Halloween is like a slaughterhouse. Once you see what’s going on behind the walls, the end product just isn’t as enjoyable as it used to be. In fact, seeing it with your own eyes can be such a revolting experience that you have no trouble saying “goodbye” to what you once held dear. You might even have words stronger than that – “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for your thoughts are not those of the LORD, but those of men.”

SEE FOR YOURSELF

You can research the origins of Halloween with no trouble. This isn’t some well hidden secret or a fringe conspiracy theory. It’s historical fact. Our modern culture has just wallpapered over it with a pretty pattern of orange pumpkins and black cats. The facts are ghastly, and quite frankly, if they don’t disgust you then you might be desensitized to the point where evil and good are indistinguishable from each other. No need to read any further.

So if you’re still with me, please, check it out for yourself. Google “Halloween Origins”. Learn about the Celtic beliefs of the dead awaking on the “hallowed evening”. See how the ritual of “Trick or Treat” began by villagers leaving food outside their front doors so the dead spirits would be appeased and not do the household any harm. Discover the birth of costumes as disguises to fool the malicious fiends. Read of children sacrificed to pagan gods to ward off evil. Halloween is also a high “unholy” day of the Wicca (i.e. Witch) calendar. This is some really bad stuff.

IT’S ONE OR THE OTHER

I confess. I used to celebrate Halloween. I enjoyed planning a costume, and when I was kid I loved all the candy. As a parent I even practiced this annual atrocity with my two oldest children in their first several years – I once dressed my toddler in a ghost costume! I am ashamed of that now. After my wife and I saw the facts about what Halloween really is, we dropped it immediately. No more costumes, no more handing out candy, no more scary movies. It would be enough just to know the history behind it, but there’s a more compelling reason.

This is Satan’s big night. It’s a celebration of death. It’s a playground for demons. I’m not that naïve that I really believe the average American family that takes their children trick or treating is intentionally paying homage to Samhain. But this much is true: they are imitating the traditions of some very evil people from a long time ago. It doesn’t matter if hundreds of years have elapsed. The similarities are so striking that, in effect, you are playing the role of an evil-spirit-fearing Celtic who gives out treats to the demons so they won’t play tricks on you. When you light a candle inside your jack-o-lantern with the terrifying face, it mimics the burning of human-tallow candles of children killed to satisfy the bloodlust of pagan gods. If anyone that claims to be a child of the God of the Bible can knowingly mask that nastiness by dressing the kiddies up as a super hero or a princess and carving a happy face into their pumpkin, then such grievous duplicity could challenge their claim of being a believer.

“You are not able to drink the cup of the Master and the cup of demons, you are not able to partake of the table of the Master and of the table of demons.” 1 Cor. 10:21

“Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness? And what agreement has Messiah with Beliya’al? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever? 2 Cor. 6:14-15

MOVING ONWARD

So, let’s say you agree with all that. Maybe it’s always sort of pestered your conscience anyway, and now you have some good solid reasons for not celebrating Halloween. Will your children feel left out? Deprived of a large sack of dental damage? Can you decline an offer to a Halloween party without getting into an awkward discussion where you end up sounding like a religious freak? Friend, if you put any of these concerns ahead of your love and devotion to God, then you have much bigger problems than whether or not to do Halloween. It might not be easy to let it go, but it’s the right thing to do.

Is there an alternative? Question: Does there need to be one? I’ve seen some “harvest festivals” and some were even sponsored by churches inside the church itself. People still dressed up in costumes. Candy was handed out as prizes for the games we played. Sorry, but it looks like a thin coat of white wash over those orange pumpkins and black cats. But if you truly desire a substitute event, I do have a more virtuous suggestion you could consider.

I like to read the book of Haggai in the autumn. The story takes place roughly between September and December on the Gregorian calendar. It tells about how the Judeans had taken time to build themselves comfortable places to live, but had neglected to repair the Holy Temple where God dwelt. He chastised them (“Consider your ways!”) and warned them of scarcity of provision as a punishment. Then God stirred up their hearts to work on His House. When the work was completed, He blessed the Judeans not only with plentiful food stores but also issued prophetic promise to bring down the enemies of His people in defeat.

So, if we desire an annual tradition every October that we can celebrate in unity, how about one that honors God (instead of Satan)? Let’s do something to repair His House. I suppose this could be something like cleaning and decorating the sanctuary or meeting rooms in the church. What about a congregational leaf rake and cleaning of the grounds (if you are blessed enough to have property)? Better yet, can you find a poorly funded congregation and assist them with a repair or improvement project? And best of all you could prepare a new meeting place where one didn’t exist before! Start small and then grow it. No costumes, no candy - just families putting their hearts and energy into doing some work for God’s purposes. Remember that amazing scene of the Amish barn building in the movie “Witness”? They didn’t even have power tools!

Let us consider our ways.