I’m not looking forward to Halloween night.
I know, for a fact, that I’m not the only Aussie who feels this way.
Halloween has only been a ‘thing’ in Australia for the last few years.
We live in the suburbs on the Sunshine Coast and over the last few years the streets have been filling up with more costumed kids on a sugar high looking to get more sugar whilst freaking some neighbours out.
Is there a fun side to this? Sure there is (for some), otherwise, people wouldn’t do it, right?
But I’m not interested in the dark side of it at all. And we as a family aren’t participating (we’ve talked this over and all have agreed). Instead, there will be a polite sign on the door, and we’ll have a regular night at home.
Here are 6 reasons I’m not interested in participating in Halloween. They are in no particular order and contribute to our whole decision:
- It’s a school night. If our three young school-aged children aren’t in bed by 8pm, we are paying for it the next day with tired & moody kids who don’t cope well at school. Since it’s a Wednesday night – it’s simply a ‘no’. #parenting
- I don’t want my kids consuming high amounts of sugar and fighting about who got how many etc. Any whinging around not being able to participate is going to be far less than the sugar-driven bickering that will go on after bedtime. #parenting
- It’s AUSTRALIA! As an Aussie bloke in his early 40’s, I’m asking “Why are we doing this now as Aussies?” I grew up seeing US sitcoms feature random Halloween episodes – but that was my only reference for Halloween until I studied its roots. Most kids and their parents couldn’t tell you three facts about the origins of Halloween. But besides that, we’re Aussies! We’ve got our own unique holidays. Australia Day. ANZAC Day etc. C’mon Aussies!! #culture
- I’m a Christian. It’s hard to say exactly how we got here but many believe Halloween started as Hallowed Eve. Hallow as in “Hallowed (Holy) be thy name” It gained momentum as a holy festival for quite some time. But let me say; zombies, ghosts, scaring people, glorying death and gorging on sweets is pretty far from what once was a Holy day that had a focus on Heaven and the Kingdom of God. I know there are several Christ-followers that use the day as an opportunity to share the Gospel, especially in America, but for me in Australia, it’s no.
- I’m a HSP (1 in 5 people are a Highly Sensitive Person). I have always hated horror movies and things like that. Even before I became a Christian I avoided all things death, horror, scary etc. I find them traumatising. I have never chosen to watch a horror film and walked away from many movies and TV shows that aim to scare me or involve gross violence. They can give me nightmares. My nervous system and spirit are deeply affected. So, I don’t want to subject myself or my family to a night that has been commercialised and popularised as an event where these experiences are plentiful. #HSP
- For several years, I had a very unique career/job/calling. My wife and I have spent a significant amount of our years in 1-on-1 sessions with people working through spiritual, emotional and relational issues. This is not the place to share stories, but let me just say, there is a very serious unseen evil reality that plays varying degrees of havoc and chaos with lives – especially children. I have seen first-hand, emotional and physical healing come as a result of being free from demonic oppression that came as a direct result of being involved in horror-related activities. This includes horror parties. Watching horror movies. Occult activities etc. #spiritual
If you think I’m getting too legalistic or am fear based? Just do some careful research behind Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) Survivors, witchcraft, the occult and Halloween. Exercise some wisdom as you search – it may be disturbing.
DISCLAIMER: Please understand me here – I’m very aware that Halloween is a festival that looks very different in other parts of the world, especially the USA. In Australia, it’s been pushed predominantly by commercial enterprises like $upermarkets. I’m just expressing the reasons behind my non-involvement in the way it’s done in Australia.
These images are a typical stand at a local Australian supermarket. It’s not fun costumes of Spongebob, hotdogs or unicorns, it’s pretty much all ghouls, ghosts, skeletons and death related.
Let’s please keep the conversation and comments civil and responsible.
Richest Blessings.
In our pastor’s sermon yesterday, he brought up a point I’d never heard before. He said that all the scary Halloween stuff is an attempt to make a mockery of death. It is like “whistling past the graveyard,” trying to make light of something that scares them silly. THAT s one of the reasons they don’t celebrate it. Because we as Christians have no need to fear death. Christ has conquered death.
So I’m adding that to my reason list,as well. I like beauty and joy. Halloween just doesn’t have beauty and joy. I’M sure many Christians would brush those points away as well. “Dress up as a flower or something,” and”We don’t fear death either, so thats not why we are celebrating Halloween.” But I just choose to disassociate with the darkness.
Meeya, questioning of faith has nothing to do with what is being argued. You can still walk in faith and open yourself up to spiritual warfare. By celebrating Halloween, are you walking in obedience or not? It’s not a hard a question.
