Home » Halloween Magazine

Should we celebrate Halloween?

faithfuljim by faithfuljim
Last updated: 09/29/2011

Why I'm making this page called: "Should we celebrate Halloween ?"

I'm making this page called "Should we celebrate Halloween?" because, like it or not the holiday we call Halloween seems to be here to stay. The only question is "Should we celebrate Halloween or not?" and there seems to be a lot of confusion on the subject today, both in Christian and non-Christian circles. I'll tell you right from the start, I don't plan to clarify the issue, but rather share some varying views on the subject and to give you a chance to voice your opinion on the matter. Thus, I'm trusting that you will get involved and share in the duel and poll modules. I'll tell you what I think, but don't let that stop you from sharing what you think. I could be wrong. In fact I'm not entirely certain in my own mind. Thus, PLEASE DO VOTE AND  SHARE YOUR OPINION and let's get this duel going!  I meant this to be a duel lens so don't just read and move on--get into the action!!!

In the meantime, check out the origins of Halloween and please visit some of the product links I have added.
Thanks.
James M. Becher

The origins of Halloween celebration

In order to decide whether or not we should celebrate Halloween, it would be helpful to understand something of the origin of the holiday.
As a previous lens stated, Halloween "marked the transition from summer to winter, which was also regarded as the Celtic New Year. It was also something of a festival of the dead, as Celts believed that spirits roamed the earth on that night."
Read more by clicking the link.
The history of Halloween from the History Channel
A more detailed accounting of the pagan origins of Halloween and the roots of our present Halloween customs as well as how the holiday was adapted by the Catholic church and "converted" to all saints day eve (all hallow's eve) and how the pagan customs were adopted.

Read more on the origin and history of Halloween celebration

If America is a melting pot, then Halloween is the stew that simmers in our national cauldron. In this fascinating study, Rogers shows how the holiday is a hodgepodge of ancient European pagan traditions, 19th-century Irish and Scottish celebrations, Western Christian interpretations of All Souls' Day and thoroughly modern American consumer ideals. At its heart, he says, Halloween is a celebration of the inversion of social codes-children have power over adults, marauders can make demands of established homeowners and anyone may assume a temporary disguise.

Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night

Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night

by: Nicholas Rogers

Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $29.99

"The best work so far on this increasingly important holiday."--Publishers Weekly
"Performs the heroic service of taking all the stuff in stores seriously, as instruments in the creation of a new unreligious holiday of some significance, if the retailers are to be believed.... They say that the devil is in the details, and Rogers is a connoisseur of delicious tidbits of macabre."--New York Times Book Review

Release Date: 12/31/1969

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

So should we celebrate Halloween?

various views

This is a sticky question in our day and time and their are various views espoused on the subject from both Christian and non-Christian quarters. Looking at it from a Christian perspective, or perhaps I should better say from a faith based perspective, when we consider the origin of Halloween, we may very well tend to say no, that we would want to have nothing to do with it. Yet, on the other hand, Halloween has evolved into a seemingly innocent and harmless night of fun for the kids. You may want to check out the blog posts in the next module or some of the books listed in the following one before voting and giving your opinion in the poll and duel modules to follow. But please do vote and leave your comments. That's why I made this lens.

Faith based views of Halloween celebration

Blog posts on the subject from all faiths

Sorry, there are no matching results available from Google

One Christian view of Halloween

What does the Bible say about Halloween?
Read what one Christian says

Differing Christian views of Halloween celebration

Books on the subject

I tried to keep this module non-sectarian as well as the previous, but I just couldn't find any Muslim or Jewish books written on Halloween.
Loading

Kids and Halloween celebration

Loading

How one church is celebrating Halloween

Check out this uniqe outreach approach:

The Final Hour
A sort of Christian horror show on the terrors of hell

More alternatives to Halloween

Loading

Now it's YOUR TURN: Cast your vote for or against Halloween celebration. Then give your reason in the next module

SHOULD WE CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN: YES OR NO?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

SOUND OFF! GIVE A REASON FOR YOUR ANSWER!

