United States, while it was still in its infancy, they brought customs, traditions, superstitions and religious practices, including Halloween, from their homelands.

The biggest Halloween influence in America came with the millions of Irish settlers who immigrated to the U.S., after fleeing Ireland’s potato famine of 1846. Soon, Halloween, like Christmas, became a secular holiday for all. The day’s festivities included parades, parties, costumes, treats and mischief.

And so today’s Halloween customs (black cats, parades, dressing up as ghouls and witches, parties, bonfires, tricks and mischievous pranks)—which most people take for granted—point directly back to the Vigil of Samhain, the false lord of the dead, pagan Roman holidays filled with immoral revelries, and the Catholic Church’s Hallowmas.
In light of its historical pagan origin, can we honestly view Halloween as merely an innocent childhood indulgence? Is this the kind of tradition we want to pass on to our children?

Human nature will always argue, “Hold on, I don’t worship the sun or pray to some pagan ‘lord of the dead.’ I like Halloween because it’s fun. What’s wrong with that?”

What does God think? How does He view Halloween?

Engulfed in False Doctrines
Let’s review. We have established that Halloween originated with the Celts, who worshipped nature—the creation—rather than the one true God, who created nature and everything in it.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the [creation] rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:21-25, NKJV throughout).

They had trusted the sun, as their god, to provide them with enough harvest crops to get them through the winter, rejecting God as their Provider. “‘…do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?…do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or…“What shall we wear?” For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’” (Matt. 6:25-33).

They had put their trust in “sacred bonfires” to protect them from evil spirits, instead of trusting God as their Protector. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies…For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?…It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me; He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man” (Psa. 18:2-3, 29-31, 47-48).

The Celts believed in the immortality of the soul, a false doctrine Satan had taught man in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-5)—and has used to deceive the whole world ever since that time (Rev. 12:9).

God says that when you die, you die. Period. No going to heaven (John 3:13; Acts 2:29, 34). No roaming the earth and haunting houses. No spending eternity in Purgatory, or some other humanly-devised place: “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward” (Ecc. 9:5). “Behold, all souls are Mine…the soul who sins shall die” (Ezek. 18:4). Sin is the breaking of God’s Law (I John 3:4). “For the wages [what you earn] of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), not eternal life, as most professing Christians falsely believe. Halloween sprang from direct opposition to God’s truth.

God’s Viewpoint

Notice what God says about pagan customs, traditions, practices and beliefs in general: “Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain” (Jer. 10:2-3, KJV).

God took a nation of slaves, Israel, and freed them from their cruel Egyptian masters. Leading them out of Egypt, He commanded them, saying, “According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances” (Lev. 18:3). God ordered the Israelites not to defile themselves with the practices and customs of the surrounding nations (vs. 24-29).

“Therefore you shall keep My ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the Lord your God” (vs. 30).

God gave Israel His laws, statutes and judgments. He gave them a way of life completely alien to mankind; a way that, if kept diligently and from the heart, will produce peace, joy, and prosperity—every good thing that He wants to abundantly share with all of humanity (John 10:10). God told the Israelites that they would be blessed beyond human imagination if they carefully kept His laws (Lev. 26:3-13). And that they would be greatly cursed if they rejected Him and replaced His ways with pagan customs, practices and traditions—no matter how innocent or harmless they seemed (vs. 14-39).

Yet, despite God’s warnings, Israel would not listen. Even after God had sent them servant after servant, throughout their turbulent history, they still would not repent and whole-heartedly turn to Him. “And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets” (II Chron. 36:15-16).

Because of their spiritual adultery and affinity for pagan practices, calling them holy when God calls them profane (Ezek. 22:26), God had no choice but to punish Israel. And, unfortunately, the modern-day descendants of Israel—the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, Israel, and others—will very soon be severely punished for failing to discern what is holy from what is profane (Jer. 30:4-7; Ezek. 24:13-14).

The one true God—the Creator, Teacher, Lawgiver and Judge—does not take pagan practices lightly!

