To Trick or to Treat: That is The Question
by One Christian Mom’s journey through the Halloween Maze.
When I had my own kids, the issue got a little closer to home when my parents asked if I was taking them trick or treating. I told them that we had decided not to celebrate Halloween. They were a bit surprised, but never questioned it. We lived on an acreage about two miles from town, and there were no children living anywhere near us, so it was a nonissue.
Whenever someone would ask our kids what they were going to be for Halloween, my standard response was “We don’t do Halloween.” If they asked why, I just said “It’s a celebration of everything ugly, grotesque, and evil, and we have just chosen not to join in.” My kids were scared of the decorations at the mall. I’ve never liked them either.
Among the Christian community, there are a few different ideas of what to do on October 31. Some churches have parties for the kids, with tons of candy and games. Costumes are optional.
Some Christians believe that having anything to do with Halloween will result in “giving the devil a foothold.” So they turn out the lights and either spend the evening in the basement or go out for the evening. Others opt for a compromise solution, giving out a cartoon tract about Jesus between the Coffee Crisp and the KitKat bars.
My opinion is that this issue is in the category of “disputable matters” that the apostle Paul discussed in Romans 14. Parents need to decide what is right before the Lord for their family. Since we have moved into town, my husband and I have decided that giving out treats for Halloween is a good way to meet our neighbours.
One book that I would recommend for Christian parents is “Redeeming Halloween: Celebrating without Selling Out” by Kim Wier & Pam McCune (Focus on the Family Presents, 2004). They discuss briefly the satanic influences and the evil of Halloween, but their main point is the question of how Christian parents can remain faithful to God’s call and not violate their conscience, but also avoid being fanatics who hide from reality. They say:
“Contrary to popular belief, the most prevalent emotion of the Halloween season is not fear. It’s guilt – guilt, guilt, and more guilt. As parents, either we feel guilty because we’re depriving our children of enjoying the holidays, or we feel guilt for not depriving them when our convictions tell us we should.” (p. 4)
I personally think this is a schizophrenic society where we celebrate evil in October and then celebrate good in December. Just seems like we are trying to serve two masters. That’s my opinion.
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Post CommentTanya Wallace
On October 28, 2009 at 7:41 pm
This is certainly a thought provoking write although as far as Christians and Halloween go the masks and decorations as well as treates were used to ward off evil spirits,it wasn’t a celebration as it now has leaned toward.I agree with you about Paul if you believe it is wrong then you shouldn’t participate but if you believe there is no harm that comes from it,why not. I liked you closing statement. This was a wonderful write!!
Hettie
On October 28, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Hi Karen great article, here in New Zealand halloween was a non issue till a few years ago. Now a lot of the Chruches I know have what they call light parties instead with fun and sweets and stories and games.which to my way of thinking encludes all the fun needed.Though because of shops and TVs infulence children and young people think halloween is something special. I prefer not to acknowledge it in any way after reading where it came from and what really happened then.
PR Mace
On October 28, 2009 at 11:46 pm
You can make anything evil if you try hard enough. I know some use Halloween as a time of evil or to worship the Devil but there is a fun silly side to Halloween. That is the side I celebrate. Halloween is my favorite holiday next to Christmas. I say to each his own. By the way you would hate my house as it is decked out in Halloween fun.
Karen Gross
On October 29, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Thank you for your comments. I really like learning how people in other countries think about the issues we have here in Canada.
As I get older, and hopefully a little wiser, I am learning not to sweat the small stuff. I still don’t like Halloween decor, but I don’ t think I’m giving the devil a foothold in my door by opening my door to the neighbourhood kids to hand out candy. And I won’t be slipping in a gospel tract.
serowa
On October 31, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Where I come from we don’t celebrate or even know of halloween. So I was shocked when I came to the USA to find that people celebrate such an event.
Something about the whole thing freaked me out. So I did my own research and I discovered the genesis and the idea behind the whole thing. This explained why my spirit was so grieved about halloween.
My son was only 6 and I had to ensure I communicated to him why that was one of the cultural norms we were not going to adopt. He is now 15 years and we do not associate with halloween.
I personally will not be party to something that has not cultural value to me and clashes with my faith.