Original Article: Every year, it seems that the topic of whether Christians should celebrate Halloween or not creates differing opinions - and sometimes bad feelings rise up during debates. Why Should I Make the Most of Every Opportunity? This harvest festival of the Druids ushered in the New Year, beginning on the evening of October 31 with the lighting of bonfires and offering of sacrifices. Always a controversial topic, faithful Christians want to know if they should celebrate Halloween. They have a good point. (2020, August 25). Halloween is a real, sacred day for those who follow Wicca. Should Christians..... is not a question anyone should be asking. 1. But there is a stark difference between “celebrating” a Pagan tradition – and simply engaging in community activities for a … What Is the Significance of ‘They Found the Stone Rolled Away from the Tomb’? Learn Religions, Aug. 25, 2020, learnreligions.com/should-christians-celebrate-halloween-700763. Jesus brings life and beat death; don’t they know that?”. "Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?" On All Hallows’ Eve, it is said that the souls and spirits of the dead are given the ability to roam the Earth. There was pain and suffering, blood, and violence. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright © 2021, Christianity.com. Be strong and courageous. https://www.learnreligions.com/should-christians-celebrate-halloween-700763 So I’m curious, how can you bring some light to your community this Halloween? We believe that Jesus can take what was intended for evil and flip it right around for good. This article is not about opinions. How and why we “do” Halloween has been actively taught in my home, in fact, I have heard it repeated straight out of the mouths of babes — while in the checkout line, with Halloween décor everywhere, with a line of people around — the week before Halloween, “Why do people have to have blood and scary stuff at Halloween? If you have to justify it, whatever “it” may be, it’s probably wrong. Be sober minded; be watchful. Do not let fear continue to keep you captive. There are plenty of Christian people who celebrate Halloween with only candy and costumes but it's all in good fun. Why should Christians celebrate or not celebrate Halloween? Select basic ads. Prayer for Pentecost Sunday: Call on the Holy Spirit. Christians against Halloween group the celebration with witchcraft and stand on verses like this one: These verses make it clear what a Christian should not do. (Eph 5:9)(1 Cor 5:6) Tells us that a little yeast leavens a whole lump of dough. Have I not commanded you? Each October, a controversial question comes up: "Should Christians celebrate Halloween?" I hate this so called holiday. Is it a Sin to Celebrate Halloween? It is interesting to note that … Although there are differing beliefs as to its origin, everyone seems to agree on a connection to the ancient Celts over 2,000 years ago. What is a Christian? Open up Your Home If your background includes witchcraft or a world revolving around the dark side to Halloween, I promise, I get it. Many Christians now celebrate Reformation Day on November 1, in place of Halloween, because it is the day Martin Luther chose to nail his 95 theses to the church doors. Fairchild, Mary. What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline? I loved the costumes, the candy, going out at night, decorating, and just everything that had to do with it. The cross was not pretty. The Bible also says to run from evil. Is it possible that there is no right or wrong answer to the Halloween dilemma? Spirits, skeletons, and all manner of scary things were Satanic and to be avoided at all costs. Traditionally, October 31, which is named Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve, has been considered a pagan holiday. With more than 2.2 billion adherents, Christianity comprises about 31.50% among all the organized religions in the world. Should Christians really celebrate Halloween? Some say this was the church's way of claiming the celebration for Christians. As the Druids danced around the fires, they celebrated the end of the summer and the beginning of the season of darkness. Those who practice witchcraft, Satan worship, or who consider themselves Pagan or Wiccan may still celebrate All Hallows’ Eve in a more traditional way, which includes many rituals to connect with the dead. I researched straight from WICCAN sites and… And give no opportunity to the devil. Churches frequently disapprove of Halloween because it is really a modern version of ancient, satanic traditions which were originated by the pagan Celtic religion, and their druid priests, long before Christianity. Can a Christian celebrate Halloween in good conscience? For us, Halloween is not a celebration of fear or death — God kicked those to the curb through Jesus. Are we here to live in a safe, protected environment, guarded against the evils of the world, or are we called to reach out to a world filled with dangers and be the light of Christ? The short answer is NO! A fall-themed atmosphere and carnival-style booths help to mask the fact it is actually Halloween, except for all the people dressed in costume with children getting candy. Are we participating in activities that point to God? Some churches and pastors even do. Scripture Readings for Ash Wednesday Through the First Week of Lent, Scripture Readings for the Fifth Week of Lent, Scripture Readings for the Second Week of Advent, General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center. That the agony and misery and terror celebrated every year on October 31 was already lived out by Jesus and it is finished? Christian Community & Fellowship ; General Discussion ; Do Christians celebrate Halloween? Some even take advantage of Halloween's evangelistic opportunities. We celebrate dress-up. Perhaps refraining from Halloween and its activities is the safest and most appropriate response for you as an individual. 