Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

There are 3 different perspectives among Christianity. Part of each perspective is absolutely true. But, as always, the truth is more nuanced and more complicated than any one of these individual perspectives. We will try to present the perspectives and leave it between you and the Holy Spirit to lead your conscience to make choices for your situation.

The history of Halloween is easily researched in any dictionary, encyclopedia, or simple web search…

Halloween – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Halloween or Hallowe’en (/ˌhæləˈwiːn, -oʊˈiːn, ˌhɑːl-/; a contraction of “All Hallows’ Evening”), also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All …

Please be diligent in making your decision…

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. (2 Timothy 2:15-16)

1) Halloween is a harmless, innocent, fun, dress-up activity for the whole family

Most people celebrate Halloween in a harmless way. It is a chance for the children to dress up as their favorite superhero, walk around the neighborhood with the whole family, meet the neighbors, and collect candy. Ah, the simple pleasures!

But, there is another darker side of Halloween that isn’t quite so harmless. Nobody would claim that a drug-induced, Satan-worshiping, black-magic, dark occultish, blood sacrificing, sadomasochistic, sexual orgy is completely harmless. No sober-minded Christian would claim that sexually-explicit costumes, dangerous drunken behavior, and harmful damaging pranks that are commonly associated with this holiday are completely harmless. So, please be careful to consider all the perspectives of this subject.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 
     Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”–but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”–but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”–but not everything is beneficial. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)

2) Halloween should be handled with care to steer clear of the historically darker occult side of the festival

There is an undeniable darker side of Halloween; therefore, many churches have recognized that it is better to provide “Fall Festivals,” which emphasize the fun, innocent, activities commonly associated with this holiday instead of throwing the door open to all sorts of dangerous ungodly behavior.

But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. (Ephesians 1:19-23)

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:10-12)

3) Halloween comes from pagan religions, involves Satan worship, and is demonic in the extreme, so there is no good reason for any Christian to ever celebrate it

Halloween does have pagan and Satanic origins.. It is easy to research these in any dictionary, encyclopedia, or with a simple web search…

Halloween – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Halloween or Hallowe’en (/ˌhæləˈwiːn, -oʊˈiːn, ˌhɑːl-/; a contraction of “All Hallows’ Evening”), also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All …

Many Christians believe playing with the satanic-like rituals of Halloween, seances (an attempt to communicate with spirits), and Ouija boards (also known as a spirit board or talking board) tends to open you up to demon oppression and even demon possession.

Some Christians, who believe this extreme perspective, carry it to the extreme of making it a tenet of maturity that causes divisions among fellow-believers. This extreme self-righteous attitude often tends to drift toward Pharisaical attitudes and sectarian divisions.

Most Christians, who believe this extreme perspective, try to provide wholesome alternative activities, to insulate themselves from the perceived dangers of Halloween.

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (Ephesians 5:3-4)

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.  (Ephesians 5:10-11)

Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way:
“I’ll live in them, move into them;
I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people.
So leave the corruption and compromise;
leave it for good,” says God.
“Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.
I want you all for myself.
I’ll be a Father to you;
you’ll be sons and daughters to me.”
The Word of the Master, God.
With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. (MSG 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. (1 Peter 4:1-3)

You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don’t understand why you don’t join in with the old gang anymore. But you don’t have to give an account to them. They’re the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself. (MSG 1 Peter 4:3-5)

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead. That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit. (1 Peter 4:3-6)

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. (1 Peter 4:7-9)