Of all the days on the calendar, Halloween is likely one of the most perplexing for Christians. Why? Because there isn't a unified stance on how we, as followers of Christ, should approach this day. Some see it as harmless fun, others avoid it entirely, and there are many others with perspectives in between. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to how we should view Halloween and whether we should even celebrate it. You've likely formed your own view; what's important is that we remain open to listening to other viewpoints before we rush to judge them. My goal isn't to tell you what to do on Halloween because I recognize people will see this day differently. I simply want to present a variety of perspectives while acknowledging that what you do on Halloween is ultimately your decision to make. I hope that you'll approach it with wisdom and discernment, reflecting on what aligns with where you are in your journey with Jesus.
6 Christian Perspectives on Celebrating Halloween:
1. Avoid it Altogether
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. - Ephesians 5:11
One perspective on Halloween is to avoid it entirely. Because of its association with dark themes, some Christians believe we should steer clear of any involvement with Halloween. Jamie Morgan wrote an article for The Christian Post outlining why she believes Christians should never celebrate Halloween. She highlighted several key points that reflect the views of those who hold this stance. Let me paraphrase a few for you:
-God is the God of life, while Halloween is a celebration of death.
-Light has no fellowship with darkness.
-Halloween often glorifies witchcraft, which is detestable to the Lord, so why would Christians engage in a day that celebrates such things?
-Wiccans, who practice witchcraft, regard Halloween as a significant holiday. Should Christians be taking part in something that aligns with that practice?
Morgan and others who hold this view argue that Halloween's dark nature is incompatible with Christian values. You may agree with this position; if so, that's okay. But as I mentioned earlier, it's important to consider there are other perspectives on how Christians can engage with Halloween, and it's worth exploring those, too. Let's explore the next one.
2. Participate, but Watch How You Do It
"I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but not everything is constructive. - 1 Corinthians 10:23
I believe Christians would agree (at least I hope they would) that celebrating death, witchcraft, or wearing costumes that promote these dark themes is inappropriate. However, what if you avoided these aspects of Halloween altogether? What if you participated in the fun side of the holiday—dressing up in a non-dark, non-scary costume, enjoying the candy, and socializing with friends and neighbors? Would that be acceptable? For many Christians, the answer is yes. They believe that if you are not actively celebrating or glorifying Halloween's darker, more sinister elements, it's fine to enjoy the innocent fun the day can offer.
Those who hold this view argue that it is possible to participate in Halloween without compromising their faith. By choosing costumes that reflect positivity or fun and focusing on the social aspects, such as community events or neighborhood trick-or-treating, they believe they are not endorsing the dark origins or spiritual dangers associated with the holiday. For them, their freedom in Christ allows them to engage with the world in ways that do not violate their conscience. Ultimately, these Christians feel that as long as they are not taking part in activities that glorify evil, they are free to choose if they will join in on Halloween festivities.
3. Have a 'Hallelujah Party' Instead
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24
When I was growing up, our church youth group would have a hallelujah/harvest party every year around Halloween. The idea was to offer an alternative celebration for those who may not want to celebrate Halloween. We would dress up in costumes, but there was a rule—none of us could wear anything representing Halloween's darker, traditional elements, like ghosts, witches, or anything along those lines. The creativity that came out of that was amazing. I remember one year, someone dressed up as the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, and another girl, whose father was really imaginative, built a costume that symbolized a person literally standing on the Word of God.
The thinking behind it was simple: Why let a day often used to celebrate darkness pass without shining some light? If this is the day God has made, we should use it to rejoice. Instead of hiding from the day, we could redeem it and use it as an opportunity to glorify God. By shifting the focus from fear and death to joy and life, we were able to create a fun and uplifting atmosphere without compromising our faith. Because it was a party, it became a great opportunity to invite people to church who might not otherwise come. It was a creative and powerful way to say that, as Christians, we can bring light even when the world is celebrating darkness.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Images By Tang Ming Tung
4. Make it an Opportunity to Build Relationships in Your Community
I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. - 1 Corinthians 9:22
When my daughter was in elementary school, every year, they'd have a costume parade during Halloween. It was a big deal. All the kids would dress up, and parents would line up outside the school to watch the parade. Of course, not everyone was a Christian, so you'd see a variety of costumes—some fun, some spooky. But for us, it wasn't about the costumes themselves. It became an opportunity to celebrate our children, engage with the community, meet other parents, and build relationships.
This same mindset can apply if you're in a neighborhood where kids trick-or-treat. Rather than seeing it as a day to avoid, why not see it as a chance to be present and show love? We live in a townhouse community in the suburbs, and since the surrounding streets are dark, many people come into our neighborhood to trick-or-treat. Instead of shutting the door or turning off the lights, we use it as an opportunity to connect. Sometimes, just handing out candy with a smile or offering a kind word can open the door to future conversations—and maybe even the gospel. Like Paul, we can use the day of Halloween to potentially win some for the kingdom.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/mediaphotos
5. Follow Your Convictions
So whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. - Romans 14:22-23
You may have strong convictions about Halloween, and that is fine. There are certain elements in our Christian walk where God gives each of us personal convictions. If the Holy Spirit has spoken to you in this area, you must honor that. You should follow what God has placed on your heart, and if that means avoiding Halloween altogether, then do that. However, be mindful that someone else may not have the same conviction, and you must allow them to follow theirs as well.
God doesn't deal with all of us in the same way on every issue. While one believer may feel convicted to stay away from Halloween, another might see it as a harmless cultural event or an opportunity for outreach. We need to guard against assuming that our conviction should be the standard for every Christian. Let's make room to allow others to be guided by the Holy Spirit as they grow in their relationship with Jesus. This makes room for grace as each person learns to hear and follow what God has laid on their heart.
6. Respect Other People's Choices
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. - Romans 14:1
No matter where you stand on Halloween, whether you choose to participate or abstain, we must recognize this falls under the category of disputable matters. I know some of you may feel there is no way that could be disputable, but since the Bible does not speak definitively on celebrating Halloween, we can't make this a black-and-white issue.
Christians will have different opinions, and we must respect that. We must also be slow to judge. Just because someone has a different position from you doesn't mean they are sinning, legalistic, or a compromised Christian. It may simply mean they are at a different point in their walk with Jesus.
As people grow in their walk with Jesus, their convictions may change over time, which can happen even in an issue like this one. Rather than being quick to judge another's perspective as more righteous or more flawed, let's apply more grace, wisdom, and humility to the situation. Ultimately, there is no requirement that we see eye to eye here, but we still should respect each other's convictions, especially if you know we're all striving to honor God in the best way we know how.
Originally published Thursday, 24 October 2024.