Halloween – timely thoughts
The following words, or similar, may be familiar in enticing someone to do something: “there is no harm in it” or “it’s harmless fun”. These may well be the excuses people use to participate in Halloween. Yet there is harm and danger in Halloween. The CViE pamphlet on Halloween was written to highlight these dangers and provide a background to Halloween while setting out what the Bible says on the “works of darkness”. Although written nearly 20 years ago, the content remains valid and is presented in an easy-to-read style.
Since publishing this pamphlet, it has been difficult not to notice the growth in the commercialisation of Halloween. Halloween is now the third biggest event in the UK retail sector after Christmas and Easter. In 2001 consumers spent £12 million on Halloween; in 2013, £213 million; then in 2017 the sum was £400 million. Estimates for 2021 and 2022 are £607 million and £687 million respectively. (In 2022, it’s estimated that £28.9 million will be spent on pumpkins!) It will be interesting to see how much is squandered this year on Halloween in view of the national financial crisis.
At Halloween many of the goods available depict the devil and other characters such as witches in a comical way, thereby creating an impression that these things are harmless and something to laugh at and enjoy. Let none of us be fooled, the devil is real; Peter warned the early Christian church: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
One practice associated with Halloween is ‘trick or treat’. A trick may be viewed as something designed to swindle and deceive. The concept of ‘trick or treat’ implies the use of a threat to gain one’s end. Surely to practice and teach such attitudes and concepts is completely contrary to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:36-40).
Another important point, that is often overlooked when considering Halloween, is the need for Christian parents and grandparents to be clear on their stance together with being able to explain this to their children and grandchildren in terms beyond “we don’t do this”. Often it is children who have to explain to their schoolfriends why they don’t participate in certain activities.
As Christians, our guide should be the precepts of the Word of God with the desire to do all to the honour and glory of the Lord. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians those watchwords that apply to our walk and conduct, including Halloween:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Of course Christians need to be careful not to over respond to Halloween, as we can fail to model the need to be sober and vigilant every day that we are upon the earth, and not just on 31 October. Allied to this is the need for Christians to exercise caution as wise stewards of their possessions and protectors of their family every day of the year. We also need to be kept from a pharisaical spirit and remember, but for the Lord’s sovereign grace, where would we be today? Do we have a prayerful concern that the Lord might work and bring those in nature’s darkness into the glorious light of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ?
In writing this short piece, we are aware that, in the end, participating in ‘festivals’, such as Halloween, are a matter of individual conscience before God. Since as adults, we are conscious of the pressure children may come under at school from classmates, it is important, as with any issue from which we separate, to be clear why we do so.
In summary, Halloween is wrong because it does not honour God or the teachings of the Bible. ‘Trick or treat’ (and other activities associated with this) are wrong as they are contrary to the teachings of the Bible and they are intended to frighten and/or threaten other people. Perhaps the Scripture quote on the front of the CViE pamphlet on Halloween is the best summary: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11).
CViE would be pleased to hear from parents, young people, teachers and those involved in education of the challenges faced at Halloween, whether inside or outside of school, that these might be shared anonymously for the encouragement of others. Please feel free to contact us by emailing: enquiries@cvie.org.uk
The Lord grant us help to watch and pray as we walk out that path that He has called us to walk in whilst upon this earth and keep us in compromising our distinctive biblical position.
Sources that may be of help:
CViE Halloween pamphlet
Bibleinfo What is Halloween and should Christians celebrate it?
Grace to You Christians and Halloween
Focus on the Family Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Finder Halloween statistics UK 2022
[NOTE: Although we make every effort to ensure these links mentioned are accurate, up-to-date and relevant, CViE cannot take responsibility for content, images and pages maintained by external providers, nor do we endorse all information, religious views or opinions posted on these third-party websites.]
