A Christian Response to Halloween

By Pastor Ross Anderson

What is a Christian supposed to think and do about Halloween?  Is it the most dangerous day of the year - when Satanists snatch children off the streets to sacrifice?  Or is it nothing but a harmless secular excuse for kids to dress up and overload on chocolate?  Certainly many aspects of Halloween make Christians uncomfortable, such as images of devils and witches, and rumors of satanic rituals.  However, most adults also have fond memories of childhood trick-or-treating and dressing up.  So many traditions, myths and unfounded rumors have developed about Halloween that Christians should study this complex issue carefully.

The Pagan Roots of Halloween

Many Halloween customs can be traced back to pagan superstitions relating to Samhain (SOW-inn), the ancient Celtic New Year festival.  Samhain celebrated the end of the harvest season, the beginning of winter, and thus death.  Samhain was considered a magical time, when the dead walked among the living and the veil of the spirit world was thinnest.  The dead were invited to feast with their loved ones.  Customs included placing food out for deceased ancestors and performing rituals to communicate with the dead. 

A common Samhain tradition was to placate the spirits and send them to the nether world by "treating" them. If a spirit was not "treated" well, it would "trick," or haunt, those who had failed to prepare it for the next world. Some traditions developed that if a person could disguise himself with a costume, the spirits would not be able plague him. It was said that spirits could be warded off by carving a grotesque face into a gourd or turnip and setting a candle inside it. Bonfires became associated with the pagan holiday not only to symbolize the waning power of the sun, but also to guide the spirits of the dead to their former homes.  Divination of the future was also commonly practiced at this magically-potent time.  The Druids were concerned with contacting the spirits of the departed for guidance and personal power.

Many sensationalized claims have been made by Christians about aspects of Samhain which simply are not true.  For example, there is no evidence that Druids practiced human sacrifice or carried off virgins for debased rituals.  Yet even if many of the details have been exaggerated, the core practices of Samhain revolved around divination and contact with the dead.

How Samhain Became Halloween

As Christianity spread to the Celtic lands, Christian missionaries found Samhain well-entrenched.  The Church designated October 31 the "Holy Evening" preceding All Saints Day. The Church sought to give Christians an alternative, spiritually edifying holiday.  But their goal was also to proclaim the supremacy of the gospel over pagan superstition. There was no need to "placate" the spirits, or buy their way into the afterlife - eternal life is offered to all who believe in the atonement of Jesus Christ, who shed his blood to reconcile us to God and bring us eternal life. Rather than fearing the "tricks" of those who have died, Christians reflected on the lives and deaths of those who were faithful as role models for their own walks with the Lord.

The Biblical Position on Occult Practices

Is there any reference in the Bible to the kind of practices engaged in during Samhain? Deuteronomy 18:9-14 states:

"When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.  For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so."

Instead, Ephesians 5:8-13 says: "...for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret."

Acts 19:18-19 shows what happened when people in the city of Ephesus came to faith in Christ: "A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly." 

Occult activities such as fortune telling and consorting with spirits are clearly contrary to God's truth.  A Christian, trusting in the Lord's wisdom and power, does not look to the demonic forces behind divination, sorcery or spiritism for guidance or power.

The Meaning of Symbols

If you celebrate Halloween, does this mean you are participating in the "deeds of darkness," or imitating the detestable practices of pre-Christian Europe?  Maybe, maybe not.  At one time, a carved pumpkin may have been thought to ward off malicious spirits.  But it doesn't necessarily follow that this is what it means to you or me.  When I see a black cat, I don't believe it is the reincarnation of an evil dead soul.  Thus I don't think you have compromised with evil if you own a cat that happens to be black.  A symbol or image carries only the meaning that is assigned to it by its user.  For example, many heavy metal rock musicians ornament themselves with crosses.  By wearing that symbol, are they participating in what Christianity represents?  No, because that's not what that image means to them.  If putting up a jack-o-lantern means that a Christian is involved in the occult, then you would have to argue that rockers are involved in Christianity because they wear a cross around their neck.