Satan Blinds the World

Most people do not believe that Satan the Devil exists—and that best suits his game plan. His goal is to keep the people of his world, his society, blind to his lies and deceits (II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:9). He even uses false ministers, who seem to be ministers of light, but are in reality Satan’s ministers of darkness.

Paul wrote, “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (II Cor. 11:14-15). Satan wants us to be so wrapped up in the customs and practices of this world—his world—that when presented with the plain truth about Halloween, we will shrug our shoulders and say, “I’m just celebrating it to have fun—what’s the big deal?”

Throughout mankind’s turbulent history, Satan has always managed to find a way to separate man from God (Isa. 59:1-3) by tempting him into various sins and false ideas that may seem right—that may seem innocent and harmless—but are in direct opposition to God! Jeremiah said, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (10:23), and “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (17:9). Even when the Roman Catholic Church attempted to gloss over strange pagan practices of the Celts and Romans, it introduced its own false, Satanic doctrines, passing them off as Christian. Halloween is riddled with deceit and falsehoods.

Yet, even after all the historical evidence and biblical insights are brought to light, there will still be those who continue to view Halloween as just another harmless childhood practice. Nothing will convince them otherwise. Like a gleaming, white-washed tomb (Matt. 23:27), Halloween may sparkle on the surface, but in God’s eyes, it is filled with every spiritually unclean and filthy thing imaginable, a foul stench to His nostrils (Isa. 65:5).

No man or religious organization has the power to “white-wash” Halloween and declare it to be Christian. God unmasks Halloween and sees it for exactly what it is!

Will you?

ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN CUSTOMS

Below is a list of widely-held customs and their ancient roots:
Mischief-making, playing tricks: Celts believed that the ghosts of the dead who returned to earth on the night of Oct. 31 caused trouble and damaged crops; they also believed that their gods played tricks on them.
Black cats: Celts believed that bad spirits would take the form of cats and other animals on the night of Oct. 31.

Costumes: Celts (and other Europeans) wore masks when they left their homes after dark to avoid being recognized by ghosts who might mistake them for fellow spirits. “Guisers” dressed up to impersonate the returning dead, singing and dancing to keep evil spirits away. Catholics dressed up as saints, angels and devils during Hallowmas.
“Trick or treat”: Prior to the Protestant Reformation, women and girls went “souling,” visiting houses and begging for “soul cakes.” Seventeenth-century Irish peasants went door to door asking for donations for a feast to honor St. Columba (whom they believed had replaced the Lord of the Dead). Up until the early 1900s, the Irish went about asking for contributions in the name of “Muck Olla,” a legendary, gigantic boar.

Bonfires: Druids built sacred bonfires to frighten off evil spirits on Oct. 31, eve of the new year. Worshippers used them to burn animal and crop offerings to their sun god; they also rekindled their cooking fires to protect their homes from evil spirits. The Scots built bonfires, called Samhnagan, not for Samhain, but for Halloween merry-making and as a defiant welcome to the coming winter. The Catholic Church continued with the bonfire tradition on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2.
Fruits, nuts and other goodies: Handing out fruits and nuts may have originated from Pomona Day, named for the Roman goddess of fruits, trees, gardens, harvests and fertility. Later used for divination games.

Apple-bobbing, apple-ducking: May have come from Pomona Day; the Romans viewed the apple as a sacred symbol of their goddess Pomona. Apple-ducking was a divination game used to predict future love and marriage; for example, if a girl peeled an apple in front of a mirror in a room lighted by a candle, an apparition of her future husband would appear behind her in a mirror. Also, apple-ducking represented soul symbols (apples) in the Cauldron of Regeneration (the water), similar to the lord of the dead gathering dead souls to regenerate those who had been condemned to inhabit animals for the past year.

Parades, parties: The Scots, Celts and Welsh built bonfires for parading, dancing and merry-making; the Celts did so, wearing costumes made from animal skins and heads. The Scots assembled marriage-minded young people for divination games. Europeans who migrated to America brought with them “play parties” and public events to celebrate the harvest, as well as telling ghost stories and pulling pranks.