The same point goes with your whole first paragraph. I have no idea how one can arrive at the idea of accepting dark spirits as something that may not be Biblical truth. Pride can always sneak in with any teaching, but the Biblical truths still need to be taught. Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Thanks, David, it’s a great article.
I fully agree.
Over in the USA Halloween is becoming a greater concern to many parents, christian and otherwise.
Children’s safety is their main concern, not only the fact that they are knocking on strangers doors, but more so with regard to the treats that strangers are giving out.
Over there that tell the children to only take sweets what are in sealed bags, for fear that the individual sweets may be tampered with.
I won’t post what has been found, in case I give someone any ideas.
Other to say there are hospital cases each year, of children digesting all types of things which do harm.
As more and more of us followers of Yeshua are choosing to celebrate the feast days, I would encourage all who are serious about their faith to totally disregard Halloween (unless it is to pray against the darkness) and immerse yourself in Sukkot. WOW! What a celebration!
Thankyou David for sharing this I absolutely agree The last two years I have attended the festival of light so I can get away from the negative and join other christians together we stand
It is sad that Aussie parents let there kids get involved in this evil. It’s
Not Australian and it has nothing to do with God and should never be in church or a Christian home or family. Come on Aussies wake up, leave the evil in America.
I choose to honour my Lord and Saviour, Lord Jesus of Nazareth AND remember He desires that none should perish but come to The Truth and repentance. I continue to be sad that people are slowly subtly being influence by the deceit of seemingly ‘harmless fun’. America has an inspiring Christian heritage, and American Christians have been teaching of Halloween dangers for many years. Lets NOT ‘leave This evil in America’ and instead pray with our brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to do so, in America, and Throughout the Fallen World. Let’s demonstrate the Love of God the wisdom of God as the Church of His Building with a compassion for the lost.
well said David. I keep thinking about the scripture in 2 Corinthians 6v14 b what communion hath light with darkness.
there is a thought that Halloween brings the neighbours together but there are better ways than Halloween
Hi David, thanks for sharing. So much here that I agree with especially the fact that this is Australia mate!!
I would like to (briefly) share my journey of ‘processing’ Halloween over the years. My children are now 15 and 11 so I’ve been from ‘what’s Halloween?’ to ‘we have to do Halloween!’.
I don’t feel that there is one answer that fits everyone. This event has crept in and seems here to stay unless there is a massive push to change things! (I’d be happy to be a part of that!) BUT… that all being said ive had to ask myself in my personal situation “What would Jesus do?” I live I a very social, friendly cul-de-sac with loads of children. I tried (oh, I really did!) to avoid Halloween like the plague but eventually I realised that perhaps I could be an influence out there instead of locking myself and my children inside. (We even handed out christian poems about Gods “treat” with lollipops one year!)
So, we don’t do scary. We wont give glory where it’s not due. My 15 year old loves to theme out and decided to go dressed as thing 1 from Dr Seuss, her friends all agreed scary was uncool and followed suit, we had Minnie mousse & bambie at our house. I’ve decided that whilst spiritually, and yes, nationally I’m not a fan I may as well be a positive presence in the darkness. So we get our neighbours together, we have pizza and we connect. We get the kids to bed by 8 and everyone leaves feeling loved and part of a community.
So I guess what the devil may intend for harm in this little community God can turn into good. People coming together, sharing a meal and being loved on all the while knowing how strongly we stand for Jesus. And trust me when I say they know there is something extra special in a good/ God way at our place. I’m not for Halloween at all but when you just can’t ignore it because it’s literally in your front yard I think at least I can do is get out there and be an example of His love.
We lived in the USA when the kids were aged 6 and 10, and we couldn’t believe that the wife of the pastor of our church said that she had grown up with a dad who was also a pastor, and they had no problem with celebrating Halloween. It seems that Americans are ‘American’ first, before they are Christian. So sad to see this compromise of faith. We also had to deal with the elementary school putting on a whole day of celebration. We dealt with it by sending a note to school before the day, saying that our son would not be participating, and that if there was any school work that he was going to miss on that day, would they please send it home beforehand and we would ensure it got done at home. They didn’t really question us because they just assumed that because we were Australian, ‘of course, they don’t celebrate it’. It was very difficult for our 6 year old to be excluded from this event, so on the day, I made it special for him: we went out shopping and he got to choose a Lego kit, then we had lunch together at a restaurant. In later years, I also did not allow my son to read the Harry Potter books, explaining to him that we would not be filling our minds with tales of witchcraft, no matter how much ‘fun’ it seems to be. He is now 25 years old, and a firm Christian, and he is currently dealing with an issue where the leadership of his church are not taking a firm stand on other issues of morality and are watering down the truth. He has recently thanked us for not compromising on our faith, and keeping to biblical truth while he was growing up, since it has led to him not being swept away by ‘every wind of doctrine’. I thank God that he is walking on with God, unlike so may other young people who often fall away, despite having been raised in Christian homes. Our family is proof that ‘tough love’ really works.
