Should Christians celebrate Halloween? 5 reactions
Heritage Oak School
On its website, the faith-based Heritage Oak School in California posted a blog series on Halloween, noting that Christian perspectives on the holiday are “divided.” While some Christians feel they can participate in Halloween, others feel God doesn't want them to celebrate it.
Citing Romans 14:2, the blog encouraged Christians who adhere to the latter stance to maintain their convictions, directing its advice toward people of faith who still want to participate.
“Halloween can be a holiday that can honor God or honor the world. As Christians, we are called to be in this world but not of it,” the school advised. “We are clearly not to react to Halloween like superstitious pagans. Therefore, our actions at Halloween should always be wise and honoring to God.”
According to the school’s blog post, there is “nothing specifically evil about trick-or-treating” or any of the other common traditions associated with the day. However, Heritage Oak warned that Christians should remain mindful of the costumes they wear and how they decorate their houses for Halloween, stressing that their actions should not be “pagan or evil in nature.”
“If a person who knows I’m a Christian saw me on Halloween, would they question my Christianity? For example, if a co-worker who knows you are a Christian, sees you wearing some bloody, gory Halloween costume, how will they view your dedication to Christianity?”
In addition, the blog asks Christians how their community might view their commitment to the Lord based on how they behave at a party or decorate their house. The school urged Christians to stay mindful about witnessing to others, suggesting that Halloween is an opportunity to “further God’s Kingdom” by demonstrating a “loving attitude” toward family, friends or co-workers.
“Whether you participate in Halloween or not, it can be an amazing time to share the ultimate message that Christ has overcome death, sin and evil spirits by dying on the cross, driving out the fear of any witch, goblin or skeleton,” Heritage Oak School stated.
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman