Many years ago, we adopted a no-Halloween policy at the Center. We came to this conclusion because of the Satanic origins and current Satanic practices surrounding this holiday. As you may realize, this is the one holiday that has not been successfully moved to a Christian focus (a process that began long ago). This is not because we don’t like to celebrate and have fun because we do! However, it is because of a conviction that we don’t want to glorify Satan in any way - even innocently. Halloween is a high holiday for the Church of Satan, and more murders, child sacrificing, and other atrocious things happen around this day than any other. Real witches and other servants of Satan take this holiday seriously - and so do we in our ignoring of it.
As an interdenominational Christian ministry, we feel that these type of issues that fall in the gray areas are family and church decisions. We want you to know that we do not necessarily expect you to have the same convictions about this holiday as we do. We respect the decisions that you make as parents regarding the raising of your children. If you want more information about this, contact the Center.
Our not celebrating Halloween here at the Center is based on a conviction that what we do at the Center should always glorify the Lord. Halloween, in general, is a diabolical day and has little positive input to offer to our children other than free candy. Look at the displays in the stores - blood and gore, witches, and skeletons. The history of Halloween makes it a satanic high holy day. Did you know that former Satanist priests have shared about what Halloween meant to them? It is a real thing. There are real witches and warlocks and those that engage in real animal and human sacrificing.
Many Christians have understandably made the decision to "boycott" the event. The following are some thoughts about October 31 for your consideration. For two thousand years, the devil has been actively invading and infiltrating our holidays ("holy days") -- and he's been quite successful. It's time for Christians to examine ALL our holiday celebrations and pray about whether we are glorifying the Lord and diligently teaching our children about Him every day. I Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Author Linda Winwood has written a book called, Mommy, Why Don't We Celebrate Halloween? It's a story about a mother and her children discussing why they aren't allowed to go trick or treating; and, it shares a lot of the traditions and where they came from. We don't have to live in fear of that day or teach our children to fear by not participating in it. We don't have to and should not expose ourselves to the powers of darkness. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says "False apostles, deceitful workers transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 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, whose end will be according to their works."
The media is fascinated with evil and our children are exposed to it on TV and in movies unless we expose the lie and help them to make good viewing choices.
That being said, there are Christians that feel strongly that we need to create a positive, Christian alternative to Halloween. Here are some thoughts on that perspective:
There is nothing wrong with celebrating fall - what a beautiful season it is! The colors, especially in the mountains, are magnificent! Praise the Lord for His creation!! Part of the harvest time is pumpkins. Carving faces in pumpkins and calling them Jack-o-lanterns refers to a pagan tradition in which a spirit is captured and trapped forever in the pumpkin. Maybe, a way to have fun but glorify God would be to carve a pumpkin with a cross on it. Or, how about carving the name Jesus in them to let God's light shine through.
If you do allow your children to go to costume parties, try dressing up only as Bible figures! It's a challenge to find those not so well known characters such as Lydia, seller of purple (you can find her in chapter 16 of the book of Acts) or Methuselah, the oldest man in the Bible.
Christianity Today published an article that said to celebrate Halloween is to make fun of Satan; and, because this purpose makes Satan mad, it is ok to participate.
Some churches use Halloween for witnessing time. They open the church, offer candy, and provide a fun alternative to going out. They share about the reality of hell and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
Halloween may be rooted in terrible rituals and beliefs; but, most of the little ones that come to our door are not aware of all that. God's heart is not against them; rather, He is reaching out to them -- even in the midst of darkness. Should we do no less? If children come to your door, instead of planning to not be home that night, why not open the doors and welcome them in, pray for them, and make your home a light in the midst of the darkness?! Another good resource is called Halloween; what's a Christian to do? by author Steve Russo. Some of those ideas are:
* Give candy with a really good tract geared toward kids, or tape a nickel or dime to an orange pumpkin that has the words "Jesus Loves You!" prominently written on it.
* Go door-to-door with your kids dressed in Biblical or other positive character costumes and bless the people with "God bless you!" or "Jesus loves you!" as you leave. Give them a gift as well in the form of a good, non-religious-looking tract.
* Host a safe non-halloween party for the neighborhood kids where they play games, eat snacks, have fun, hear the gospel, and take it home with them. On his radio show, Chuck Colson pointed out that October.31 is also the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Maybe, we could focus on the history of the Reformation.
For some additional information about Halloween from a Christian Perspective See:
Christian Broadcasting Network "Should Christian's Celebrate Halloween?"