Thank you Holly. I have long had mixed feelings about Halloween, mostly because I feel like--as a good Christian--I should. But honestly, some of my favorite childhood memories involve creating fantastic costumes out of the dress-up trunk, running around our neighborhood with all the other kids, and sorting candy with my brother. I was never aware of any evil influence until I grew up and heard my fellow Christians talk about it. I still don't feel like it's harmful for my kids to dress up and have fun with their friends. So I'm going to follow your lead and know that, until I feel God striking true concern in my heart, I'm going to let go of that guilt imposed from the outside and enjoy watching my bunch of grapes, red power ranger, and princess laugh like hyenas!

Thanks for presenting this article online.
I too remember the carefree days of going round the neighborhood trick or treating and then our church also began a party that night as well.
Growing up in the city , the food tampering stories were abound and of course over time the number of houses we felt comfortable ringing door bells at
decreased.
When I hit my 20's I was able to find
out more of what was occultic about the
holiday and then decided I would never let
any kids of mine go to door to door out of
principle. It just didn't seem fun anymore.
Now almost 2 decades later our present church is hosting a harvest party and we let the kids choose if they want to wear a costume or not, but also provide candy bags at the end of the night so that those who choose not to go trick or treating do not feel "cheated" out of what
some of their friends will have picked up from their travels to the local Mall or some other "safe" ( but secular ), venue.
Most importantly its a chance to invite
non church goers to come and celebrate God's Harvest and "not live in FEAR" -2nd Timothy1:7

I am so glad I found this website.
I have been wondering if I should allow my children to participate in Halloween. Part of me said yes and then like the others part of me said no. I have chosen to allow my children to go to our Churches Harvest Festival too. They have such a wonderful time , especially when they see their friends all dressed up too.
Thank you for posting the link for the history of Halloween . what a wonderful tool to use when my children get old enough to understand the otherside to the party.

Timely topic, Holly. I have been ambivalent about Halloween in the past but for the last 10 years or so, I have felt strongly that since the Lord has made every day and every day is His, I use this day for Him.

I buy lots of Halloween tracts that are geared toward children and pass these out along with the candy when they come trick-or-treating. Of course, I pray about it during October and for those children, siblings, and parents to read and trust in Christ.

God says His word will not return empty but will accomplish His purposes (Is.55:11) so I trust Him for that and have a little fun in the process!

Thank you for this article! I never did much for Halloween growing up (in the country, not many neighbors) but am enjoying the fun with my children now. I have found Halloween to be a great way to meet neighbors! Everyone is so kind to my kids, and I love seeing everyone else's kids come to my door. I know some Christians believe that everything associated with the day is evil, but I believe that God has given us the gift of discernment. If we closed our doors on Halloween and didn't participate in our neighborhood fun, we just might miss out on some great opportunities for outreach very close to home!

great article.

a friend of mine, commenting in the Great Debate on Christian movie-watching habits, compared us to the baleen whale. this animal sucks in everything - sea water, grit, plant matter, rocks, etc. - and THEN uses its baleen filter to push out everything that's not nourishing and keep only the delicious plankton. likewise, the words of Jesus, that it is what comes out of a man, not what goes into him, that makes him unclean.

i'm all for co-opting the things of this world to use for good. why not? :)

I really enjoyed reading your perspective on Halloween. As a Christian, I sometimes feel guilty for allowing my children to participate in Halloween, even though for us it is a time of family togetherness (going to pumpkin patches and carving pumpkins together, baking treats and goodies, and creating costumes), not of darkness. I'm glad to see that there are others that feel this way and like you said, if God asks me to stop observing this day, I certainly will, but until then, I will continue to try and bring the light of togetherness as God intended into this day instead of hiding in fear of what might be in the darkness.

Great post!

Thank you so much for this article. My birthday is on Halloween. This holiday was especially great for us as children-all the candy from trick or treat, AND cake and ice cream. I used to cringe when I'd hear people call this day the "day of darkness" or "Satan's Day". This is my birthday-a day of celebration!!!

With my own children now, I try to keep it in perspective. I have never "forbidden" Halloween, but, I've never had too. It's just "mom's birthday".

:) Fawnda

That's for your article. Even though my children are grown now, I've always struggled with Halloween and am now in a place to influence young moms in their decision. Our church didn't have a 'Harvest Fest' when the kids were growing up and I'm not sure I would have sent them anyways.

I've always felt that Halloween should/can be a great time of fun and fantasy without being dark and devilish. Thus, my children were never allowed to dress as devils, witches, goblins, etc., but also didn't have to dress as a Bible character. There's plenty else out there to have fun with! They never seemed to be in want after an evening roaming the neighborhood with Dad in tow to get as much candy as their bags would hold.

As another said, this is a great holiday to teach your children about discernment.
Keep up the good work!

Thank you Holly. I have many friends in Christ who tell me that Halloween is about evil. What you have written has confirmed what I have always thought about Halloween.

Holly says: Fawnda, what awesome perspective it offers me to think of Halloween as your birthday! In that context, I remember that every date is merely a day, and we make that day whatever we put into it. Each day/date might be a holiday, a day of celebration, a day of mourning, or just an ordinary day depending on our mindset and our actions that day. If we are willing, every day can be a day of thanksgiving and worship--if we dedicate each day/date to God. Thanks so much for sharing; it's giving me a lot of interesting ideas to ponder!

I LOVED this article. I am 51 and childless and am thinking this is an awesome thing to suggest for a project at my church. The outreach possibilities are endless! We have a youth director who is always looking for ideas-the Harvest Festival is a great one. Thank you for your perspective!

I loved Halloween as a kid and since it falls during my favorite time of year, it seems to tie in with what I like about the autumn season.

I believe that everyday is the Lord's day and that most people consider it a day to wear costumes and collect or give out candy.

I pass out children's Bible tracts that are made specifically for trick or treat along with candy and feel that by doing so, I am shining the light of the gospel to a dark world that may not know Him instead of shutting my door or going elsewhere because its "safe." I look at it as an opportunity to share what I most treasure and that is the love of Christ.

reminds me of eating the foods of the idols in corinthians...it was considered ok because idols were worthless anyway. the baby christians were bothered for a time, but the mature/seasoned christians said it was fine because there wasnt worth in their dedication to the idol anyway.

Holly,

Bravo! As a Christian, free lance writer, and a contributing editor to an educational publication I was thrilled to see your article on Halloween. I'ts a matter of finding God and good in everything. Thanks.

Judy

Probably, with the same enthusiastic wonderful memories as Holly, I too remember my mom dressing me up. They should have declared it to be a hoiday, for everyone daydreamed about what they would be at 3:00, when school ended. I would go out with my pillow case and bring back lots of treats with my other sisters. My parents would be so excited to see us in our costumes. My mom would have hot chocolate ready for us when we came home and we would talk about our adventures with her, it seemed for hours. Those memories we hold in our hearts and cherish forever. I hope my children, and granchildren do too.

We live in the country so Halloween hasn't been an issue. Our church is doing a harvest party and that will be wonderful - I don't want them having a ton of candy - but to be with friends is great.

October 31st is also Reformation Day! Instead of focusing on the negative - celebrate what Martin Luther did in his courage to confront a corrupt religious system and draw us back to the truth of Scripture! Now that is something worth celebrating!

This was GREAT! Thanks!

thank you holly--after rededicating my life at 46(3 years ago)--i have had some struggles of world vs christianity issues--thank you for helping me feel ok about how i feel about halloween!

I agree that it is just another day that God made, and it's only what we make of it. My concern is with all the horrible images that come into my children's eyes and hearts during this time of year. I have to be aware of which street to drive into my neighborhood on, so that my innocent children don't see the dead body mutilated by a lawn mower, or the horrible decorations and costumes in the stores and sale ads. I just don't believe God wants those images in our children's hearts. I was deeply convicted a few years ago as we met gruesome costumes in our neighborhood during trick or treating. I would not allow my children to see a movie with those images, so how is it different to parade them around in the dark to see real live people walking around with horrible wounds, etc, ? I just feel like God is very sad as He sees his innocent little ones taking all this in. I WANT my kids to be disgusted and turn away from these things. I'd love to see others' comments on this issue.

everything that does not glorify God should be avoided by christians,as the devil can use what we think is insignificance to hurt us eternally,any festival/ceremony that does not bring glory to God should be avoided and not celebrated,let us focus on the ones Christ himself asked us to do in remebrance of him and we will be blessed.

I believe that Holly has closed her eyes to the meaning of Halloween and has her eyes opened to the wonders that God has given us during the Harvest season. Don't celebrate Halloween, celebrate the beauty that God gives us this time of year. We need to celebrate all the seasons and weather that God gives us.
If you delve closely into the history of all the holidays you will find that none of them our from God.

When my children were young, we went trick-or-treating and I just didn't let them dress as anything evil or scary. But one year, God started to convict me about taking part in this holiday. It centers around everything that is the opposite of what we stand for as Christians. If we don't teach our children to stay away from those things, we are not preparing them to stand up and be loyal to Christ in other areas of their life later. I am not opposed to fun, but I do believe we should avoid even the appearance of evil.