Jack-o’-lantern: The name may have come from a night watchman. In the British Isles, turnips and rutabagas were commonly used; pumpkins are the American tradition. In Britain, people hollowed out turnips and placed candles inside them to make food offerings to the dead; later on, they were posted just outside homes to keep away evil spirits.

SOURCES: Encyclopedia Britannica; “History Channel Exhibits: The History of Halloween” (www.historychannel.com/exhibits/halloween/hallowmas.html); “The History of Halloween” (www.auburn.edu/~willik5/halloween.html)

Comment by Deanne :

Hi Robin,
Thank you for taking on this challenging topic. My family and I have not “celebrated” Halloween for many years and have received ridicule from family, neighbors and even Church friends. When the children were younger, I found a Alternative to Halloween devotion on the Christian martyrs and leaders (Ann Hibbard). This study encouraged parents to give candy for correct answers, which satisfied the children’s desire for candy. As they have grown, we transitioned to spending the day in prayer, and at times fasting, for our nation and churches..
Bless you Robin for this brave post.
Love Deanne
Comment by Dana :

This is a tough one and brings up a variety of issues. Essentially, I agree. We do not really celebrate Halloween, mostly for the reasons you give.

But it also brings me to think of other pagan practices accepted in the church…like the wearing of a wedding ring. The origins are almost completely separated from the practice, so is the problem really about the origins? Or with what it means today?
Comment by Bobbie-Jo :

Our kids have never celebrated Halloween. Even without knowing a thourough history, I don’t want to be part of a celebration that exalts the evil and scary.

But we do take the opportunity to minister to our community. We live in a small town, and I would bet that EVERY kid comes to our door. We greet them with a smile, a treat, and a tract or invitation to Sunday School. Sometimes we chat and catch up with the parents. We can use this chance to re-enforce relationships and be approachable. We are already viewed as being a little “off”, and this lets others know that we are friendly, normal people.

If we hid in the basement with the lights off, we wouldn’t be able to explain to anyone why we don’t celebrate, (because of our love for Jesus and to honour Him). They would have one more reason to avoid us downtown.

We have prayed about and discussed this together and it’s the best way we feel we can make and keep relationships in our specific community (which is what evangelism and discipleship are largely about – relationships).
Comment by Julie Clawson :

Thanks for sending me to your blog. I have no fear of Halloween and believe God is bigger than any cultural practice. I celebrate Christmas and Easter with all of their pagan trapping, and so see no reason to hide from Halloween either. Christians have redeemed those other holidays to enjoy and worship God through, and the faith I am part of can take the good from Halloween as well to create an fun holiday. This is the one night of the year when all the neighbors come out and form community. I can be Christ to my neighbors more by welcoming them than by condemning them.

And on the topic of what the Bible says about interacting with other religions – what exactly do you do with 2 Kings 5, especially verses 18-19?
Comment by Steve Hayes :

A group of Christians have just had a synchroblog on the general topic of Halloween, with several interesting posts from various points of view.

You can see them at: Who stole Halloween?
Comment by Vince :

I agree with Dana. What happens in our culture is that reality shifts based on the culture. The culture in America has believed for so long that Halloween is a fun harmless event…the history is absolutely irrelevant at this point in time. So the perception of it is now the truth of it. Our culture has hi-jacked a once pagan ritual and made it a fun wholesome tradition and that’s pretty cool.

Don’t read into this and think I am saying that truth is not absolute. But if you really want to…then I am, because perception is reality….case – in – point.
Comment by Mothandrust :

Christians are a superstitious people and what civilised others recognise as a fun day with a scary theme derived from ancient practice is little different from an even scarier special day… Easter. Eating flesh and blood, whipping, crucifixion, thorns… all carted out and even re-enacted in costumes by some.

