Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

[Property Of God]

Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

Answer: Whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween can be a very controversial topic. Some Christians celebrate Halloween simply by dressing up in a costume and having fun, seeing it as innocent and harmless. Other Christians are equally convinced that Halloween is a satanic holiday established to worship evil spirits and promote darkness and wickedness. So, who is right? Is it possible for Christians to celebrate Halloween without compromising their faith?

Halloween, no matter how commercialized, has almost completely pagan origins. As innocent as it may seem to some, it is not something to be taken lightly. Christians tend to have various ways to celebrate or not to celebrate Halloween. For some, it means having an “alternative” Harvest Party. For others, it is staying away from the ghosts, witches, goblins, etc., and wearing innocuous costumes, e.g., little princesses, clowns, cowboys, super-heroes, etc. Some choose not to do anything, electing to lock themselves in the house with the lights off. With our freedom as Christians, we are at liberty to decide how to act.

Scripture does not speak at all about Halloween, but it does give us some principles on which we can make a decision. In Old Testament Israel, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27). The New Testament teaching about the occult is clear. Acts 8:9-24, the story of Simon, shows that occultism and Christianity don't mix. The account of Elymas the sorcerer in Acts 13:6-11 reveals that sorcery is violently opposed to Christianity. Paul called Elymas a child of the devil, an enemy of righteousness and a perverter of the ways of God. In Acts 16, at Philippi, a fortune-telling girl lost her demon powers when the evil spirit was cast out by Paul. The interesting matter here is that Paul refused to allow even good statements to come from a demon-influenced person. Acts 19 shows new converts who have abruptly broken with their former occultism by confessing, showing their evil deeds, bringing their magic paraphernalia, and burning it before everyone (Acts 19:19).

So, should a Christian celebrate Halloween? Is there anything evil about a Christian dressing up as a princess or cowboy and going around the block asking for candy? No, there is not. Are there things about Halloween that are anti-Christian and should be avoided? Absolutely! If parents are going to allow their children to participate in Halloween, they should make sure to keep them from getting involved in the darker aspects of the day. If Christians are going to take part in Halloween, their attitude, dress, and most importantly, their behavior should still reflect a redeemed life (Philippians 1:27). There are many churches that hold "harvest festivals" and incorporate costumes, but in a godly environment. There are many Christians who hand out tracts that share the Gospel along with the Halloween candy. The decision is ultimately ours to make. But as with all things, we are to incorporate the principles of Romans 14. We can’t allow our own convictions about a holiday to cause division in the body of Christ, nor can we use our freedom to cause others to stumble in their faith. We are to do all things as to the Lord.

gotquestions.org

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I think it would be more productive if people prayed for creative ideas on how to counteract the Halloween influence and acted on the ideas God provides.

SLE

 

[lilyR]

I dont celebrate halloween,I never have. It has strong roots of paganism I dont believe in and portrays an act of worshipping the enemy of this world,Satan.It also glorifies the darkest side of this world(Scary constumes/musks of of the dead etc),rather than the light of Jesus Christ our lord.

 

[B-A-C]

1Co 10:25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake;
1Co 10:26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.
1Co 10:27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience' sake.
1Co 10:28 But if anyone says to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake;
1Co 10:29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience?
1Co 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
1Co 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Halloween started out as "All Saints Day" (hardly pagan). Still, dressing up as witches, vampires and zombies might not be the best way of edifying God. I don't "celebrate" Halloween, but I participate, I hand out candy, I have even trick or treated in the past. To me, it's just a day to have a little fun, and candy for the kids, it has no special spiritual significance to me. If it bothers you, don't do it.

1Co 8:7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1Co 8:8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.
1Co 8:9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

If you are spiritually convicted of something, or you believe it causes someone else to stumble, don't do it. If you don't believe the flase Gods and idols have any power over you, over the given day (Halloween) and over the candy handed out, then by all means, go for it.

