As followers of Jesus, understanding the truth about Halloween is crucial before deciding how to respond.
Every October, Christians and Halloween come face-to face. Some believers eagerly join in the fun, while others lock their doors and turn off their porch lights. But how should followers of Jesus respond to this holiday? To answer that, we need to uncover the truth behind Halloween and consider what Scripture teaches us about engaging with it.
This post was originally published in October 2015, and updated September 29, 2024.
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Modern Halloween: Innocent Fun or a Celebration of Evil?
Drive around any American neighborhood in the weeks leading up to Halloween, and you’ll see a curious mix of decorations: cheery pumpkins, cartoonish ghosts, and smiling witches sitting alongside gruesome displays of fake blood, severed limbs, and grotesque demonic figures. It’s a bizarre combination of innocence and darkness.
And let’s be honest, the innocent displays are getting harder to find. What was once a yard turned into a playful graveyard now often looks more like a scene from a slasher film. Some houses even recreate full-blown horror movie sets, leaving you wondering if you’ve stumbled onto a Hollywood backlot instead of a family-friendly street.
How do we, as Christians, navigate this shifting culture that blurs the line between fun and glorifying evil? Before making any decisions, it’s wise to understand where Halloween came from.
Christians and Halloween have crossed paths for centuries, but today’s celebrations are a far cry from what they once were.
The Ancient Origins of Halloween: Festivals of Fear and Harvest
Many people think of Halloween as a harmless night of costumes and candy, but its roots are far more complex. Modern Halloween is a blend of two ancient Roman festivals—Pomona and Parentalia—combined with the Gaelic celebration of Samhain (pronounced “sow-win”).
Pomona, the Roman goddess of orchards and fruit trees, had a festival day celebrating the harvest. The Romans honored her by offering nuts and apples, which may be where traditions like bobbing for apples began.
Parentalia, on the other hand, was a darker holiday dedicated to appeasing restless spirits of the dead. Families would offer food and drink to their ancestors, hoping to ward off any vengeful spirits. While the main festival took place in February, elements of it lingered throughout the year.
When the Romans conquered the Celtic peoples, elements of these festivals blended with Samhain, a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Samhain was believed to be a night when the veil between the living and the dead was thin, allowing spirits—both good and evil—to roam freely. People wore disguises, hoping to blend in with these spirits, and left offerings to keep sinister beings at bay.
According to Gaelic tradition, Samhain was a time for the Aos Si (ees-shee), or faerie spirits of former gods and the spirits of the dead. During Samhain, these spirits would occupy the countryside looking for a human body to inhabit.
But what does this ancient lore have to do with the Halloween we know today?
Christian Adaptations: From Samhain to All Hallows’ Eve
As Christianity spread through Europe, church leaders sought to replace pagan festivals with Christian holidays. They established All Saints’ Day on November 1st, followed by All Souls’ Day on November 2nd, to honor the departed. The night before these observances became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually evolved into “Halloween.”
Despite the church’s best efforts to Christianize these festivals, many of the original customs remained. The disguises, bonfires, and belief in wandering spirits continued—only now they were rebranded with a Christian veneer. Yet, the truth is that much of Halloween’s appeal still lies in its darker, pre-Christian roots.
Modern Practices: Trick or Treat, Costumes, and Haunted Houses
The practice of dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door began in the 16th century among Celtic communities. These disguises were intended to confuse spirits into thinking the wearers were one of them. Instead of candy, people recited poems or performed songs in exchange for food.
Today, this has morphed into our modern trick-or-treating tradition. But let’s not miss the irony: 364 days a year, we teach our kids to avoid strangers and not take candy from them—yet on Halloween, we encourage the exact opposite.
Beyond trick-or-treating, Halloween is marked by horror attractions and haunted houses. While many consider this harmless entertainment, others argue that celebrating fear, death, and horror isn’t consistent with the message of the Gospel. How, then, should Christians respond?
Spiritual Warfare for Every Christian by Dean Sherman (YWAM) is one of the most instructive, eye-opening, and easy to understand books I’ve ever read on the unseen realm and spiritual warfare. I do not want any Christian to be unaware of the spiritual reality of the world we live in and strongly recommend this book to all Christians. (affiliate link)
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? A Matter of the Heart
If you’re looking for a black-and-white answer on Christians and Halloween, you won’t find one here. Deciding whether or not to celebrate Halloween is a personal choice that requires wisdom and discernment. What’s important is understanding the holiday’s roots and its modern expressions before making a decision.
