Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Halloween

(cc) Denise Krebs (Flickr)

For years, Christian families have struggled with the question of whether or not to celebrate Halloween:

  • Is it OK to let our kids go Trick-or-Treating?
  • Is it OK to let them dress up in costumes?
  • Is it OK to hand out candy to kids who come to our door on Halloween?

Let’s look at this issue from a historical, practical, and scriptural perspective to see if we can find some answers.

The Santa Claus Factor 3

© Scott Hancock - Fotolia

© Scott Hancock – Fotolia

[PART 3 OF 5]

From last time:

I believe that the story of Santa Claus is the story of God!

Let’s continue looking at the parable-like nature of the Santa Claus story, and discover more of the things that Santa Claus can help us understand better about God.

Moral Courage (Part 2)

(cc) Walt Stoneburner - Flickr

(cc) Walt Stoneburner - Flickr

In “Moral Courage (Part 1)“, we looked extensively at the meaning and origins of morals. Morality, in the external sense, is the standard of right and wrong as established ultimately by God and revealed in His word. My own personal moral code is shaped as I decide whether or not, and to what extent, I will follow His standards. And that’s where courage comes into play.

Sorrow and Joy

Joy and Sorrow

(cc) George Miller – Flickr

[PART 11 OF 12]

As Solomon chronicles his quest for meaning and purpose in his life, he makes an interesting observation regarding sorrow and joy.

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.”
(Ecclesiastes 7:2-6)

Huh? Sorrow is better than laughter? That doesn’t make sense! A sad face is good for the heart? Doesn’t that contradict Proverbs 17:22?

“A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
(Proverbs 17:22, which, by the way, was also written by Solomon)

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines

(cc) The U.S. Army - Flickr

(cc) The U.S. Army - Flickr

[PART 5 OF 6]

What are the implications of this concept of “the sanctity of human life”?

Does that mean that war is wrong?

Is it wrong for a Christian to serve as a soldier in the military forces of his or her country, even though such service might require the taking of another human being’s life in battle?