 

[Property Of God]

There are some *harmless* aspects of Halloween and I do agree with the article, just like Christmas and Easter, some holidays have pagan roots but you choose what to celebrate exactly. I choose Jesus.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

1Co 10:25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake;
1Co 10:26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.
1Co 10:27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience' sake.
1Co 10:28 But if anyone says to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake;
1Co 10:29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience?
1Co 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
1Co 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Halloween started out as "All Saints Day" (hardly pagan). Still, dressing up as witches, vampires and zombies might not be the best way of edifying God. I don't "celebrate" Halloween, but I participate, I hand out candy, I have even trick or treated in the past. To me, it's just a day to have a little fun, and candy for the kids, it has no special spiritual significance to me. If it bothers you, don't do it.

1Co 8:7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1Co 8:8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.
1Co 8:9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

If you are spiritually convicted of something, or you believe it causes someone else to stumble, don't do it. If you don't believe the flase Gods and idols have any power over you, over the given day (Halloween) and over the candy handed out, then by all means, go for it.

I agree and would also like to add:1 Cor. 9:19-23
19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

The Christ I serve is about freeing the prisoners from bondage and living in freedom,not increased bondage.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Since the question should Christians celebrate Halloween? My answer is No
Your inclusion of the following statement is the perfect answer to why we shouldn't. "nor can we use our freedom to cause others to stumble in their faith"

 

[salty]

My thoughts.

In most cases my husband and I don't do anything for Halloween, but this year we'll be attending a party because a friend of mine at work asked us to join her and seemed very excited to have us attend. We'll be dressing up in costume and enjoying some snacks and a band.

Really, I don't think that Halloween should be celebrated by Christians in full force every year...like decorations, spooky houses, blood, gore, etc. On the same note I don't think that Christians should be afraid to participate in the holiday activities that are light and casual, things that are not contrary to worship in Christ. No magic, no spells, no perverse costumes, no drunkeness, no drugs, no explicit parties, etc. In some of the casual-light parties that some places have, there's still something that Christians can do and that's meet people and start friendships! You never know where a friendship will lead and you never know who you'll meet, maybe your best friend will be at that casual event you decide to attend!

For example: If your apartment complex is having a Halloween party and you've been witnessing to a neighbor and the neighbor asks if you're going to go to the party. Will you slam your door? "We don't celebrate Halloween!" Or will you use the opportunity to eat a cupcake with your neighbor to talk about Christ and the fact that the pagan holiday doesn't stop him from loving people?

I guess my overall point is this: If you want to participate in a light holiday event for Halloween, Easter, Christmas and so on (even though these holidays are based on pagan tradition), then feel free to do so because the message of Christ doesn't rest, if the Lord does good work on the sabbath (Matthew 12) then you can do good work on a pagan holiday.

 

[Christ4Ever]

I guess my overall point is this: If you want to participate in a light holiday event for Halloween, Easter, Christmas and so on (even though these holidays are based on pagan tradition), then feel free to do so because the message of Christ doesn't rest, if the Lord does good work on the sabbath (Matthew 12) then you can do good work on a pagan holiday.

Matthew 12 was not dealing with a "holiday". Curious, is there any holiday that a Christian should kind of beware of and not participate in? I mean as you say, if they keep it light? Remember you’re actually talking about celebrating the holiday by your participation in it.

 

[lilyR]

light participating? you are still partaking.its either you are in or out. I agree Christ4ever.
Luke 16:23

 

[Sheep]

I came accros this the other day and completely agree on it. I would like to share it with you: Writen by Child of God; Cobus Van Heerden

I greet you in the worderfull name of Jesus Christ. May His Holy Spirit speak into your spirit through this letter.

We are on the eve of one of the worst satanic festivals, namely Halloween. As I listen to people talking, many of them Christians, and watch the programs and advertisments on TV, I hear and see about upcoming Halloween parties.

Looking at God’s word, the Bible, I realize that what was written years ago is still applicable today. It is written in Isa 5:13 “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.” Taken into captivity means, being led away in chains!!!

God’s people are still being taken captive and the shocking part is they are going willingly. They are not willing to listen and has got an attitude of I don’t need to know!!

God says in Hos 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” What a stern warning!! “You will not be a priest for ME and because you choose to be unteachable and ignorant, I (GOD) will forget your children.”