While some believers fully abstain, others use the day for outreach, hosting events like “Trunk-or-Treat” to offer a safe space for kids and families. Still, others go all out in celebrating Halloween, arguing that it’s just a bit of fun, completely detached from its origins.
But Halloween has never been just fun and games. As a former witch, Chelsea from the UK shares:
Halloween is not a fun joke…it’s a mass celebration of demon worship. I won’t put one foot in the demonic realm and one foot in Christ. That’s not how it works!
Chelsea, former witch, United Kingdom
Her testimony challenges us to consider what we’re really participating in when we put on that costume or hang up those decorations.
Biblical Wisdom: Avoiding Evil While Being Salt and Light
The Bible is clear on one thing: we are to avoid all forms of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 exhorts believers to “Abstain from every form of evil.” If Halloween, in any way, causes us to compromise our faith, it’s time to reconsider our involvement.
But that doesn’t mean we lock our doors and isolate ourselves from the world. Jesus called us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). What if, instead of retreating, we used Halloween as an opportunity to engage our neighbors with the hope of the Gospel?
How Christians and Halloween intersect isn’t about rules, but about discernment and reflecting Christ in a dark world.
Outreach vs. Discipleship: A Different Approach to Halloween
Many churches see Halloween as an outreach opportunity. They host events that often mirror the world’s celebrations, hoping to provide a safe alternative and draw people in. While the intentions are good, we have to ask: is participating in the holiday—even with good motives—the best way to represent Christ?
There’s another option to consider: discipleship. Instead of focusing solely on outreach, Halloween could be a time for deeper inreach, teaching our kids and congregations about spiritual discernment, the reality of evil, and what it means to be set apart.
Final Thoughts: Making a Decision as a Follower of Christ
Ultimately, whether or not you choose to celebrate Halloween is between you and the Lord. Just remember: ignorance of the facts doesn’t change the truth. Evil is evil, whether we acknowledge it or not.
For Christians and Halloween, the real question isn’t participation, but how to navigate the holiday in a way that honors God.
So as Halloween approaches, take the time to pray, research, and seek God’s guidance. When it comes to Christians and Halloween, the key is to be intentional and informed about your decision. Can you engage with this holiday in a way that honors Christ, or is it better to abstain? Whatever you choose, let your response reflect your commitment to being salt and light in a dark world.
Great post. Much appreciated and will be linking to it in my own post I am scheduling for tomorrow. I personally participate in Halloween, but can’t say I celebrate it. Ignoring it casts me as being judgmental to a culture I am commanded to engage and for whom I am to share the Gospel.
Hi Chad, thank you for sharing! You said it perfectly: “I personally participate in Halloween, but can’t say I celebrate it.” There is an enormous difference in meeting people where they’re at and in celebrating where our culture is. I appreciate your thoughts and the clarity you bring!
😀
We also participate by giving away candy at our door. I enjoy the children and seeing the fun costumes. As the evening goes by, though, some of the older kids start to show up in ghoulish costumes and that’s when we close the door and turn out the lights.
Your right that the day isn’t to be taken lightly but I also recognize that most children and their parents don’t know about the ancient connection to paganism. Rather than appear judgmental, I can reach out to them and still keep lines I’m unwilling to cross. When I’ve been asked if this is hypocritical, I’ve explained that I recognize the innocence with which most people approach halloween but when the evening focuses on evil images, I choose to step away. I’ve not experienced any negative reaction to that explanation.
Sherry, that’s a really balanced approach. Admittedly, I tend to focus on the negative of Halloween but I’m overcoming that by, like you, realizing the importance of engaging culture where it’s at!
Both my husband and I were brought up in homes that didn’t celebrate Halloween, and we don’t participate either. For us, the ghoulish decor and apparent festivity over death (which is a result of sin) holds no attraction. Perhaps if the holiday was merely full of Jack-O-Lanterns, cute kid’s costumes, and candy we’d have a different opinion, but with all the witches and skulls and ghosts it’s rather hard to ignore the pagan origins of the day.
I can also tolerate the lighter side of Halloween but the blatant evil and demonic yard displays are really bothering me. I think it’s important to meet people where they are at, but not to expose ourselves to utter darkness. There is a balance to engaging culture.