6:14), and neither should we. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. What Does the Bible Say About the Right to Bear Arms? There are those who say that demonizing Halloween is an attempt on the part of some Christians to remove themselves from the world. Currently, Rebekah delights in being a homeschool mom and Life Coach. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). Halloween brings our neighbors out into the streets. Before I became a Christian, and even while I was still a new Christian I loved Halloween! A Christian celebrating Halloween would be like a Satan worshiper putting up a nativity scene at Christmas while singing, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" We are the lump of dough, Halloween is the yeast. The holiday is a great opportunity to develop new relationships and share our faith. Some church communities choose to host a Trunk-or-Treat, which is considered an acceptable alternative to door-to-door Trick-or-Treating. Some years, my family would hand out candy to anyone who knocked on the door, and often a gospel tract would accompany the candy. As a girl growing up, Halloween was generally viewed as a bad holiday. Should Christians Really Celebrate Halloween? Sin breaks and kills — Jesus brings back to life. Some see it as a dark day full of evil influence while others deem it a harmless time for fun costumes and candy. Why Did the Crowd Shout ‘Hosanna in the Highest’ for Jesus? We celebrate family being silly together. ", The Bible Says 'No' to Talking to the Dead. We were taught to be afraid of evil things. Whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween can be a very controversial topic. Do the people around you know that Jesus’ life-giving sacrifice on the cross completely crushed death? Some feel complete freedom to observe the holiday, while others run and hide from it. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The Celtic belief of spirits being released is current, along with the worship of Samhain (the lord of death) – both are promoted as something to embrace on that day. Christians should not “ celebrate ” anything that pays tribute to anything but our Lord Jesus Christ. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/should-christians-celebrate-halloween-700763. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18). We celebrate life in all its abundance! They no longer have a grip on me or little superheroes and princesses. And how do we reach out to unbelievers in a way that will attract them to faith in Jesus Christ? God is not glorified on Halloween. Yes, Christians can, because the blood of Christ has redeemed Halloween. Pope Gregory IV broadened the feast to include the entire church. Seriously? The feasting was to honor the Saints. Inevitably, some pagan practices associated with the season persisted and have been mixed into modern celebrations of Halloween. Many Christians celebrate Halloween. Halloween is an excellent opportunity to practice what we believe and live out our faith (1 Peter 4:8-9). Christians don’t have the right to say, “You can’t participate in Halloween” just because they take offense – the Scriptures teach that ghouls and goblins are nothing, there’s only one God. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Episode 427 10292020 How do churches justify this?!! Many similar Bible verses condemn pagan practices, but none specifically warn against observing Halloween. What if, before you became a Christian, you did practice some of these dark deeds? What if you came to the Christian faith from a background in the occult? Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? I expect lots of Christians do celebrate Hallowe'en. Fairchild, Mary. Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? Considering the origins and underlying tone of Halloween as a Christian, it’s hard to know just how much is good old plain fun, and how much is too much.So as followers of Jesus, the question we should ask ourselves is: is it okay for Christians to celebrate Halloween? Romans 12:9 “Love must be without hypocrisy. Part of the reason was because my husband was not … With Halloween approaching, you or someone you know may be struggling with whether to celebrate the holiday. Many Christians believe that participating in Halloween is a form of involvement in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness, which is forbidden in Scripture: On the other hand, many believers consider the modern-day Halloween activities of most to be harmless fun. Odd question - it isn't 'should Christians celebrate Hallowe'en?' Rebekah Drumsta’s work has been globally reaching by serving with various nonprofits and organizations. https://time.com/5711847/christian-halloween-controversy-history Her background is diverse including educational and online content development, event coordinating, international relations, and public speaking. How do Christians justify celebrating death and the occult when we serve the living God? However, once you learn about the reasons why Christians shouldn’t celebrate halloween you will be on the right path to end this holiday permanently for yourself too. But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). Ignoring Halloween or celebrating it only with believers is not exactly an evangelical approach. All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day, was a religious feast day celebrated on November 1. Let others do the same