Learn it! Speak it! Live it!
Bring Christmas to a child in need!
An 'urgency': Sensing threats to institutions of society, church leaders make declaration 
Click to Print
Include Comments
Church-o-ween: Would Jesus go to fall festival?
Every year on October 31st many churches celebrate Halloween alternatives, what some call “Halloween in disguise,” with “Harvest” or “Fall” festivals. I read about this over at About.com. Candy, costumes, games, and everything Halloween except for the “evil stuff.” Why do churches do this?
Isn’t Halloween one of the best opportunities Jesus followers have to love their neighbors and build relationships for the Gospel with them? Jesus tended to not escape his context for “the shire” but brought the Kingdom to it. Isn’t following Jesus is a call to mission and live all of life for the Kingdom? A missional church sees itself as a local missionary and takes every opportunity to be incarnational, indigenous, and intentional.
Every Christian is a local missionary and avoiding non-Christians on Halloween seems odd to some of us. Isn’t it an evangelisitic dream come true to have such an easy opportunity to have non-Christians come to your home in your own neighborhood? If we want non-Christian families in our neighborhoods to meet Jesus shouldn’t we at least be home when they come knocking on our doors?
Since most American non-religious observances celebrate evil —Thanksgiving (gluttony), Valentines Day (lust), St. Patrick’s Day (drunkenness) — why create an alternative religious counterfeit on Halloween? After all, what message is the church sending to the world by ‘circling the wagons’ and avoiding our neighborhoods?
Given the fact that Jesus and the apostles did not retreat from evil (Mark 2:13-14; Acts 14:8-20; Acts 17:16-34), I’m not so sure they would go to a church “harvest festival” on Halloween. It seems like Jesus followers, following the Kingdom-oriented mission of Christ, would see October 31st as a strategic missional opportunity to build relationships in their neighborhoods to later reveal where evil comes from and God’s solution for it. Why isn’t Halloween about being “salt and light?” What am I missing?
back to top31 Comments to “Church-o-ween: Would Jesus go to fall festival?”
This discussion creeps up often in Christian circles, and it’s often not productive, because it boils down to what different people think Christians ’should’ do.
You make a good point, Anthony, but I also think there’s another side to consider. Anything we do – any event we attend, celebration we partake in – even the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:17-22) can be done to give glory to God or it can be corrupted. Just as there are reasons to be around for Halloween, there are reasons not to be. It is up to each of us as Christians to decide how to best ‘redeem our time’. Still, I tend to agree with the overall theme of your post. I guess we need to always examine our actions as Christians and make sure we’re doing them for the real right reasons.
Report comment to moderator
Our church, as I’ve noted in the past, uses Halloween as an outreach to our community. We have “trunk and treat,” where members decorate their cars, wear costumes and spend the evening in the church parking lot giving out candy to kids and engaging folks in conversation.
Hot dogs, cotton candy, games, it’s a fun, safe evening and that’s how we bill it. We take down names of people interested in our big and well-known VBS program, hand out Bibles and use the opportunity to be friendly. We also have a good time.
Our taller pastor–6′5″–stands on the sidewalk in front of the church dressed as the angel Gabriel and brandishes a light saber, which he uses to help kids safely cross the street. Join us!
Report comment to moderator
But the thing is – Halloween is a holiday with its roots in Christianity. November 1st is All Saints’ Day (or All Hallows’ Day), and November 2nd (the day my wife and I were married – our rehearsal was on Halloween) is All Souls’ Day. The evening before is All Hallows’ Eve, contracted to “Halloween”
There’s a similarity with Christmas and Easter, of co-opting and using various pagan customs adapting them to the Christian holiday.
That said, I’m not a huge fan of Halloween, and think it’s been way overdone with decorations and lights and parties and so on. Oh, I like my neighbor’s display all right, which is exceeded in brightness only by his Christmas display going up the next day, and we laughed ourselves silly at the “Haunted House” we went to with friends over the weekend. But I really like a harvest-theme for my October decorations much better.
My ambivalence on Halloween goes back to my grandmother passing away that day, when I was 10. It lost most of its appeal that year.
Report comment to moderator
I think this sounds like a great idea for anyone who does not have kids. Although I would not want to take my kids out trick or treating, I think that Anthony presents a great opportunity in terms of redeeming October 31st as an opportunity to bring light to the darkness/
Report comment to moderator
Of course I’ll celebrate Reformation Day! The kids always love the game of nailing the 95 theses to the door.
