Hallowe'en - a Treat or an Evil Trick?

Are you going to a Hallowe'en Party this year? All Hallows Eve (31st October) was the old Celtic New Year, when evil powers were thought to be abroad.

Much of our modern Hallowe'en traditions (trick or treat etc) come from America. But, is it all harmless fun, or can it lead to an unhealthy interest in the occult? All of us can become fascinated by the unknown beyond the physical, yet the Bible clearly speaks of the dangers of doing this.

What does God warn us against (see Deuteronomy 18:9-13)?
How do modern practices fit into this list - e.g. horoscopes, fortune telling, ouija boards, supernatural fantasy?
What does God say about these things (see Leviticus 20:6, 27 and Isaiah 8:19)?
How do you view such things, however innocent they might appear?
How did Jesus achieve victory over the powers of darkness (see Colossians 2:13-15 and 1 John 3:8)?
How should this affect our thinking about the occult?
What kind of tactics can we expect the enemy to use against us (see John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:14 and 1 Peter 5:8)?
How should we respond to any involvement in the occult (see Acts 19:11-20 and Ephesians 6:10-18)?

Power ... Party

We are not to be unaware of Satan's schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11), but ready to test everything (1 John 4 :1-3). As Christians, the power at our disposal is nothing less than the power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19,20).

So, why not make Hallowe'en different for your church or family this year? One church held a 'Rainbow Party' for the church family to celebrate God's goodness and the victory of Jesus. What willl you do? (Paul Hardingham)

Some Concerns

As responsible people we all want the best for those in our care. Of particular concern is that we do not in any way hinder our children's development. There are certain aspects of Hallowe'en which are clearly unhelpful and, for some children, harmful. We would ask you to give a few minutes to read further and consider what it says in the light of your responsibility as a caring parent/caring adult.

The Background to Halloween

The word Hallowe'en comes from All Hallows (All Saints) Eve, and is celebrated the day before the Christian festival of All Hallows. Hallowe'en originated in the Celtic New Year celebration of Samhain. The festival of Samhain marked the end of summer; laws were re-affirmed and land tenures renewed. It was a time when it was thought the dead revisited the earth, and when people wondered what the new year held in store. Meals were left out for the dead, fires were lit and loud noises were made to frighten away evil spirits. This pagan festival accounts for the twin emphasis of Hallowe'en : fear of the dead and evil spirits, alongside the customs associated with predicting the future.

These pagan customs were remarkably persistent, so the church provided the alternative festivals that incorporated many of the old customs. (All Souls became a day for especially remembering the dead.) Instead of fearing evil and worrying about the future, All Saints provided a time when the achievements of the saints were remembered and the ultimate triumph of good re-asserted.

Hallowe'en Today

There is in all of us a fascination with what is beyond the physical world. Astrology, ghosts, unexplained happenings, horror films, weird ancient religions - but these wre far from harmless. It is through such interests that evil powers charm their way into our minds to confuse and oppress.

Nowadays Hallowe'en is seen as harmless fun; it is thought that demons and ghosts don't exist and witchcraft and occult practices are just superstitious nonsense. But, whether real or imaginary, these things are symbols of evil. Concentrating on evil at Hallowe'en brings fear to impressionable young minds. For some it is upsetting and causes nightmares. This is often underestimated.

One Hallowe'en night, when children would naturally be up late, the BBC screened a spoof documentary called 'Ghostwatch'. Although the BBC claimed it was just harmless fiction, newspapers reported that some children were terrified and badly affected.

Hallowe'en can also breed an unhealthy interest in the occult, which leads to emotional, mental and spiritual distress. This is confirmed by child psychologists who are dealing with increasing numbers of disturbed children. Trick or treating can breed vindictive attitudes, and lead not just to childish pranks as 'tricks', but vandalism and even violence. In addition, it is dangerous today for children to be knocking on the doors of strangers.

Our Christian Beliefs and Halloween

As Christians we believe that good and evil are opposites. This does not mean that all characters have to be classified as 'goodies' or 'baddies' in a simplistic and unrealistic way, but we are worried about the presentation of evil as no more than 'fun' at Hallowe'en. We recognise no harm is intended but we do have concerns about the failure to make clear distinctions between the harmless and the harmful.

