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Halloween, like nearly all of our other holidays, has its roots in pagan beliefs. It began as a superstitious belief that on the eve of All Hallow's [Saints] Day the evil spirits were able to cross over from the spirit world into our world. Fearing the dangers of this, people donned scary costumes in the hopes that the evil spirits would think the costumed people were just one of them, and thus the people would be excluded from the spirits' attacks and harrassments.
In recent decades, with the increased interest in Satanic worship, many who take part in such things have claimed All Hallow's Eve, i.e., Halloween, as their high holy day, or Satan's birthday. They practice evil and despicable pagan acts in celebration of this. They are very few in number.
Due to these pagan things, many Christians have recently rejected Halloween outright, refusing to take part in the holiday at all, or having alternative celebrations--often called harvest parties--where no scary costumes, or even no costumes at all, are allowed. More and more Christians are shunning those who take part in Halloween, including fellow Christians who've chosen not to reject the holiday. The subject is becoming a divisive issue amongst some Christians--oftentimes causing severe rifts on the online Christian message boards.
Interestingly, many of the Christians who shudder at the thought of costumes and candy on October 31st think nothing of celebrating Christmas, Easter, and Valentine's Day. These holidays, though infused with Christian meanings, also have their origins in pagan celebrations. The early church thought it reasonable to take the pagan holidays of the cultures they were converting to Christ and give the days Christian meanings and characteristics. This way, the converts could have godly purposes in celebrations which were considered dear traditions. A few Christians have reacted to this as an ungodly thing, and have rejected all the holidays outright. Most, however, recognize that the Lord knows their hearts, knows their purposes in acknowledging these holidays, and they joyfully celebrate them.
Halloween stands alone as the one that Christians have singled out to give over to the pagans--practically handing them the day on a silver platter. Christians behave like superstitious pagans themselves, fearfully shunning the day as though it really were Satan's high holy day--as if any day created by our Lord could belong to any other than Christ. They treat with disdain any persons who choose to take part in the day, be they Christians or non-Christians. They behave with a self-righteous haughtiness, a holier-than-thou attitude which shames Christ. Haughty eyes are something our Lord detests [Psalm 101:5]. Christians who would normally show love and kindness to their brother and to the unsaved, on Halloween suddenly are willing to treat the candy-and-costumers as though they were idolaters and vile apostates. Any other day of the year, these Christian folks would think nothing of sharing a piece of candy with a child. They wouldn't think twice about wearing costumes for a church play, or attending a live theater performance where others dress in elaborate, and occasionally even frightening, costumes. Yet mention the H-word, Halloween, and they shrink in fear, or they lash out irrationally at the unsuspecting celebrators of Halloween.
This is a shame, and I pray that more Christians will seek the Lord, be emboldened with the fruits of His Spirit, and put off the fears they are clinging to. Remember that holidays and celebrations have only as much meaning as we individually give them. Even the Lord says, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." [Colossians 2:16]. The Lord Jesus Christ is our reality, our focus, and " So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." [I Corinthians 10:31]. Costumes and candy and the fun of Halloween really can be done for the glory of God, just as so many of our leisurely pasttimes can be.
Let's claim Halloween for the Lord and not stand by and watch it be swallowed up by those who would use it for evil!
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