I do not believe we should encourage celebrating a holiday in which evil is elevated and glorified! As much as we would like to "justify" it because of our personal wants of keeping it as a part of our lives, we become a participant. The Bible does say that when we become "born again", we are a new creation! Think about it....the Holy Spirit, who now reigns within us, leading and guiding our lives in Christ, celebrating a holiday(holy day) that is "evil oriented"??? MAKES NO SENSE TO ME!

on an island in Lake Erie; the residents all meet at the Town Hall and celebrate with the children; with games and prizes; by this time in October most of the summer residents are gone and to "trick or treat" to many empty houses would not be fun for the children;everyone wins a prize; sponsored by the School Board!Great way to educate everyone!!!Its a special place called "Middle Bass">

I ask that before you ready my response, that you pray. I ask that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, would open your eyes, ears & spirit to what He would have you receive from this.
I was raised in an occult family/community. Yes, they are real, alive & well in the US. Only after a decade of Christian counseling, prayer ministry & deliverance & cutting of all old ties, including family, am I free. I have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness into His Kingdom of Glorious Light! I have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Oh, my precious LORD, how I thank & praise you for the awesome transformation you've made in me.
I have reall all the above responses. for the most part, my heart sank. How could my sisters in Christ partake in the celebration of such an unholy holiday?
Well, as a mom, I can more than understand. Dressing up in silly, fancy, sometimes gorgeous costumes is an experience all children should have. Candy. What other "loot" is more valued by little ones than that? The family bonding that comes from preparing for these things is great. But...
I know the true reality of the holday. The original reason, purpose for it is still actively executed in this land. All the information in His Word concerning pagan rituals, festivals & holidays are true, as is all of His Word. They aren't some sort of gross exaggeration. Nor are the practices dead.
Oct 31 is & always will be a day to celebrate. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice & be glad in it. But our LORD didn't instill the holiday of halloween.
As for some of the responses from other readers, "when the Lord tells me to stop, I will". My dear sisters, how many times in His Word does He tell us to not be yoked w/unbelievers, to not partake in their festivals? Why is that not a good enough reason for you?
Would you allow your children to participate in Chinese New Year because the colorful dragons, flowers & fruit are so beautiful? Or how about an eastern festival because they dress in white & dunk themselves in water to cleanse themselves of sin? All the time you were unaware of the fact that these people also beat themselves w/chains & cut their children w/knives to release their sinfilled blood? Do you see? Do you understand?
Just because you partake in only the pretty, fun, seemingly innocent part of a pagan ritual, that doesn't release you from the consequences. By doing so, you're coming into spiritual agreement with this unholiest holiday.
As for eating the food of idols as in Corinthians. Yes, it was done. But it was done to begin to win these people for the Lord. To befriend them so one day they would trust & be open the the Truth when it was presented to them. Is that why you participate in halloween? To win people for His kingdom? Or is it because it's just plain FUN? Come on, be honest. It's not been easy raising 2 children who haven't been allowed to participate. Forgoing halloween has been part of their being living sacrifices. They've been teased. My husband & I have been yelled at. Well, they've had awesome costume parties for their birthdays. Butterflies, bums, princesses, robots, pirates & even Thomas the Tank Engine have had cake in our home. On Oct 31 we will celebrate the day the Lord has made. In the evening we have put the tv & vcr on our brightly lit front porch. We set chairs on the front lawn. We serve hot cocoa & hot cider (made by our own hands w/Christian friends, dozens of them. Obviously we enjoy & celebrate this autumn time of harvest!). What's on the vcr? Veggie Tales! Our yard has been a resting spot for tired, tiny, precious "halloweenies", as we affectionately call them. Teenagers hang out because there's hot drinks & food! We've been questioned & have shared the Truth. We've also been cursed. Halloweenies have asked if our children can have some of their candy. The answer is always, "yes". Candy is not the issue, unless we let them eat ALL of it! Let me leave you with this picture from the past. A tiny "Darth Maul" came up to our porch. Dressed all in black. His red & black mask was pushed to the back of his sweaty head. His little elbows were resting on our front steps, his chin in his hands, watching Veggie Tales. Bag of candy? Left somewhere in the colorful fallen leaves.

I still have mixed feelings about Halloween. My children have gone to the neighboring homes for candy and to church for harvest or reformation parties. They enjoyed both. For them it was just fun to dress up and get candy. I have always given candy out as I did not want to be like the "grinch". But one thing I have learned... most of the holidays we celebrate as Christians were originally pagan celebrations that we "re-created" to have new meaning just as our lives have new meaning in Christ. So, perhaps, even though this one seems particularly bad in many respects; we can do the same with this. Each person, each family ought to do what the Lord leads them to do. Loving others being a guiding factor.

i agree a lot with what pam wrote a couple of postings back. i don't want my little ones taking that in. many of the decorations and costumes are horrific. like other writers also, i am in favor of an alternative church/harvest/fall celebration to keep kids off the streets and their thoughts away from all that's going on out there that night. you know, it's kind of like free advertising for the devil... billboards and costumes and sin and death all tied up with a bow (a bit dramatic, i know, but true, don't you think?).

HOWEVER, similar to another previous poster with a halloween birthday, my soon-to-be-2 year old daughter's birthday is on halloween! that absolute last thing i want to do is dampen her day by talking about the darkness that goes on on day (please don't think i am saying that little children dressing up like ladybugs, etc... is darkness. i am refering to the evil that actually is celebrated that day and all of the gore and demon and satan costumes...).

does anyone have any thoughts or more encouraging words about how i can frame this day up for her? in the beginning i can ignore the darkness and just celebrate her day but when she is in grade school i know i will have to talk to her more about discernment and the origins of the day becasue she will ask.

thoughts??

I will not have anything to do with Halloween, as I have seen the intense Evil that is out there. I've talked with those from countries where they really see the good and evil and to hear their take on Halloween, and how it is used in their cultures by those that are witch doctors and such, really gave me a better perspective on what's really out there. when in Bible School, we had some African students share what Halloween is truly like when you see it from their prospective, and the pure evil that they have felt on that day. I can really see it, as I have personally looked evil in the face and know how cold and scary it feels. I'm not sure if Christians really get what Halloween truly is. It's Satan's day. I honors Satan and all he is for. I don't think if Christians really knew what it was, they'd be able to indorse Halloween, or even kids dress up parties on that day. Have a party that kids can dress up on, any other day besides October 31. I think people need to open their eyes more and see what Satan is doing to the Christains with this day.

Holly says Pam, thanks for giving voice to a most important issue. There certainly are a lot of evil images bombarding kids at this time of year. In some ways, it's a magnified version of the world year-round. Even in vigilant families, children will be exposed to suggestive and violent images from billboards, TV commercials, magazines in a grocery store check-out line, stuff other kids bring to the schoolyard, or words overheard while walking anywhere in public.

So what do we do? Prayer is important, as is offering kids as many positive images as we can present. For example, imagine a child grows up in a home that's decorated during autumn with pumpkins and leaves, a cute scarecrow in overalls, a cornucopia, and beautiful fall colors. Imagine if a child is allowed to dress up as a butterfly, a train conductor, or something else they love for Halloween. Imagine this child bobs for apples, or dips them in caramel. Or visits a cider press and takes a hay ride. If a child sees those images and develops happy memories, I suspect they'll be more likely to desire the same positive experiences as adults (and less likely to want the dark, scary alternatives).

I have a strong childhood memory of going to trick-or-treat at one darkened house where the homeowner announced over a speaker, "The witch that lives here wants to have your head ... I'll have your head!" I was terrified. I didn't want anything to do with whoever was in that house. Even as a child, I realized I wanted my Halloween to be about fun costumes, brightly lit homes and smiling faces.

If a child is told, "We don't participate in this day," I wonder if they will later associate the fun they perceive others are having (and perceive they're missing out on) as consisting of monster costumes, horror movies, and all things evil.

It is certainly important to shield our kids from as much violence, filth, and evil as we can. Perhaps it's equally important to fill them with images of the beauty and good God has given us. Maybe if we make God's bounty the norm in our churches and families, the yucky, typical Halloween trash will seem a lackluster alternative.

We as christians should use this time of year to spread the light of Jesus Christ. I wish this was my idea, but it wasn't. Our church has decided to adopt a lights on at home night. We have taken a bible verse, along with our church website and placed on a label. Put the label on a goody bag or a full size candy bar. So when the children or parents check out their loot, the word of christ has been given to them also.

I love this idea..

I am very disturbed by this article. Glorifying Halloween as if it was a celebration that God would admire and bless us for keeping. God hasn't asked you to stop? Honey, God's been asking His people to stop engaging in idolatrous activities since the beginning. You know the history? How has that not touched you? You can't make something that is so stemmed and rooted in devilry Christian by calling it a different name or removing the evil symbols. God cannot be mocked. This holiday is Pagan and Wrong. It's this kind of thought that makes Harry Potter seem okay because kids are into it and it gets them reading. Instead of seeing it as Witchcraft, Idolatry, Paganism, and now Homosexuality! When are we going to open our eyes. We are supposed to be different.

"When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed that you are not ensnared to follow them ... Do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' YOU SHALL NOT WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD IN THAT WAY; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods ... Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; YOU SHALL NOT ADD TO IT nor take away from it" (Deuteronomy 12:29-32).

When are we going to stand up for God and His truth, instead of making up our own.

Dear Holly,

From one Holly to another, I must pronounce that I too, love Halloween!! Like you, it is also my favorite holiday! Thanks so much for your article. Halloween for us is about fun, creativity, candy, pumpkins, hay rides, etc.! I will not deprive my lovely kids of such fun...and the occassion also bears my favorite childhood memories!
God bless you, Holly!

~Holly M.~

Dear author Holly:
I do not know your experience in
Christian life, discipleship, maturity in
Christ, or any other credentials you may
or may not have to declare so emphatically whether something that is
so very polarizing (right vs. wrong) is
actually okay or not. Does being a good
writer, or having an opinion that is well
thought ought give credentials to be able to declare to a larger than average audience (not just a local congregation in
which a discussion with the local pastor would provide a fairly clear stance as to what is appropriate or not) what is right
or wrong for Christians across the board?
If this was a discussion on the topic of should Christians drink alcoholic beverages, you know as well as I do that it would be very polarizing.
Using our own experience as the major basis for declaring the legitimacy of something that can create disharmony within the Body of Christ, by well-meaning Christians on both sides of an issue, is
simply not kosher. Even Paul the Apostle was careful to address difficult issues quite carefully with legitimate biblical
precedence whether men's hair length,
observing Lord's Supper, or women preaching.
I can think of a 1000 (okay, I will adjust it down to not so great a case of hyperbole,
and say just 100) things that deserve our attention more than whether an individual Christian family ought to let their child participate in Halloween.
Better blessings (not luck...there is no such thing) next time.