Report comment to moderator
I enjoy doing Halloween, though not spending large amounts of money on it. It’s fun coming up with a costume that uses more creativity than money (last year I won the office costume contest for dressing up as a “computer bug”). My son wants to dress up as a Pokemon (Sableye or Plussle seem to be the most likely based on their shapes being more or less humanoid).
I find that when I give out candy, though, there is no real chance to meet anyone. The parents usually stay back on the sidewalk while their little ones come up the steps, and the kids just hold out a bag/pail for the candy, say “Trick or Treat” and “Thank you” and then turn and head for the next house. I suppose they get some kind of impression of me even if I get virtually none of them (since I am not good at recognizing kids I don’t know well to begin with behind costume and make/makeup). But if I don’t know who they are, there’s not much chance to follow up contact with them later in some other setting, unless they initiate it. (And these days a lot of parents drive their kids to neighborhoods known to be safe – i.e. little car traffic – so I have no idea if the kids who come to my door live nearby or not.)
Report comment to moderator
Last year my pastor encouraged us to meet the neighbors on Halloween. In years past, we had chosen to do church alternative things. Anyway, as my children were walking they saw 2 girls from school and we joined up with their family to walk around. Long story short- The family started going to church with us and later on became Christians.
Pauline- I actually sit at the end of my driveway with the candy. When the kids come by I ask if they are from the neighborhood- most are. I go up to the parents and introduce myself and ask a question or two. I have met many neighbors this way.
I understand Anthony’s point. For so long the church has operated as a “come and see” ministry rather than a “go” one. We have retreated from society. Sure, if you come to our church we will welcome you, but we no longer go to them.
Report comment to moderator
I’m a Christian and I like Halloween. I plan on making Paula Deen’s Cheese Ball Goblin, Taste of Home’s Frankenstein Ham Head with the beady little pimento eyes and handing out candy to the neighbor kids with the family. Evil is not black and orange or goofy outfits and masks, or the word, BOO! Evil is disobedience to God’s commandments. I don’t believe Christians should wear witches costumes or devil’s costumes, but many Christians really need to lighten up about the day IMO. For goodness sake, have some fun. Satan’s just a dying dog with a snarly growl and a foul-smelling death gasp. I see this day as an opportunity to mock him with all the things we pretend to be scared by. Why do we pretend to be and even enjoy being “scared” on Halloween? Because Christ has conquered death and hell. The only One anyone has to fear is the God who saved us from His wrath and judgment. So bob for the apples and enjoy.
Report comment to moderator
Bianca – Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he would devour and destroy.
But I see your point.
As far as bobbing for apples, how unsanitary is this???????
I kind of like what Michelle’s church does and her Pastor dressed as an angel with a light saber – how cool!
Report comment to moderator
I’ve always thought Trunk or Treat is a great idea for fellowship and fun.
VS- LOL! Maybe you have a point about the apples! But there’s other fun stuff to do. We had a reformation night where we designed a partition in the yard and put goodies in a basket and drug it over the wall – reminiscent of what they did in the Bible with the Apostle Paul!
And yes, Satan’s a roaring lion, but what I meant was he’s unable to influence the world as much as he did before Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. I think we give Satan too much power, due to the Arminian teaching that God casts a vote for us, Satan casts a vote against us and we cast the deciding vote. Yes, Satan very definitely exists, but he’s only able to do what God allows, like any creature of His. Evil mainly comes from the sinfulness of man’s hearts. There’s the world and the flesh in addition to the Devil. I like what CS Lewis said – something like, Satan likes us to believe one of two lies – that he’s bigger than he really is or that he doesn’t exist at all.
Sorry I rambled. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t think I was denying the existence of the Devil!
Report comment to moderator
I get the over-all impression that Halloween has moved away from trick-r-treating door to door to more group parties. Perhaps there are just fewer kids in my neighborhood.
In any event, I always thought it rather silly for Christians to make such a big deal out of Halloween. I suppose there will always be people who use the holiday for evil intent, but what holiday isn’t? Christmas and New Years are used for partying, getting drunk, and general all around revelry.
You don’t have to go whole hog and celebrate Halloween like a debauched heathen. Just make it fun for the kids.
Report comment to moderator
Nicely stated Mr. Bradley.