I agree with those who do not get involved at all in this pagan holiday. Behind the scenes of what looks fun and innocent are true occult rituals all gaining power from your innocent children participating in their holy (evil) day. Just like the wisest human king of Israel, Solomon warns in Proverbs… if we compromise, we teach our children that is okay to compromise. When it comes to sin, the Bible says it may seem fun and great at first, but the end therein is death. What are you going to do when your teens decide it is okay to compromise? What happens when a life changing decision will keep you or your family from damnation by taking a Mark on your forehead or hand? Will you say, “It’s just modern tech & we need it to eat?” Choose THIS day who you will serve!!! God is preparing you now to make the right choices for Him. Pass or fail are the only options. What demons are you allowing to infiltrate your family? Doesn’t the Bible say that Satan prowls around seeking who he can kill and destroy. This admonition was not for the unsaved only!!! If we walk above this mess, why do we want to sink and walk IN it? There is a wide easy road with the world and a narrow uncompromising road with Jesus. Choose your path. God is giving you the choice. My prayers are with you.
I love Halloween …. BUT I celebrate it MY way. For me it’s a time to wear a costume, the more dramatic the better. I love the children dressed as fairies, or clowns or super heroes. For me, it seems not participating because of the evil behind it, is actually giving more power to it than thumbing my nose at it and having a good time. Our church is located downtown Yakima, in an area known as the hole. We have a party at the church, with costumes, games, and candy. It keeps the neighboring children safe. I’m not saying I don’t understand the choice to boycott the holiday. Those led to stay clear, should.
Thanks for this great, post, covering a topic we should be discussing.
Deb, thank you for your thoughts! It’s definitely an internal debate I have with myself every year and really, just because I don’t like Halloween doesn’t mean it’s a good time to play the isolationist and disengage when there’s a side to Halloween that gives us as believers access to meet our culture where they’re at. I think that is an opportunity to be salt and light, but at the same time knowing the “why” behind the holiday gives us better insight. At the same time, I don’t think it’s ok to simply blindly engage. Kind of an “ignorance of the law isn’t an excuse” idea going on as well. I appreciate your thoughts, thank you for your comments!
Thank you for this! It totally is a pagan holiday, but I do think it is personal choice. I think God loves that I have fun, and I have to think about would God approve of my costume.
I think your approach is better than some of those whom I personally know. Part of my debate in Halloween is the Christians I know who go all out and embrace the darker, demonic side of things by having the macabre costumes and decor. I simply can’t understand someone claiming to follow Christ yet displaying the evil side of Halloween. Thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts!
Some really thought provoking comments here and I enjoyed reading some of the history that I was not familiar with. Most Halloweens will find me saying to my husband that I don’t want to hand out candy at the door but then as the time grows closer we always end up buying candy. Just because the little children can be very cute and we certainly don’t mind blessing them with a smile. I think when they are little and with their moms and dads it is good to greet them cheerily instead of being shut away in a darkened house. ..We are the light and want people to see our love.
I have to agree, Jeannie. The more I think about it, the more I realize it’s more important to put my feelings on the shelf and to just be available to those around me. Shutting my door and keeping my light off would accomplish nothing. Thank you for reading and for your thoughts on this!
I have to say I have done a full reversal of Halloween. I used to be a Christian who fully participated in this pagan holiday and after doing much research regarding it, have stopped participating in it all together. Halloween is a pagan holiday. It has nothing to do with Christ but has everything to do with the satanic occult. Children/animals go missing more this time of year than any other time except Easter (another pagan holiday, not resurrection day), the occult is practiced, divination, calling the dead, dressing like the dead and more. If you dig a bit deeper you will find that the celtics dressed up like the dead so the evil spirits would think that they were one of them, they also put food, nuts and so forth out to appease the evil spirits too. The scripture tells us to “When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.” Deu. 18: 9-12
God was adamant about the Israelites not to take up the pagan practices and if they did, they suffered terribly for it. To me, the bible is very clear about Halloween, as it represents evil and we are to abstain from it. The problem with our Christian culture today is that we practice the very pagan things that the world does, we do not stand out nor take a stand against the pagan holidays and therefore blend in with our unsaved neighbors. The puritans and quakers refused to participate in the celebration of Christmas because nowhere in the bible did the apostles celebrate it so neither did they. I have removed Santa’s from my christmas displays and have started to add Christ centered nativities on my tree as well as throughout the house. As Satan continues to take a stronger foothold on christians and our neighbors, I feel we must take a stronger stand against his evil and shine a brighter light for Christ. Thanks for sharing this article. God bless.
