Why I don't celebrate Halloween & Why I don't condemn those who do

It's that time of year when the Christian community finds itself divided once more, as if it weren't already divided enough, over the debate surrounding Halloween.  On one side, voices declare Halloween to be inherently evil and a day dedicated to the devil, and should be a day to be avoided entirely by Christians.  Any participation is an endorsement of warlocks, witches, and pagan practices.  On the other side, a more lenient perspective suggests that Halloween is merely an innocent occasion for dressing up, enjoying festivities, and harmless fun.  Two opposites within the Christian world, each deeply held and passionately defended.  Given that this discussion occurs every year, I have decided to dedicate a blog post to the subject to share my thoughts and position on the matter.  This way, I also hope to prevent the annual inquiries about my stance on the Halloween debate.  

I was raised in a fundamental Christian church and was instructed that Halloween was an embodiment of evil.  Annually, in October, the directive was clear: "Have no part in the unfruitful works of darkness."  While my peers wore costumes as superheroes or princesses, I at least hoped to attend "Harvest Night" events, "Trunk or Treats" events, or even participate in Bible Trivia nights.  However, my Church was so staunch against Halloween that even trying to change the names was not an option; the foundation of these alternatives was still celebrating Halloween.

As a child, I accepted this without question.  It was simply what we did, or, more accurately, what we abstained from doing.  Halloween was strictly forbidden, deemed malevolent, pagan, and demonic.

As I matured, my faith developed, and I began to ask more profound questions, not out of rebellion, but rather in pursuit of understanding.  Why did we harbor such intense apprehension concerning this particular day?  Was it truly honoring darkness, or had fear of Halloween become an object of unconscious understanding?  In my capacity as Bishop and spiritual leader of God's people, I continue to refrain from celebrating Halloween.  Yet, my reasons differ from those I was taught during my childhood.  I do not avoid it due to concerns about witches, demons, or any curse.  And I certainly don't believe that those participating safely are bringing home hexes and evils.  

My non-participation stems from a refusal to engage in a season that glorifies fear.  
And fear, I affirm, is not a divine origin.

I was always a person who enjoyed scary movies, and the adrenaline rush from the scary jumps was thrilling.  Several years ago,  I wanted to go on a date night with my wife to watch one of these scary movies. Now, I can't remember which one it was, but what I do remember is what my wife told me.  I remember it clearly because it left a lasting impression on me.  "The Bible says that God doesn't give us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind.  I refuse to willingly invite into my life a spirit that God has not given me."  She was referring to what Paul told Timothy in his second letter to him. I sat with that comment for a while and agreed with it.  Every time I went to watch a scary movie, I got anxious. Random sounds scared me, and often, I would have nightmares about those movies, which would disrupt my peace.  And those feelings would stay with me for quite some time.  She was on to something, something I had never considered.
 
I don't remember the last time I watched a scary movie.

That verse that she quoted, 2 Timothy 1:7, wasn't seasonal.  It's a spiritual truth that applies to every day of our lives.  God has called us, His people, to live anchored in love, steadied by prayer, and guided by a sound mind.  Fear, in contrast, distorts all three.  It clouds out judgment, cripples courage, and distorts perception.  

And if we look around during October, fear is everywhere.

Haunted houses, horror films, and costumes that celebrate death, the culture around Halloween feeds on fear.  Halloween markets fear, it decorates it, and sells it at every department store.  Fear around this time becomes a form of entertainment, a commodity to consume.  The entertainment industry thrives on fear: every October, new horror films premiere.  People pay to be scared.  What concerns me is the industry's creativity.  It's conditioning our culture.  We are becoming comfortable with fear.

And as believers, we have to ask ourselves, "What happens when we normalize what Jesus came to conquer?"

Scripture never treats fear as a toy.  Fear is not cute, nor is it harmless.  In fact, the Bible warns us repeatedly not to fear.  Why, because fear competes for the same space that faith is supposed to occupy.  When we let fear take root in our hearts and minds, it begins to shape how we see the world and ourselves.  It whispers lies about who we are, who God is, and what He's capable of doing.  And the moment we give in, fear starts to define our reality.  Fear lost its authority when Jesus emerged from the tomb.  So why hand fear the microphone again?

This is why I choose not to celebrate Halloween.  NOT because I believe the day itself holds power, and people are sacrificing bunnies and warlocks and witches are praying for little ones dressed in costumes to be possessed and hexed.  No, C'mon - God is greater than that.  And if you think that Halloween is the one day when God's power and grace are weakened, you and I serve a different God.  
"I just refuse to willingly invite into my life a spirit that God has not given me."

And I know some might say, "It's just fun.  It's harmless."  And for many, that's true.  Dressing your kid as a firefighter or princess isn't a sin.  You will find no verse in the Bible that says "Thou shalt not trick-or-treat."  

Let me be clear, I'm not writing this to shame or condemn anyone who celebrates Halloween.  I have seen faithful Christians celebrate Halloween.  There are people that I pastor who celebrate Halloween.  Some use this season as an opportunity to engage their neighbors, love their community, and even share the Gospel in creative ways.  So NO - I don't believe every believer who participates in Halloween is sinning.

Paul, the same guy who wrote that letter to Timothy, wrote another letter to the church in Rome and said, "One person considers one day more sacred than another, another considers every day alike.  Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.  Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord."

For some, celebrating Halloween is a cultural experience, for others, it is about community and creativity, and for some, as it is for me, it's just about candy. For others, it's spiritual, and a line they'd rather not cross.  Both can be true, as long as the heart remains aligned with God's truth.  
So, if a Christian family chooses to participate in Halloween with a heart to bless others and not glorify fear, then may the Lord bless that.  And if another family decides to abstain, may the Lord bless that, too.

At the end of the day, Halloween is just one night, but fear is an everyday reality for many people.  Anxiety, uncertainty, and loneliness - all of these take on different forms throughout the year.  That's why this conversation matters, not because of pumpkins or candy corn (which, by the way, please don't give to kids that come to your door - those are nasty), but because of what it could reveal in our hearts.  Fear lurks around many corners of our lives: fear of failure, rejection, and the unknown.  However, the good news is that fear doesn't have the final word; Jesus does.  And His word over your life is peace.  

So yes, I still don't celebrate Halloween.  But my reasons are different now.  Not because I'm afraid of the dark, or because I believe there's a demon behind every door, but because I believe that the power of perfect love casts out all fear.  In choosing to not celebrate, I also choose to not condemn anyone else's choice.  If you celebrate, do it with purpose.  If you don't, do it with grace.