Christians believe that evil is a real but defeated power. Hallowe'en, however, is about evil triumphant, where it is in the ascendant and is given too much importance. For Christians, Hallowe'en is a distortion of reality. It may also give children a false sense of the power of evil.

We believe it is important for children to get the power of evil into perspective. A parallel can be drawn with the reporting of crimes. At the end of 'Crimewatch UK' the presenters are careful to say that their programme is unrepresentative. The nature of the programme means that it dwells on muggings, burglary and violence, but such crimes are put in context by reminding people that they are in more danger of being run over than mugged. The presenters recognise that it may create a false sense of vulnerability in the audience by focussing on what is, after all, a minority event. We feel that Hallowe'en may also do this. By giving evil undue attention, it might increase young people's sense of vulnerability in the world.

No Need to Spoil the Fun

Nobody wants our children to feel isolated from their peers and the fun of a 'party'. If you have children it is likely that you will want them to join in the fun with all the other kids. But the truth is beginning to come out: Hallowe'en parties may not be the harmless fun they appear to be - they are often the first introduction of young, inquisitive and sensitive minds to withcraft and occult practices. No caring adult would knowingly place children in such danger. We have every right to be concerned.

We don't smile any more at 'kid's going behind the bike shed' to have their first cigarette and we rightly treat as criminals those who involve children in perverted practices. We cannot be any less concerned to protect children from spiritual danger.

Jesus Christ gave one of His severest warnings to those who wilfully or carelessly cause children to be spiritually harmed:

... it would be better for that person to have a large millstone tied around his neck and be drowned in the deepest sea.' (Matthew 18:6)

We would not wish to remove anything which is enjoyable without putting something which is equally fun in its place. Can we encourage you to find out if there is an alternative children's event on All Hallow's Eve and, where opportunity arises, encourage children to go?

Why has Hallowe'en become so important?

The growth in the popularity of Hallowe'en celebrations is probably related in part to the decline of Guy Fawkes celebrations on 5th November. Bonfire parties were once big family events which have now waned, but they have left a celebration gap and much of the fun of Guy Fawkes is now being attached to Hallowe'en. In the past, the traffic was in the other direction. Originally, bonfires, crackers, etc were part of Hallowe'en and they became attached to Guy Fawkes Night, but the tide has turned.

Another reason for the rise in Hallowe'en is the increasing interest generally in the occult. Whatever the reason for this increase, there is now available on video, in computer games, on TV and in books, a large amount of material on this subject which was not previously so readily available.

In addition, there is a lot of finance committed to promoting the sale of Hallowe'en products, much of this directed at children. It is becoming a significant market where big profits can be made.

We want the best for our children

There is in all of us a desire for the best, whether it be physical or spiritual. But our appetite for spiritual satisfaction can lead us to sample much that is harmful; astrology, weird religions, unexplained happenings - some of these can become obsessions.

It is through such interests that evil powers can charm their way into our minds to confuse and oppress. But God has revealed Himself to be a caring God. He directly forbids any dealings with evil powers which enslave.

'...don't let your people practice divinations or look for charms, and don't let them consult the spirits of the dead.' (Deuteronomy 18:10,11)

God has provided the way for our spiritual hunger to be satisfied. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He offers a personal relationship with Himself: We can receive forgiveness for all that is a barrier between ourselves and the source of all spiritual goodness. We can, as the Bible puts it, be 'born again' ( are you saved? ); become spiritually alive, able to know our caring, loving God, as 'Father'. This incredible truth is the living experience of many millions throughout the world.

As Hallowe'en makes us consider the well-being of young people, it should also encourage us to consider whether we are spiritually secure ourselves.

'What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?'

There is no other way to find spiritual satisfaction. We can, as the Bible says, fill our minds with those things that are good and deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honourable.

Mothers, Fathers, leaders of young people - the responsibility rests with us. Let's have a party. Have a bonfire, a barbecue, music, games .... and make All Hallows Eve happy and safe.