Here’s a thing. I don’t think born again Christians should be celebrating their birthdays because that’s the day they were born into ’sin’! To celebrate that day makes baby Jesus cry. Instead, they should be celebrating the anniversaries of their born-again day. If you continue to celebrate the birthday, rather than the re-birthday you spit at Jesus everytime. Just a thought.
Comment by Jon Swerens :

It is true that God’s Word is clear about pagan customs, but we shouldn’t let modern pagans rewrite history:

The observance of various celebrations of All Saints arose in the late 300s, and these were united and fixed on November 1 in the late 700s. The origin of All Saints Day and of All Saints Eve in Mediterranean Christianity had nothing to do with Celtic Druidism or the Church’s fight against Druidism (assuming there ever even was any such thing as Druidism, which is actually a myth concocted in the 19th century by neo-pagans.)

It was modern pagans who co-opted Halloween from the forgetful modern church, not the other way around. Still, Christians are under no obligation to celebrate Halloween or any other church holiday that isn’t in Scripture.
Comment by Nicole :

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was such a wonderful resource. You are so very right that we shouldn’t fear the holiday. I am just trying to get that into my mind. That people in costumes mean me no harm if I remember that my God is bigger than them. God Bless you for putting this together and spreading the light.
Comment by Dana :

WOW! What an awesome response you have had to this topic. I too posted about this on my blog. My natural reaction to this day is to hide in my house, but we don’t. We don’t celebrate the day rather use it to witness & share Jesus with our neighbors. I think scripture is clear about our role as christians when it comes to these types of things, but I don’t think a lot of Christian people really think about it. They trick or treated as kids & they turned out o’k so their kids will to. They don’t think about on a God level. Thanks Robin!!
Comment by Elisa :

Did anyone answer KARA’s question about celebrating Easter & Christmas? Kara, there are also books (on the HOW website as well as other places) that address this subject. And I’m certain that there is a link in the archives that would educate you better on this than I could in this small space. Just checking to make sure you rec’d some answers on this vital topic!
Comment by Karen :

Here is an answer to Julie’s question: “And on the topic of what the Bible says about interacting with other religions – what exactly do you do with 2 Kings 5, especially verses 18-19?”

The following is what Matthew Henry said in his Complete Commentary concerning this passage.

“In instance he under-did it, that he reserved to himself a liberty to bow in the house of Rimmon, in complaisance to the king his master, and according to the duty of his place at court (v. 18), in this thing he must be excused. He owns he ought not to do it, but that he cannot otherwise not do it, but that he cannot otherwise keep his place,–protests that his bowing is not, nor ever shall be, as it had been, in honour to the idol, but only in honour to the king,–and therefore he hopes God will forgive him. Perhaps, all things considered, this might admit of some apology, though it was not justifiable. But, as to us, I am sure, (1.) If, in covenanting with God, we make a reservation for any known sin, which we will continue to indulge ourselves in, that reservation is a defeasance of his covenant. We must cast away all our transgressions and not except any house of Rimmon. (2.) Though we are encouraged to pray for the remission of the sins we have committed, yet, if we ask for a dispensation to go on in any sin for the future, we mock God, and deceive ourselves. (3.) Those that know not how to quit a place at court when they cannot keep it without sinning against God, and wronging their consciences, do not rightly value the divine favour. (4.) Those that truly hate evil will make conscience of abstaining from all appearances of evil. Though Naaman’s dissembling his religion cannot be approved, yet because his promise to offer no sacrifice to any god but the God of Israel only was a great point gained with a Syrian, and because, by asking pardon in this matter, he showed such a degree of conviction and ingenuousness as gave hopes of improvement, the prophet took fair leave of him, and bade him Go in peace, v. 19. Young converts must be tenderly dealt with.”

Hope this helps!
Comment by Steve Hayes :

Concerning Kara’s question: neather Christmas, nor Easter nor Halloween are really of pagan origin.

In the case of Easter, see Easter — Christian or pagan.