God said ‘let the little children come’. Do we punish them for the acts of the parents? Good post Cathy and all true. It is difficult to find middle ground in this. God punished for the sins of the fathers. I’m not so sure that’s our job too. What do you think Gene?
Well, the ‘let the children come’ teaching is directed at those who tried to keep children from Jesus. I find it impossible to apply that text to deciding whether or not someone’s kids participate in a worldly occasion that brings zero glory to God and in no way points the children to the cross.
However, you’re right, Mike. Middle ground is most difficult to find on this subject. The holiday itself is cut and dry: it’s satanic and it’s evil, no doubt about it. On the other hand, I don’t think Christians should hide behind one another at a time when evil is in celebration mode.
It’s an opportunity to be an example, and an opportunity for diligent, earnest prayer against evil and for the lost. Also a great chance to offer alternatives that do not bring in parts of the holiday, like maybe a community movie night or a worship concert with the best snacks in the neighborhood.
Agreed that it certainly is not our job to visit punishment on anyone for the sins of another, like their fathers, but it is absolutely our responsibility to “train up a child in the way they should go.” That definitely includes teaching them to identify evil and pagan practices and to not walk in the way of the world.
By the way, this is interesting. A former satanist talks about Halloween and it’s pretty eye opening: https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2017/october/former-satanist-warns-christians-about-celebrating-halloween.
I agree with those who do not get involved at all in this pagan holiday. Behind the scenes of what looks fun and innocent are true occult rituals all gaining power from your innocent children participating in their holy (evil) day. Just like the wisest human king of Israel, Solomon warns in Proverbs… if we compromise, we teach our children that is okay to compromise. When it comes to sin, the Bible says it may seem fun and great at first, but the end therein is death. What are you going to do when your teens decide it is okay to compromise? What happens when a life changing decision will keep you or your family from damnation by taking a Mark on your forehead or hand? Will you say, “It’s just modern tech & we need it to eat?” Choose THIS day who you will serve!!! God is preparing you now to make the right choices for Him. Pass or fail are the only options. What demons are you allowing to infiltrate your family? Doesn’t the Bible say that Satan prowls around seeking who he can kill and destroy. This admonition was not for the unsaved only!!! If we walk above this mess, why do we want to sink and walk IN it? There is a wide easy road with the world and a narrow uncompromising road with Jesus. Choose your path. God is giving you the choice. My prayers are with you.
Point well made, Sister in Christ. It’s never, ever ok to compromise God’s word and he says to “abstain from all kinds of evil.” Halloween has the cute, innocent toddler and young children costumes, but with each passing year I’m beginning to wonder, isn’t that a compromise on the evils of Halloween?
As a child, I’m not sure I ever remember participating in Halloween whatsoever. I was asked why not a few times in school but don’t remember the answer I gave as that was a while ago. To this day, I know Christians that do participate either a little bit or fully and I don’t agree with that whatsoever. I like how someone said we are not to compromise with the world in anyway. Furthermore I could go to the verse about “not being conformed with the ways of this world”. I have hear Joyce meyer preach on not comprising with the world in any situation. Also would you do it if Jesus was standing with ? So in short, in my heart, I do not think a Christian participating in Halloween is right. The devil makes the smallest things look innocent and sweet just like he did with the apple in the garden and that is when he attacks.
Hey Caleb, I’ve gone back and forth on this mainly because of the fun alternative things I see many churches offering for Halloween. But the more I learn about the nature and the meaning of Halloween, the more I tend to agree with you: Halloween is not to be celebrated by the follower of Jesus Christ.
Do not be deceived! Put on the mind of CHRIST! What does a PAGAN Holiday have to do with GOD and CHRIST! We are to stand for the truth. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the [b]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:8-13) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.(Romans 12:1-2) Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4) How can we sit here and justify oh I dress up innocently it’s ok because I don’t decorate my home in evil, yet the very day is a PAGAN Holiday. Every story in the Old Testament ended in destruction for those that compromised the WORD OF GOD for PAGAN traditions! The devil wants to steal, kill and destroy by deceiving! Follow the SHEPARD HEAR HIS VOICE! Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO CLAIM JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR LIVE FOR HIM! IF WE HAVE DIED WITH CHRIST THEN WE HAVE NO EMOTIONS, IDEAS OR AFFILIATION TO THIS WORLD BUT TO DO THE WILL OF GOD!