We don't celebrate Halloween

Holly says: I'd like to reiterate what some have mentioned here: Halloween isn't the only holiday with pagan roots. Christmas and Easter fall into that category, too. The latter two were transformed, thanks to the efforts of Christians who I believe were moved by God to create something worthy of celebration.

I suppose an argument could be made for Christians to not celebrate any holidays: St. Patrick's Day equals drunkenness; Fourth of July equals a celebration of war/violence; Valentine's Day may have roots in pagan fertility festivals. Even the gleam of Thanksgiving is dulled when the perspective of Native Americans is considered. The Europeans would unlease disease and unfathomable cruelty to the native people. Some believe Squanto, the Native American who helped the pilgrims, had earlier been kidnapped and forced into slavery by European traders. Yikes--suddenly our most warm-and-fuzzy American holidays aren't so sweet after all.

In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to worship him through numerous celebrations and observances, including Passover (the traditional Christian communion is derived from Jesus' observance of Passover), Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Purim and Sukkot, to name a few. The aforementioned Jewish holidays--which can be found in the very same Bible Christians read today--were designed to remind the Jewish people of all God had done for them. I've taken part in some of these celebrations, and I can vouch that they're either really fun, deeply contemplative, richly meaningful, or a combination of those. This brings me to conclude that God approves of his people celebrating, as does Ecclesiastes 3, in which we see there is a time for everything, including laughing and dancing, and that it's good for us to rejoice and enjoy what God's given us.

As a Christian, I am not glorifying the evil origins of Halloween, but rather recognizing (as Redeemed commented above) that it is a day God has made and I can recognize his goodness. Redeemed, I think we're on the same page: You are doing something on Halloween (watching Veggie Tales outside and serving hot beverages to your neighbors), as am I. I don't see any distinction between your activity and mine--and that's a good thing. As I mentioned in a comment above, I believe it is very important to give kids (and adults, too!) images and experiences that reflect God's beauty and love.

The activities in my church's Harvest Festival consist of fun costumes, candy, pumpkin pie, and carnival games, such as a "Fishers of Men" booth. We attach a tag to balloons that discusses what it means to be a Christian in terms a child can understand. None of these activities are an observation of pagan rituals, none are traditions of Samhain or the like. I truly believe this church activity is pleasing to God.

The name "Halloween" is actually a Christianized term: It means the night before All Saints Day (All Hallows' Eve). In truth, the word "Halloween" is a much better name for a Christian festival than a scary movie!

I stand with "redeemed'. Praise God for what he's done in your life. And if anyone should know about what's behind holloween is you. Thank you for your words of wisdom and truth. I used to celebrate holloween with my first two children up until seveteen years ago.Then they were 9 and 11 years of age when we were saved and the Lord radically changed our lives.When I found out about the meaning behind holloween,that was when I decided not to have anything to do with it.And I explained to my kids why we were no longer going to particapate in it.Sure they were a little bummbed out about it,but,they lived!And I have raised my 14 year old with the same godly truth about it.I don't like to pussyfoot around the truth.And like some other moms have said,you can dress up on other days like birthdays to experience the imagination that is in all of us.Lets use this day to share in love, the gospel of Jesus our Lord.2 Cor.6:14-18 says that we are light and light has no communion with darkness.And to come out from among them and be seperate.My son doesn't have to go begging for candy when I could go buy him some.We go to the church down the street to enjoy the ministry that's going on there.No one is allowed to dress up from the church.And also, it's easier to see who they need to minister to.They have something for every age.And my son hasn't missed out on anything.I know I'm not perfect,but,I don't want to disrespect my Lord.God bless you and guide and direct all your descisions.
Sandy D.

TRICKED OR TREAT

The true story about Halloween…

A fun Holiday or a Trick? What do you think?

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being Priest for Me. Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”

Halloween originated with the Celtic civilization about 300 years before the birth of Christ. The Celtic lived in what is now Northern France, Britain and Ireland. The Celtics worshipped many false Gods. They were ruled by Kings who feared a secret priestly society named Druids. The Druids had much power and ruled by terror and sorcery (witchcraft).

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Celtics immigrated to America. With them they brought their filthy traditions and their false gods. These traditions & customs quickly spread among the people of America. Americans have always and still search for the truth and the “something more” out there. Because we did not take time to research the Celtics customs, we have allowed their traditions to evolve into a “fun holiday”. This fun holiday has consumed the United States with terror, taking with it kidnapped and sacrificed to the glory of satan. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!

One of their most powerful god was the god of death “samhain”. Better known today as satan, the devil and or lucifer. It was said that this god of death would allow the spirits of the dead to return to their homes on the night before the New year began…According to the Celtic calendar this was on October 31. Food was to be placed on the steps of the homes of where the spirits were to return (that is how the tradition of the pumpkin came about). If the spirits came home and found no food waiting for them, they would put a curse on the family living there.

The Celtics walked in such fear that they would run into an angry spirit, that they would dress up as spirits in hopes that they would be passed up as being one of them and not be harmed (this is where the tradition of dressing up in costumes and going from door to door saying “Trick or Treat” originated).

In the 18th Century, the Pope established “All Saints Day” on November 1st. This was an attempt to separate Christians from the practice of the evil Druids. Because of the closeness of the date, the ungodly festival moved right into the Church backfiring on God’s people. Halloween originated as an evil celebration giving honor to satan. By reading into the activities today, we can see that, it hasn’t changed at all. Halloween still serves the same spirits, the same god and the same purpose as it did over 2000 years ago.

Cannot do without the celebration? Then do it the right way! Give out bible tracts, and children’s’ Christian books with the candy. Here’s an idea, COPY THIS ARTICLE AND GIVE IT TO THEIR PARENTS!

As parents, your responsibility is to PROTECT and INSTRUCT your children keeping them from physical and spiritual harm. As you have noticed, communities are emphasizing “SAFETY” during Halloween. This is no coincidence. They are very much aware of what goes on during the Halloween period. Satan wants to destroy children. Protect them from the evil that enters their lives during the Halloween season. Fear and spirits can follow and torment them for the rest of their lives, handicapping them with worry, shyness, timidity, and insecurity.

Give honor to God and put aside the unholy practice of a pagan religion. I ask you this: “Would a man be pleased if his wife committed adultery one night out of the year just for the fun of it?” In the same way, God’s Heart breaks when He sees this nation of His chosen people celebrating Halloween. It is considered an act of spiritual adultery, one of satan’s clever schemes to separate us from God (interestingly enough, Harry potter comes to mind)! The WORD of GOD leaves no room for compromising. We are told clearly in Thessalonians 5:22 to “abstain from all appearance of evil”. Now that you know the truth, do the right thing and avoid the participation in the celebration of satan’s holiday.
CHOOSE LIFE! Confess JESUS CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOR, TODAY and live forever!

“That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart, man believes unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. Romans 10:9-10

I understand where all of these loving good intentioned mom's are all coming from because I too struggled with the fluffy part of Halloween (the candy and costumes etc.)! However I have to agree with the rest of the other good intentioned mom's who have made the decision to opt out for Halloween in the name of Jesus. I like to ask myself what God is going to say to me on JUDGEMENT DAY regarding this issue and He WILL ask. Ultimately we need to ask ourselves how on earth does this UNGODLY holiday GLORIFY God in any way shape or form. I don't think all the santanic or cultic people or those dressed so are out looking for all the light and fluffy christian kids and families out on Halloween because that's NOT what Halloween IS no matter how we try and justify it. I believe as Christians these are the areas in which we need to come together in prayer and fight evil this way. As one reader said are you really trying to be a light as much as you are worried your little ones are going to miss out on a some seemingly harmless fun? Let's also take the time to pray for those babies which are taken from their mothers wombs on this night in particular to be murdered and offered as a sacrifice in a cult, is this something we're just going to ignore so our kids can have a little fun? As for another readers comments about Christmas and Easter being pegan holidays as well. Your right there are some pegan traditions associated with these holidays. HOWEVER, as Christians we celebrate Christ-mas as Christ's birthday and the world know's this christian or not. The same with easter, the world know's this holiday IS the death and ressurection of Christ. Halloween however has NO God honoring tradtion to it what so ever, it screams EVIL and it would be naieve to think otherwise! Let's remeber that satan is the prince of darkness!

