Halloween is one topic that can cause energetic opinions within the Christian community. As Christian homeschoolers, we get to decide what field trips, projects, and holidays are celebrated in our homeschool…not a school district!
It’s that time of year again when some of us experience conflicted ideas and desires about this holiday and the celebrations it brings.
Many years ago, I decided that the decor in my home would be autumn leaves, pumpkins (including some jack-o-lanterns), scarecrows, corn stalks, etc. Ghosts, witches, monsters, and overtly evil-themed decore I gave away and have never regretted that. It has always felt right for me.
I’ve been through seasons where I felt good about a “normal” Halloween and others where I was convicted to skip the trick-or-treating and the typical celebration.
But what do we do about our young children who are eager to participate in the fun of Halloween parties and trick-or-treating? And those of us who have sweet childhood memories of sticky candy and sweaty plastic masks?
Ignore the day altogether?
Dive in headfirst because we know it’s only in fun?
Is there a middle ground? Should there be?
I think it is worthy to look at some scripture here as we pray for discernment.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Is Halloween the pattern of this world? It certainly seems that it is ingrained in American culture.
Sometime after 1850, Halloween began to emerge and take shape because of the Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine.
The 1920’s and 1930’s saw the community celebrating a secular holiday with parties, and by the 1950’s trick-or-treating had developed as we know it today from earlier forms of the practice.
What about the Celtic roots of Halloween? This, my friends, is a deep rabbit hole worthy of lots of research which we won’t cover here. I have found endless versions of the true roots of the holiday, starting with Samhain, the Gaelic festival celebrating the end of the harvest season.
Every year I read and research and learn something new, something that every other account has somehow missed or gotten wrong. The Pagan, evil, demonic roots are there somewhere in the past, retold and interpreted by historians.
You must do your own research and thoughtfully sift through the history and opinions for yourself.
But does the past history pf Halloween preclude us from celebrating?
Let’s sum up where we are:
1-Halloween has pagan, evil, demonic roots.
2-Halloween has secular celebrations in America born from this ancient pagan holiday. (Some would argue so does every holiday on the calendar.)
So we are left to decide if a holiday celebration rooted in evil that has evolved with parallel secular themes can be redeemed by Christians and celebrated.
We know many churches have declared, “yes”! They host an annual harvest party or outreach for the community with candy and costumes. There are many versions of the church celebration to redeem the holiday, allow fun for the children, and reach the lost souls of the local community.
Many families have found ways to celebrate that don’t compromise their Christian beliefs.
One example is an object lesson carving a pumpkin. Scooping out the guts and seeds reminds us of the sinful nature we are born with. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior cleans all that away, and his light can shine out of us, represented by the wax candle glowing inside the jack-o-lantern.
Christian families that have said a hard, “no,”Halloween is not redeemable, have some solid Biblical backing:
Ephesians 5:11
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
1 Corinthians 10:21
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Reject every kind of evil.
Galation:19-20
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 5
2 Corinthians 6:17
17 Therefore,
“”Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.
I was curious how Christian families approached this subject and conducted a poll on Facebook in a group for Christian homeschool moms. My experience in this group is that most participants are very conservative, mainstream evangelical Christians.
Over 1,000 homeschool mothers participated! The results were not surprising to me:
- 38% said they don’t care how you dress it up, Halloween is not redeemable, and Christian families should not participate.
- 42% said they participate by decorating with only fall decore and themes (no witches, ghosts, etc.) and allow trick-or-treating but no evil or scary costumes.
Let’s stop here for a moment. These two large groups have very different ideas about what is appropriate, and make up a whopping 80% of the votes!
The remainder of the votes were again pretty evenly split with 11% celebrating Halloween with no restrictions at all and 9.5% celebrating through church ministry or an intentional Christian approach.
Let’s look at a few verses which are used to justify a more relaxed and accepting approach to Halloween:
Romans 14:5
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.
1 Corinthians 10:29b
For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience?
And the challenge to this relaxed approach by some critics:
1 Corinthians 10:23 [Amplified Bible]
23 All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
You can see the quandary some families enter when considering the Halloween dilemma!
If you are reading this blog and feel secure in how you celebrate Halloween, that’s awesome!
I encourage those trying to determine if Halloween is just a light-hearted, fun holiday for kids, or participation in evil, to pray earnestly that God will illuminate your understanding and give you wisdom.
- Consider the wise counsel of those you trust who have a solid understanding of scripture.
- What is the condition of your heart and motives in regards to this holiday?
- Is it possible you are operating out of legalism?
- What was your experience as a child when celebrating (or not celebrating) Halloween? How does this shape the decisions for your family?
- How does your celebration of Halloween glorify God?
- How does your celebration of Halloween grieve God?
Christian liberty is the concept that we are free to do things not explicitly condemned in the Bible if it does not violate God’s laws.
Of course, we can debate if Halloween does indeed violate God’s laws, based on some of the previous scripture sighted.
As you research Halloween, you will continue to find it is messy, convoluted, and confusing for many Christians. Pastors and theologians have varied opinions about it.
Most seem to agree on a few things:
- Halloween had pagan and Christian (Catholic) roots.
- If done with appropriate costuming (nothing evil or gory), trick-or-treating is a way to be in the community with neighbors and get candy!
- Following your conscience and the prompting of the Holy Spirit is essential.
- Any actual occultic practices are not “play” and should never be experimented with.
As I said previously, some of you have made decisions on Halloween long ago and never looked back or doubted yourself.
If you are trying to discern what is right and glorifies God…good for you! This is the nature of a relationship with God! Prayer, fasting, fellowship, and research will all lead you to the place God wants you to be. It just may not be where he led your neighbor or friend!
Can Halloween be redeemed? For many, the answer is yes. For others, their conscience does not allow it. Both can be God honoring.
As long as we don’t make this a core salvation issue and begin calling Christians who participate in Halloween false Christians, we can embrace each other in Christ’s love and respect each other.
God bless you and your family as you diligently seek God in this important issue!
What have you decided to do about Halloween? Leave a comment below!