To all my fellow Christians - do you celebrate Halloween?

Question

Anyone is welcome to respond, even if you aren't a Christian. But as for me personally, I choose not to celebrate Halloween, on the basis that it's a wicked holiday. Now, I am not a paranoid extremist- but I just feel in my heart that it's improper to celebrate a holiday where evil things are celebrated. I am not going to preach to others, and tell them what to do. I think people should decide for themselves.

But for my fellow Christians- do you pass out candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween? Is that okay in the eyes of the Lord?

The way I feel about this is that it's okay to give out candy to little kids, because they need to have fun while they're young. At the same time, however, I feel an urge to hand out Bibles or at least quotes from the Bible in addition to candy. In a way, I think that people should understand that Halloween is a wicked holiday. Am I an extremist for believing these things?

Please share your opinions.

Answer 1

Yes.

Answer 2

Yes, your view is extremist. It is the extremist views that keep some people from exploring a relationship with God.
Halloween was never a holiday intended to be evil in any way, ever. The day itself is only as evil as one cares to make it. Yes, it is decended from an ancient pagan holiday, but so what. It is now just a fun evening for children and their families. There are so many genuine evils in the world. How sad that "Christians" create evil out of something that isn't. As followers of Christ, let's focus on the real problems of this world. We spread the word best by how we treat others. Why not be the really kind neighbor that answers the door and compliments the little ones on their costumes? That would certainly be OK in the eyes of the Lord.

Answer 3

Well, I am not Christian and yes, my family and I do celebrate Halloween. Though some people may see it as a wicked festival that is simply not true. As people have already stated, it is a Pagan festival and commemorates those that have passed in the year previously. As a matter of interest, Halloween (or Samhain) also marks the start of the Wiccan new year. The trouble is, many people confuse Pagan and Satanism and assume they are the same religion. They are not, Pagan was the faith that most people followed before Christianity evolved. It is a nature religion and has nothing to do with the devil. Pagan's do not actually believe in the devil in general, the reason for this is the devil is a Christian invention! Devil worship/Satanism is part of the Christian religion and NO part of Paganism :) Personally I do not even believe in the devil.

Answer 4

First of all, yes, I am a Christian.

Now, I don't think that "celebrate" is the right word for Halloween. The vast majority of Americans have no idea what Halloween is about. People know it has something do do with something called "All Hallows Eve" but don't really know what that is. it's not like Christmas where we celebrate the birth of Christ or Independence Day where we celebrate the USA's declaration of independence from England. It's really just about dressing up in costumes and going trick-or-treating and maybe going to a party.

It's a ritual that isn't really in honor of anything. Once upon a time it may have been in honor of something, but those days have long past. Now it's just done because "that's what we do."

I think that a better word than "celebrate" is "participate". I do not personally participate in Halloween because I'm at that "in-between" stage of life where I'm too old to be participating myself and don't yet have children who can participate. I do think it's okay for Christians to participate in Halloween, though, because it's really an annual ritual, not a celebration.

Answer 5

I am a Christian who "celebrates" Halloween. By celebrate I mean that I dress up, hand out candy, take the kids trick-or treating to houses I know, or good neighborhoods. I know people who pass out tracts instead of candy (poor unfortunate trick-or treaters!) but I hand out candy. I really don't have a problem with Halloween as a time for kids to dress up as their favorite movie character or super hero and get candy. The problem comes when people begin to celebrate the dark traditions of the holiday. Personally, I do not allow the kids to dress up as witches etc, anything "evil." I think as long as you stress to children that it's just for fun, to dress up and get candy, it's fine. In a sense, I guess you could even say that there are two Halloweens, a fun, innocent one celebrated by children who just want some M&M's, and a darker one. The trick is in keeping them seperate.

