Ghosts, goblins and witches, oh, my! It’s that time of the year when the world—or at least the United States—seems to embrace the dark side of Halloween revelry. Nearly every retailer has some sort of Halloween display, many of which features skeletons, ghouls and other scary stuff—a testament to Americans’ love of all things spooky. For Christians, Halloween is fraught with potential pitfalls and boogeymen, both real and imagined. Some feel strongly that Christians and Halloween should not mix at all, while others believe Christians can participate in the holiday with a clear conscience. So who is right in their choice? Should Christians participate in Halloween festivities? Let's dive into some reasons why Christians may choose to celebrate Halloween.
Table of Contents: Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Christian Views on Halloween
“Some Christians believe Halloween is firmly rooted in ‘the worthless deeds of evil and darkness’ as described in Ephesians 5:11,” says Mary Fairchild, who hosts the Christianity site at About.com. “The Bible says to ‘take no part’ in these things.”
But other Christians think Halloween can be a way to celebrate family, neighborliness and, yes, Christ. “Some believers look around and see nothing in the Americanized version of Halloween that reflects their values,” says Kim Weir, author of Redeeming Halloween. “I was one of those until I sat down and started looking into the holiday’s origins and realized that Halloween has an incredible faith heritage.”
"The pagan origin of something does not determine it's cultural current value or worth..." explains pastor Joe Thorn on how his family celebrates Halloween as a time to get to know neighbors better and enjoy some family and community fun.
Halloween’s Pagan and Christian Roots
Today’s over-emphasis on the occult and death hide the fact that Halloween has a rich history in the church. While the holiday began as a pagan celebration to drive out evil spirits, the early church actually started what we call Halloween.
The name refers to All Hallows Eve, which is the evening before the All Saints Day of remembering early Christian martyrs. During the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved All Saints Day from the spring to November 1 to coincide with the pagan festival of Samhain in an effort to sanitize the revelry, which often degenerated into drunkenness and mischievousness.
We should remember that “All Hallows Eve, the feast commemorating the martyrdom of the saints, had already been celebrated by Christians for many centuries prior to this time,” says Fairchild. “A later pope, Pope Gregory IV broadened the feast to include the entire church. Inevitably, some of the pagan practices associated with the season persisted and have been mixed into modern celebrations of Halloween.”
Halloween came to America from immigrants of the British Isles during the latter part of the 19th century. While originally, the immigrants might have believed in the superstitions associated with the holiday, American youth found the playful qualities of Halloween very attractive.
“Hollywood has added to the ‘fun’ with a wide assortment of fictional characters—demons, monsters, vampire, werewolves, mummies and psychopaths,” says Travis Allen, director of Internet ministry at Grace to You and author of “Christianity and Halloween”. “That certainly isn’t improving the American mind, but it sure is making someone a lot of money.”
Read more: Is Halloween Pagan and Evil?
What Does Scripture Say About Halloween?
The Bible doesn’t directly mention Halloween, as the holiday developed from ancient Celtic traditions and later became associated with All Hallows' Eve in Christian practice. However, several biblical principles can help guide how Christians engage with it today. One key theme in Scripture is the importance of avoiding darkness and evil. Ephesians 5:11 warns, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:22 reminds believers to reject all forms of evil. These verses encourage us to evaluate whether Halloween activities, such as costumes or decorations, align with God’s light or glorify the darkness.
The Bible also calls Christians to use discernment and wisdom when engaging with cultural practices. Romans 12:2 advises believers, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This verse challenges us to reflect on whether participating in Halloween is compatible with our faith and to seek God’s will in our choices.
For some Christians, Halloween offers a unique opportunity to shine the light of Christ in their community. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Some families or churches participate in Trunk-or-Treat events or hand out candy with Scripture verses, using the holiday as an opportunity to show kindness and engage with neighbors in a positive way.
Additionally, the Bible reminds us that we do not need to live in fear. Even in the face of superstitions or imagery associated with Halloween, Christians can rest in God’s victory. Jesus offers hope in John 16:33, saying, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This verse encourages believers to stand firm in faith, knowing that Christ’s power is greater than any spiritual darkness.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to participate in Halloween is a matter of personal conviction. Some may choose to abstain from it entirely, while others find ways to engage in ways that honor their faith. Colossians 3:17 provides guidance: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Whether we celebrate or abstain, the goal should always be to honor God in our actions and reflect His love to those around us.
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
In the end, whether or not a Christian should celebrate Halloween in any fashion should be carefully considered in relation to their own situation and heart. “If someone comes to the Christian faith from a background in the occult, then perhaps the best practice is to refrain from celebrating Halloween. If another believer has freedom in Christ to participate, then we should not condemn them,” Fairchild recommends.
We also should keep in mind that “often our negativity toward Halloween does more damage than good, alienating the very people we seek to reach,” says Fairchild. “Our neighborhood has a very family-oriented, active night of trick-or-treating each Halloween. When we first moved in, we used the holiday as way to get to know our new neighbors, sitting outside on our front porch while handing out candy.”
Allen reminds us that in Christ, we should not be fearful of Halloween. “Jesus said that the truth should not be afraid of the world, that none of this stuff—the scary and death-oriented things of Halloween—has any effect on the truth. God’s truth stands like a pillar that cannot be crumbled by the occultic practices of Halloween,” he says.
“We don’t have to surrender our beautiful faith heritage by eschewing Halloween celebrations,” adds Wier. “This holiday gives us an opportunity to show Christ to our neighbors and friends. I’ve always found it striking that Halloween is followed by the International Day of Prayer. We can make it a season to remember the early church martyrs and to pray for those still suffering for their faith in the world today.”
Sarah Hamaker is a freelance writer and editor, and author of Hired @ Home: The Christian Mother's Guide to Working From Home. She lives in Fairfax, Va., with her husband and four children, who are looking forward to trick-or-treating this Halloween. Visit her at www.sarahhamaker.com.
