How much, if any, should a Christian participate in Halloween and its festivities? Do we set aside the entire day for spooky masks, wearing costumes of spooky characters as seen on TV, going to haunted houses or forests, and any other gatherings to acknowledge October 31? Many Christians do not participate in any of these activities claiming, that to do so, gives reverence to Satan or evil. There are also many Christians who feel there is nothing wrong with celebrating Halloween and make the claim that there is nothing Biblical about it. Some even use the day as a platform to witness to people who don't know Jesus.
When looking back at the origin of Halloween, it can become a bit dubious. Halloween comes from "All Hallows Eve", referring to the night before All Saints' Day. All Saints' Day, was a celebration of the many saints that died and was observed by the Roman Catholics and many other forms of Protestant denominations. Today, many churches have Halloween alternatives such as harvest parties, which gives the church to fellowship with the community. The church has been some-what divided on the issue as to whether Christians should partake in the activities of Halloween. If our brothers and sisters are convicted in their hearts to NOT celebrate Halloween, we need to support their Christian liberty to do so by not judging them because it may contradict our own personal convictions, Romans 14:5-6.
Leviticus 19:31 "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." It seems as though Halloween always brings forth those seeking out the paranormal. The days leading up to Halloween there is a rise in people searching for ghosts or the deceased of loved ones and the need for mediums making claims that they can contact the "spirit world". The Bible does not forbid us from remembering our loved ones nor does it ordain the practice. The Bible does however, forbids us from attempting to contact the dead.
All Saints' Day
This is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church every year on November 1. All Saints' Day commemorates the lives of past saints who died for God. It includes much prayer to them and asking for them to pray for others. During the middle ages, crime and mischief rose drastically, causing a speculation amongst the people that demons roamed the night and was more active during the night of Halloween.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 "There shall not be found among you that useth divination or enchanter or witch, a charmer, or wizard, for all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord." God forbids us to be involved with evil spirits and those things pertaining to them.
Final thoughts:
A few years ago the USA Today published an article concerning Halloween. A woman, claiming to be a witch said, "many Christians are celebrating Halloween with us and we love it!" So when people ask the question, should Christians celebrate Halloween, it really should come down as to HOW we celebrate it. Christians should not look upon Halloween as a holiday. "Holiday" is actually a word used for, a day that is Holy. So are we setting aside this day for someone or something that is Holy? The word Halloween believed to first originated around 1745 and was a day for celebrating the dead or remembering the dead. The customs that came with this is deep in pagan origin, particularly with the Celts and their harvest festivals. Celebrating Halloween as a holiday, as in a Holy day, should be avoided by Christians. The origins of Halloween may have had a righteous beginning, unfortunately through the centuries has become an event with very negative and sinister overtones. In modern times Halloween generally represents something dark and evil. Christians should be very careful in how we observe Halloween, making sure the dark overtones and the customs of the dead are not being participated in.
When looking back at the origin of Halloween, it can become a bit dubious. Halloween comes from "All Hallows Eve", referring to the night before All Saints' Day. All Saints' Day, was a celebration of the many saints that died and was observed by the Roman Catholics and many other forms of Protestant denominations. Today, many churches have Halloween alternatives such as harvest parties, which gives the church to fellowship with the community. The church has been some-what divided on the issue as to whether Christians should partake in the activities of Halloween. If our brothers and sisters are convicted in their hearts to NOT celebrate Halloween, we need to support their Christian liberty to do so by not judging them because it may contradict our own personal convictions, Romans 14:5-6.
Leviticus 19:31 "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." It seems as though Halloween always brings forth those seeking out the paranormal. The days leading up to Halloween there is a rise in people searching for ghosts or the deceased of loved ones and the need for mediums making claims that they can contact the "spirit world". The Bible does not forbid us from remembering our loved ones nor does it ordain the practice. The Bible does however, forbids us from attempting to contact the dead.
All Saints' Day
This is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church every year on November 1. All Saints' Day commemorates the lives of past saints who died for God. It includes much prayer to them and asking for them to pray for others. During the middle ages, crime and mischief rose drastically, causing a speculation amongst the people that demons roamed the night and was more active during the night of Halloween.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 "There shall not be found among you that useth divination or enchanter or witch, a charmer, or wizard, for all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord." God forbids us to be involved with evil spirits and those things pertaining to them.
Final thoughts:
A few years ago the USA Today published an article concerning Halloween. A woman, claiming to be a witch said, "many Christians are celebrating Halloween with us and we love it!" So when people ask the question, should Christians celebrate Halloween, it really should come down as to HOW we celebrate it. Christians should not look upon Halloween as a holiday. "Holiday" is actually a word used for, a day that is Holy. So are we setting aside this day for someone or something that is Holy? The word Halloween believed to first originated around 1745 and was a day for celebrating the dead or remembering the dead. The customs that came with this is deep in pagan origin, particularly with the Celts and their harvest festivals. Celebrating Halloween as a holiday, as in a Holy day, should be avoided by Christians. The origins of Halloween may have had a righteous beginning, unfortunately through the centuries has become an event with very negative and sinister overtones. In modern times Halloween generally represents something dark and evil. Christians should be very careful in how we observe Halloween, making sure the dark overtones and the customs of the dead are not being participated in.