Holly, I am a new creature in Christ. Both my husband and I celebrated halloween when we were little. I agree that we had some happy memories, but that does not make it right. Think about it like this: people sleep around, do drugs, and other things before they become converted in the Lord. They did these things, for the most part because they made them feel good and were "happy" times. But when we invite Christ into our lives, we are made new, and leave behind the things of a child. As a society we have got to stop using the commandments, and the word of God as a spiritual buffet-we pick and choose the parts we want to obey and follow. God's word does not change. Far be it for me to act like I don't battle things of the world, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking it is o.k to pick what is convenient or easy for us to follow. Children learn what we show them, and the more we dilute the Word and make it suit what we want, the more children that will be raised up thinking that way. My child attends a church function that has Bible trivia with prizes and bingo. Costumes are discouraged but no one is turned away because of them. We strive to get the Word of God into their little minds and pray that it will grow and bring them to Christ. Lastly, the comment was made that until God says not to. . . Come on people! It's supported in the Bible. Do we need God to actually come down and say "DON"T DO THAT!!!"? You don't hear people saying that about murder, lies, etc. Again, the spiritual buffet. Do we honestly feel entitled to reap the goods of the world but not responsible for the reprecutions? The wages of sin is death. May God bless us all & give us knowledge and understanding. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him & He shall direct you path (Pro 3:5-6)

Dear Sister,
your article has some good points, but i do not agree with the general idea. Yes, the Lord made the day, the pumpkins, the leaves, and yes, He CAN use this day to glorify Himself.. but how can a holy, righteous God be possibly glorified in a dark holiday like this? I must admit i was suprised when you said the Lord did not tell you to stop celebrating halloween, yet in the paragraph above you mentioned the Bible verses that 'you considered'. Sister, consider this thing: when Israelites were redeemed from Egypt, Yahweh told them on more than one occasion to never follow the customs of the land they were going to receive. And for most of the Old Testamet, we see how God punished them for ignoring the command. Those were left to us as symbols.. God does not change. If that made Him sick back then, He will not be happy today either. And check out Deuteronomy 7:26 in regard with the holiday's decorations.

In His Name,
Your Sister.

Holly,

I'm another Halloween- Loving Christian!!
Great Post!!

Christian 27 yrs!!

I have never understood the dilemma over Halloween..anything can be made to be thought of as evil if one puts their mind and imagination to it...I guess I have always thought this discussion silly...God is my only Father and that is where all my faith rests is with Him...

I allowed my daughter to go with her friends we spent a lot of time making her costume on of her favorites was when she went as a bad of M&M's after the trick or treating the kids went on a hay rack ride then to a party at the church...it was always good clean fun..well after the game find the worms in mud (chocolate pudding) maybe they weren't so clean, but it was a good time...

Holly,
As I read the posts after your article, had one person said what the elephant was wearing in the room I could have moved on, but they didn't.
I understand you enjoy the holiday personally. But you made a commitment when you decided to follow Jesus that what you enjoyed came after and was subject to what He ordains.
The very same scriptures you listed that discuss idol worship and not associating with darkness is what Jesus says. You stated God has not told you not to celebrate Halloween, but He has. He said It in His Word , Scripture. You are looking for another justification to do what you want, and not what God has clearly defined as something that He abhors.
Your love of the structure of the Harvest festival and doing it seperately is wonderful. That way the kids are getting to do the fun stuff you enjoy, but just like with Christmas, Christ's Church has been constantly trying to "compete" with the pagan holidays and bring a sense of holiness to an unholy days. Being to close to Oct 31st could also just be confusing to them. Maybe October 1st where it really can be the Harvest festival and not something my church is doing so that I wont celebrate Oct 31st.
Before you feel I am attempting to offend you, let me share that as a Christian I no longer celebrate Dec. 25th. It was a decision I was led to make after viewing Scripture, and realizing that once again I was placing Jesus name on a holiday where I never gave Him anything, but felt all my activities were "in His name". they were not, and it was a tough thing to do. I just wanted the holy feeling associated with lavish spending, and carnal and pagan activiities months prior.
It did not honor him to set aside time to viewe him as an infant. He's my mighty God, and when he returned to heaven he clearly stated what to do in remembrance of Him. There is nothing I miss out on. My family celebrates Thanksgiving together and we don't honor the Pilgrims, we celebrate being with each other and what the year has brought, and we pray and thank God for each other. No forced label. We even share gifts "I am thankful for you" gifts. No forced label of Jesus name on a holdiay where either I have or I have allowed my experiences, traditions and reasoning to set my own expectations. Scripture is the sole and final authority. And there are wonderful festivals God has that would allow you to have way more fun than the world's Dec 25 or Oct 31st. It is a season festivals with parties, prayer and remembrance. And it is found in the bible. Please ponder what I have shared as you go into this holiday season. Be more cunning than our enemies, and be more courageous to hear God's voice through His word as the sole and final authority. Yours in Christ.

I don't have kids of my own yet, but I am a nanny to 3 toddlers. I worry about them not only at Halloween, but at Christmas, Easter, and whenever they lose their first tooth. We so often teach our kids about Santa, and the Easter bunny right along side teaching our kids about Jesus. We build up their faith in these things and glorify all the things they get from these characters, and then one day when they're older we strip it all away. I think this makes it hard on kids when it comes to having faith in Jesus. It's too easy to think for children, well if Santa was just a lie, they could be lying about Jesus too.

As for Halloween, I believe it needs to be handled carefully at best. The only way to avoid it's influence entirely is to lock yourself and your family away for the months of September and October. However, I think we need to instruct our children that the evil things they are seeing are not pleasing to God, and are not funny. I also think we should instruct them (gently as they get older) that evil is a real and present danger, and that our hope is in the Lord. Our society mocks evil and thinks its funny. We should teach our children to Fear the Lord, and not these evils, as long as they are washed in the blood of Christ. I agree with all the posts that say we need to use this holiday for the Glory of God ( and all days). This should be a great time to do that, as all of the evil and scariness and terror that we laugh at now, will someday become a reality of fear for many at Judgement day. The Bible verse I'm teaching the kids this week is Isaiah 41:10 " Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." I don't want my kids to be afraid of what they see, not because it isn't real, but because Jesus has overcome all evil!

God Bless!

I encourage every reader of this blog to read the posts thoroughly. After reading several comment boards, I've noticed the trend of taking pot shots at the women who have thought through their topics within the context of their own lives, prayed through them, and bravely offered their perspective. They are just people like us who have been given the gift and opportunity to write. So please don't treat them like they're single-handedly ruining Christianity. Some of the deep anger some readers feel would be better directed at involving themselves in discussion rather than the conclusive questioning of the writer's credentials. After all, I have yet to see one of these women say they own all truth--why should we claim that we do as readers? They accept our comments with grace and dignity and humility. We are all students of Christ and when we lose the humility of gentle discussion, we humiliate ourselves...and probably God, too. Though I don't think we should speak our own opinions on God's behalf: "In the same way, God’s Heart breaks when He sees this nation of His chosen people celebrating Halloween." I just don't think that God's heart is breaking when He sees His children in community with abundant joy, a unity sometimes lacking in this blog's community. If you re-read the post, you will see that the writer is not opening herself or anyone else (and it's all our own choice, she's just offering an opinion here, not telling you what to do) to the evil underbelly of Halloween in the same way most of us don't have imperialism on the brain when we eat our Thanksgiving turkeys. The post is riddled with thoughts focused on pleasing God and how God has blessed her and her community through this holiday, so comments like "Better Blessings next time" just don't make sense to me, because God is the Giver of Blessings, so that seems more critical of Him. God is powerful enough to make good from bad. So while we do have a responsibility to be aware and to make our vulnerable young ones aware of the historical origins of EVERY holiday, rather than choosing to hide and condemn, we can stop living in fear (2 Tim. 1:7!) and choose to love our neighbors every day of the year--including October 31. I hope everyone enjoys the day, basking in God's light--which is not EVER extinguished by the darkness, so let's not try to hide it even more.

I have great faith that God knows my heart and my motivation for participating in Halloween. Am I glorifying Satan or am I celebrating family & community? Is it about coming off as a religious nut (and to non-believers who hear you accusing them of glorifying Satan for allowing their child to dress up as a bunny and collect candy ... you do come off at the very least as a religious nut) or is it about reaching out to my neighbours ... making much about their children ... the cute ladybugs & spider men that come to my door and giving them a treat and maybe a tract or Adventures in Odyssey tape.
It's about standing shoulder to shoulder with my neighbours by the bonfire and drinking hot chocolate and watching fireworks. It's about making connections with people who we'd like to reach for Christ ... I have a deep security that God knows me intimately and knows what the true motivation is for my standing with my neighbours instead of apart from them.

We no longer celebrate
halloween either for many of the non halloween posters reasons...my kids while they miss it they get it.,,, My struggle has been with scrapbooking what do I do with those pictures...I see them as high places..and I have stopped scrapping them and this year I will remove thoise cute little pics of the kiddos...WHY? well I didn't scrap the pics of me as a teen getting high ...I don't see the good in it. it could be a high place for my teens.
I also grieve over the fact that my Aunt and Cousin have introduced Halloween to thier small town in Sweden and over the years with thier pumpkin patch and junk we used to send them they now have Halloween parties...this is not a recognized holiday there (for good reason those Lutherans like Reformation !) now they have it & it saddens me and I guess I need to repent of my part in it.

ok just my 2 cents

Holly says: In response to B. Rosenquist, I would reiterate the focus of my blog post:

Christians have long tried to redeem Halloween from its pagan origins through All-Saints’ Day, Reformation Day, and alternative events, such as my church’s Harvest Festival. I believe in continuing to try, if only to remember that even in seemingly encompassing darkness, there’s a Light (John 8:12).

B. Rosenquist, I've heard the arguments you made before, and I'm in deep disagreement with your assessment. In my blog post, I did not state what is right or wrong for Christians across the board. I addressed what I have done, and the perspective the Holy Spirit has given me personally. I don't believe everyone is moved by the Holy Spirit to the same conclusions. Halloween will be very different for someone who was raised in a home where witchcraft was practiced, and the Holy Spirit will likely lead them to make choices that differ from mine.

I used my perspective as a springboard from which to begin a conversation. The intent of such discussion isn't to form a conclusion of what is right or wrong. It is to get people thinking, to encourage some, give ideas to others, and to cause us all to consider our perspectives and allow God to broaden, change, or solidify them as he sees fit.

