Children and adults alive love celebrating Halloween but Halloween is seen as a no, no in the Christian community, and for a valid reason. When asked the reason why Christians don’t celebrate Halloween, many Christians will say because it is a pagan holiday because that is what they have been taught.
What does it all mean, pagan means one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, pertaining to, characterized by, or adhering to the doctrine that there is more than one god or many gods, paganism is a form of idolatry because it is the worship of something or things other than the true and living God.
Origins of Halloween
“The earliest trace (of Halloween) is the Celtic festival, Samhain, which was the Celtic New Year. It was the day of the dead, and they believed the souls of the deceased would be available.
The Symbols of Halloween
Halloween originated as a celebration connected with evil spirits. Witches flying on broomsticks with black cats, ghosts, goblins, and skeletons have all evolved as symbols of Halloween. They are popular trick-or-treat costumes and decorations for greeting cards and windows.
Now, I know you are thinking, the same thing many Christians will respond with, we don’t celebrate it like that today, it is all in fun for the kids! But fun is not the words that come to mind when you look not only at the Origins of Halloween, but the influence of Halloween.
Halloween Today
Black is one of the traditional Halloween colors, probably because Halloween festivals and traditions took place at night. In the weeks before October 31, Americans decorate windows of houses and schools with silhouettes of witches and black cats.
Influences of Halloween
Due to American social influences, the rise of satanic cults, and Hollywood’s sinister characters possessed with evil, Americans have become fascinated with gore and death. All of this has manifested itself into many destructive Halloween trends. In the 1960s, pre-Halloween pranks turned into vandalism in some parts of the United States, with some people breaking windows and destroying property. In the 1970s, nationwide reports of candy being loaded with pins and razor blades permeated the airwaves. During the 80s and 90s, Halloween vandalism escalated to include arson, or the deliberate setting of fires, which destroyed private property and businesses.
As you can see Halloween brings real meaning to the scripture in Ephesians 6:12 which says – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Why would a Christian want to take part in this type of event? As a Christian, to take part in this celebration goes against the teaching of the bible and does not bring glory to the one we serve.
What Can We do About It?
We don’t have to take away the fun for the kids who look forward to the day, the church has been called to turn the dark things of this world into the light, for our father who is in heaven is light and his presence and purpose should be clearly evident on that day, the day the dark things in this world is being glorified.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; the battle is not ours but the Lord’s and we are his servants ordained to carry out his work, whenever there is darkness you turn on the light.
Let every church arise and fight, pick up the weapons our warfare, host positive Christian based youth/ children events on that day, support Christian events held at your church, or in your local community.
Article Complied and Edited By Lenora Lee