The October 31st holiday that we today know as Halloween has strong roots in paganism and is closely connected with worship of the Enemy of this world, Satan. It is a holiday that generally glorifies the dark things of this world, rather than the light of Jesus Christ, The Truth.
Have you noticed how costumes and masks are getting generally more bloody, gory, and depraved each year? Unfortunately, the gruesome and grotesque and the occult are increasingly glorified in American society, not only on Halloween, but throughout the year in horror movies and in television programs.
My family does not celebrate it or participate in it. We do not believe that our children are "missing out," and neither do they. Other days are used for costumes and parties. Happily, all of our children have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We have found that Halloween provides an excellent time to remind our children that, as Christians, we are different, and not of this world (Heb. 11:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:11).
What about church "Harvest Festivals" held on October 31? Although we understand the rational and good intentions behind them, we don't think they are the best approach. Our family tends to agree with the author of an article called "Are 'Harvest Parties' for Christians?" (written by a self-avowed former witch and now active Christian). Harvest parties on October 31 tend to assume that "our children need something to take the place of Halloween, since they won't be participating in the secular and pagan celebrations. It suggests our kids are missing out on something. And indeed they are, if we allow them to spend Halloween in celebration." There are better things to do on Halloween than partying.
Also, we need to teach our children that "the fight isn't against occultists, non-Christians, Christians who feel differently than we about Halloween, or institutions that promote Halloween, but" "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV).
Relevant scripture on the issue of Halloween and Christians:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 ("Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.") James 1:27 ("keep oneself from being polluted by the world") 3 John 11 ("do not imitate what is evil") Romans 12:9 ("abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.") Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (do not learn to imitate detestable ways, including spiritists, sorcerers and witchcraft) Ephesians 5:11-12 ("Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness" / "live as children of light") 1 Timothy 4:1 (don't "follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons") 1 Corinthians 10:21 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 ("what fellowship can light have with darkness?") Philippians 4:8 (think about pure, lovely, noble things) 1 Corinthians 11:1 ("follow the example of Christ") 1 Corinthians 10:31 ("whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God")
James 4:7-8 (submit yourselves to God / resist the devil / purify your hearts) Ezekiel 44:23 ("...teach my people... to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.") Proverbs 22:6 ("train a child in the way he should go") Matthew 18:6 ("if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin...") Hosea 4:6 ("My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.") John 3:19-20 (people love darkness instead of light) Romans 13:12 ("put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.") Ephesians 6:11-18 ("take your stand against the devil's schemes.") 1 John 5:19 2 Chronicles 7:14
Resources for learning more about the issues involved
The Facts on Halloween: What Christians Need to Know by John Ankerberg and John Weldon (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1996), 48 pp.
Mommy, Why Don't We Celebrate Halloween by Linda Hacon Winwood (Shippensburg, Pennsylvania: Destiny Image Publishers, 1992), 17 pp.
Christian Video:
Halloween: Trick or Treat, 56 minute documentary expose. (Note: This video is too graphic for young children.)
Off-site links: This list is not exhaustive, but includes the better Web pages.
"The Dark Side of Halloween" (Logos Communications) - Go... (off-site)
"Halloween: What It Is from a Christian Perspective." (Phillips) Go... (off-site)
Halloween: The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows" (Library of Congress article) - Go... (off-site)
"Happy Halloween? Is there any good reason for a Christian to celebrate it?" (Castle) - Go... (off-site)
"Halloween! Harmless? or Hazardous?? The History of Halloween" - Go... (off-site)
Halloween - The Word and the World (Virkler) - Go...
"Halloween - a harmless ritual?" - Go... (off-site)
"Halloween - Harmless Fun or Pagan Rituals?"Go... (off-site)
"What every Christian should know about Halloween." Go... (off-site)
"Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween" - Go... (off-site)
Halloween - Trick or Treat? - Informative video traces the pagan origins, history and rituals of Halloween, one of the highest holy days of the Pagan/Occult calendar of Druids, Witches, and Satanists. The occult rituals seen in this video are real and not re-enactments. This dramatic exposé may change your opinion of Halloween forever!
Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged - Whats the truth about the extremely popular Harry Potter book series and motion picture. They have captivated millions of children. Is the Harry Potter series innocent, or is it dangerous? Many parents and religious groups have expressed concern that these stories should not be taken lightly as mere child fantasy literature. Christian experts reveal the dark side of Harry Potter.
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Is Harry Potter Harmless? 
Halloween - Trick or Treat?
Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged
