A Story

"Clothes make a statement, costumes tell a story." (Mason Cooley)

As far back as I can remember, Christian parents  have battled with the question of allowing their children to participate in trick or treating (Beggar’s Night, somewhere between October 29 thru the last day of the month), which most communities celebrate in honor of Halloween (October 31st).  Halloween has pagan roots that connect with satanic rituals. This quote by Anton LeVay, the founder of the Church of Satan, exemplifies everything that concerns a Christian parent about this holiday: “I’m glad that Christian parents let their children worship [Satan] at least one night out of the year...”  (Did you know that both Christmas and Easter also have pagan roots?)

 

On the other hand, some Christian parents see this holiday as an innocent time for their children to have fun playing make-believe in a costume as they collect candy from nearby neighbor’s view of their parents. It’s a fun tradition the parents enjoyed that they don’t want their kids to miss out on. For Christian parents against Halloween, below are a few Bible verses that have been used in the past against Halloween (though the holiday was never celebrated in the Bible):

Isaiah 5:20, VOICE-O how terrible for those who confuse good with evil,
right with wrong, light with dark, sweet with bitter.

 

Ephesians 4:27 (TPT)-Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (ERV)- But test everything. Keep what is good, and stay away from everything that is evil.

 

1 John 5:19(ERV) - We know that we belong to God, but the Evil One controls the whole world.

 

3 John 1:11 (ICB)-My dear friend, do not follow what is bad; follow what is good. He who does what is good is from God. But he who does evil has never known God.

 

Churches have tried to offset the effects of Halloween’s pagan roots with the possibility of two events. The first is Trunk or Treat.  This involves church members in the church parking lot serving candy from the trunk of their cars.  Both the car trunk, and the giver and receiver of the candy are costumed in Halloween regalia.  This safe environment allows kids to trick or treat as they accumulate candy (going back to some cars more than once). The second is a Fall Harvest Party with lots of refreshments. Decorations are not to be scary, but instead have a more “Thanksgiving “theme. The highlight of this event is for participants to come dressed as their favorite Bible character.

 

Today as a couple with no small children residing in our home, I avoid giving out candy on Halloween. It’s not for religious reasons either. We don’t get many children in our court to Trick or Treat. I am diabetic and bariatric, and my wife is bariatric. We go somewhere, and eat out during the time period this event is happening. The temptation to consume all the chocolate that is left over is too great. The universal sign that your house is giving out goodies is a lit porch light. (Ours is always off.) 

 

Proverbs 22:6 (TPT) says: Dedicate your children to God and point them in the way that they should go, and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life. It’s important for Christian parents to realize that God has put them in charge of raising a family. Make sure that whatever you decide in regards to Halloween is what you want for your children, and not what you are being told to do by your church (or someone else). Your heavenly Father trusts that you will do the right thing (for your family).