Answer 6

I practice Christianity in my own ways. I have pretty much stopped going to church, not for the lack of love for God, but for having beliefs pressed on me in which I do not agree. Halloween for example; it does have Pagan backgrounds, but if you do some research, you will find that there are not many holidays that do not contain some form of Paganism. I have taught my stepson and will teach my future child that Halloween is a time of year you get dressed up as your favorite character, even if they are scary, and you go trick or treating. It is a holiday which is celebrated by many in the U.S. and it is a part of our family's tradition. I will leave it at that. There is no need to go into the background of Halloween with your children, they do not know what evil is unless you tell them. So if you tell your child that Halloween is an evil holiday (which I whole heartedly disagree), they will then pass that on to their children. If we all were to stick together and celebrated Halloween as pure fun, then the tradition will live on much longer. Why would we take away a Holiday that is so much fun for the kids? Are you planning on taking away the Christmas tree and Easter eggs too?
After all, most Americans are guilty of lieing to our children about certain entities (you know who I am talking about)that bring candy and toys every holiday season. In comparison, would it be so bad to not mention the background of Halloween... I think not.

Answer 7

Well I certainly can't fault your spin on Halloween. It is a pagan holiday steeped in the traditions of witchcraft.

As a Christian who worships the one true God, believes in the Trinity, and forgiveness I do participate in Halloween for the children. I don't think that I shall be cast into the lake of fire for tossing a few candy bars at some children masquerading as goblins, ghouls, and ghosts -- and when I was a child I simply adored trick-or-treating because I was a little corpulent candy eating fellow in my own right.

However, while I choose not to characterize Halloween quite as severely as you I don't disagree with what you have to say about it nor view you as an extremist ... as long as you don't go out there and start to stone anybody over participation ... or anything !

I mostly view it as an over commercialized paradise for candy vendors and not anything of a sinister or counter-religious nature -- just purely secular fun which happens to have pagan roots which have become obscured over time.

Answer 8

We celebrate All Saints' Day and Souls' Day in the Philippines which is coincidental to Halloween. As a major Christian country, we do celebrate the day for all of our loved ones who have departed believing their souls will come back. We offer prayers, light candles and even offer food and I don't think it is a wicked day. It has been the tradition for so long as far as I can remember. Maybe those children in your location are dressing up like Satan but that does not mean it is intended or the day is wicked. It is the way we remember the true meaning of each celebrations that could provide meaning to it. It is your own preference not to celebrate it but be also mindful to people who do and don't be rude to children when they go trick or treating. You don't have to preach anything to them. Let them have fun without ruining their day by preaching to them what is really proper. Have a nice day!

Answer 9

No you're not an extremist. You're so cool!!

Halloween is NOT to be celebrated. After all Jesus Christ has done for us, why would we want to give any place for the devil? I believe in Jesus ; and I don't celebrate Halloween. Halloween originated as a pagan Holiday. A celtic tradition years ago. Today, it has been covered up by candy and costumes, but what's behind the mask? The jack-o-lantern symbolizes a folk story of a guy named Jack who lost his soul, and the candle in the pumpkin represents his wandering the earth and his soul burning. (I know this sounds bizarre)

Let's please, God read our Bibles, and stay inside on Halloween. For pagans and witches it is an evil celebration day. I pray for those reading this would understand and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you the truth. The truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

Answer 10

Understandably, you might be inclined not to celebrate this particular holiday, as it was pegged as a celebration for religious matters when it was known as "All Hallow's Eve." This was a practice of "pagans" until it was given an interpretation by Christian missionaries. The link below provides insight into how different countries view this activity. Personally, I do celebrate Halloween, giving out candy and sometimes attending costume events. I do so because I am not partaking in any religious ceremony or action in regards to Halloween. I suppose it is up to each person's belief on what he/she considers proper.

Answer 11

It wasn't always evil, the wickedness is the people of today. It used to the eve to all souls day. All souls day is a day when Christians came and still come together to pray for the souls of their families and friends. Since then all souls day was moved back one day and all saints day was put in it's place.
We have a All Hallows Eve party it lasts until just past mid-night at mid-night we drop to our knees and pray for those who have died, those who are dying and all those who have lost a loved one. Normally the little ones dress up as an angel or something. We have a nice supper, cake, ice cream(a rare treat in our house) and we dance, sing, and just plain have fun until mid-night(The little ones don't stay up this long)
We know what the history is to Halloween and think the people in society today are the ones that make it evil wicked ect.... so yes we celebrate it but not the way most people do.