Faith Magazine

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Q: Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

A: Biblically, the short answer is no. Here are some references I'll explain:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(John 10:10)

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
(James 3:16)

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
(Romans 8:5)

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 
(Mark 8:36)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Romans 12:1-2)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 
(Philippans 4:8)

And I think this is enough. But trust me, there are many more verses. So first off, laying aside everything else, Halloween is a selfish holiday You may say, 'Well, Christmas is, too! And Easter! And--' Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it right there. Those holidays have a true meaning behind them, despite what the world has made them in to! 

Yes, I do know the origin of Halloween. Read the external link and you'll see how wrong it is.

The question is: Why do Christians even celebrate? To get candy? (you know, you can head to a dollar store and buy a bunch of candy any time you want, it doesn't have to be on Halloween. Oh, and did I mention that you can dress up any time you want? There's nothing wrong with that!) This is the reason Halloween is just plain selfish. Yes, we are all selfish human beings, but you don't have to be selfish on this holiday! It isn't support-worthy from me.

Now, you may ask, 'Well, if we're going to be selfish any other time, why can't we do it now? Is it suddenly so wrong on this day?' Let me answer this for you.

Think about it, when you think of Halloween as a whole, it isn't a very pleasant holiday, is it? Dressing up as ghosts, witches, skeletons, and even {seemingly} innocent princesses! You dress up as something you're not to get candy. To join your friends to seem "cool". To participate in the "fun" of dressing up.

It's not even about it being "the devil's holiday," as some people say. Although I agree, it is, there is a reason. All leading back to "your" original question:  'Well, if we're going to be selfish any other time, why can't we do it now? Is it suddenly so wrong on this day?'

Read Romans 12:1-2 (written above). In Romans, it says not to conform to the pattern of this world. Halloween is a holiday man made up for superstitious reasons (people thought ghosts and spirits came to haunt, so they would "appease" them by giving them treats!)--at least Christmas and Easter have a true story of Jesus' birth and resurrection.

Now read Philippians 4:8 (written above). Now think. Be honest with yourself, too. Is Halloween a true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy holiday? No, really! Is it? I think not. God is the only one who can fit into every one of these adjectives. Halloween is not a Godly holiday whatsoever. 

Good news, though! You can eat candy, dress up, and do all that whenever you want! You don't have to conform and celebrate Halloween. Candy and dressing up are not bad things, the only bad thing about them is the reason behind it. Are you dressing up and getting candy just to be cool? Just to "have a little fun"? Just to participate like everyone else? Just because you can?

Think about the reason you're celebrating. (if you do)

Think: WWJD. I know, everyone has heard the whole "What would Jesus do?" thing, but seriously! If we want to be an example of Christ, we have to try and think what He would do. I am 100% sure Jesus would NOT celebrate Halloween. It is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy--all that Jesus is. He's too holy and righteous to do it! Since we became Christians, we have become a new person in Christ. Someone who lives to be all those things Jesus is. God cleansed our sins, we have no reason to participate in the things of this world.

Yeah, God wants us to have fun, but for such selfish, God-opposing, reasons? No.

In summary, Christians shouldn't celebrate Halloween because it isn't righteous. It isn't something we should be participating in, nor does God want us to. God wants us to stay pure and live our lives for Him, not live our lives for the things of this world.