without condemnation from us. In light of Scriptures, consider carefully the appropriateness of judging another Christian for observing Halloween. Can we be in the world, but not of the world? A Christian Praying . Now, in my own home, we do participate in Halloween festivities. I recently saw a church advertising they were having a Zombie Run. Select personalised ads. I still remember listening to the Adventures in Odyssey episode, “What Are We Going To Do About Halloween?” where they warned about the evils of Halloween as well as hearing similar teachings at church too. At the same time, if in our liberty to trick-or-treat, we’re scandalizing our brothers and sisters in the church who have difficulty separating the candy and the costumes from the sin they engaged in outside of Christ, we … Clearly, Halloween is a controversial topic for Christian communities. Some Christians do not celebrate Halloween, citing its pagan origins, close ties to witchcraft and obsession with all things gross, gory and evil. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Do Christians Celebrate Halloween? Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). Just as I hate evil. God's House? But how many Christians are sacrificing their children as burnt offerings on Halloween? Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? Christian perspectives on Halloween are sharply divided. The Truth About Halloween’s Origins . They remind us that Christians are supposed to be different–set apart–and that missing out on one night of spooks and teeth-rotting candy isn’t really missing out on anything at all. History tells us that Halloween started out full of evil and fear, death, and torment. Someone who has already passed from death into life, thanks to the fact that the Lord Jesus has taken all our sins on himself. Fear lies to us — Jesus is the Truth. The … … Some Christians celebrate Halloween simply by dressing up in a costume and having fun, seeing it as innocent and harmless. That’s the point! And are we living as Jesus instructed us to? The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association offers Christian parents some guidance on Halloween. (1 Cor 10:31) Tells us we should do ALL things for the glory of God. Halloween is fun for the kids, and even adults. Should Christians celebrate Halloween? Store and/or access information on a device. Setting aside a day to celebrate evil, darkness, witchcraft, fear, death and the demonic brings disdain to God. Other churches hold a Fall Festival on the evening of October 31. Actually Halloween is a religious holiday that belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. If you still think Halloween is an evil day, then maybe you should see All Hallows Eve as a time when … Yes, Halloween is traditionally a pagan holiday, but that doesn’t mean Christians should look the other way and allow lost souls to remain lost. Use precise geolocation data. If you still think Halloween is an evil day, then maybe you should see All Hallows Eve as a time when … Fun fact: The term Holy Spirit is mentioned at least 90 times in the Bible. Those are things that my Lord has defeated. Originally written last October - I felt the need to repost this piece. "Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?" This is a very common and highly debated topic in Christian circles. Although once, I did attend a “haunted church” hosted for the youth group by our church staff. Fairchild, Mary. To understand this, you need to learn more about the origin of Halloween and influence of Christianity on Halloween. Halloween brings people of the world to our doorsteps. Do our daily choices glorify Him? Jesus has nothing in common with Satan (2 Cor. In a spirit of full disclosure, when I was a brand-new believer, I allowed my son to go trick-or-treating. The two just don't go together. Create a personalised content profile. And, based on a CBN News Facebook survey, 87% expressed that Christians should not celebrate Halloween, while 13% believe that there’s no problem celebrating … Celebrating Halloween as a Christian can cause quite a stir, no doubt. We do not know why another person participates in the holiday or why they do not. As Christians, why are we here in this world? Rebekah holds a BA in Urban Ministry and Family Crisis with a Christian Counseling Minor, an MA in Religious Education, and is a Certified Professional Life Coach. (Ephesians 5:11). The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Select personalised content. How many are calling forth the spirits of the dead? But, I also understand that Halloween may not be for everyone. A few of today's popular celebrations associated with Halloween have pagan roots stemming from the ancient Celtic festival, Samhain. We celebrate sweetness. I am not saying Halloween cannot be used for the unspeakable. Christians should not celebrate Halloween as a way to celebrate evil, death, and darkness. Well, do they? What Does the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) Mean to Christians? We must admit that coming from a Protestant past, Halloween was always something that was best to be avoided. It’s a holiday Christians can use to justify as harmless fun. Create a personalised ads profile. Is there a biblical way to observe this secular holiday? We were pretty much like all the other Christians within our circles. Ultimately, Christians must decide for themselves and follow the convictions of their own heart. She has made appearances on and consulted with sources including BBC, NBC, ABC, The Daily Telegraph, and a variety of other platforms. Most holiday celebrations have lost their original meaning with commercialism and may even have pagan roots. Over time our ideas of what Halloween commemorated and where it originated has changed repeatedly. During the 8th century in the diocese of Rome, Pope Gregory III moved All Saints Day to November 1, officially making October 31 "All Hallows Eve." To be honest, whether or not to celebrate Halloween is something I’ve struggled with myself. Develop and improve products. What Does the Bible Say About Burning Sage? Halloween might well be traumatizing for you, and with good reason. 