Our church has a Halloween festival to avoid that so-called “evil” holy-day with ghouls and goblins. However, they have no problem celebrating Saturnalia (Christmas) decking trees with silver and gold (Jer 10:3.4) or invoking the name of Astarte the fertility goddess of the Spring from which we get the word Estrogen and celebrate breeding like rabbits.
The reason our church treats Halloween differently is found in 1 Thess 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Because Halloween makes fun of evil, they abstain. I roll my eyes, but play along.
Rom 14 makes it clear that Christians are free to follow their conscience on whether to esteem one day above another. So I have no problem with Christians going either way.
What I do have a problem with is inconsistency and superstition. i.e. false fears. I also have a problem with people who shun those who celebrate the day or that think they are somehow holier than the world, by abstaining from a silly holy-day.
Report comment to moderator
Because of the warming climate, Halloween has become a neighbourhood event where neighbours actually talk to each other. If the weather is good I sit on the steps and talk to parents and hand out chocolate. Toward the end of the night I can’t be bothered to stick around so I leave a bowl of candy outside for anyone and wander around the neighbourhood as some houses go all out on the decor. Our neighbourhood attracts alot of children since it has smaller homes which are close together, has sidewalks and very little traffic. Those who don’t particiapte do stick out and miss out.
Report comment to moderator
I’ll take issue with the following premises:
Thanksgiving (gluttony? Hardly. Even in public school we learned about the Pilgrims and I was always clear on the purpose of the holiday
Valentines Day (lust)? that is really over the top. We exchanged Valentines with friends, and I always bought a chocolate heart for my mom. I don’t notice any unusual amount of lust on V. Day. Romance, yes, but so?
St. Patrick’s Day (drunkenness)? Early memories are solely of pinching anyone who didn’t wear greean. As I got older I realized it was a Irish pride celebration. Drunkenness not required.
Report comment to moderator
Someone up above pointed out that Halloween is a holiday with strictly Christian origins.
Odd to learn that Wiccans ask for and often times get Halloween off from work!
I think the ersatz Halloween is sorta funny. I liken it to folks who advertise “Winter Holiday Part” (which I actually saw posted once).
I as a rule am personally ambivalent to Halloween. Increasingly its been an excuse for gals to don tight cleavage-revealing Elvira outfits while guys put the fake knife and ketchup on their forehead. And yes, its yet another day on which liquor and beer manufacturers seek to promote drunkenness.
I look forward to playing games with my kids on Halloween night
Report comment to moderator
My wife, an atheist hates Halloween.
In regard to the Christians who dislike Halloween, I am reminded of the bumper sticker that says
DON’T STEAL. THE GOVERNMENT HATES COMPETITION
I haven’t got the “low concept” refined enough yet, but perhaps a Halloween costume that convey the idea:
DON’T SUPERSTITIONIZE. CHRISTIANS HATE THE COMPETITION.
Needs work.
Report comment to moderator
Halloween is only evil if you let it be in your mind and heart. I am 34, and have wonderful memories of trick-or-treating in my neighborhood and attending Halloween parties at my church (including building haunted house mazes through our Sunday school classrooms!). It was all in the name of clean fun, and we had lots of that.
I have a problem with Christians who get all weird about letting their kids participate in Halloween activities. Sure, draw the line at the excesses, such as blood, gore, skeletons, etc. But what harm can come from dressing as Buzz Lightyear or Princess Fiona, getting a little candy, and having fun with friends and family?
Report comment to moderator
A couple of weeks ago, this author was condeming the use of the violent Halo 3 video game by youth groups as a way to bring in new members. How could churches encourage practices that directly go against God’s commandments (”Thou shalt not kill”)in the name of evangelism he argued? If we shouldn’t use violent video games, then why should we use a holiday that is purely Satanic (even if you are dressed up as an angel and not a devil)?
“But it is all in good fun!” you argue, “It’s not as if we were really worshipping Satan!” The youth groups playing Halo 3 could also say “But it is all in good fun! It’s not as if we were really killing people.” God’s word warns us repeatedly to not have ANYTHING to do with evil practices. “”There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,” Deuteronomy 18:10.
And as for Satan being “mocked” when we participate, can he really be mocked by us disobeying God? Isn’t that his ultimate goal anyway? I wonder who is really having the last laugh when all the candy is gone.
Report comment to moderator
Random – What does your wife hate about Halloween?
MsBurr – I think you have to allow people their own convictions. We’re each responsible for the things we say and do according to our own conscience.