In the case of Halloween, see Who stole Halloween?, in which I show that neopagan claims that Christians “stole” Halloween from pagans are unfounded, and that it is the other way round.
Comment by dating parents :

nice website keep up to good work
Comment by Robyn :

Hi Robbin,
Hope your feeling better? well we haven’t celebrated Halloween and don’t plan to, we usually go to church for a fall festival or some other alternative. Don’t feel Im missing anything!!!
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Comment by homemanager10 :

We do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, or Halloween.

I would like to draw a distinction between

a) true Biblical Christianity–persons are individually drawn to Christ and individually converted by the work of God’s Holy Spirit

and

b) mainstream “Christianity”–all the established religions, sects, denominations, etc., both Protestant and Catholic, that are all grouped together under the huge umbrella of Christendom.

I make this distinction because there are many who say they are Christians, who are not. They belong to a religious group, but were never truly converted.

When discussing any holiday that has its roots in paganism and the umbrella “Christendom”, a careful study needs to be made. If you look very carefully at the time line of how these holidays were and are being celebrated, you will see a change developing between 300-700 A.D. During this time period lots of various pagan festivals were combined with Christendom’s holidays, mainly Christmas, Easter and Halloween.

Here is where I will step on lots of toes. But, again, please do the historical research for yourself.

During the same time period to which I just referred, the Roman Catholic Church began. Catholicism will not tell you that. You will have to search history for yourself. When people talk about Christians stealing pagan holidays, and the world stealing Christian holidays, historically we’re talking about the Roman Catholic Church, not Biblical Christianity.

Even most Biblical Christians believe that Roman Catholic missionaries renamed pagan holidays to make them “Christian.” In fact, Roman Catholicism itself is deeply rooted in paganism. Many of the ancient cultures had some element of Mother-Child worship in their religions. Catholicism’s worship of Mary and Baby Jesus is just another form of the ancient Babylonian religion that began with Nimrod and his mother and the Tower of Babel. This religion gradually spread world-wide when, through God’s judgment, people suddenly could not speak the same language anymore and had to disperse in various groups.

Look at the historical accounts of Christianity from the time of Christ’s resurrection to about 300 A.D. You will not find celebrations of Christmas, Easter or Halloween. (Nor will you find infant baptism, prayers to saints, celebration of saints’ days or many other Catholic trappings.)

In the KJV Bible, you will find the word “Easter” in Acts 12:4. This is a mis-translation of the Greek word “pascha”, which refers to the Jewish Passover.

(By the way, the word “baptize” is not a translation. It is an anglicizing of the Greek verb “baptizo”, which means, “to submerge”. This is an example of how Roman Catholicism–which practices infant sprinkling–had such a hold on the world that the translators feared to correctly translate this verb.)

But don’t take my word for it. Study it out for yourself.
Comment by Jacque Dixon :

Loved the comment from Homemanager10.

We didn’t have to put halloween away. I accepted Jesus as my Saviour 5 months before we were married. I had been a Catholic (in name, mostly, though I had attended a Catholic school grades K-6)and obviously, lived for the world before my life was renewed in Jesus/Yeshua.

When this happened, I saw evil for what it was. Period. There is no other way to put it. When you go from living a life of sin and immorality, delving into things that are evil, you can recognize it when you see it. Witches, black cats, skeletons, all the pagan harvest items… they are simply a reflection of the evil of Halloween.
Today, the more evil and grotesque the better…

Fortunately, my husband grew up under the Scriptural instruction of his Grandmother who walked and talked Scriptures and recognized spiritual things.
So, our children grew up knowing that halloween is an evil, pagan holiday that we, as Believers do not celebrate. AT ALL. Not even at church.
You asked, Is compromising and making it christian ok? Well, let’s apply that to other pagan and evil practices. It making evil christian ok? NO.

