Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? (With Bible Verses)
Should Christians celebrate Halloween? It depends on who you ask.
According to a 2015 study conducted by Lifeway Research, American Christians are divided on the topic.
“A slight majority (54 percent) says Halloween is all in good fun, while 18 percent try to avoid the pagan elements, and 23 percent avoid it completely.”
And interestingly enough,
“Catholics are more likely to select ‘It’s all in good fun’ (71 percent) than Protestants (49 Percent).”
It’s not surprising that Christians disagree on how to participate in Halloween, of course.
There are no Bible verses about Halloween (the tradition as we know it today didn’t exist yet), and there are excellent arguments on both sides of the “Halloween and Christians” debate.
In this article, we’ll explore:
Halloween and Christianity: Should Christians Celebrate?
Are There Any Bible Verses About Halloween?
There are no Bible verses about Halloween, dressing in costumes, or trick-or-treating, as Halloween didn’t yet exist the way we know it today when the Bible was written.
That being said, if you’re wondering what the Bible says about celebrating Halloween, there are several Scripture verses that can help guide your decision, even if they don’t touch on the October 31 holiday specifically.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22: “Reject every kind of evil.”
- Ephesians 5:8, 11-12: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light… Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.”
- Galatians 5:19-21: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- Micah 5:12: “I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.”
- Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Personally, I don’t find it sinful to read (or watch) stories about evil. If this were the case, we wouldn’t be allowed to read the Bible, which includes many stories containing witchcraft, idolatry, adultery, murder, revenge, and more.
However, there is a difference between stories that clearly portrait evil as wrong and stories that promote, glorify, or even worship sin as good, normal, and natural. (Showing witches and sorcerers as the “good guys,” for example.)
Because there are no Bible verses about Halloween specifically, Halloween is considered a moral gray area. This means it’s up to every individual Christian to decide whether or not they will celebrate and to what extent.
Why (Some) Christians Don’t Celebrate Halloween
Some Christians don’t celebrate Halloween because they believe the holiday glorifies evil, it provides the devil unwanted access to our lives, or it simply isn’t appropriate for Christians to celebrate.
1. Halloween Glorifies Evil
While you can certainly participate in Halloween festivities without glorifying sin yourself, there’s no question that the holiday is highly associated with evil themes, characters, and practices that go directly against Christian values.
These themes include:
- Occult and Witchcraft: Imagery of witches, spell-casting, pentagrams, and anything tied to occult practices can be seen as celebrating or trivializing the occult.
- Demons and Satanic Symbols: Symbols or characters that appear demonic, satanic, or anti-Christian (e.g., devils, inverted crosses) may be viewed as contrary to Christian beliefs and offensive to faith-based values.
- Violence and Gore: Overly graphic depictions of violence, blood, and gore may be off-putting, as they seem to glorify or trivialize suffering and horror.
- Death and Dark Spirits: Themes that celebrate or glorify death and the undead, such as zombies or ghosts, may be seen as glorifying a worldview opposed to Christian beliefs about life and the afterlife.
- Evil Characters and Antiheroes: Characters that portray evil as fun, attractive, or worthy of emulation (e.g., serial killers, vampires) may be concerning, as they blur the line between good and evil in a way some Christians find problematic.
- Superstition and Fortune Telling: Fortune-telling, astrology, tarot cards, and similar imagery associated with supernatural “powers” apart from God may also be viewed as promoting un-Christian beliefs.
2. Halloween Can Give the Devil Unwanted Access
While some Christians find magic, horror movies, or demonic decorations harmless, others worry about the slippery slope of participating in activities the Bible clearly says are wrong.
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.” –Deuteronomy 18:10-14
Where do you draw the line between children’s magic tricks, Disney Magic, Harry Potter magic, reading books about magic spells, and practicing (real) magic yourself?
And where do you draw the line for your children? Can they dress as witches for Halloween, watch fantasy movies about sorcerers, play with magic 8 balls and Ouija boards, or read library books about how to cast love spells?
While I’m not saying any of these things are right or wrong (you’ll have to decide where to draw the line for yourself), if you were the devil, wouldn’t you start with children’s games and costumes that seem “harmless” in order to desensitize them?
3. Just Because Christians Can Celebrate Halloween Doesn’t Mean You Should
“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” –1 Corinthians 10:23
Given the arguments above, some Christians don’t celebrate Halloween simply because they feel it isn’t appropriate for Christians or it isn’t worth the risk. Yes, there are pros to Christians celebrating Halloween (as we’ll see in a minute), but each of these can easily be accomplished at a different time or in a different way.
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should, and there are plenty of other, better ways to spend a fall evening than participating in a holiday known for its questionable themes.
