“Spooky Halloween”
Have you noticed this year around Hallowe’en there has been a fair bit of discussion about what should be our approach to it? Here are some thoughts that seek to be practical and helpful as we pray through this issue.
Many Christians in Australia and England feel wary about Hallowe’en because of both its “spooky” links to Pagan beliefs and its crass commercialism. Some regard Hallowe’en as “taboo”. The questions many Christians ponder include:
· Is Hallowe’en just another commercial rip-off?
· Is it tainted by “demonic” influences?
· Does it present churches with a missional opportunity?
· Is it a combination of all of the above?
Not every Christian sees Hallowe’en as a threat. Phil Wyman is a pastor in Salem, Massachusetts which in American colonial days became infamous for its witch trials.
Today, Salem is the home for many who profess to follow various forms of witchcraft and pagan-based nature religion. During the entire month of October, the city celebrates the season of Hallowe’en.
Unlike those who feel threatened, Pastor Wyman sees this festival season as an opportunity to talk about Jesus. His church sets up a stall that plays music, distributes free cups of cocoa and offers spiritual counselling.
Grappling with Halloween’en
Scottish Theologian John Drane, who does the foreword to our book, observes that a strong emphasis on the devil’s power, combined with a heavy reliance on spiritual warfare tactics is the primary reason why English and Australian churches have tended to be very hostile toward Hallowe’en. American churches, however, seem to react quite differently.
Many see it as a missional opportunity to connect with the local community.
InTaboo Or To Do?we outline an interesting form of outreach known as “Trunk or Treat” that has emerged in the USA and been transplanted to Australia. This involves creating a safe and fun space for children and their parents.
Cars parked in the church grounds have their open boots (trunks) filled with sweets, cakes, toys, prizes and advice on how to help support charities. Other activities include face painting, games, and activities related to presenting faith in a non-coercive respectful way.
Pastor Mike Jones moved to Australia from the USA in 2004 and has brought the trunk or treat alternative to a church culture that is alarmed by Hallowe’en. On the Sunday, preceding Hallowe’en he challenged the congregation, ‘Some of you may be concerned about what we are going to do if some kids come dressed as gruesome creatures, devils, vampires or witches.
Well, if that’s the case, and it probably will be, we are going to let them in, love them, be gracious to them and care for them.’ His small Lakeside Baptist Church, with a Sunday school of twenty-five children, connected to one hundred and eighty children in the Hallowe’en outreach! One grandparent who attended said, “I just can’t believe the church just cares for our families so much that you would do all of this.”
Is it taboo or to do?
This is the world we are living in, and these are the questions that Christians and local churches are asking: Is Hallowe’en a demonic festival that glorifies evil and spiritually corrupts children?
We take up these issues like those above and discuss them in our new book Taboo Or To Do? - Is Christianity Complementary with Yoga, martial arts, Hallowe’en, Mindfulness and other Alternative Practices? which is published by Darton Longman and Todd.
We believe this is the area where Christians and churches are interacting with every day. While doctrinal issues, such as new perspectives on Paul, are important, they are clearly not the concerns that the person in the pew is confronting.
From our own experience we wanted each chapter to present background, contact points, biblical discernment and practical case studies.
The aim is to assist each individual Christian and church to make up their own mind on these matters in a godly way. Our book is suitable for both individual and group study.
Rev Dr Ross Clifford AM is the Principal of Morling College (NSW Baptist) and author of numerous books many of which focus on Christian Apologetics. He is a Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance, President of the Asian Baptist Association, an acclaimed international preacher and speaker, a columnist in many Christian publications, winner of many national and international awards and for many years the Sunday evening Sydney Radio 2CH host. Ross is married to Bev, father and grand father.