We’re arguing against a problem that doesn’t exist
Jamie Cutteridge, editor
There’s plenty of stuff that Christians need to be angry about: Homelessness. The need for food banks. Our increased inability to connect with younger generations. The proliferation of hummus. All things that we should be tossing and turning at night over. Hallowe’en is not one of those things. Our Christian bubble will spend the next few days getting collectively wound up about whether we should engage with Hallowe’en, how many sweets to give to those knocking on our door and how best to stop children going into supermarkets and accidentally seeing a scary mask or a pre-carved pumpkin. But what if it doesn’t matter? I don’t mean that in a, ‘why don’t we try and redeem Hallowe’en and use it as an opportunity to explore light and darkness’ way. I mean it in a, ‘seriously, it doesn’t matter’ way.
On this issue, maybe the Church is fighting a battle that doesn’t really exist. While we harbour legitimate concerns about the occult, Hallowe’en isn’t really about that. It’s a glorified, worldwide, fancy dress party where the theme is ‘something vaguely scary’. Speak to your average Hallowe’en reveller and they’re infinitely more likely to talk about sweets and costumes than Ouija boards and séances. While its roots, tangled in Christian tradition, are murky, the truth of the present day celebration is that we’re creating a fictitious image of a commercial festival.
Yes, by all means use Hallowe’en as an opportunity to throw a huge party, to talk about light and darkness and to share how light will always overcome darkness. But in doing so, let’s not castigate those celebrating a commercial festival as evil-doers. Let’s not fight the occult where it isn’t. Let’s not paint the Church as stuffy, no fun and out of touch.
A friend of mine talked to their friend about why they wouldn’t want to put going to a Hallowe’en event on social media, for fear of being criticised by Christian colleagues. Their (non-Christian) friends hadn’t even considered that (‘evil’) angle. If that’s the reality of Hallowe’en for those around us - is it worth getting worked up about?
In a word – ‘No’. But, they should light up Hallowe’en
Gemma Willis, publishing product developer at Scripture Union England & Wales
An increasingly popular festival, Hallowe’en is endorsed in almost every part of our culture. We’re reminded of it everywhere we look. In schools, supermarkets, on television, on social media… It’s all a bit of harmless fun isn’t it? We’re just dressing up in silly costumes, carving out a pumpkin and enjoying a few treats from our generous neighbours. For many, there’s really nothing more to it than that.
But when you peel away the costumes and turn the pumpkin into a pie, what are you left with?
Today’s celebrations of Hallowe’en, bear little resemblance to its origins. Originally intended to mark the beginning of Allhallowtide, All Hallows Eve was a time of prayer for the souls of the dead on their journey to heaven. The existence of purgatory and journeying souls might well inflame heated debate amongst Christian denominations today, but ultimately the idea of wandering spirits of the dead is still central to Hallowe’en.
Hallowe’en is a culturally accepted door to darkness. As Christians we have nothing to fear from the darkness and the things it holds, for we know that Christ our Saviour has once and for all defeated death and has won the final victory.
Since we have nothing to fear, Hallowe’en is not something we should avoid. As those who are called to bring the Light of Christ into the world we have an incredible opportunity to illuminate our communities at a time of year when the door to darkness is wide open.
That’s why Scripture Union produces a free ‘Light Party Pack’ every year, providing churches with a ready-made resource to bring the transforming Light and Love of Christ into their communities.
