Q: Our child is three-years-old and doesn’t really know much about Halloween yet, but we do. I have been surprised at how many people, Christians included, have given us a hard time about our decision not to celebrate. There is so much about Halloween we don’t like that we prefer to ignore it. I know this might become more difficult as our son gets older, but what is your opinion on this?

A: After researching the roots of Halloween, I am not a fan either. I don’t like the connection to occultic roots, the scary costumes, the gore and the idea of frightening kids and desensitizing them to the dark spiritual world that does exist. So every family needs to make a decision as to what they are going to do with Halloween. You have that right no matter what others tell you.

Some people allow their kids to dress up in fun costumes and trick or treat. Others say NO to that activity and attend alternate harvest parties at their churches. Some feel alternatives should not be offered as it assumes kids are missing something. The important thing to do is research the holiday, pay attention to what you feel the Lord is telling you to do, and talk as a family. Pray for wisdom and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, not other people. Then, help your children understand the position you take and why.

It would be nice if other people respected your decision, especially if you have had any personal encounters with the dark side of the spirit world in your family or through the generations. And if your decision is simply based on the idea that you don’t like what Halloween stands for and do not want to participate, you don’t need the approval of others. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

In our post Christian culture, taking a stand for what you believe is an important lesson to model for children. Perhaps that is what you will teach your child as he gets older. And one of the best things that comes out of deciding what to do with Halloween and taking a position on this topic is that other people awaken to the idea that evil really exists and isn’t some Hollywood fantasy. What they do with that reality, is up to them.

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