Such conversations (including topics which some might describe as "polarizing") are much needed within the church. There is a dangerous practice of assuming everyone who is a Christian will come to the same opinions and conclusions. This wasn't true of the early church, and it certainly isn't true today. If we refuse to openly discuss issues, silence leads to two major problems that are far more divisive than the discussions themselves. First, those who are not in agreement with whatever is deemed to be the majority opinion feel ostracized and dismissed. (Sometimes, this "majority" opinion isn't even held by the majority, but rather, whoever can be the loudest.) Second, those who hold the "majority" opinion have tended to make it a requirement of Christianity. Many times, I've heard other Christians insinuate, and even tell me outright, that because of my stance on a particular issue, I surely cannot be a Christian.

God has moved me to discuss some very controversial issues for this purpose. Beyond the core beliefs of Christianity (such as one true God, death/resurrection of Jesus, salvation by grace), God has created his people with a uniqueness that lends to differences of opinion. I'm not saying Christians can believe anything they want. There are some clear biblical guidelines on some topics. But on many others, Scripture could be used to defend or refute a position--and people on both sides of any issue are often quick to state, "This verse here proves I'm right, and my verse is better than any you're using." That's why I'm very careful about using Scripture. I study Scripture, then prayerfully consider what God is showing me in the Bible and through the experiences he's given me.

Most importantly, I don't dismiss people who have thoughts that differ from mine, because I feel that's like saying to the hand, "I don't need you." I want to hear how God is leading them. I want to positively challenge their thinking, and have them challenge me. I believe that's a big part of how God changes us.

I believe Halloween can be--to use a "church word"--redeemed. I believe Halloween can be a day on which God is worshipped and a time for him to touch and change people. I would never tell someone they are wrong for staying home on Halloween. God has different purposes for us all. Discussion helps us recognize how God has lead each person to a certain conclusion.

When we discuss issues with respect, and with our focus upward, God can use our words to strengthen his church.

What strikes me most after reading the preceding posts is that the ones with the most substance and credibility are written by those who are NOT in favor of celebrating Halloween. This is because you can't argue with God's Word, which is clear. Holly, did you ever consider that maybe God is trying to speak to you using the words of these fellow Christians? If so, I hope that you have "ears to hear", and experience the conviction that should follow. One of our jobs as Christians is to hold one another accountable for our wrongs, rather than to say "yeah, go for it, thats sounds good", while making provision to please our flesh. I understand that you say you are trying to turn this holiday into something that honors God, but how is that possible considering its origins and current predominant uses? Why is it that you are so set on observing this holiday, when you could just as easily create your own God-honoring harvest celebration at another time during this season? I just don't get it, it seems to me like your main focus is about upholding the fun and traditions that you've experienced in connection with this holiday-not about taking a stand for God. Even a babe in Christ (Kristie) can see the wrong in the message that you are trying to portray. I believe you are compromising on this issue, and although I too had lots of "fun" celebrating Halloween as a child, I know that I have a high standard to uphold as a child of the living God.

May God bless you all.

hi here in england the way we celebrate halloween is different kids dress up like the devil, skeletons anything dark and witch like, i do not want my children taking part in anything like that, friends of mine do have light parties similar to you harvest festivals, games good dressing up, sweets activities etc, i think i will definitely consider this for next year, tonight my kids invited a few friends round, ate sang played games and just had fun together, while the rest of the street dressed up like witches and ghosts and went out trick or treating, but hopefully next year i may be able to get them to all come to a light party with no scary costumes!!

thanks for the article. I really like this time of the year too and especially halloween. I have very fond childhood memories also, but the best memory or event of all happened to me on Halloween. That was actually the night that I accepted Christ as my saviour. Halloween, October 31st happened to fall on a Sunday that year. Church services that evening had been dismissed early so that members could attend the local Halloween Parade. However, God had other plans for this 9 year old girl that night. On the way home from services I asked Mom and Dad about God and His plans for me. They called our minister and that night I kneeled in front of our big brown sofa and accepted Christ. I have also enjoyed the idea that on All Hallowed Eve - Satan's Night I accepted Christ. There's a slap in your face for you Satan. So my kids have grown up enjoying the kid stuff of Halloween and I have always found another reason to celebrate.

Again thanks for sharing your article.

my children do not go trick or treating they do not dress up as devils ghosts witches, as is the custom in england, but we did decorate 2 pumpkins with crosses stuck a jesus is the light of the world poster in the window and had a few friends round for food music and fun

Holly,

Thank you so much for your outlook on this holiday! In today's society, once poplularity "latches on" to something it doesn't let go easily. Yes, if you dwell on the evil that people try to get away with on this day, sure it could be called an 'evil' holiday! Men made this holiday, not God. So therefore, men can make this holiday a day for God in the way they choose to spend their time on this day! I would much rather my children have wonderful experiences with the church and the festivals we take part in every year than sit at home and dwell on what they could be doing! Last night, my family took place in a festival at a church members house, it was AWESOME! There were over 35 cars there and the kids got to "Trunk or Treat". We live in a small community in the south, and my children have never before been able to trick or treat at 35 houses in one night! Call it idol worship or pagan or whatever! It is what you make it! My family chooses to make it a night to worship God! Keep up the good work Holly! and God Bless!

Great article Holly!

My church too held a Harvest Festival and it was great fun - we all shared a sense of community and thankfulness for the bountiful harvest. Certainly, I dont want my 2 year old exposed to violence and scary costumes and as such we try to avoid those things as much as possible.

On the 31st, I took my son trick or treating in our neighborhood. I specifically chose to go to homes where I knew childless or elderly neighbors live because I knew they would enjoy seeing my little one dressed up as Bob the Builder. There was nothing evil or satanic about this day nor our participation in it.

People should just lighten up and let their children be children and enjoy this day which like so many other pagan holidays has been co-opted into Christianity. Its best to celebrate the positive in life than to hunker down hoping to hide from all things evil - both real and imagined. There is no better way to combat evil than to live our lives to the fullest, loving and helping each other, all in the name of Christ.

As I have read through the various comments, I find it sad that some can be so dogmatic and legalistic, thereby judging their fellow Christians - Paul exorted us to live in harmony - at all cost. He also said that what is right for one may not be right for another. I think it's ridiculous that, as Christians, we would waste so much time and energy on fighting over something like this.

I can respect that for some this holiday may hit too close to some really awful childhood memories. It is a stumbling block for them. It's good that they recognize this and abstain.

I also can respect (and relate much better) to those who have fond memories of celebrated times spent with friends and family. Those who have this perspective should take advantage of this strength and ue this time to reach out to those in their community who have never met Jesus.

God can use ANYTHING to reach His lost, and that is the bottom line of everything in this life. You think Halloween is bad??? You should research how the Occult celebrates on Christmas and Easter!!! Every day belings to the Lord, and every day satan wants to kill, steal, and destroy. "Halloween Day" is no different.

Each of us is part of His body and each of us has different strengths and weaknesses. Each of us has a significant job to further His Kingdom. But I believe I can say quite conclusively that very few will be reached by legalistic or dogmatic approaches to life. We are called to love God and love one another.

If you can do that through celebrating Halloween - go for it! !! If not, find something positive to do with your time that evening and don't look down on everyone who is not like you. God Bless!!

please dont forget though that there are people out their who worship the devil, are into witchcraft and occult stuff and that night more than anyother will be great for them, people all over dressing up in horrible costumes thinking its all a " bit of fun" while they pray for the break up of christian marriages, for the devil to reign etc be careful do not let your children think halloween is all innocent and lovely IT IS NOT , we have to be careful what we let our children associate with and we want our children to be children of the light not the darkness!!

Christians celebrating Halloween? Just the meaning of the word should be enough for us to realize this is not a holiday for us to be a part of. Don't be confused christians.

Great article, Holly and great post Yanira. Children came to trick or treat at my mother's nursing home and these little ones brought nothing but joy. My memories of Halloween are so positive. MOST of us commenting here went trick-or-treating as children (and even watched Casper the Friendly Ghost) and still grew up to worship and love God. Why do we think our children are any less able to do so? To them, it's just a chance to play dress-up and get candy. Evil is in the human heart, not the holiday.

I stand firm and agree with redeemed! My children and I do not celebrate halloween. It is nothing but witchcraft. Nothing but a tool for the devil to use to kill, steal and destroy. For every thing that is true and real, there is a counterfeit and halloween is a counterfeit of celebrating Jesus. People do not be deceived. The enemy is on the prowl...willing and readily available to attack.

Hi;
I too was curious to know what was posted on this site about Halloween.
But I disagree with taking part to a pagan holiday now that I am a mother of a teenage girl.
We are to be the Light of this world, not blend in with the darkness. We sometimes compromise because we think since we don't hear Gods audible voice, it must be okay. But his voice is the Bible. He is the same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. It must be for a reason guys.

It's probably better to teach our children early on so that later- they wont be compromising to all the different ideas and religions that will and have already come forth. Especially for their coming generation-
I choose to teach her now so that she will be founded on the truth that was given to us very early on in the word.

I choose not to partake.

I grew up trick-or-treating and thoroughly enjoyed it. As an adult, l learned all about the pagan origins of the holiday, but I don't feel guilty about still enjoying the holiday. I think that as long as Christians use discernment, such as not wearing or allowing their children to wear costumes associated with death, witches, etc. then you should be ok. And I think that a church having a fall festival on that night is a great to reach out to the unsaved and redeem the holiday.

Speaking of which, I find it amusing when some Christians criticize others for enjoying Halloween because of its origins. Both Christmas and Easter are based on pagan holidays, and both of them incorporate pagan symbolism into their celebrations. I look upon it as a spiritual thing: we're fighting the devil, taking away what he is trying to present as pleasurable (pagan holidays) and using them to point people towards Christ instead.

Thanks, Holly for a great article.

