Should We Allow Children to Celebrate Halloween?

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?


October 31 marks the annual celebration of Halloween. Many people, including Christians believe that this is a harmless celebration that allows children an opportunity to enjoy the frivolity of childhood. Many parents spend countless dollars on costumes, candy, parties, and other traditional trappings associated with this holiday. But, is it Christian-like to celebrate such a holiday? Some would say it's not any different that celebrating St. Patrick's Day or Columbus Day. Still others believe its akin to worshipping the devil.



There is a proverb that says "When you sup with the devil, use a long spoon."

Halloween is a pagan holiday that began in ancient times. The origins of Halloween are Celtic in anature and have to do with observing the end of summer sacrifices to gods in Druidic tradition. It is celebrated and revered as a day to worship the dead by the wiccan culture.

In ancient times, the gods were worshipped on this day with human sacrifices. Celtics believed Samhain, the lord of death, sent evil spirits abroad to attack humans, who could escape only by assuming disguises and looking like evil spirits themselves. The waning of the sun and the approach of dark winter made the evil spirits rejoice and play nasty tricks. Most of our Halloween practices can be traced back to these old pagan rites and superstitions.

In the fourth century, Christians attempted to co-opt the holiday by celebrating the lives of faithful Christian saints the day before Halloween. This was a conscious attempt to provide an alternative and to re-focus the day away from ghouls, goblins, ghosts, witches and other (I¡È(Bhaunted(I¡É(B experiences. Since that time many Christians have decided to allow their children to dress in more (I¡È(Binnocent(I¡É(B costumes of pumpkins, princesses, Superman or as a cowboy. Part of this is due to the simple reality that in today(I¡Ç(Bs Western culture it is nearly impossible to (I¡È(Bavoid(I¡É(B Halloween. But Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:20) "But I say that these things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God, and I would not that you should have fellowship with the devil.

Our children are impressionable and allowing them to celebrate Halloween can send mixed messages. Satan is cunning in the ways that he gains entry into our lives. If we are not careful, before long he can turn someting as simple as celebrating Halloween into a stronghold in our lives. You could be opening up doorways into your chidren's lives for evil by bringing them into a kind of "fellowship" with these ancient "gods."

We are commanded not to become involved with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11). And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom. 12:2)

So, should Christians celebrate Halloween and/or look for alternatives to celebrate on this day? What do you think?

Cheryl Lacey Donovan is the award winning author of Women What the Hell are You Thinking and the soon to be released Ministry of Motherhood (Peace in the Storm Publishing) To contact Cheryl visit her website at www.cheryllaceydonovan.com