5 Christian Celebrities Who Live Out Their Faith in Hollywood. And it’s a valid question. In fact, it is one of two high and holy days for them. In all probability, the dilemma over Halloween is a Romans 14 issue, or a "disputable matter." We should always strive to live a life that glorifies God. There is no fear in love. https://www.learnreligions.com/should-christians-celebrate-halloween-700763 (accessed May 24, 2021). All Hallows Eve: Is it a Holiday, Holy Day or just another ‘Evil’ Day? This holiday goes against God and should be avoided. Christian teaching. Woe to those who call evil good, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for deeet and sweet for bitter." How should Christians approach Halloween? Do the people around you know that Jesus’ life-giving sacrifice on the cross completely crushed death, along with the terror celebrated every year on October 31? These are matters that lack specific direction from the Bible. Everyone else is doing it! The Christmas most know is centered around pagan holiday celebrating trees and to think Christians gladly adorn their homes with trees, give gifts, etc. Many choose to boycott or ignore it, while a number of believers celebrate it through positive and imaginative observances or Christian alternatives to Halloween. However this tended to be because we accepted the tales of others, as opposed to making sure that we were … I am terribly sorry for what you have experienced — but, I do challenge you to see how our God is bigger than evil and bigger than sin. Christian should NOT celebrate HALLOWEEN. Why Is Holy Week So Significant for Christians? Learn Religions. List of Partners (vendors), Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Cavalry.". Members of the church decorate the trunks of their cars and hand out candy to children, it is expected that scary costumes and décor not attend. However, this feast commemorating the martyrdom of the saints had already been celebrated by Christians for many centuries before this time. Should Christians celebrate Halloween? https://www.christianity.com/.../should-christians-really-celebrate-halloween.html As Christians, we have the ability and the opportunity to celebrate Halloween to the glory of God. We celebrate the community around us. Scripture says that believers are supposed to "become all things to all men so that by all possible means" they might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). This pastor does not celebrate Halloween and neither does her church. A Christian Perspective on the Feast of Pentecost, Should Christians Be Reading "Harry Potter? But, Christians can participate in the holiday as a way to enjoy time with friends and family, engage the community around them, and be a light for Jesus in the hardest and darkest places like Halloween night. We all stand alone before our Master, and its his work to sort out what … It’s not uncommon for people to struggle with whether to celebrate Halloween. Measure ad performance. Typically, on Halloween night we would have something fun to eat and gather around the TV to watch an old scary movie. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). Christians and Jews donot celebrate Halloween because it is associated with Satanism and Paganism. Yes, you can because the blood of Jesus has redeemed Halloween. Celebrating this day may certainly give the appearance we are supporting evil things. When Christians celebrate or participate in Halloween, we say everything associated with it is ok. She serves as Director of PR for an international non-profit while also hosting her personal blog, RebekahDrumsta.com which focuses on recovery after religious trauma and spiritual abuse. It was believed that at this time of year the invisible "gates" between the natural world and the spirit world would open, allowing free movement between the two worlds. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Rawpixel. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Brother Bob: But let’s continue with both sides of the debate because some will say, “Well, even though it has those kind of pagan cultural origins, it’s just a fun thing for children to do. Why Christians Should Not Celebrate Halloween. Answer. Is it possible that our negativity toward Halloween only alienates the people we seek to reach? Actively scan device characteristics for identification. “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?” is a question that pops up every year. Period. All rights reserved. We cannot accurately judge the motivations and intentions of another person's heart. Paul allows the Corinthians to eat meat sacrificed to idols, but he warns those who can’t do it in faith to abstain. The answer to “Do Christians Celebrate Halloween?” may surprise you! Perhaps the appropriate Christian response to Halloween is to study the matter for ourselves and follow the convictions of our own heart. With no direct references to Halloween in the Bible, resolving the debate can be a challenge. Measure content performance. Still, other Christians believe in ignoring the day altogether — they turn off their porch light to avoid Trick-or-Treaters and go about business as usual.
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