Warnings About Halloween

While 99.5% of Americans assign no occult meaning to the trappings of Halloween, there are a few who do.  Halloween remains an important day for neopagans.  Yet many unproven claims have been made about what happens on Halloween.  The actual incidence of satanic-associated crime is very low, and on Halloween consists mostly of petty vandalism and desecration of graveyards and churches.  Much Halloween activity is just a convenient excuse for out-of-control juveniles to act destructively.  Occasional anti-social, criminally committed individuals or small groups that also practice self-styled satanism do commit crimes on Halloween. But a young person is much more likely to be in danger of a drunk driver, or a party that gets out of hand with drugs or alcohol use than of satanic abduction.

But what about spiritual dangers?  Many symbols associated with Halloween are not necessarily occult, such as spiders, scarecrows and bats.  Other images have mild occult associations, like black cats and skeletons.  But these images can also be taken neutrally.  Yet some images have stronger, more universal occult associations that have meaning today.  For instance, ghosts and witches - even cute ones - represent the practice of spiritism and sorcery which is clearly forbidden by God in Deuteronomy 18.  One problem with Halloween is that, for many young people, it may glamorize the powers of darkness. Occult practices are becoming more mainstream in our culture.  Television and movies often portray people contacting the dead, or using spiritual powers.  These activities can be very enticing to young people, with the promise of significance, power and secret knowledge.

In light of Deuteronomy 18, we don't want to imitate evil.  We have to consider whether we are imitating and glorifying evil when we let our children dress as witches or hang ghosts in our window, or entertain with tales of spirits and haunted houses. 

Another troubling factor is how Halloween has become an excuse to push the limits of what is violent and grotesque.  Philippians 4:8 says, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  Looking at some of the masks for sale and the advertisements for haunted houses, much of what is celebrated at Halloween is hard to reconcile with "pure," "lovely," and "noble."

Is There Anything Good About Halloween?

I believe there are three things that can be good about Halloween.  First, remember that is was God who made human beings creative and imaginative.  That's why children love to dress up and pretend.  As long as the creative imagination is not bent toward evil and violence (as is so often the case in literature and movies today), it is a blessing from God to use it.  So I don't see anything wrong with dressing up in appropriate costumes just for fun.

Second, Halloween is an opportunity to educate your children.  As you observe how our society practices Halloween, you can help them develop biblical discernment.  Teach them that there is a real spirit world.  Help your children understand (at an age-appropriate level) what activities the Bible warns us about, and why.  Teach them that, although death and the grave are very real, we are more than conquerors over the powers of darkness through Jesus Christ.

Third, Halloween provides an opportunity for witness.  To receive the neighborhood kids is an act of hospitality.  If you give the very best candy on your street, you'll win the favor of those children.  Often their parents come with them.  That's an opportunity to connect with the people God has placed around us.  Many Christians also give out a comic book tract along with the candy, so children have an opportunity to learn about Jesus.

A New Testament Parallel

A situation arose in the early church that seems to me to be very much like the debate over Halloween.  In the ancient world, when you bought meat at the market, there was a good chance that it came from an animal that was killed in a pagan temple and offered as worship to a false god.  Many believers could not, in good conscience, eat that meat.  In fact, some refused to eat any meat at all, since they could not be sure where it came from. 

Some today might say, "Don't you know the origins of Halloween?  How can you participate in such an offensive pagan holiday?"  Back then, they might have said, "Don't you know the origin of that meat?  How can you participate in the worship of a pagan temple?"  Paul's answer in 1 Corinthians 8 was: it's okay to eat that meat. Food doesn't bring us to God, so "we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do (8)." "We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world (4)." The meat was only defiled for those who, in their conscience, associated it with the pagan temple (7).

