Halloween - An Innocent Practice?

As Halloween is soon approaching, we need to ask ourselves the question - IS HALLOWEEN an innocent practice that Christians should participate in?

Historically, HALLOWEEN is the day that the evil powers have chosen for themselves as special above all others -- from the ancient Druids to the modern Druids, witches, and Satanists.  Unfortunately most people do not know this.  If the purpose of the Christian life is to glorify God, is it really possible to glorify God by imitating what Occultists do on their special day?  Should Christians be out on the Occultists favorite day imitating the things that are traced to something evil or occultic, including costuming and trick or treating?  

One way to appease the dead was to set out bowls of fruit and other treats so they could partake of them and, once satisfied, they would leave in peace.  Your child when he goes door to door in the ritual of "trick or treat" is re-enacting the ancient superstition.  This ancient teaching that was introduced in the church through the Catholic Church, discredits and cheapens the price of Christ’s blood and the power of His name – the ONLY thing that can be used to ward off evil spirits.

Costuming, in good taste, are certainly neutral practices on any other day. It's not the practice per se but their association to this particular holiday and their original purpose on THIS day that raises the issue of involvement. 

IF the KU KLUX KLAN had a special day, would Christian parents dress up their kids as little Klansmen and send them out to commemorate it, even in fun and jest?  You can be certain that an occultist will not be celebrating the birth of Christ on Christmas, so why are we having our children partake in a holiday that occultists have claimed as their own, that witches have made their most sacred day of the year, and that Satanists sacrifice on? Does this mean it is wrong for a mother to take her child out dressed as a carrot top to a few friends' houses for some candy?  This is a decision we all must make individually.  

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck and he be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6

Most people think that imitating these things on Halloween is innocent enough since we are not engaging in the original practices or intent.  Nevertheless, 3 John 11 says "Do not imitate that which is evil."  When you study the Greek word mimeomai for imitate, in this verse, it teaches that we are not even to mimic, act out or copy that which is evil.  Wouldn't this too apply to the current activities of Halloween?  Isn't participation a form of imitation?

"Hear what the word of the Lord says to you... do not learn the ways of the nations...for the customs of the peoples are worthless." Jeremiah 10:1-3

"When you enter the land the Lord God has given you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there." Deut. 18:9

"Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thess. 5:22

"Be imitators of God… live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Eph. 5:1, 8-11

The Bible is also very clear in telling us to stay away from all occult activity.

"Do not turn to mediums or seek spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.  I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:31

"Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead... The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination.  BUT AS FOR YOU, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so." Deuteronomy 18:10, 11, 14

"King Manassah of Judah practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists.  He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking Him to anger." 2 Chronicles 33:6

In conclusion, here are some things to consider concerning whether or not your children should participate in Halloween:

1) It is the most sacred day of witchcraft and other occultism.

2) Human sacrifice was and is offered most commonly on this day.

3) It has and will continue to encourage occult activity on the part of both children and adults. It encourages interest in things like ghosts and poltergeists. It puts the "taste" in a child's mouth to find entertainment in books and movies that are filled with the paranormal and demonic.  What would once be scary to a child no longer is. They are desensitized to the appearance of evil.

4) A danger of this desensitization - if later in life presented with the "Hollywood-ized, pretty packaging" that witchcraft and other occult practices come wrapped in, black and white is no longer clear and the chances of thinking it is okay to become involved with, as a Christian, is quite likely.

5) It is a special day to call on spirits via the Ouija Board and other forms of spiritism. It helps support pagan philosophies and practices such as reincarnation, animism, Shamanism and Druidism.  It is therefore teaching our children it is okay to mix Christianity with paganism. A diluted gospel is not the true Gospel at all.

5) Christian participation in Halloween may, in fact, be a ploy of the devil to mock God. The holiday in no way, shape or form brings glory to God. We are called to bring God glory in who we are, what we say, and what we do. (1 Corinthians 10:31, Philippians 1:10-11)

7) "Whatever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14:23)

8) “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”  (2 Timothy 1:7) Anything that instills fear, such as that of Halloween, is not of God. 

I personally believe in explaining to my children why we do not participate in Halloween is because we are not of this world and Scriptures tells us, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17) I believe we need to take back the day that is meant for God because each and every day is a gift from Him (Psalm 118:24).  We need to teach our children to pray.  We can pray for things such as:

1)  Prayer of protection for those who are out celebrating Halloween due to the high abduction rate.

2)  Pray for those kids who are being drawn to experiment with things such as Ouija boards, séances etc.  Halloween time due to Hollywood and media, many are intrigued and sadly sucked into trying such things.

3)  Pray that the Lord would hinder occult practices. Maybe a potential sacrifice escapes or an occultist is unsuccessful in summoning a demon, etc.

4)  Pray for the occultists eyes to be opened to the truth of the Gospel and that they denounce the religion they are practicing.  

It’s important for children to know that their prayers ARE heard and acted on by our Father!  October 31^st is a day that they can make a difference, through their prayers, in the life of someone they do not even know!

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)