Why (Some) Christians DO Celebrate Halloween
Many Christians celebrate Halloween because they find it harmless fun, and they want their children to enjoy the same Halloween memories they have from their childhoods. Plus, some Christians even argue that Halloween can be used to strengthen their Christian faith — not detract from it.
1. Halloween is a Great Outreach Opportunity
As Christians, it’s our responsibility to be a light to the world. Yet, how can we do that if we constantly hide away in fear, voluntarily segregating ourselves within our own Christian communities?
In her thought-provoking article “Christians Who Celebrate Halloween,” Carissa Shaw writes, “What other time do you have an opportunity to be a kind, decent human and a light in your neighborhood just dropped in your lap like this?”
Yes, you can hide out at home with the lights off. Or you could volunteer at your church trunk-or-treat, host a Halloween party for your neighbors, go trick-or-treating with another family you’d like to get to know, or hand out the biggest candy bars on the block.
In some neighborhoods, this may be your rare opportunity to get to know your neighbors.
Related Reading: Halloween as a Ministry Opportunity: 5 Creative Ideas
2. Halloween Can Be Used to Teach Good vs Evil
The world is full of evil–not just on Halloween. Many Christians believe that, rather than hiding away from sin, we can use Halloween as a teaching opportunity for our children.
After all, the gospel message isn’t: “You better always do the right thing and make Jesus happy so he can bless you” — completely cutting sin and evil out of the equation.
Rather, the gospel message is: “Sin is real. We’re all sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus provides a way for us to say no to sin and Hell and accept his best for us instead–both now and in Heaven for all eternity.”
Sin is real, and Halloween is a great time to talk about it.
3. The Devil Doesn’t Get a Holiday
As you’re determining whether or not to celebrate Halloween, remember: God created all 365 days of the year. Satan created 0.
While some people may use the holiday as an excuse to glorify and even worship evil, that doesn’t mean the devil gets to claim the day as his own. It’s still God’s.
This might mean you honor God by choosing not to participate. Or it might mean that you honor God by redeeming the day as an opportunity to love your neighbors. That’s between you and Jesus. (The devil doesn’t get a say.)
4. Halloween isn’t the Only Cultural Tradition With a Questionable Past
Many Christians fully recognize and acknowledge Halloween’s questionable history (and present) but choose to look past it. After all, many of our cultural traditions and rituals come, at least in part, from questionable sources.
While it might seem nice to live a life completely free from on-Christian influences, this simply isn’t practical or possible for the vast majority of Christians today. Too much of our culture has pagan influences.
- MANY Christmas traditions (such as lights, bells, and mistletoe) come, at least in part, from pagan sources.
- Several months of the year and days of the week are named after various gods.
- The tradition of celebrating birthdays by lighting candles has pagan origins.
- Wedding rings, wedding ceremonies and funerals come from pagan customs.
Rather than trying to live a “perfect,” holy life, many Christians simply do the best they can, worrying more about the big issues than the small, controversial issues.
5. “Alternative” Activities Aren’t Really Any Different
Thinking of skipping trick-or-treating to attend your church trunk-or-treat or Harvest Party instead?
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with Christian Halloween alternatives, these activities typically really aren’t that different from the secular activities they’re replacing.
Does walking around a church parking lot in a Christian Halloween costume make you holier than walking around a neighborhood in a secular costume? Are you actually setting yourself apart? Or are you simply modifying the activity a bit so you feel better?
Is it a Sin to Celebrate Halloween as a Christian?
While Christians may disagree on how to observe Halloween, it is not a sin for Christians to celebrate Halloween. The Bible never forbids the holiday or any of the common traditions people follow (dressing up, eating candy, going door to door, etc.).
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Whether or not Christians can celebrate Halloween, many Christians debate whether they should. Because there are no clear Bible verses about Halloween, every Christian has a responsibility to act according to his or her own conscious.
In her article A Christian View On Halloween, Courtney Joseph writes: “Since the Bible does not give a clear mandate “thou shalt not participate in passing out candy or dressing up as Minnie Mouse on October 31st” – this is an area of Romans 14 – called liberty, conscience or a grey area.”
My Personal Christian View on Halloween
Personally, our family does participate in Halloween, though we certainly don’t go all out.
We love getting dressed up in matching family-friendly costumes, trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, and eating waaay too much candy. We carve pumpkins, make Halloweenies, and watch at least one kid-friendly Halloween movie every year. This year, we’re even going to a Halloween party at the home of one of our kids’ friends.