TELL WHY YOU THINK WE SHOULD OR NOT CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN.

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

egosney78 says:

Yes, it is a fun holiday. Many, many of our holidays, foods, songs etc are rooted in pagan traditions. Why single out Halloween.... what about many Christmas traditions... wreaths, lighting candles etc. Look into the origins of calendars, temples, chanting, the wedding ring, saying Amen etc etc. At one time the majority of people living were Pagans, so it is only natural that so many of our modern traditions are rooted in their faith.

Posted September 24, 2011

katemiya says:

Based on this argument, Christians should stop celebrating 99.5% of everything associated with Christmas, since virtually all of the customs were adapted directly from Pagan rituals.

Posted September 22, 2011

Jack2205 says:

I believe that the evil part of Halloween should not be celebrated, but it's okay to let children dress up and get candy.

Posted October 26, 2010

ideadesigns says:

I can see a person taking what was meant for evil and making something good out of it. Lots of churches celebrate christian fellowship, some make drama plays and some just let the kids pretend to be their heros. If your careful you can help your child dream big with what characters they dress as... I took a break from halloween this year, just to get my thoughts together about it... thanks Jim for this great lens.

Posted November 03, 2009

faithfuljim says:

I'll start this off by saying that I tend to think that we (and when I say we, I mean primarily we Christians) should not celebrate Halloween becuause of its pagan origins and associations. I used to call it the Devil's holiday. But in re-thinking it, I wonder what is the harm in kids dressing up as their favorite Disney characters or something like that. As long as we leave the withces and ghosts out of it, might it be o.k.? Please elnighten me on this. Please do add you oppinion. Thank.

Posted October 08, 2009

Irenemaria says:

Absolutely NO! Everything about halloween is built on lies and pagan tradition

Posted October 31, 2010

kab says:

Darn near everything has pagan origins. That's no excuse.

Posted October 23, 2009

 

In case you voted "Yes," to Halloween celebration, check out these Halloween costumes and other ideas from Amazon.

(CLICK ON THE BLUE LINKS)

THE HALLOWEEN STORE (costumes and more)
Explore kids' costumes. For a limited time, when you spend $50 or more on qualifying costume items with one of the sellers indicated on the site you will get $10 off the total cost of your order at checkout.
SAVE ON HALLOWEEN CANDY
Scare up savings on Halloween Candy. $15 off when you spend $39 or more on Hershey's, Mars, Nestle, or Wonka chocolate and candy products shipped and sold by Amazon.com Offer valid through Oct. 31, 2009.

Amazon Spotlight

Happy Jack's Halloween Pumpkin of Treats

Happy Jack's Halloween Pumpkin of Treats

Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now
List Price:

Halloween jack o lantern; Teddy dressed as a pumpkin; fun size mini Oreos; Halloween bats pretzels; Brachs Candy Corn minis; Peeps Marshmallow pumpkins; Happy Halloween caramel corn; Reese's Peanut Butter cups; Peanut M & M's; Hershey Chocolate Bar

Release Date: 12/31/1969

Reader Feedback

submit
Show All
SquiDirectory - A categorized Squidoo directory featuring an interesting variety of different subjects ranging from arts and literature, shopping, and eco friendly tips, to vehicles for sale, travel, and everything in between.
Sermons Outlines, Free Pentecostal Bible Studies, Topical Sermons, Podcasts - Sermons Outlines, Free Pentecostal Online Topical Sermons, Christian Bible Studies, Podcasts, Sowing Seeds of faith by Ken Birks.

This Halloween Magazine page written by

faithfuljim

I am a Seminary graduate, Bible teacher, article writer, Published Christian fiction author and publisher of an inspirational success ezine.
I was bo... more »

The creepiest, kookiest, altogether ookiest...

Connect with Halloween Magazine

This author recommends...