Why I Partake In Halloween

Disclaimer: This article does not represent the convictions of all the contributors in this blog. These are solely my thoughts. 

It is once again that time of the year. The time of the year when Halloween comes around, and that means the Christian blogosphere begins to debate as to whether we- as Christians- can partake of the festivity known as Halloween. Are those who participate compromising? Or are those who refuse to partake in Halloween simply too uptight about what is simply now a day of fun for the kids?

Whatever your position, we cannot deny the well documented facts about the pagan origins of Halloween.


Brief History

Halloween began with the Celts who celebrated Samhain (means summer end). November the first (a new year for the Celts), marked the end of the summer and the beginning of a long winter. On the night before the new year, on October the 31st, the Celts celebrated Samhain. They believed that on this day, the barrier between the dead and the living was broken, and the dead roamed the earth. The people feared for their health and crops. As a result, the people wore masks to in order to fool the ghosts, causing them to believe they were of their own. There are other speculations inregards to what other superstitions derive from this celebration. Whatever the case, it is clear that this festivity began with pagan origins.

Arguments Against Christians partaking in Halloween: 

Argument #1:    The origin of Halloween is pagan and superstitious.
                         Christianity is not pagan nor superstitious.
                         Therefore, Christians should not partake in Halloween.

Argument #2:    Halloween glorifies evil.
                        Christianity does not glorify evil.
                        Therefore, Christians should not partake in Halloween.

A Closer Look and Response:

The problem with the first argument is the fact that there is a very small amount of Christians - if any- who actually believe the dead roam the earth on October 31st  (of course I am being generous with the "small amount" here). You will seldom find a five year old who nags his parents for a Halloween costume in fear of ghosts who wish to make him ill. You will find it difficult to even find a person who even knows the origin of Halloween (and one who even cares of that matter). The reality is that Halloween has lost ALL of its religious significance. The reality is that ghosts do not roam the earth damaging crops, or attempting to make people ill. What Samhain meant for the Celts will always be remembered as what it was- a folklore. If Christians did in fact celebrate those pagan aspects of Halloween, then yes, we would be in sin.


The problem with the second argument is that it falsely assumes that Christians must glorify evil in order to partake in Halloween. This is false. Christians do not have to allow their children to wear costumes that depict evil. Nor should they adorn their houses with decorations they cannot in good conscience place.


Inconsistency Is A Pain:

As Christians, we should strive for consistency in all areas of our lives. We cannot, as other worldviews, be inconsistent in our argumentation; inconsistency does not glorify God. Lets be clear here, Christmas has a pagan origin. Yes, don't run, don't cover your ears, it does. But you say "I am not worshipping Sol Invictus nor am I setting up yule logs".  This is our very argument for Halloween. We are not celebrating the pagan folklore that was Samhain, but we are partaking of the innocence of having our kids walk around and receive candy. Further, why don't the same people who rail against Halloween advocate for a name change of the days and months of our calender? It is known that their names were derived from pagan deities. Where is the consistency?

Clarification:

I am fully aware that in other countries, and maybe there might be some cases in the U.S. (certainly isn't the norm at all), some kids do in fact act upon the "trick" part of Halloween. Let me clearly state that this is not what I mean when I say Christians can partake in Halloween- certainly not. Also, young ladies dressing provocatively is sinful whether on the 31st of Halloween or not. We do not condone this behavior. This is not what we mean when we say we partake in Halloween.

Final Thoughts- How I partake in Halloween:

Last year was the first Halloween I celebrated in a long time; I passed out candy and gospel tracts. I got to meet people I've never met, and gave them the gospel. It was a good time. I would encourage you to reconsider turning off the lights and pretending no one is home. Instead, consider engaging with your neighbors. Take your kids out for a stroll and talk to people you do not normally speak to. This is the one time of the year when unbelievers knock on our doors. I really believe Halloween is one of those Romans 14 issues. It is a matter of discernment and conscience. If our brethren cannot participate in Halloween in good conscience before our Lord, then that is fine, but we ask that they grant us the same liberty.

In Christ, awretchsaved