I, too grew up trick-or-treating every Halloween. Afterwards, my friends and I would meet back up at our little church, where we would bob for apples and play lots of other fun games...all the while dressed up as clowns, hobos, bandits, and yes, even witches! Along with all that fun, the love of Christ was shown to me through the people who organized the fun.

We now live in a community where many of our friends don't celebrate Halloween. Like many other issues that don't directly deal with salvation, my husband and I feel it's up to the individual as to their personal preference. Some of our friends have gotten in our face with their views, but ultimately I believe it comes down to the fact that we are the people who are personally responsible for our children's spirtual health & welfare...no one else. I'm certainly not the perfect parent, but my children (ages 16, 13 & 8) love God and have a very close relationship with Him. They have also dressed up every Halloween since their birth. There have been issues that the Holy Spirit has convicted me of...and some of them were things I didn't want to give up because I derived some measure of pleasure from them. But, never once have I felt the Spirit urging me to cease this activity. When I do, I will.

I believe the enemy rejoices when he is able to convince Christians that they should stop having fun on Halloween because it's a day for evil. God gives us each day, and he gives each person the choice on a daily basis to choose good or evil. Unfortunately some choose evil...this day, among others. Some choose good. I think the more good we do on this day the more likely we are to turn away evil...whether that means going to a church festival, giving out tracts, providing nourishment to weary "Halloweenies", or a respite for their pooped-out parents.

I believe this day, as with any other, is what you make it.

I enjoy taking my children out dressed up and my family loves my children stopping by to get candy. I think that though halloween has pagan origins, its meaning today is mostly meant as a children's holiday. After all, Christmas was also a pagan holiday. I think too often parents who try to act too religious instead of be Christ-like in their hearts tend to forget we celebrate Christ's birthday on a pagan holiday. The point is what we do on that holiday. If you decide to treat your children out to a special activity on that day, you would be celebrating halloween. I do not celebrate boxing day, so I do not have an alternative reward for my children. It makes no sense to say I do not celebrate a holiday, but every year on that exact date, my family does something else for the occasion. I am, however, disgusted at the evil that does go on. We visit family, so my children are not exposed to that sort of evil. I focus more on teaching my children the value of modesty(something you do not see on tv) among other more important life lessons and I focus less on what other people think are my motives for allowing my children to dress up as princesses and get candy from their grandparents.

so happy to read all the responses on this topic. as a new or re-newed christin it is very important for me to follow god, i just had never heard of halloween being the devils holiday. i am still looking into it and am ready if god lets my know that this is not something i should join in on.
my kids and i went trick or treating. all of us dressed up, myself included. we enjoyed all the children and familys running around. spoke to all the neibors who did a fantastic job decorating their houses. everyone had a good time. a good time doesn't make something right, so i am keeping my heart open from a word from god. i know in my heart i was celabrating my children having fun, and not the devil.

I just move to the United States a couple of months ago, from Panama, Latin America, where we fight to get Halloween celebration out of our country, because we feel is a foreign / pagan tradition. And it's so sad for me to see how Christians in America, sucumb to this practice. What is it about you that want to conform to the world. I don't understand why you always want to be like by everybody, to the point in which you will justify celebrating this holiday, by engaging in some sort of "modify halloween evangelism" What is that all about? We need to be serious about our beliefs, if we are not, how are we going to tell non-christians that Jesus is the thruth and the light, when we twist our beliefs to be likeable? Furthermore, how can you be a parent that will rather be "flexible" so that your kids won´t feel bad, because everybody else is getting customs, etc. Come on, you need to build character on your kids. They need to know the reality of Halloween and know that it is not an acceptable holiday for Christians period. Nothing is going to happen to them, they may cry a little, but you will teach them the values of integrity and of being true to who they are. You don´t see other relegions compromising their beliefs to make others/themselves feel good. Halloween is not for Christians to celebrate. Get over your childhood memories, I also have memory of things that felt good, and I did before I knew Jesus. They are part of my past, now I know better, I know the thruth. Maybe our parents didn't know better either, they didn't know much about the background of Halloween, But now we are parents and we do know. So there is no excuse. Stop justifying yourselves. Stop being lukewarm.

COME ON PEOPLE!!!!! Those that oppose dressing their children up for Halloween are certainly coming across as holier than thou Christians! Your comments have me believing that every child/parent trick or treating is an atheist and in need of saving. I am Christian, my neighbors are Christians. We all participate in the tradition of family fun.
As a child, I dressed up as a werewolf, a vampire with fake blood dripping out of my mouth, among other things. Yes, I am a female! I was not a bad child. I did not worship the devil, neither did my family. I did not celebrate evil spirits or worship strange idols. I got straight A's in school, went to college, went to church and youth group continuously, volunteered in my community and still do. Halloween was simply a night to dress in silly costumes and receive treats from kind, loving, Christian neighbors. (who by having their porch light on, making each child feel special by ooing and aahing over their costumes, and lovingly and graciously giving a treat to them showed Christ's love even on a night that you deem to be evil).

You better not celebrate Santa Claus, either, as he originated in this country as a Belsnickle, who put on a horrid mask and visited the homes of children and whipped the ones that were deemed naughty.

As far being judged at the pearly gates and possibly not being allowed to enter because I let my children dress in costume for Halloween is absolutely ridiculous!!! Halloween is Harmless! I turned out just fine, thank you!

When the kiddies come to my door, I make sure they are blessed by 1) something on my doorstep that brings to mind God and good 2) not only candy in their sacks, but a printed documents reminding parents and children that God is bigger than the real witches and other evil and that they can call on the name of Jesus when they encounter this evil 3) a verbal blessing as they leave my doorstep 4) a silent prayer for their safety, protection and that they will come to know Him.
In the words of a wise little child: 'I love Jesus, I hate the real demons and witchcraft, I don't like the scary costumes, I like to dress up silly or pretty and I love to go out and get the candy.'
Here's an idea: How about teaching our children to see Halloween as a 'mission field' rather than something to be afraid of. As they fill their bags with candy, they can hand the giver of candy a printed document telling them of Jesus, and wish them a 'God Bless You, Jesus Loves You'. When they get home and before they count their candy treasures, they can pray for the lives that they touched!
Let's take Halloween for Jesus!!

When the kiddies come to my door, I make sure they are blessed by 1) something on my doorstep that brings to mind God and good 2) not only candy in their sacks, but a printed documents reminding parents and children that God is bigger than the real witches and other evil and that they can call on the name of Jesus when they encounter this evil 3) a verbal blessing as they leave my doorstep 4) a silent prayer for their safety, protection and that they will come to know Him.
In the words of a wise little child: 'I love Jesus, I hate the real demons and witchcraft, I don't like the scary costumes, I like to dress up silly or pretty and I love to go out and get the candy.'
Here's an idea: How about teaching our children to see Halloween as a 'mission field' rather than something to be afraid of. As they fill their bags with candy, they can hand the giver of candy a printed document telling them of Jesus, and wish them a 'God Bless You, Jesus Loves You'. When they get home and before they count their candy treasures, they can pray for the lives that they touched!
Let's take Halloween for Jesus!!

I live in Australia and some people are trying to get this practice off the ground here.
It is not well accepted and for that I am glad.

I do not believe that Christians should celebrate on the night Satan and his followers, witches and the like celebrate their big night of the year.
How can we be overcoming Christians if we leave ourselves open to this insidious, and appearingly innocent custom?
Satan uses anything to come between us and God that he can use.
How sad that so many have accepted this practeice and can see no problem in it.
We are called to be different to the world. I sometimes think it is very hard to pick the Christians from the worldly these days. How very, very sad and disappointed our Lord must be when He sees these things!
Remember the golden ram! The Isrealites saw nothing wrong with that either!!

All of my years growing up, I celebrated Halloween. My daughter celebrated it too up until she was about 9 years old. This all changed because one night at church, the pastor spoke about the origins of Halloween and my daughter and myself were changed that night. What really happens on that night in many communities in the USA and around the world is something I will never forget. I don't care what pretty package Halloween comes in, the inside is ugly. I'm really surprised that so many Christians on this board think it's ok.

Wow. There is so much useable and not so useable information here. Let me start off by saying, as a new christian (I was saved as an adult, almost 6 yrs ago) whether or not to continue to participate in Halloween was a very hard decision for my husband and I to make. The Bible speaks clearly against such practices as witchcraft, adultery, murder, etc. I don't know about you guys but the word Halloween does not appear in my Bible...not one time, which left me with 2 things on which to make the decision- my interpretation of what is in my Bible and my ability, because I am a child of God, to discern his voice. This evil spoken of in this blog that exists and takes place on Halloween is very real...and it doesn't just take place on Halloween. How do we overcome evil? We overcome evil with good. This idea that by locking ourselves in our houses and refusing to acknowledge any day that The Lord has made is somehow "glorifying God," I believe that's a lie from the enemy. The Lord took me, secular and sinful and of the world, and made me a new creature-righteous, redeemed and holy. Why couldn't he do the same for October 31st? I agree with the above poster: The Lord created the day, man turned it into a "bad thing" but it's not the day, it's the man that's bad. So, after yrs of back and forth (which I have to admit:this indecisiveness stemmed from my deep desire to be a "good christian" and do what other "good christians" were doing) we decided to let our children both take part in the "Fall Festival" our church put on and trick-or-treat. And watching my 5 girls create memories with each other that will bond them together and live on long after we're gone...it was priceless. I watched them run from house to house (my 3 year old "bunny" bringing up the rear, with her little cotton tail peaking out from underneath her sweater) and I marvelled in the fact that The Lord took me, a sinner, and not only made me the righteousness of Christ, but added to my life such unspeakable joy as those beautiful children. There was nothing but love in my heart for The Lord, those children and everything "good"...and in no way was Satan glorified. Period. So let me end with 3 things...1.) I am a godly Christian woman who lets my children dress up and trick or treat on Halloween, and I'm no longer ashamed to admit it for fear of what my "do-gooder" Christian friends will think of me. 2.) When I get to heaven and I find myself before Jesus...I will be blameless in his sight, not because of anything I've done, but because of what he did for me! I doubt very seriously whether or not I participated in Halloween will even be something we discuss-ever and 3.) I have also decided after reading this blog, to sit my 3 yr old down this weekend and make sure she understands the origin behind "St. Nick" and that the man in the red suit we see today is not "Santa Claus", nor does he live at the North Pole and have reindeer that fly.

