Should Christians be involved in Halloween?

It is believed that Halloween began as a pagan Celtic holiday. Many practices involved in this celebration were fed by superstition. The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the villages at night. Since not all the spirits were friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and to insure the next year’s crop. They also dressed in costumes to confuse vengeful spirits. This practice eventually evolved into today’s trick-or-treating.

Halloween is obviously not a holiday that Christians should celebrate. So what should Christians do at Halloween? Here are some guidelines:

Follow the Bible. Teach your children clearly that the Bible does not support worshiping or honoring dead people. The Bible is clear that the dead are truly dead.

Share your faith. Instead of candy, share something appropriate to guide children toward Jesus and the Bible. “It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14).

Draw clear boundaries. Some activities at Halloween are obviously things a Christian will not participate in: watching horror movies, eating lots of junk food, playing pranks that hurt people, telling scary stories, or visiting so-called haunted attractions.

Refrain from a judgmental spirit. Perhaps your fellow Christians are not as clear or convicted as you are about how to deal with Halloween. Hurtful criticism will not help them. Instead of condemning parents, why not invite a few families into your home for a short Bible study, refreshments, and family-building games? Make it a time of worship and fellowship with the emphasis that, as Christians, the only thing we “hallow” is the name of our heavenly Father—to whom Jesus taught us when we pray to say, “Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9).

Key Bible Texts

And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:19-20 KJV)