Happy Halloween
Which is funny to say considering that I probably should say,Happy Halloween weekend. Around here the event has been celebrated for days. Trunk or treat events have been going on all around, fall festivals, various other ways of experiencing the day can be found. As it is I am sitting here thinking about those kids with all that candy. Want to discuss sugar rush? But hey, its all in fun.
I remember as a kid going trick or treating. We were in Alabama one year visiting relatives and they lived in a large residential area. We walked with paper grocery bags that we would get filled, go home to empty and then back out. Greedy for candy? But of course, we were kids. Wearing either store bought costumes of mom made, we had a blast. Then Halloween took an evil turn and people were putting things such as razor blades or needles in apples and candy.
By the time my own son was going trick or treating, the local mall was holding an event where all the stores gave out candy so we took him to that. Even then, all candy was carefully checked. Then the churches in an attempt to keep the kids safe and off the roads, started fall festivals and trunk or treat events.
I don’t decorate for Halloween, or actually any holiday other than Christmas, but I enjoy seeing what others do. Not only to their yard and home but to their vehicles as well. Jeep owners are amazing and hilarious in the things I’ve seen.
As I sit here though, I have scrolled though posts by others and I wonder, should Christians observe Halloween? What actually is Halloween other than kids and candy? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween or even https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween
“Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2021 will occur on Sunday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.” Quoted from the History.com link.
With all that is involved in the history of Halloween, again the question, should Christians observe the day? Is it a day that is rooted in evil and dark or is it innocent fun for children? We’ve heard for years that using marijuana is a gateway to hard drugs, is allowing or encouraging our children and observing this day, a gateway to darkness and satanic forces? Do we try to put things, thoughts, ideas into things that aren’t there? But then, if you actually read the history, it is there.
Knowing the history, is it wrong to allow children to participate? Do you make a point in focusing on playful fun? I’m not going to answer any of the questions as I am hoping that those reading will share their thoughtful and respectful opinions. Does it matter?
Words from The Dirt Road 
As a Christian, I don’t participate in halloween. But, I am not saying those who participate are evil because it all depends on our intentions and how we do it.
Personally, I just don’t prefer to celebrate it. Ghostly costumes and evilish attires do not exactly reflect a Christian celebration. Secondly, if it is meant to ward off evil, then the more I should not participate in it since the Bible shows us how to resist the enemy.
And if others would be pointing out that it is just an innocent fun for children, perhaps, it is. But letting my children participate in it will have an immense impact in their belief and understanding about “evil”. It is like motivating their subconscious to think that these creatures are fine or good.
I agree and understand what you are saying. The amazing thing to me, thinking back to the night I helped with a trunk or treat, I saw only one ‘evil’ character. Most were fun characters. But, I haven’t participated in any others this year so I don’t know how others went.
Yes, I think, it has more positive impact to children if the characters are not evilish.