I personally stay away from anything to do with the occult, witchcraft, or the paranormal. (Though we did watch The Poltergeist with our oldest.) And I prefer our costumes to be G-rated and family friendly — nothing scary or evil.
If I do any decorating, it’s only making cute little tissue ghosts or giving my kids tealight candles to put in their jack-o-lanterns they carve with their dad. (I’m not much of a decorator anyway.)
In other words, we take part, but it’s not my favorite holiday, so I personally am not interested in doing more than the minimum (buying costumes and trick-or-treating).
That’s what works for our family, though. You’ll have to decide what works for yours!
What do you think? Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? How does your family spend the day?
I never realized there was a question about celebrating Halloween, other than the obvious unhealthy candy part of it. I also didn’t realize Halloween was ever a day to celebrate the devil. I know in Mexico it is celebrated as The Day of the Dead to remember those that have died. In a semi-related note, it also baffles me that strict Christians ban Harry Potter in their homes too. Christians don’t like good fiction and using their imaginations?
I love having good fiction in my house. I do not like having things about witchcraft in my house. Things like that are evil and just invite satan into your home. No thank you.
Yeah, Halloween has a shady past that is tied in with paganism and all sorts of anti-Christian religions. Some Christians do participate, others don’t. Both are fairly common.
And I’m one of those crazy Christians who won’t watch Harry Potter too (though my husband does and I’m 99% sure there are a couple of them on our DVR right now…). The reason being is that it is full of witchcraft, wizardly, spells, and ties to the occult, which the Bible makes very clear that Christians should stay away from. (Deuteronomy 18: 9-13 is just one reference)
I’m sure on the surface level it looks like just a fun fantasy and I’m sure it is a fantastic, well-written, captivating story. It’s just the way that it promotes and glorifies other, darker religions that I stay away from.
Just curious, do you feel the same way about The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings? Those both have sorcery and magic as well, but were written specifically as Christian allegories. I know Potter wasn’t written with that intent, but its ultimate message is not to glorify the darkness. Actually, its overarching theme is that sacrificial love is the most powerful force in the universe. I believe that fits pretty well with my faith.
I do feel more comfortable with The Chronicles of Narnia, as it is written by a Christian specifically with Christian themes. It has been so long since I’ve seen it, though, and I’ve never seen The Lord of the Rings at all, so I can’t really comment on that… But that’s just my personal stance. I’m not trying to make a sweeping generalization here that everyone has to follow.
I am with you, no matter how you dress it up, its wrong, And the Word Of God Backs it up. Come out from among them.
Come out from among them. Exactly. Satan laughs when Christians celebrate his introduction to death, pain, fear, and sadness into the world. He thanks us for his invitation to our children too on that day.
Halloween was use to scare away the Satan (it was originally the Satan) and the demons.
The bible say that my people are destroyed because the lack of knowledge. We are not to follow the ways of the heathens/pagans. Please study and research what Halloween really is and its origins, and I also advice you to also look up the other pagan holidays that Christians have been bewitched and deceived in celebrating. Evil is evil and good is good, with that said there is no such thing as good evil. Halloween is a day rather you want to call it a holiday are not it is still a day that Satan has set apart for another one of his evil plots and plans, remember this the devil mimicks and copies what God does, just like God Sanctified the true Sabbath; not Sunday but Saturday, the devil also set apart days and things for his purpose. It is time for the church and American Christians and those who have followed Roman Emporer Constantine in his pagan rituals holidays and practices and Seek after God's truths. Witchcraft and the oocult paganism is all a abomination to God, He plainly told us not to follow the ways/practices of the heathens simple as that. We need to stop compromising with the devil and the world are you will find yourself in Hell fire. Look up Evangelist John Ramirez he is a ex warlock and Satanic Priest who even shares on his videos about the dangerous of Christians celebrating Halloween.
Beautifully written, Brittany. I especially love your point number 1. Thank you for your gracious, balanced, and Biblical approach to this sensitive topic. May God bless you!
Well, thanks. I just hope people find it helpful.
Thanks for posting, what a great article. Last year we sat in our garage and made homemade apple cider and gave out little ziplock baggies with some candy and bible tracts in them. I had all of the teens coming back for seconds:) We are doing the same this year but I think I will send my husband with some tracts as well when he takes the kids around our neighborhood. Here is where I get the tracts from Ray Comfort if anyone is interested: http://www.livingwaters.com/
That sounds like a great idea to me! I’m sure plenty of people just throw them away, but who knows who will read it and take it to heart or who will be inspire to do something similar next year.
In our Church we Celebrate All Souls and Saints Day. We also set with our neighbors in our circle and have a wonderful time together as neighbors. We have a small fire and enjoy seeing all the children and adults coming and talking and laughing. Its what you make it. Try not to be so serious.