Why do we do it and justify it? Because we do not know a HOLY God. We know God, and we know the grace of the Saviour, so we figure that the grace must be the covering for what we deem the “rigidity” of a Holy God. We don’t consider that he MEANT IT.
However, when you see evil as he sees evil – vile, disgusting and not to be played around with and sugar-coated, you see that he really did mean it, and we really are to be Holy and perfect in HIM. SEPARATE from partaking of Evil of all kinds.

Evil is evil. We cry out and become disgusted at evil we deem evil. It is time we deem evil as a HOLY GOD does.

Sorry for the soapbox…
Great info.

Blessings~
Comment by Phyllis H. :

For a long time God kept me in Kings and Chronicles reading about the succession of Jewish kings. Things like celebrating Halloween, Christmas, and Easter makes me think of two things:

Solomon as wise as he was, and a person who was able to speak intimately with the Lord, was still seduced by his wives to worship their false gods. He was warned by God, and Solomon did not heed the warning. You start to marry yourself off to pagan wives and at first it is okay, but then slowly but surely they will start to seduce you into thinking ‘Well this is okay, and surely that is okay…’

Another thing I think about is “Such and such did that which was right with the Lord; however he did not get rid of the high places.”

It’s not JUST about doing that which was right, it’s about getting rid of your high places and putting away the seducing spirits.
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Comment by Minister Boyd :

In the Old Testament of the Bible (in Deuteronomy 18), God’s people, the Jews, were given stringent warnings about participating in anything related to witchcraft, paganism, or the occult . The New Testament tells us that anyone can become a child of God if they accept the testimony concerning Jesus Christ and verbally confess Him as their Savior. We are then to follow God’s instructions for our lives as written in the Bible, so because of the following reasons, I came to believe that Christians should celebrate Halloween.

I remember once in my childhood going to a staged haunted building for Halloween. The children were very scared and began running. I got cut which caused blood to run. Although not all of my Halloween experiences were negative, after that time I had to overcome a spirit of fear in my life. After I studied the history of Halloween, I came to believe that we can cause our children to be open to evil spirits that are around at that time, even though we are thinking that it is a time of fun for our children. For myself however, I like the idea of church’s having harvest festivals where people can come to hear about the Lord & also having Christian tracts passed out during this time period.

New Testament Bible passages:

Ephesians 5: 11 – Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
I Thessalonians 5:22 – Abstain from all appearance of evil.
2 Corinthians 6:17 – Come out from among them and be separate.

2 Timothy 3:1 & 13 tells us that in the last days evil men and imposters will wax worse. (The last days is prior to Jesus Christ’s return)

In reference to the last Bible passage, have you not noticed that there has now been an increase of evil in these last days, and that Satan has been increasingly showing his true colors around Halloween? (Such as in some areas candy being tainted – causing some to just go to people they know for trick-or-treat purposes.) In some cities, Halloween is now known as “Devil’s night”, where violence reigns. Recently, there has also been an increase in the occult which includes the followers of Wicca and other Satanic groups who are active around Halloween. Now as a note, God has not given us a spirit of fear in thinking on this, but we should at least know as Christians that there are things we need to avoid in these times not only so we don’t cause destruction to come into our families’ lives unaware, but also so we can please God. Whether you know it or not as Chistians, we are in spiritual warfare while on this Earth. We are not to conduct ourselves like the world does. (Ephesians 6) CHRISTIANS PLEASE WAKE UP AND ATTEND TO GOD’S WORD.

MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Comment by Sarah :

My marriage has suffered because of me not wanting to let our children trick or treat, I’ve brought it up and my DH gets upset, so I do what my husband desires. As I said on FB one cannot judge my heart in this regard. And again stay clear of grocery stores, craft stores, store flyers, libraries during this time as well because they all have vampires, skull and cross bones. I’d prefer not to trick or treat but we also aren’t celebrating Halloween. Please don’t judge as you don’t know what is going on in that family that is Christian and does trick or treat.
Comment by Phoebe :

My husband and I do not celebrate Halloween or allow our children to partake in it (nor Easter or Santa). My initial reason was simply because I didn’t really see a point in it. If my kids want candy, I can just go buy them some. No need in masquerading around in weird costumes for an end result that can simply be achieved another way (ie. Walmart candy aisle).