We must realize that our God, the creator and only redeemer, is not our playmate. HE is a God of love and through love gave us, His children, guidelines for life. If we choose His way, His promises are for us. But if we choose to live by another’s rules, He cannot protect and help us, and we will be taken captive by the enemy!!!


God clearly states in Deu 18:9 “When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.”and confirms it in Jer 10:2 “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen ,,,” We are not to follow in the ways and customs of the heathen nations. Who are heathen nations, you ask? Heathens are everyone not believing that the only way of salvation is by accepting Jesus Christ as savior, not believing and confessing that Jesus Christ, as God, became flesh, was crucified and was resurrected on the third day. If we don’t believe this then we will be classified as heathens by God. It is Jesus as savior and only Him. Definitely not Jesus and …. (Mary, Ancestral spirits, Lucifer, Myself, New Age, and we can carry on with the list.) Acts 4:12 confirms this “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Now let us have a look at the deception of Halloween. I see so many people trying to Christianize heathen practices.

Jesus said in Mat 12:33 “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.” Let us have a look at the “tree” and roots of Halloween! Then we can decide upon the “fruit” of this tree.

Halloween comes from “ALL HALLOWED EVE” with the roots in Druid demon worship. It is known as the feast of the dead, SHAMHAIN. They believed that time stood still and the souls of the dead walked upon the land. God said in Heb 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” No soul of a dead person can come back. These “souls” are demons of Satan impersonating people.

Gifts were left outside houses to ensure that no harm comes to the household.
Psa 91:11 states the following: “For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” If we need protection let us remind God of His promise. No gifts can protect us against evil spirits.

Yellow ribbons were tied around oak trees as prayers to the sun to have their children spared. Jesus said in Mat 18:6, Mar 9:42 and Luk 17:2 “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Jesus himself is looking after our children. So let us live according to His word thus enabling Him to guard over us and our children!

!Where does the “bonfire” comes from? Druids chose certain children to be offered on “bone-fires” (bonfires) as offerings to the sun. How horrible is this, offering children to the sun. After these offerings the fat left over from the offered child was fashioned into a candle and placed into carved-out pumpkin. The victim was called “Jack-of-the-Lantern” (Jack-o’-Lantern).

What about the “TRICK or TREAT” you ask? If gifts weren’t given to the Druids, a “trick” followed - a hexagram (curse) was drawn on the door of the house. That night Satan or his demons would kill someone in that household through fear.

In 2 Tim 1:7 God says “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” So who uses fear? Satan of course! God does not kill people!! Jesus said in Joh 8:44 & 45 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” God is speaking in Eze 18:32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” We do not serve a God that kills. May I ask you something? Will you kill your children? NO!!! We will never do that! So why will our heavenly Father kill His children? So many of God’s children are killed because we are in a spiritual war! We choose, so many times by ignorance, to open doors for Satan and he is the killer.

Now what about my previous celebrations of this day and my accepting these parties and celebrations as “harmless” fun? It is written in Act 17:30 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” If we repent God will forgive. He says in Heb 10:17 “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” But warns us in Eph 4:27 “Neither give place to the devil.” We cannot carry on in our previous ways.

Let us make a choice today! God asks us to choose in Deu 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Do you see Father’s love, even in this choice? He even recommends what we must choose “therefore choose life”. BUT you and I must make the choice.

If you want to make that choice today, please pray with me.

“Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I accept Jesus again as my Lord and Savior and confess that I believe that He died for me and was ressurected. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save me! Father, I repent today that I was ignorant to Your commands and ask for forgivenes. I gratefully accept Your forgiveness and pray that You will enable me to discern between right and wrong. Please fulfill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to stand up for You. I also pray for those involved in this Satanic feast and ask that you will send angels into those places where rituals are performed. I ask that your children will see halloween for what it really is and will turn away form it. I ask in Jesus Name that You will set up Your angels around us to protect us and our loved ones. I state as it is written in Jos 24:15 “...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

I ask and declare this in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN”

Be blessed in the name of Jesus Christ.

Cobus van Heerden


Hope you found this helpfull

Blessings
Sheep

 

[stephen]

An excellent article 'sheep' very informative and helpful for all who desire to follow Jesus.

The question in the O.P. reminds me of that first question asked to damn the souls of men...

"Hath God said"?