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To Trick or Treat? – Or Not?
It’s that time of year when Christian parents are compelled to make a decision.
Do I let my kids go trick or treating on October 31?
Many believers see Halloween as the devil’s holiday.
Others see it as a fun community event.
My advice is that you follow your own convictions.
Do what you believe is best for your family and try to not judge other parents that may have different opinion.
Here is a radical idea.
Give your kids a choice.
At some point though I feel that you should include your kids in this decision.
Do they want to go trick or treating or do they want to go to the party at church?
Personally, I did not let my kids go trick or treating.
As a Kids Pastor I organized a Halloween Alternative at church every year and my children helped me with all the hard work.
When my son turned thirteen he asked if he go trick or treating.
I could not believe what I was hearing.
I felt like it was a total betrayal.
I wanted to say NO, but I could see that this was something that he never had done and he wanted to have the experience.
After thinking about it I realized that it wasn’t that big of a deal.
It’s not a like demons are going to possess my son because he dressed up like Darth Vader.
My point is simply this.
To go trick or treating or not is not that big of a deal.
It’s not a sin issue.
WE can’t make all of the decisions for our kids.
We need to allow them to make some decisions when they reach the age of accountability.
Trust me on this. Overprotective parenting doesn’t work.
You either cripple your kids emotionally or they end of rebelling.
That’s my two cents on trick or treating.
What are your thoughts?
I used to think the church thing, Fall Festival, was to be an alternative. (How did All Saints’ Eve do?). But now Fall Fest is never on October 31 unless October 31 falls on a Friday….. 😉
And I agree, engage your kids in the decision process with guidance on their choices.
I’m sad to hear this as a Director over the Children Ministry that I’ve taught for 18 years. I taught our children ages 2-11 that celebrating Halloween is witch craft and the Bible teaches us that God gave us life, not death? honestly, God is life and Satan is death. Satan came to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! What are we teaching our children? To celebrate death? I’m sorry but God convicting me as a teacher to not cover up sin to make it fun? Satan has nothing for me or the ministry I’m head over. what does John 8:32 mean to us as leaders or teachers? You need to read the book for children, “Mommy Why Don’t We Celebrate Halloween?” I believe that God’s word is true. No weapon will not form against me in Jesus Name. I will be praying………….
Cindy, I respect your opinion and your right to disagree with me. Just don’t be too harsh on those that have a different opinion as there may parents in your congregation that see it differently. The decision to trick or treat or not is really the parent’s responsibility.