Halloween

Is Halloween a wicked holiday? Should families allow their children to participate in the activities of the day? Do Christians need to take a stand against it? Well, I might upset some of you with my answer, but I don’t think it is a terrible thing for kids to dress up in costumes and Trick or Treat for tasty treats. 

Every day kids of all ages enjoy dressing up and pretending to be someone that they are not. What child has not dressed up as mommy or daddy when playing house? Or what about cowboys and Indians? Or princesses in fairytales? Army and teachers? Are these daily make-believe experiences harmful to their wellbeing or is it just a way of learning about life and living? I don’t think any adult would prohibit their child from playing school or house, so what’s the matter with Halloween? 

If we shelter our kids from all of the questionable things in the world it can be detrimental to their ability discern good from evil as they mature. Halloween can and should be a teaching tool for parents, so the real danger is when parents don’t take the time to talk with their children about why this holiday is questionable. Parents can discuss the types of costumes that are most appropriate and why wearing some would not be honoring to God. Families can also talk about the activities that are most favorable to participate in and the ones that are not. 

Years ago after much badgering and hounding from our daughters, we took them to a haunted house sponsored by a local charity. After going through one or two of the rooms, I was convicted that it was a terrible thing for my children to experience, since it showed chainsaw massacres and stabbings and other gory sights, so we left. (What a change from the haunted houses of my youth, where the scariest thing was olive eyeballs.) That experience taught me to be more vigilant about what I let my kids participate in. Satan can and does use this holiday for evil, but he is alive and active the other 364 days of the year and we must be alert and on the look out not just on Halloween, but each and every day.  

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

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