Hi, I agree with what you are sharing, many non Christians doesn’t even think about what’s behind it, they just treat it as another opportunity to party and have fun. For the last few yers, together with the other youth leaders in our church we’ve been organising an alternative party for our youth and children. We called it a Holy Spirit Party, where we will fellowship and praise God together! Children are always welcomed to invite their friends. It has been a very successful night with lots of fun since we started it – good fun!
Great story Mell. Thanks for sharing
I agree with you , although in NZ Pukekohe a lady teacher Ms Hart started a Pumpkin Party for years this was a success and 100’s of children enjoyed the opp . Of halloween☑️Games face painting bouncy castles loads of fun.
Abstain from all appearances of evil …quote from the Bible plenty of other things to do , children become frightened when they hear snippets of the news
Thank you, as a thirty something UK person it has all escalated here since I grew up. I won’t celebrate it either and neither will my children. They know it’s darkness. Hard thing is all the decorations around, the hairdressers next door has a witch hanging in the window and the corner shop has a corpse lying at eye level. It’s really is yucky, yet people laugh it away.
Hello..Loved the article and in total agreement with it!! During halloween..our Walmart looks like a graveyard scene in a certain section of the store. Hey and I live in the U S. Lol..Some of us have seen the light on this junk..even in the U.S.
Blessings, Love your Father’s Blessings Prayers .I raise my grandgirl..who lost both parents in an accident several years ago..I am looking at the blessing prayers for her…Thank you for this article!!!
Beautiful Wisdom <3 I totally relate as am a feeler & deeply sensitive. Simply cannot watch anything 'horror' related. I'm South African & wonder too, why there is a blind embracing of things with no dissonce in our spirits #wearespiritualbeingstoo Sugar is a killer & there is enough evidence of the harm it causes #blessyourbody Abba bless you & your beautiful family
Hi. this issue has surface here in my city several years back. My opinion at the time, has not changed. Evil is every day in the world, and not just on Halloween. Any emphasis on evil, and ghosts, goblins and other symbols of the dark side are displayed by adults. Children go out to have a fun time, get some treats, dress up and I can guarantee you , they are not thinking of the dark forces or Satanic influences. that is adults. plain and simple. doesn’t the Bible say, “perfect love casts out fear”. teach our children about the love of God. Then they can deal with evil, when they are old enough to understand it. There will always be evil in this world. its every day. thanks for listening
I live in the US and refuse to send my kids to school on Halloween because the schools parade the kids around in costumes on the day. Sadly, the schools are also decorated a full month before and the curriculum also is intertwined with these evil themes. I have 3 children who are all highly sensitive people and who also see in the spirit realm so they know full well the evil that is widespread throughout October now in the States. My youngest, who is 8, is tormented by other kids because they continually ask him what costume he’s wearing and he either refuses to answer or says “ himself.” I believe there’s also something demonically strategic about getting these kids to disown their identity for that day. I would be so grateful if the local churches would get together and celebrate & worship the life of Christ but instead they create “harvest festivals” whereby the kids are encouraged to dress in non-scary costumes and are given boatloads of candy. They tell themselves they’re getting kids off the streets, but how much more could we accomplish in the spirit realm with a community feast and worship in celebration of Jesus Christ rather than acknowledging the enemy in any way. Please pray for the church to wake up!! With love & blessings from America. ?
Good for Y’all! Yep, this American family has quite Halloween for some few decades now. It was fun as a young child, before I knew the Occult. Occult = Not Fun. But, thanks to Christ, those chapters of my past are long over. Evil is nothing to be celebrated.
Thank you for sharing this, David!
It’s been hard for our family moving from South Africa (where we didn’t grow up with celebrating Halloween) to Canada, where it’s a huge holiday celebrated by most people.
We are also Christians and know where Halloween comes from. My gr 8 daughter asked me yesterday if she could stay home from school on Halloween. I don’t have a problem with keeping her home.
I’m curious about the polite sign that you have on your door. Would you mind sharing that too?
Thank you in advance.
I’m glad I found your article (even if somewhat late). Here in the US Halloween seems to be getting darker and darker every year. I’m in my mid 40s and when I was a child in the 80s my Halloween included carving a pumpkin the weekend before, then trick or treating around my neighborhood for about 30 minutes , then going home to sort candy. There’s so much darkness now that my 13 year old has asked me for several years not to decorate for Halloween, and I don’t. I believe he is spiritually sensitive as well and am glad that he want to pursue the Light of Christ.