But after reading this, I see a deeper reasoning behind this. Which brings a question.

Our church does a huge outreach program on Halloween. It’s called Trail of Treats and the majority of the building is decorated and only lit by candelight. They follow a “trail”, going room to room, and getting candy. Our kids don’t attend this either, although I have worked at it once.

My question is this. Can’t good come from bad? Despite this being a pagan holiday, our church opens the doors to the community, shows them we care about them, gives them a safe place to be, and provides them with information not only about our church, but about Christ.

I know of several people who have been saved and now attend our church because they came to the Trail of Treats and saw that we cared about them.

So, for me, it’s kind of a catch 22. I don’t want myself or my children to participate in such things, yet our church does. Do I agree? I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that people got saved as a result of it…
Comment by Melanie :

Sarah, take comfort. You are doing the right thing. Do not let your marriage suffer over the matter. A change like that needs to be something you both agree upon. Simply pray about it and make the best of it unless/until there is a change in your husband’s heart. But do remember to take your own advice and not judge your husband or resent him for not agreeing with you on this decision. In the grand scheme, your marriage is far more important then whether or not your family celebrates Halloween.

I feel very strongly about NOT celebrating but feel even more strongly that you need to protect your heart from bitterness towards your husband and your marriage from discord over “tradition”. This is, of course, an important issue, but your marriage is FAR MORE IMPORTANT.
Comment by PamB :

I never liked dressing as a witch as a child. I always looked forward to dressing as something and getting to go to our neighbors houses and be blessed by their homemade cookies or popcorn balls amongst the candy. We’ve allowed our children to participate in that alone–dressing up and receiving candy–the rest of the holiday was never made mention of or encouraged. Our churches provide alternative activities on the night to keep kids off the street. I think God would approve of all the positive efforts behind this type of activity. I’ve since learned to decorate my yard with tombstones with a christian message such as “Don’t be caught dead without Jesus”; “Know Jesus, know Life; No Jesus, no life” and “Truly Rest in Peace”. I feel the One and only true God will bless all efforts to further His kingdom no matter what.
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Comment by Maria Rodriguez :

Very good article. I wish to addd this biblical passages too.

Genesis 3:19 ” In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.

Psalm 146:4 “His spirit goes out, he goes back to the ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.”

Leviticus 19:26 “YOU Must not eat nothing along with blood. You must not look for omens, and You must not practice magic.”

Deuteronomy 18:10-13 “There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer,11. or one who binds others with special with a spell or anyone who consults spirit medium or a professional foreteller of events or anyone who inquires of the dead. 12. For everybody doing these thing is something detestable to Jehovah, and on account of these detestable things Jehovah your God is driving them away from before you. 13. You should prove yourself faultless with Jehovah your God.”

Acts 24:15 “And have hope toward God, which hope these [men]themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both righteous and the unrighteous.”
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RT @heartofwisdom: Would Jesus trick or treat? Don't think so. But He would probably pat the heads of the little ones. http://bit.ly/4375te
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RT @heartofwisdom Would Jesus trick or treat? Don't think so. But would probably pat the heads of the little ones-sadly http://bit.ly/4375te
Comment by Sarah :

Thank for this post, Robin. Your post on this subject affected me greatly. You’ve eloquently summed up what I have never been able to express about many of the pagan holidays this country celebrates and thinks are harmless. I have my wonderful parents to thank for not ever allowing us to celebrate Halloween. Their excellent example to us has influenced how we view all pagan holidays and celebrations and we hope to pass on these same values to our children.