Except for the more extreme violent and occult expressions, I believe Halloween is pretty harmless.  Most of the symbols are only defiled if you, in your conscience, associate them with the demonic practices of Samhain.  Few people today make that association.  Of course, there are boundaries!  But I don't believe it will hurt your walk with the Lord if your kids dress up, or if you to put a jack-o-lantern in your window - any more than if you own a black cat.

But that's not all Paul had to say.  He was concerned about the effect of our actions on others.  Thus he warns (9): "Be careful that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."  To paraphrase verse 10: "If anyone with a weak [ or sensitive] conscience sees you who have this knowledge [celebrating Halloween], won't he be emboldened to [celebrate Halloween]?  So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge."  In conclusion (13), Paul said that he would rather limit his own freedom than do anything to cause another believer to go against his conscience and do what he believes is sin.

Making Your Decision

I encourage every Christian to establish some boundaries regarding Halloween.  Certainly any real association with occult practices is wrong.  Beyond that, you must prayerfully take all the factors into consideration and decide for yourself what you will make of this strange holiday. 

Some Christians decide to have absolutely no contact with Halloween. They keep their children from participating in any potentially spiritually compromising activity. They may completely ignore the holiday, not answer their door to trick-or-treaters, and instead have a family activity. Parents who choose this course need to explain to their children why they have taken this stand, and give them strong encouragement, since their children will undoubtedly experience some teasing or ridicule.

Some Christians decide to have a limited, non-compromising participation in Halloween. Many families restrict their children's trick or treating and instead let them attend a community party or a party in the home of friends. Most Christian families restrict their children's costumes to exclude evil, pagan, or demonic costumes. Some insist on biblical characters.

Some Christians decide to "overcome" the pagan and secular trappings of Halloween in a manner similar to the way the Church "overcame" Samhain with All Saints Day. Many churches have "Harvest Festivals." One church youth group has a costume party where participants play games as they prepare food baskets. Then they ring the doorbells of needy people in their community and "treat" them with the anonymous food baskets.

What If Others Make a Different Choice?

I think we can conclude that some aspects of Halloween, as commonly practiced, clearly violate Scripture.  Yet much associated with Halloween is simply not black and white. 

Romans 14:1-8 gives us some great advice when it comes to our differences in those "gray areas".  First, it reminds us that we will each answer to our Master for the choice we make (4).  Therefore, secondly, we ought to make our choice as a matter of personal conviction, deeply and prayerfully considered (3).  (Your choice should not be just because of what you did as a child or what your neighbors do.)  Then, third, our motive in whatever we choose must be to give glory to God (6).  Finally, the passage urges us to trust the motives of other Christians (6-8) and not to pass judgement on those whose conviction is different from ours (12-13).

However, if God gives you freedom of conscience in certain aspects of Halloween, remember that your freedom might create a problem for another believer whose conscience is weaker.  So talk about it with your Christian friends.  Consider all the evidence.  Pray about and discuss it as a family.  Then decide where to draw your boundaries.  Be consistent with the decisions you make.  And trust God with those who make decisions different than yours.

Sources

The best Christian source I have found on Halloween is the Answers in Action web site, run by Bob & Gretchen Passantino: http://www.answers.org/.  I admit I borrowed liberally from this source.

Another reasonably good source is the "Hallowed or Harmful?" booklet, published by Christian Broadcasting Network: www.cbn.com/community/booklets/Hallowed.pdf

I recommend you avoid sources, like the Jack Chick tracts, that simply repeat sensationalistic tales about Samhain and Halloween without backing them up with documentation.  Many unsubstantiated claims about the subject continue to circulate among Christians, telling us what we want to hear, but without any proof.

I went to two neopagan sources to find out how they view Samhain and Halloween: "The Real Origins of Halloween" by Isaac Bonewits and "A Brief History of Halloween" by Peg Aloi, both found on the web.  They confirm the Samhain traditions of divination and contacting the dead.  Obviously this perspective is not biblical and should be read with considerable discernment.