<br>Children's Ministry Featured Article - Should Christians Celebrate Halloween

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

By Nita Gilger

In a recent poll of both public and faith groups when asked, “Did you go ‘trick or treating’ as a child?” Eighty–three percent said “Yes.” When asked, “Will you allow your children to go out this year?” Seventy-seven percent said “Yes.” Most people in mainline America seem to view the celebration of Halloween as a fun holiday with lots of candy, parties, and a sense of play. For most, Halloween seems to be just plain fun and has no spiritual, religious or enduring significance. But every year there are many questions about if it is okay for a Christian community to celebrate Halloween. I have a few suggestions for you to think about.

Understand the history of the celebration in terms of early Christianity. Hallowed Eve is the eve of All Saints Day. All Saints day is a festival and feast that honors and remembers all Christian saints, known and unknown, living and dead. It is celebrated on November 1st by some Christian churches. At University Christian Church, we commemorate All Saints Day as a way to show thanks and honor for all those whom we have loved and lost in the last year and to encourage all the saints—all Christians. Halloween itself is celebrated by most Christians as a purely secular day of fun. Some look upon the festival, which does have pagan roots, as even a celebration of fall and the fall harvest.

What is your comfort level? If you feel uncomfortable or conflicted with participating in Halloween activities, then don’t do it.

A caution please. Be careful not to judge or condemn others who are of a different persuasion and are simply having fun. And for the record, I object to the “reverse type of haunted houses” that try to scare people into salvation.

Another caution. Be very careful, especially with young children to shield them from violent images, scary movies and even scary costumes. I would propose a steady diet of those images is not particularly good for any of us. I do not think it promotes a healthy environment for good emotional health. Violent, dark images and frightening movies, TV, etc. tends to overwhelm children. Even adults can become desensitized.

Be sensitive. What some folks think is funny may be very upsetting for someone who has just experienced a death in their family or been a victim of a frightening incident. Rather celebrate with fun costumes and games. Be careful of the messages you send out. There is enough gruesome reality we have to deal with by just listening to the news.

If you celebrate, celebrate in the spirit of good, clean family fun and memories. Also, make sure the meaning and purpose of All Saints Day is explained to your children. It may be a day you celebrate with your children the like of a loved one who has died by placing flowers or looking at pitures. Say a prayer thanking God for the life shared. Help your children know of God's love, care, and presence in our lives when we have sadness.

I have every picture of my son in all the great costumes my mom made him from before the time he was able to walk until . . . well, I will not say just how long it continued. We have great memories and traditions around carving the pumpkin, roasting the seeds and going to the houses of all our friends and neighbors. Our one big movie to watch on Halloween was/is The Wizard of Oz. Halloween celebrations can be a nurturing and fun secular celebration. I am all for great family traditions and I am very much for keeping a wholesome, healthy, loving environment in our homes. There is a balance. Trick or Treat? Your call.