Halloween, Costumes, and Culture
Today we took the kids to the Dollar store to look for a toy to get them for a good first week of homeschooling. While we were there I noticed that it’s coming to be that time of year again. The new commercial holiday: Halloween.
When I was a child, I dressed up as David in the Bible, and I can remember being C-3P0. We went to church people’s houses, and nothing was wrong.
Today, Christians avoid Halloween– and for good reasons. It’s day commemorates an evil time period. It is surrounded by gouls and the dead.
But that doesn’t mean that wearing costumes and dressing up is wrong. In fact, one thing that we like to do is to get our children costumes that they can use to play dress up all year around.
And there are neat costumes like the one above– it’s one of the Wizard Of Oz Costumes. And my kids love to dress up. They dress up as Spiderman, as Dash from the Incredibles, etc.
One of the biggest problems that I have, though, with Halloween costumes and costumes that you can get from Halloween Costume Stores is that many costumes have gotten “sexy.” And that they offer these to teens. Teen girls now aren’t dressing up in modest or cute outfits, but allow teens the excuse of dressing like women of the night and saying “it’s just a costume.”
That I believe is wrong.
So, is Halloween innocent? Should a Christian participate?
This Christian doesn’t think so, and doesn’t participate… but I don’t see anything wrong with playing dress up or wearing costumes. Just not celebrating it on that night.
What about you?
Discount Perfumes
Comments from MInTheGap
militarywifey said,
Wrote on September 7, 2008 @ 1:57 am
Min, I think you really nailed this point supremely. The wrong thing with Halloween are the celebrations of spirits and death and glorification of violence and murder. Scary costumes are a big No (even though I often see young trick-or-treaters with pretty gory looking things on).
As far as just dressing up, I think it’s ok (provided that nothing too revealing is worn). I see many costumes are pretty “sexy” and this isn’t appropriate. Yesterday I bought my daughter a little princess costume to dress up in. I see nothing wrong in that.
I do agree with you that Halloween can be an opportunity to celebrate evil and we, as Christians, need to stand up against the glorification and celebration of evil in our society. Providing safe alternatives for kids (such as “harvest fests” ) are a good solution.
Also, kids don’t need all that candy. Is it just me or do you also find “trick or treating” (aside from the historical implications) bad for kids? I’m not all up for a Holiday that encourages cavities.
militarywifeys last blog post..Attacking women is never right
Mary said,
Wrote on September 7, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
I, too, noticed that the costumes are out at Walmart, etc…we were looking for baby gifts and I did a double take at a rack of infant animal costumes before I remembered what holiday is up next on the retail world’s radar!
This is a holiday that always causes me personal angst. I wasn’t allowed to participate in Halloween activities as a child and always thought I was probably missing out on something. My parents never really explained, to my satisfaction, what the BIG deal was. As an adult, I definitely realize what the big deal is now, and my kids and I dialog about it all they want to…as a result, they are highly turned off by witch costumes, etc. They can dress up any time of the year, but with cousins and grandparents on one side making a HUGE deal about trick or treating together, my kids have felt left out in the past. We let them participate in the family “trick or treating” up until two years ago…so that makes it even harder. Up until then, we just visited grandma’s, saw their cousins’ costumes and dropped cookies off at a few neighbor’s homes on our way back home. But when the cousins started dressing up as witches, etc, I felt like it wasn’t just about fun anymore. We tried going to a Harvest Festival one year, and though the girls had a great time, there were still kids there dressed up in scary costumes.
I’d love to figure out a creative way of being a blessing to our neighbors and family on this holiday, w/o them feeling judged b/c we don’t participate as we used to. It’s really tough, because they already feel we “judge” b/c we homeschool instead of sending the kiddos to public school with the other cousins/grandkids.
Any good ideas? I think it’s simpler to just stay home and celebrate fall in our own way (yes we carve pumpkins and roast seeds…and I know there’s grisly backgrounds to pumpkin carving…but they don’t have to be jack-o-lanterns…flowers make pretty carvings too!)…
You are wise to have made the decision not to participate while your littles are too young to notice much. I do advise you to be up front with them as to why you don’t…if they are old enough to wonder why, they’re old enough to be given a reason. My girls know that witchcraft isn’t just fiction…for instance…
Marys last blog post..Very Encouraged at McCain’s Choice of VP
Mary said,
Wrote on September 7, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
You know, in re-reading my comment above, I’m thinking about putting “fall” baskets together for the neighbors and delivering them a few days or a week prior to Halloween. More of a “happy fall” than a “happy Halloween”…then maybe we can end our visitations with a trip to the Dairy Queen so the girls get a treat too…
Any good ideas for basket fillers that might lean themselves to going along with a good scripture? I don’t want to be preachy by any means…
Musicguy said,
Wrote on September 7, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
The whole sexy angle for young girls is inappropriate. However, I strongly contest your claim that “Christians avoid Halloween.” That’s one heck of a generalization.