Thank you for your obedience to the Lord in posting this and many of your other articles about being “set apart” for the Lord. He has given you a gift…keep using it.
Comment by Cheryl :

We celebrate Reformation day on the 31st. I despise Halloween and my children have never celebrated it. We are even redeeming Christmas and are celebrating Advent. No Santa Claus for us I will be discussing with my husband purchasing gifts frm Samaritan’s purse in the name of our loved ones instead of buying them a gift and for my kids…have them pick out a Christmas wish from a child their own age and picking out the toy for them.
Cheryl´s last blog ..A Spark in the Kingdom
Comment by admin :

Thank you Sarah. What a blessing to have parents that proteced you.
Comment by Stevo :

Will someone answer the question about why it’s OK to celebrate Christmas and Easter since they are originally pagan based holidays? It would seem that if you eliminate Halloween, then you must eliminate the others too, right? Afterall, the Pilgrims et al didn’t even celebrate Christmas. Please don’t think that I’m saying that Halloween is good because I’m not. It just seems like one standard is being applied to one holiday and not to others.
Comment by Rhonda :

What about Romans 12:2? And be not conformed to this (world), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We are not to accept the pattern of an age whose god is the Devil. Instead, being transformed by a renewed mind (committed) to the ideals of the kingdom of God. We should not have to use Halloween as an excuse to reach our neighbors whom we see everyday, with the Gospel. That is something we can do any of the other 364 days out of the year. We also don’t need to use it as an excuse to give candy to our children, when our children can get candy any other day just the same. God’s Word tells us that “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).
Comment by Rhonda :

To Stevo,
Christmas, (whether it is technically December 25th or not), is the celebration of the birth of our Savior. The account of this can be found in Matthew chapters 1 & 2, Luke 1:26-38, and Luke 2. Notice that the first 5 letters in the word spell His name. And Easter is the celebration of the resurrected Christ. It is the root of our faith. All that Christ endured was to undo the works of the devil. Had He not died and risen, our hope and our faith would be in vain. We would have no hope of eternal life with God through Him. For He himself said “Iam the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) And there is nothing pagan about it.
Comment by Lori :

To Stevo & Rhonda,
I am in agreement that if one eliminates the celebration of halloween than one should also eliminate the celebration of christmas and easter , too.
The truth is that just as halloween has its roots in paganism, so does Sunday worship, Christmas, Easter and most holidays on the Christian calendar. If a person doesn’t party on October 31st because of the day’s pagan history, then is that same person willing to forsake other pagan festivities? The only difference between the dangers of Halloween and Christmas is that Halloween is easily distinguished as evil. Both holidays originated in non-Christian societies and retain unbiblical practices. It is very easy to study the roots of these days and realize the truth. I encourage you to do so. All through scripture Father is clear that He hates the mixture of holy and profane. When we try to take a day that has its roots in paganism and make it a day to celebrate Him,, this is mixture. The Savior never celebrated Halloween or Christmas, and would no doubt abstain from such practices if He walked the earth today; though I do find Him keeping Passover(Luke 22:11), Hanukkah(John 10:22) and Sukkot(John 7) (which was also very likely the real time of His birth!)
Our Father gives us holy festivals to take part in that glorify Him and His Son and speak of the past and the future events to come. Check it out!!
Comment by Cindy Schultz :

Thank you! Well said.
I had a long discussion on Twitter yesterday with another Christian mom-her family celebrates Halloween and mine does not. I wanted to take the time and research to write an article but, I’m away at a conference with limited Internet access. I am sharing your post with my Twitter friends and Facebook followers.
Comment by Jacjue :

How refreshing to see so many young parents realizing there is nothing good in Halloween, yet depending on circumstances, do the best they can to “redeem” it for good. Like reaching out to their community with the love of Jesus. (thats how they’ll know we are Christians…by our love) We live in a fallen world, we strive for perfection, but will never see it til return of Yeshua HaMashiach. (Jesus the Messiah) So until He comes, He is my “rest”.
Comment by Melanie :

I must agree with Rhonda. I celebrate the fact that Jesus left his Heavenly throne to rescue me. I celebrate the fact that He arose, because if he hadn’t I would be of all people, most miserable. I do not celebrate Halloween, but Christmas and Resurrection Sunday, I will celebrate with joy and gusto!