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. GALATIANS 2:20
I am not a fan of Halloween either. We purposefully decorate for fall, leaving out anything related to Halloween. However, we did allow our kids to trick-or-treat when they were younger. Although we don’t really “celebrate”, we do see it as an opportunity to reach out to the community with the love of Christ, so some years we participate in the trunk-or-treat that is held in the parking lot of our church building. This is a great article that calls for some deep consideration. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Nicole, thanks for your comments! I actually really enjoy the colors and decorations for the Fall season and the changing of seasons are good times of reflection.
We also allowed our kids trick or treating when they were young and we wrestled with it with unsettled feelings every year. I think I’d take a stronger stance on it if I could do it again, one of those “if I knew then what I know now” situations. This year I think I’ll relax at home and listen to, I don’t know, maybe some guitar-laden Kutless worship music! 😀
During my childhood, our churches didn’t participate in Halloween. What concerns me now is when churches have the trunk or treats, we are not separating ourselves from the world. This to me is a conflicting message to all those passing on the highway who may have interest in becoming a Christian. I enjoy the cute costumes and giving out candy at home.
Right, the sending of messages conflicting to God’s word is a serious issue, not just around Halloween but around other things as well. But I’m curious, if it’s conflicting to the passers by for the church to participate in Halloween, would it then be conflicting to the neighbors you may be a witness for to participate from home?
I don’t celebrate Halloween. Never did and was taught it was wrong for Christians. Though my husband did when he was a kid, he agrees that it isn’t something our kids should participate in. Usually it’s not a problem. We have a fall party at our church every year (hayride, kid’s baking contest, campfire, giant slide, etc).
However this year our neighborhood wants to do trick or treating. I feel really torn. Most of the neighbors planning it are Christians. They have asked that no one dresses in scary costumes or has scary decorations. They want to keep it safe and family friendly. I appreciate that, but I still hesitate to join in. Like you, I feel Christians should stay away from participating all together. I’ve explained my reasons to my kids, but part of me feels guilty or like a “party pooper”. Any advice?
Hi Amber,
I actually know exactly how that feels. For years, we debated and went back and forth with our kids because we didn’t want to see them left out, and that typically involved the Halloween activities at our church at that time.
Looking back, I can say that I wished I were not so back and forth on the matter and in fact, that I would have challenged our church in a healthy manner about the Halloween involvement.
Also looking back, I would have taken more time teaching our daughters about the importance of “abstaining from all evil” and “light having no fellowship with darkness.” That’s what I would do differently, and I don’t know if that helps, but for what it’s worth, had I led my young family better then it just might have helped my adult daughters in other areas they were challenged in by peer pressure and society.
I hope that helps in some way!
I came across your post since I was trying to find out a creative way to respond to “Happy Halloween” wishes. Thank you for bringing this topic and address it.
To me, it clear and simple. Don’t celebrate it. Trying to justify it and path yourself in the back for something that’s intrinsically evil. Like Rabbi Shaul would say “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?
Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
2 Corinthians 6:14
At this point, I already thought my kids that this is evil. That we don’t celebrate death or engage with pagan customs. We stopped celebrating christmas, for it too is a roman/pagan holiday. We went back to celebrate the moadim (appointed times) of God instructed in Leviticus 23, Shabbat and the heads of the month as instructed by Him.
Once you truly follow Him, you understand that you need to leave traditions, customs and believes behind. You can’t turn back, otherwise, we are not better than the wife of Lot.
Yes, people are going to call you weird, or out of touch, or whatever adjetive makes them feel better… and I say “we can’t love sin over righteousness”, “we can’t love traditions over the Word of God”.
Shoshana, you hit many points of truth in your comment! So many Christians want God to fit their own image and many have lost sight of what it means that He is a holy God. It’s much easier to accept a tolerant Jesus that doesn’t involve judgement, yet He speaks of separating goats from sheep and wheat from chaff, and how narrow that gate to eternal life is while the road to destruction is wide and easy.
As for Halloween, it is displeasing to the Lord because it’s evil, pure and simple. You said it best, “we can’t love traditions over the Word of God.” (Mark 7:1-13)