Report comment to moderator
Unbeknownst to me, there was a man who was having a conversation with a woman on the phone as I sat at his desk, waiting to speak with him. I overheard part of the discussion as he began to disagree about what they were going to wear on Halloween. As the conversation progressed, it was obvious that it went much further than just a Halloween party, it was a ceremony, etc., of which they would take part. While waiting for him to get off the phone, I noticed a book on the edge of the desk, it was a Satanic book. I was surprised that he had no qualms about leaving it there, OR talking endlessly on the phone about the ’satanic’ event. It turns out, she was a ‘witch’ and he was a ‘warlock’ –
Those who practice witchcraft, who are in the Occult are delighted that anyone who is a Believer, will join in the so called fun and entertainment of the night they love. We have kids who see nothing wrong with “Harry Potter” books, mainly because their parents OK reading books which promote ‘witchcraft’ ‘wizard’s’ and all the evil connected with these practices. Born Again Christians are lulled into the idea that their kids won’t really be touched by evil, if for only a few books, and evening on Halloween, ……. The Occult is real, it isn’t a game, or a one night stand.
Why would Christian parents allow their children to EMULATE EVIL?
Report comment to moderator
Totally agree. Jesus did not call us to retreat to our safe sanctuaries. He called us to enter the world, confront evil and love people in His name and leave the protection and the provision up to Him.
Happy Halloween!
Report comment to moderator
My children have never celebrated pagan festivals. No Halloween, Santa or Easter Bunny at our house. There are no other children in our neighbourhood, ours are the only ones. When I can, I drive them to the nearest town where children are doing Halloween and we hand out little Bible comics. Our children love doing this, and the children getting the tracts seem to be very appreciative too.
Report comment to moderator
JOANNEB
It’s a shame that more parents don’t understand the harm they are doing, by letting their children believe things which are FALSE, which have nothing to do with our Saviors Birth, or Resurrection -
Report comment to moderator
Bookwormans says:
If we shouldn’t use violent video games, then why should we use a holiday that is purely Satanic (even if you are dressed up as an angel and not a devil)?
The problem with that view is, that Halloween is not a Satanic holiday, but rather one with Christian roots. It is a contraction of All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before All Hallows’ (or All Saints’) Day, on November 1st, a Christian Holy Day.
Report comment to moderator
ROYCLAY,
Here is what Wikipedia had to say about the origins of Halloween:
“The modern holiday of Halloween has its origins in the ancient Gaelic festival known as Samhain (pronounced /ˈsˠaunʲ/ from the Old Irish samain). The Festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is regarded as ‘The Celtic New Year’.[2] Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The Ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, where the bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.[3][4] When the Romans occupied Celtic territory, several Roman traditions were also incorporated into the festivals. Feralia, a day celebrated in late October by the Romans for the passing of the dead as well as a festival which celebrated the Roman Goddess Pomona, the goddess of fruit were incorporated into the celebrations. The symbol of Pomona was an apple, which is a proposed origin for the tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.[5]”
You can say that this is a Christian holiday, but everything that is associated with it (jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treat, dressing up, etc.) is directly derived from the pagan festival of Samhain. Even Wikipedia (a non-religious website)says this. And even when Christians celebrate Halloween, the majority of them aren’t focused on the lives of the Saints, but on the trappings of A PURELY SATANIC HOLIDAY.
See it on Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
Report comment to moderator
It seems like a selfish holiday to me, with kids marching around the neighborhood begging/demanding candy. During other holidays, I can try and “redeem” the season by teaching my children to focus on Christ and not themselves; however, I find nothing about halloween worth redeeming.
Report comment to moderator
My gravatar is going to dress up for Halloween. I’m still deciding what to be.
Anyone care to join me for the first annual WMB gravatar Halloween costume contest?
I know your thinking – “That’s a dumb idea, Travis”.
But I’m sure if Anlir had thought if it, this would be a full movement, with digital prizes even. Darn that Anlir (he said to himself with the Seinfeld “Neuman” voice). He’s too, popular.
Report comment to moderator
That’s a cute idea Travis. I’d do it if I wasn’t so tech challenged! As it is my son loaded my avatar for me.
Now, now, no jealousy! Very unbecoming!
Report comment to moderator
Why would anyone want their children to EMULATE EVIL, as in Halloween, it’s just not that hard to understand, or maybe it is?
Report comment to moderator
back to topJoin The Conversation
You need to be a registered user of WORLDonTheWeb.com to "join the conversation."
If you are not a member yet, what are you waiting for? Register / Login Now!