scary thoughts on halloween

At this time of year, certain Christians get into a tizzy over the (supposedly) satanic elements of Halloween. While admitting some of the original associations, the great majority of people today have no dark impulses when it comes to this holiday. Indeed, it amazes me how often we equate popular ideas with evil (which may or may not be the case) or attempt to “prove” the historical connection between satanic elements and various holidays (e.g., Halloween).

But often, or so it seems to me, we miss the more obvious, every day influences that lead people away from God, truth, grace, and love. I wonder what role satan has within the accusing church, that is, among those who specialize in holiday bashing and the like and conduct their attacks (in some cases) in a very condescending, arrogant, and less than gracious way.

Regarding the celebration of these things, I agree that we should avoid direct links to that which is evil. But, following the advice of those who want to celebrate Halloween in a Christian way, I am very much uncertain what this actually means. Do we have to Christianize it? I suppose we could take this route, but it seems somewhat arbitrary to me (there are no precise rules for having a distinctly Christian Halloween) , and I’m not convinced that this is a very effective way of helping others (when we choose artificial ways to be different from others, we most often look more hilarious than holy). A better approach, I think, is not necessarily to create a Christian version of Halloween but rather to live like Christians amid Halloween and other holidays. Rather than decrying, say, a Star Wars or a monster costume, we would be better off wearing the costumes but in truly faithful ways. What does that look like? Certainly, it would include exhibiting such traits as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self control. Likewise, it would entail a determination to follow the wisdom which says, “they will know we are his disciples by our love for one another” (not, primarily, by our opposition to everything cultural). To celebrate in ways unlike the world involves, more than anything else, an effort to embody the sacrificial love of Jesus, whether or not we’re turned on by jackolanterns, pumpkins, and the like. Well, I have to run for now, for I’m on my way to a scary movie. :-)