I don't think Holly or anyone else for that matter has to explain to anyone their reasoning for doing things. Chrisitans have this nasty habit of categorizing and judging actions and wasting precious time and energy. God came and was concerned about the motive of the heart, the condition of the heart. There are 2 important things that Holly said that most of the dissenters did n't even catch. If God asked her to not participate she wouldn't and that being sensitive and aware of people around her was what was important. We all need to reread the bible sometimes, where Jesus was upset at the pharisees, it wasnèt for doign the wrong things, they did all the right things outwardly, it was for having the wrong motive the wrong heart. Who would Jesus be more pleased at a christian who offers candy, meets her neighbours, builds relationships to have opportunities to share Christ or someone who shuts their doors and lights and says you and what you do is wrong and we want no part of it. Actually it's a tricky question. IT's only right IF it is what Gog told YOU to do! And as such there is no need to question how God directs others- when we're busy with making sure we're aligned where He wants- I find little time to judge the actions of other Christians.

I have read thru 2/3 of the posts and it makes me sad to see Christians who think it is ok to manipulate God's Word for their fleshly desires. This time of year is the worst for me and my 15 yr old daughter. We both exclaim every year how much we hate it simply because it is so glorified by so many individuals. Some who don't even celebrate or decorate for Christmas, go overboard for Halloween. Now I know that decorating for Christmas is rooted in paganism, but isn't it ironic that these individuals go so far for Halloween? It isn't surprising though. God said there would be a falling away and let me tell you from one who had experienced such a falling away in the past, satan doesn't come full force speaking in an audible voice telling you to turn away or believe this or that....NO, he is subtle, coniving and deceiving in a way that you don't realize it until it is too late. I just heard a sermon recently how many use the Word to make Christianity into something easy and feel-good. Being a Christian means being Christ-like. Who can honestly say they could see Jesus in today's world celebrating Halloween in any way? We as Christians should be educated enough on the holiday to know its origins and what it stands for and no matter how many past great memories we have or how much fun we may feel we are missing, we NEED to stand up for Christ! It is much easier to justify why one celebrates than to stand up and explain to non-Christians why as Christians we do NOT celebrate. I will honestly say that I miss trick or treating with my children and all the fun times we used to have. I LOVED dressing up myself. The last halloween I celebrated I dressed up as a sexy witch. Yep, that's right. Funny thing is that even though I was backsliden, I justified it to myself that it was only in fun and didn't mean anything spiritually. How deceiving the enemy can be, huh? My children and myself have always loved scary movies and that made halloween even more fun and exciting since the tv was filled with every horror flick imaginable....now it makes this time of year just a time of temptation and spiritual battle, but that is what we take on when we become Christians. We are called to seperate ourselves, to be different. You know the old saying that if it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck and acts like a duck, it must BE a duck. Well, doesn't the same apply to Christians? If it looks like a non-Christian, lives like a non-Christian, acts like a non-Christian, then is is a Christian anyway? We are called to stand up for Jesus especially when it is hard...we are called to be different even if our flesh wants to partake...we are called to DENY ourselves...and we are called to be a perculiar people. I used to go out drinking and dancing and getting stoned and still remember having lots of fun and "great" memories, but I don't do that any longer because I have put away past things when giving my LIFE to the Lord. Sometimes I have those temptations when remembering the fun, but quickly remember who is behind those thoughts and why denying those temptations will ultimately result in blessings from God and a richer reward in heaven. I can try the argument that pot is a plant and God made that plant so I am just celebrating a creation of God's by getting stoned or that it isn't as dangerous as drinking, but I read the Bible and test the spirits and KNOW without hearing God audibly saying "DON'T DO THAT!" that He has already said that in His Word unless I want to twist the scriptures to benefit my fleshly desires. I am not trying to condemn or judge other christians, but I HAVE to stand up for the Word and Jesus no matter who it offends. Some things are just blatantly WRONG and celebrating Halloween simply because you have past good memories or because it is fun, is not a biblical based decision that God is pleased with. This may or may not be the popular decision among Christians, but I know it is Bible based and sound. If we as Christians do not stand up for what is wrong and participate because it is fun, how are we seperating ourselves? What shows we are different or perculiar? DO NOT BE UNEQUALLY YOKED!! There is no except in that verse. You are to witness and be a light, but not participate. People can say this is my opinion, but it is more than an opinion....it is Biblical!! I had a particularly difficult time this year as I live near Universal Studios where they had a special Halloween event with Freddy, Jason, and others.....I sooooo wanted to go and have fun getting frightened and dressing up and visiting the haunted houses as my daughter also admitted, but did we do it? NO! We stood for what was required of us according to God's word and denied our fleshly desire realizing it was a temptation from satan that God permitted because He knew we would have an escape and would be there to help us resist. Instead, I purchased Blue Man Group tickets for the 23rd of Nov so me and my daughter have been looking forward to that and not feeling we missed out on anything with an evil origin. I believe God will honour both of us for our decision to stand for Him and not give in for fun's sake justifying our fleshly desire based on past experience from a time we were not serving Him. Being a Christian is not supposed to be easy....if it were, then many more would jump on the bandwagon. The road is narrow and many will not make it.....many will call Lord, Lord but I will say I never knew you. I don't want to be one of those! I am not looking for a feel-good gospel...I want the REAL THING!! Even though the road is hard, the trials many, the temptations painful, I know that in the end, none of those things will matter and all will have been worth it even "missing out" on Halloween!

I would apologize for possibly offending some, but I cannot since I won't apologize for the truth of the Word that does offend many. If offended, ask yourself if maybe it is really the Holy Spirit speaking to you thru these words. I never try to offend anyone, but I will NEVER put icing on the bible or my Christianity for anyone's fleshly feelings, not even my own as tempting as it can be at times!

One thing I wanted to mention that I forgot is that even before I fully came back to the Lord and was in my unknown backsliden state, I ALWAYS told my children there was no Santa or Easter Bunny! We celebrate Christmas for what it is supposed to stand for....the birth of our Savior and not some magic man who crosses the world to leave toys. What message does that send to the poor and homeless children that get nothing? That they must be bad since they didn't get any gifts from santa? How horrible!! Since giving my life back to the Lord, every Christmas morning we have our own "service" with bible reading of Christ's birth, how he died for our salvation and share in our own communion of matzo bread and grape juice after each person says a prayer. We do this immediately after waking and before anything else. As for easter, my children know it is a celebration of Christ's resurection and NOT some fairy tale bunny satan has concocted to detract from Jesus. What will our children stand for if we don't stand for the truth and teach them from as early an age as possible? I can't even imagine a Christian talking or teaching santa and the easter bunny unless they are not serious about their faith. Teaching these things only takes away from God and means we are saying that lies are ok for fun. No wonder the world is so horrible....even "Christians" are not standing up for the truth and Godly values but rather give in for what? Acceptance by the world? To have some fleshly fun? I caught some harsh reactions and words from non-christians for teaching my children there was no santa or easter bunny, but I didn't care because they have a solid foundation to build on called Truth!

And contrary to what some have said that we will not be asked or judged based on what we did on Halloween or if we teach things that take away from God, don't be deceived! We will have to account for ALL things we have done and all decisions we have made and had better have a better answer than "it was fun!" I don't see Jesus saying "Oh, well it was fun! Ok then...enter into heaven!" We are not called to feed our fleshly desires or be accepted by the "world" because it would be too hard to stand against their thoughts and beliefs. Jesus did not have an easy life and didn't go around concerned with having fun over what He was called to do. There is a mission field every day and fields are ripe but the workers are few. The mission field is there EVERY day, not just on Halloween. That is an excuse. My Christian mentor won souls to Christ BECAUSE she didn't celebrate Halloween. She was kind and helpful to her neighbors every day and when they felt comfortable enough to ask why they didn't celebrate Halloween, that was the opening Jesus used to show them who He was. It was after that when they said they wanted to visit her church...not while trick or treating appearing the same as the world and everyone else. She took the hard road that we are called to walk and God blessed her richly for that. It may not be comfortable to be different, but if we are serious Christians, it is what is required.

I agree with the readers that don't celebrate holloween. I feel very strongly about making a strong stand and not getting involved in things including celebration of holloween that clearly do not honor or edify God. I agree that in participating in this event you are going against God's commands and leaving yourself open unprotected against the evil that is more prevalent on that night. Its great that there are people out there trying to bring the word of God to nonbelievers on that day but i also feel that many might be using that as an excuse. I don't believe that the Holy spirit will convict people differently on this issue and as a result divide the body of christ. I believe that is the devil deceiving people into thinking that the holy spirit is leading them to believe its ok because they dress the day up with pretty costumes and enjoy good food, treats and have fun. The Holy spirit clearly convicted me that is wrong to participate and when i saw other christians participating in it my heart sank and hurt on behalf of God. I tried to think to myself if I was being judgemental by feeling this way but God revealed to me it was not my own reasoning or feelings that were to blame but that it truly is the conviction of the holy spirit. I used to celebrate it and i know from my own experience how detremental it is to your soul and you don't realize it. Thank God he has opened my eyes to avoid many things of this world that only seperate us from God. When you don' t have such a close relationship with the lord its very easy to get deceived and tend to justify, waterdown evil things that the flesh likes to indulge in. I don't have any children yet but when i do, i will not let them participate in holloween or other events that will clearly seperate them from God. There are plenty of healthy alternatives. As one of the readers here posted God has not changed nor his commandments. Some of us need to be more aware of the effect our actions and decisions as christians have on the rest of the world and not just our immediate surroundings.