That sounds like a lovely time.
I would like to say I have never celebrated Halloween and my mother always took me to Mass on “All Saints Day” as in the Catholic Church it is actually “A Holy Day of Obligation” where all Catholics should pray for those who are now deceased whether they are friends or family members. I was always told to encourage my school friends to avoid celebrating Halloween because this is where pagans who often are those who are witches celebrate it. It is a big thing for them.
I feel sorry for parents who have children and they say “no” to celebrating this pagan tradition. Children do not understand its pagan undertones or origins that it is encouraging worshiping the Devil.
When I was young (16) I used to love to read about Vampires and Werewolves and I got to know a young man the same age of myself who was mad about this subject too. What concerned me most was that he wanted to get in touch with satanic witches and get involved in their rituals etc. I advised him against this and actually contacted his parents and told them that their son wanted to get involved with these esoteric doctrines. They did stop him from pursing this adventure but he never spoke to me again. I just hoped and prayed he would understand my serious concern about it and that is why I told his Mum and Dad.
I do have members of my family that are practising black magic and for some unknown reason, my cousin’s wife is always trying to put an evil hex on me. I firmly believe because I am a firm believer in Jesus, I am totally protected from any harm.
Well that is all I wanted to say. I don’t have children of my own, but I do have plenty of nephews and nieces and they need just as much guidance is matters such as why Christians avoid Halloween.
Thanks for reading this.
Valerie !!!
I love this Brittany! There are so many people who avoid it al together, and I don’t think that’s right. I have never thought of the “Don’t give the devil a holiday” aspect of it, but that’s true. Why can’t we as Christians take back the holiday?
We don’t do gory costumes, or spooky Halloween movies. We DO dress up in cute costumes and are sure to say thank you at each house we stop at. My kids have NO clue about the pagan history of Halloween, and they don’t need to at this point.
I can definitely see avoiding it altogether as an option, but it’s certainly not the only one. And my kids have no idea either. Someday.
Thank you so much for this article. I’ve been confused and praying about this, it’s actually been on my mind lately, and then I come across this…. Amen. God bless you
You’re welcome! It’s definitely a complex issue with good arguments on both sides. Some are adamant it’s a pagan holiday, others believe it’s a Catholic holiday… Personally, I don’t see a clear cut answer that applies to everyone (though many will disagree), so I would pray about it, search Scriptures, etc and make the best choice you can.
Thank you for this timely article. I have been a little conflicted this season. I appreciate how you presented both views.
You’re so welcome!
Excellent article! I really appreciate the way you were able to explain and give both view points validity. Honestly, I’ve felt a little defensive on the subject lately and your words have helped me feel more comfortable in my decision. Best of all it brought me to you blog, you’ve definitely gained a new reader!
I came across a post today by a person on facebook requesting help with getting more information on her journey to becoming a witch. This really got me thinking…how can a Christian explain to a witch that he/she celebrates Halloween? I think this analogy explains it…Christian is to Halloween as Witch is to Christmas. We don’t cast spells, they don’t celebrate Jesus. We trick-or-treat, they open presents. What does God think of that?
I think you covered it. Do things as unto the Lord, and express His love to everyone. I have never been totally confident in my decision not to celebrate Halloween. I used to celebrate it HARD because it is right after my birthday, but now that I am grown and have kids I’ve been trying to avoid it mostly because 1, It doesn’t make sense to try to teach them not to fear things, then one day (or month) a year we celebrate scary stuff (though you can’t escape it, it’s everywhere!) 2. the candy, which i try to be very much in moderation with year-round, is the whole point of the holiday for them 3. it’s expensive 4. when you get older…high school, especially college age…Halloween is about skimpy clothes and getting drunk. We know tons of Christians who do celebrate it, and some in our church who don’t. I’m all for handing out candy as a way to witness, what a fantastic opportunity! But we don’t celebrate ANY of those holidays very much for the reasons you gave, they are very pagan in origin and for the most part have little connection to Christ unless you seriously strive to make them Christ-centered (but you won’t see me protesting my wedding ring). We are bigger fans of celebrating birthdays. I read about Halloween from a witch and warlock’s perspective, and they aren’t even sure of the origins because it’s so muddled and may be several different celebrations combined. I think a lot of “issues” like this are a sure-fire way for the devil to get a foothold in Christian relationships and cause great division in the body from a small disagreement. I LOVE that you say the devil has made ZERO days. And if Jesus were here for Halloween, I agree with what you said. If he were here for Christmas, he’d probably be serving in a soup kitchen, and for Easter, hunting eggs with children.