Subscription Lists

Point of Reference

    by Fred Price

Halloween - All Hallow Even A trick or treat?
Date Posted: October 27, 2023

Should Christians be involved in the celebration of Halloween? A good first indicator might be to consider the images it conveys. Ghosts, witches, monsters, blood and gore; the devil, demons, graves and black magic – symbols of evil or good, wholesomeness or unwholesomeness? Even the cry, “Trick or Treat!” is bribery if not a threat. Treat me and I won’t play a trick on you. Don’t and you’re in for it. For some, it’s nothing more than an excuse for bad behavior, you’re gonna get it either way!

Halloween falls on Oct. 31, one day before Hallow Mass or All-Saints Day, established in 835 A.D.; two days before All Souls Day established in 998 A.D. They are Catholic Christian dates, Nov. 1,2; established in part as a counter to All Hallow Even by honoring God, the Saints and those who have passed on in the faith. The differences between the ideals of love, redemption, life and light and those of fear, death, dismemberment and darkness being self-evident.

Fearing and revering the dead was – and still is – common to a number of cultures, sometimes clung to for no other reason than defiance of Christianity. The beginnings of Halloween apparently stem from the ancient Druids who believed Saman, the “Lord” of the dead, called forth wayward and mischievous spirits on this particular day to walk the earth. In fear and/or honor; they lit bonfires across the countryside to ward them off. The Celtic peoples believed “Halloween” to be the last day of the year, a time when the spirit world and the physical world intermingle, and was thus a good day to foretell the future; and that the spirits of the dead rose and visited their old homesteads. The Romans conquered these people and added to their observances the practice of a harvest festival, dedicated to the goddess Pomona; often represented by fruit-bearing trees. From this festival we may get the game of dunking for apples as well as our harvest/fall decorations.

But doesn’t this celebration mock both common sense and faith? Could it even be a form of pagan worship, however watered down? Some scoff at these questions, asserting that we mock our fears – and thus overcome them – by confronting the devil, demons, witches, etc. through our dress up and games; sanitizing the celebration in the process. So what’s the harm? After all, wind chimes were used originally to ward off evil spirits while dream catchers “capture” bad dreams. That’s nonsense and doesn’t really mean anything for us today, does it? Some look to rabbit’s feet, four leaf clovers, and horse shoes to bring good luck, making the sign of the cross to ward off evil. Isn’t it all just silly superstition?

The problem is the possibility of anything which may lead to acceptance of and dependence on – in any way, shape or form – something or someone other than God; and the inherent mockery and opposition to the spirit of Christianity by the spirit of anything goes, all is sacred, or nothing is. Even when done just for fun, we can become used to these garish displays and the silent messages they pronounce, at times being drawn into a deeper involvement in behavior that is anti-social, self-abusive, and uncaring of those around us. Granted, soaping windows and throwing corn won’t hurt much but how about spray painting houses and cars, throwing rotten apples and eggs at vehicles, people, and houses? Destroying property is common and many times starts with just a stolen pumpkin smashed on someone’s porch. Some have gone so far as to set fires, give candy with razor blades imbedded inside, demanding more than candy from the elderly, intimidating people to give what they don’t have or want to give – all in the name of fun! I realize not everyone participates in these types of activities; in fact, the majority don’t. Some trick-or-treaters go dressed as cartoon characters, princesses, or even angels as opposed to demons, devils, and monsters. (Many churches, including my own, offer alternative celebrations such as “trunk or treat,” encouraging kids to dress up as Biblical heroes.) But ask yourself, where else are the things generally accepted as representative of Halloween usually found? The occult, Satanic worship, the black arts; hardly conducive to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many will still ask – ‘What’s the big deal? Why should unbelievers have all the fun? Can’t we just clean it up; take the good, reject the bad, and enjoy ourselves?’ That won’t make us devil-worshippers, or a serial killer, will it? No, not for most. But who knows what will stick in a child’s mind, what questions will be raised, fascination and imaginings indulged in. Many bright, well-educated kids from well-to-do families get caught up in evil. (Bad behavior not being restricted to the poor, uneducated, or social outcast.) It can all start with a dare and excitement generated by something different perceived as an opportunity to rebel, shock and get attention. Games such as Dungeons and Dragons have inspired murder and passing exposure to the teachings of cults and the occult have led to active participation. A sense of boredom, listlessness and un-involvement in reality inspire people to seek out alternative answers to life’s questions as well as alternative lifestyles that are dangerous, antisocial, and just plain dumb. Bottom line: Are you willing to take ANY chance that this might happen to one of yours or someone you know? And while none of this is meant to damn anyone who participates in Halloween celebrations, it is meant as a warning to be careful.

The Apostle Paul gets right to the point of these types of issues when he admonishes Christians to, “Avoid every kind of evil.” (NIV) 1 Thessalonians 5:22, or maybe more to the point, “…all appearance of evil.” (KJ) In writing to the Corinthian church he advised separateness, not total removal from the unbelievers around them but a pulling away from all that was unclean. This was encouraged as an attempt to remove them somewhat from temptation and to make a strong, easily understood statement of purpose, intent, and non-acceptance of evil; a genuinely alternative lifestyle. ( 2 Corinthians 6:17) Pointedly asking “...what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and (the devil)?” 2 Corinthians 6:14,15 The obvious answer being, none.

Was this article helpful?
Rate it:

"Bible verse and quote" from Jan Couns

Bible and Quote - March 10-14

Read Article »
Biography Information:

Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.

Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker.  He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today.  Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.  

Got Something to Share?
LiveAsIf.org is always looking for new writers. Whether it is a daily devotional or a weekly article, if you desire to encourage others to know Him better, then signup to become a contributor.