I enjoy celebrating the beauty of Autumn with my children. We bake pumpkin pie, play in the leaves, make fall crafts, talk about God's creation, etc. Usually there is an opportunity to dress up in an appropriate costume. Recently, it was because some friends of ours were studying the middle ages and hosted a "show and tell". My 6 year old daughter had a lovely gown and my 5 year old son went as a knight.

We don't celebrate Halloween. I can't find any goodness, love, purity, etc in all the gore, scary costumes and haunted houses. I don't see the need to find an "alternative", either.

As they get a little older, I'd love for my children to participate in handing out candy with Bible verses or other treats with a Christian theme. I see it as a great opportunity to reach out in love to others! However, being in the world and not of it means that while we love people because Jesus died for them, we don't always choose to participate in the same "fun" activities. Halloween is one we are happy to forgoe. :)

Hi,

I'm writing this from an Asian perspective in Asia. I live close to many 3rd world countries whose kids don't even have a single candy on any given day.

In Asia, everyone (Christians and non-Christians) knows the presence & impact of the evil spirit that is haunting the world. Nobody would want to joke about its reality, be it dressing up in devil's costumes or making eerie sounds. Some appease the devil out of fear, while most others have nothing to do with them. There's no grey area.

Nobody celebrates Halloween except some westerners who are posted here to work.

To an Asian, the west is supposed to be Christian, because missionaries came from there. They brought us the Good News. They taught us to be set apart, different, sanctified for God. It is difficult for us to understand how a Christian country is still enslaved in such pagan festivals - whether you call it Satan Worship or just plain cultural fun. To us, it is very much pagan.

I have no answer as to how you can get out of it, or Christianise it. The churches in Asia are praying for you because we love you and appreciate you.

Thank you for this blog. It is amazing and insightful.

Lucy

I am very disappointed in Christianity Today for allowing this sort of comment/topic to be discussed as broadly as this.

There seems to be a lot of tolerance in Holly's topic. Halloween, no matter how you try to color it, is a celebration of darkness and evil. There is nothing wrong with October 31st. It is God's day just the same as any other. The problem is with the celebration of the darkness that has been associated with the day. As Christians, we should have no part of this....PERIOD!!

I can not believe that you would post a comment condoning such a holiday. Does Christianity Today really believe there is no problem with Christians celebrating darkness? This almost seems like an encouragment to celebrate this holiday. You now have to take the responsibility of for those people who were struggling with this issue. You may have just persuaded them that it is okay to celebrate darkness. No matter what you call it, when you dress up and take your place among the darkness and the celebrating of, you are giving place to the devil. You are playing with fire.

My family does not celebrate this holiday of darkness. Shame on all of you that do. We go through the day as if it were any other day and expect God's blessings. He was taught the reason for the day and why we don't celebrate it. He totally understands and has never asked questions. We take the time to pray for the safety of all the children, not only for their lives while running around out there in the night with a bunch of careless drivers, but for their souls to not be scarred by what they are taking part in. Parents are so interested in what others will think of them or their children, that they are willing to sell their souls and those of their children.

The bottom line is, celebrating this holiday is wrong. Repent before it's too late. You will stand before God and answer for it someday.

Holly, shame on you for condoning the celebration of Halloween. Christianity Today, shame on you for allowing this to happen.

Holly, you have used your voice to give place to the devil. Anything that causes this much controvercy, can not be Godly. You will be held to a higher level of judgement. Any person who has been convinced to ignore the convictions that they were feeling toward the celebration of this holiday, their blood is now on your hands.

I am unsubscribing to this site. I want no part of any tolerance toward the celebration of darkness.

Shame on you Christianity Today. If this is you are about, I want no part of it. It's no wonder people are so confused about Christianity. You have reinforced many feelings concerning Christians. How dare you use your voice in this way. God have mercy on you.

Thank you Jill for your clear and concise message. I absolutely agree with you in every point.

While some might think we are being judgemental they are really missing what the world tells us on how to live life in christ. It is difficult since many will be offended by the truth but being lukewarm christians that straddle the fence on certain issues is most certainly an abomination to God and he will spit us out.

God bless you all and I will pray that God continues to tug on our hearts so we may continue to seek purity of spirit and allow ourselves to be humble and accountable to our fellow christians and God's word in its true form.

Dear Holly,
Thank you for your insight. My family does not celebrate this holiday because we felt God convicting us when we were newlyweds that it was a holiday that we should not be a part of. I went trick or treating when I was a child, I even met my husband at a Halloween party! But for various reasons, we felt the Lord convicting us not to celebrate it. It has been difficult since we now have five children and they are all in public school and they are the only ones who don't celebrate the holiday. They are also the only kids in our church that don't celebrate the holiday as well! I do feel bad for my children, so I even talked to my husband about the kids going to the church's Harvest Party this year, but he reminded me of our comitment to God about this. I don't mind other people celebrating Halloween, not even Christians because I know that God convicts people of different things. For some it's about head coverings or women wearing dresses. For others it may be television or music. For our family, it is this holiday. If our children want to celebrate this holiday when they are grown, that will be fine, as long as God hasn't spoken to their hearts and told them not to! Thanks for letting me comment on this. So many people just don't understand why we have chosen not to participate. It's good to just be able to say because God said no and we are being faithful.

I think the subject of Halloween is a hard one for us as Christian parents. Do we let our kids go with their peers or do we stand up for our Christian beliefs as a family. The thing that bothers me the most about Halloween is some of the costumes that parents let their kids wear. This can be very frightening for younger children.
Our family has decided not to let our children trick or treat. Instead we have a candy hunt. The parents in our church all pitch in some candy, we put candy bags together, and go to the house with the best yard for hiding spots. We hide all the candy and then the kids run around and find it. The older kids help the younger ones. Then at the end of the hunt we divide the candy up evenly so that none of the kids feel like they have less. Next we have hot chocolate and play tag or some other outdoor game.
For the kids who are trick or treating we have small bags of chips with a scripture printed out and stapled to the bag.
We have done this for a few years and the kids who are involved in the candy hunt don't even want to trick or treat any more. They like it because they don't have to walk all over town, they get candy that they like, and they don't have to be frightened by scary costumes.
I do think that it is up to each parent as to whether they decide to let their children trick or treat or not. But my suggestion is to gives the kids an option and go from there.
Blessings
Jaimie

Dear Holly,

I have read your article, the posts from readers, and your responses. I'm so sorry that there have been some personal attacks on you, your character and your relationship with Jesus Christ. As a sister in Christ my heart breaks for you in that way.

I am a single mom of a sixteen year old young man. He has looked to me to provide him with guidance and counsel in his life, and I have tried to do the best I can through prayer, reading God’s word and with other resources available to me. The old saying that more is caught than taught is so true. I want to be a Godly example to him. I want to show him what it means to be a child of God and live my life in a way that is pleasing to God. When he is old enough to marry I pray that he finds a virtuous woman as in Proverbs 31, and I want to present him with a good example of what that woman should look like through my own life.

That being said, let me comment on how our family has (or has not) celebrated Halloween.

I, personally try to live my life as if God was standing right next to me every moment of the day, and because He is all present, all knowing, all powerful God, He is with me wherever I go, and knows everything that I do, say and think. No matter what I do in my life I always ask myself this question . . .will my actions, attitude, and words glorify Him? Will He be pleased? If the answer is no or if there is any doubt whatsoever, I am more than happy and very willing to abstain from any and all activities that could cause me or someone else to stumble.

When my son was young, I would explain to him that we didn’t celebrate Halloween the way other people did. We celebrated it much better!! Instead of trick-or-treating we would do something more special together as a family (well, it was only me and him) but it was more memorable and he appreciated the time we spent together. We made some wonderful memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. November 1st was always a great day too because we would go to the store and buy candy that was now 50-75% off. Talk about a great deal!

When he was about seven years old I explained to him what Halloween really meant and the history behind it. That day he made the decision that he didn’t want to partake in that holiday because it didn’t honor God. To this day, at sixteen, he has remained faithful to that decision. We still have our family day, but it isn’t tied into Halloween in the “traditional” sense.

Whether a person celebrates Halloween (or any other holiday for that matter), that is a decision they need to make based on their own personal convictions and the leading they feel from the Holy Spirit. I can’t say what is right for you just as you can’t say what is right for me. Prayer, scripture, and truly seeking the Lord’s direction are the only answers to this issue you have raised.

Being able to explain to a person why our family doesn’t celebrate Halloween is a perfect opportunity for me to share my faith and present the gospel.

Also, one thing I always keep in the forefront of my mind when it comes to what we do as a family is that God has called me to be the spiritual leader of my home, a good steward and protector of my family. It may be just the two of us, but my son belongs to God. I will do everything humanly possible to make sure that I honor God by raising my son for Him.

But more important than Halloween, we all need to keep in mind that this particular matter is a good topic of discussion, but it is not one that should “divide” the body of Christ. Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

The Bible is the authoritative word of God. We should hide it in our hearts, meditate and live our lives according to God’s directions. Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.

Even though I may not agree with you doesn’t mean I have the right to attack and belittle you. You are my sister in Christ!! I am so sorry for those who have done so.

Charles Spurgeon said this — “I must live as in the sight of God, as I believe I should live, and then let man say his best or say his worst, and it s