As with anything, Halloween is what we make it. If Christians or others find it offensive, then they should consider this event to be an opportunity to proclaim the message they wish to convey. I really think many of the pagan roots and the occultish nature of the day have been diminished by history and the entrance into more enlightened times. The above article has touched upon some of the importance of Halloween to the U.S. economy but I think more needs to be made of this. I have written a number of articles on my blog:

http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/

I would invite you to check some of my arguments on the side of Halloween. Bear in mind, I have been a Christian for most of my life and was raised in a Christian home. I am an active member in my church for several years. I'm not defending evil, but saying that Christians should never overlook a serious opportunity to reach out.

I'm glad to see someone mentioned Martin Luther's role on October 31st. Thank you.

Halloween. Is anyone else as sick of this argument as I am? If parents are concerned for the safety of their children, take them to the nearest church harvest gathering where they can play games, win prizes, and eat enough safe candy to make them pop. This day is a holiday, just like any other holiday. I don't see it worshiping Satan and I never have and I don't see the harm in hosting a harvest festival. End of story. Let's please stop driving ourselves crazy with endless Halloween debate.

Do what is right for your family as believers but don't belittle or berate believers who choose to celebrate the harmless aspects of Halloween.

Halloween is important. But it needs to be taken in context. When you dress your child up in costumes, is it imitating evil or is it imitating good? Have you taught your child what Halloween is about? Is it just a time for them to enjoy candy and have fun or do they celebrate a pagan holiday? These are thing s children must know.

Next on my priority list this is low. We have teachers handing out pornography, we have schools being sued for prayer, we have abortions happening daily, we have homosexuals being praised as heroes, we have sex and violence being shoved at us from every angle, those things are higher on my priority list than Halloween. When we attack the rest, I will attack Halloween.

I think Halloween is not important. This is an activity that is not of Christ. If we are going to observe people wear costumes mostly about demons or other evil creatures. What values are we teaching to our children? That they should be like the monster they are to wear? And if we are going to read the Bible, it does not state there that we should have festivals to the dead.

Do we "pray for the Reformation of Christ's church on earth" before or after the neighbor's kids are ringing the doorbell in search of treats??? Thanks for all the academics here, Dr. Mohler, but not a whole lot of practical wisdom or advice given here.

Thank you Dr. Mohler! My question is why do Christians feel comfortable around this kind of evil display?? It is shallow at best, to try to turn this into "evangelism at your doorstep". I doubt that anyone is actually sharing the gospel verbally to those that ring their doorbell. Just take a practical look around you (in the marketplace, on TV, etc.) during this time of year, and can you really believe this is something to embrace as a Christain? Again, my question is, why would anyone with the Spirit of God living within them be comfortable around this display of evil?

I just think it's strange that this article basically condemns Halloween, but another article on this web site considers Halloween "All Saints" day and we have Halloween to honor the Christians before us. Can someone explain this to me?

Ah, the endless christian debate - should we or shouldn't we celebrate it?

Well, the author doesn't help his cause by highlighting several commonly held, but incorrect notions - such as the infamous razor blade/poisoned candy myth (to date, only one documented case of Halloween poisining has led to a child death, and this was by the child's father, not some random psycho killing off the neighborhood children) and the more recent false statistic that Halloween is second only to Christmas in terms of money spent (when in fact, it is sixth on the list. (see these and other Halloween myths debunked at http://www.snopes.com/holidays/halloween/halloween.asp )

Anyway, because some people misuse something does not make it in itself evil - Paul told us in Romans that nothing is in itself evil, but only becomes evil when men use it as evil. So, Christians should not be made to feel guilty for enjoying a fun holiday.

I wrote an article on this very topic in my blog on mychurch at http://www.mychurch.org/blog/77756/HALLOWEEN--A-TREAT-FOR-CHRISTIANS?c=247741 .

I completely disagree that we should hole up in our churches and call the day one of evil. This is the only holiday when your neighbors come knocking on your door! Why on earth would we miss the opportunity to form relationships with our community! I want my neighbors to know me...I may be the only Bible they ever read.

Now, I'm a very nice person and I LOVE the LORD, so before anyone blasts me with spiritual fervor, please take a read at my blog. :>) It makes much more sense in context.

Thanks!

This is my response to a debate I recently had about Halloween and whether it is prudent for Christians to participate.

"We are supposed to look into what things stand for. There is a difference between Halloween and Christmas. They cannot be lumped together. Halloween has NEVER been a Christian holiday and it has always and is currently used as a Satanic holiday. It cannot be lumped together with Easter and Christmas.
Celebrating Christ's birth and resurrection is scriptural. However, God does not condone the celebration of a pagan holiday. Christ's birth nor His resurrection has any pagan origins, even if the Catholic church tried to cover up pagan holidays by establishing the celebration of these things on a day that was known to be a day that the pagans were celebrating something.
We do need to test all things by the Word of God, scripture tells us this. So it is scriptural to find out the "origins" of something before becoming apart of it."
(Read Col 2:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:15)

Last year I asked my 13 year old about Halloween.....I asked the significance......He said " it is an event that kids dress up and get candy. When I explained the roots in paganism.......my son did not believe me. He truly told me He thought I was pulling his leg......


My father was a Baptist Minister. We used to participate in halloween ......being in the world but not of the world. we looked at it lightly.......NOT a pagan worship. Just a silly night out in costume....getting candy.

If you ask 95 percent of kids....that is all holloween night is. If parents are really doing their job, then this night being a "pagan holiday" is no more detrimental to our kids than them enjoying candy from the Easter Bunny.....the true meaning of easter is the Resurrection.....and the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus.......not the "preasent thing". As long as parents keep it in perspective for their kids, and teach them what is right..dont make a big thing of it.

For many years, back in the '60's and early '70's, I was involved in the study of the occult including witchcraft, demonology and necromancy. I was cursed with premonitions from my youth, leading to my studies.

Along the way I became acquainted with a demonic force I called "my companion." I never saw him, but for ten years he was my constant companion. Even today he will occasionally return to see if the apartment is empty; fortunately, the Holy Spirit now occupies the space.

I prefer dealing with the evil one in the manner of Michael who said, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan, the Lord rebuke you." Showing him disdain or mocking him is less likely to cause him to depart than giving him over to the Lord. It is always best to turn such things over to the Master. He made me free, but I still have a grudging respect for the evil one and what I learned. Jesus Christ set me free and did away with the premonitions, and it is He who protects me in these times. Praise the Lord!