I attended 12 years of Catholic school and we always had halloween celebrations. With the gore (not the sexy though– too much for the nuns and priests). The school attached to my current church job still has the celebrations today.
Yes, I’m sure a minority of Christians are afraid of the holiday, and avoid it like the plague. Probably the same group trying to ban the Harry Potter books…
Musicguys last blog post..Double Photo Friday
Colleen said,
Wrote on September 7, 2008 @ 7:07 pm Subscribed
When I was a kid growing up, we always dressed up and went around collecting candy. It was a fun time for me, and I don’t ever remember associating that time with the negatives of the holiday. It was just a fun time for my brothers and I and it was more about candy and costumes.
Colleens last blog post..fantastic Friday: omelet at ten
Musicguy said,
Wrote on September 7, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
I agree Colleen. I think much of the time, it’s the adults who make a much bigger deal about things like this. The kids just want a cool costume and to OD on sugar. Neither seems like cause to circle the wagons.
Musicguys last blog post..Double Photo Friday
MInTheGap said,
Wrote on September 8, 2008 @ 9:02 am
@militarywifey: Thanks– we always have to be careful that we understand what it is we’re celebrating with a holiday, and that we don’t just do it because of the current secular manifestation of the holiday.
@Mary: It’s especially hard when you’ve done something and then you’ve stopped. And also the comparison. We’ve tried giving out tracts with candy some years, and then avoiding it others.
I’m hesitant to get behind the “harvest parties” because everyone knows what we’re doing– we’re giving an alternative. It just seems weird to me.
@Colleen: Like I said, we went around “trick-or-treating” but it always seemed odd to me that we said that and there were never any “tricks” we did. And the tricks had negative connotations.
@Musicguy: Agreed– over-generalization. When I said Christian in that context I meant the Christians that I am associated with.
However, I think it’s important to remember that simply because a child thinks something is innocent doesn’t mean that it is and that the parent should just go along because of their innocence.
Kids believe things about strangers, but that doesn’t mean I’d let them go to the park with a stranger.
The whole point of being a parent is using your wisdom to help guide and teach your child because they’re not capable of it on their own yet. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t like a child of yours coming to my church’s Vacation Bible School, regardless of how much fun the child had, so why would I want them to go celebrate ghosts, ghouls, and the worship of the dead?
Musicguy said,
Wrote on September 8, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
Min, if my child was going to have fun, and learn about cool stories, and make crafts and play games, VBS wouldn’t automatically be off the table. If I have children, they’ll be exposed to a wide variety of activities, both those I agree and disagree with. I can provide my own analysis and thoughts, on an age appropriate bases, afterwards.
I want my kids to think for themselves and not parrot my beliefs without question. Although it might kill me to have them become radical Christians later in life, that choice is theirs nonetheless.
Musicguys last blog post..Quote Monday
MInTheGap said,
Wrote on September 8, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
@Musicguy: Except you say “not automatically”, but there would be something that would take it off the table.
I think that, though your statement is well crafted, you have your own line in there that you would not let be crossed, and for some parents, they draw the line at Halloween– and that’s their choice. They are their kids parents.
There is definitely a time to allow children to make their own decisions about their own life– I don’t think that 3 and 4 years old is that time.
Leticia said,
Wrote on September 8, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
I know I will get a lot of flak over this. But I take my boys out for trick-or-treating. They look adorable in the Darth Vader, Batman, Spiderman costumes and then they play with them year round.
I loved Halloween as a child. To me all it meant was getting a whole lot of free candy. And it brings back the only good memories I have a dad who never acknowledged me and my sisters until Halloween, he loved taking us out.
Leticias last blog post..Could Sarah Palin juggle family, vice presidency?
Rachel said,
Wrote on September 8, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
I’m really glad you posted on this because I am on the fence.
On the one hand, I hate the “spooky” part of Halloween – the scary costumes, the deathly images, etc.
But on the other hand, what is wrong with dressing up? I used to love to play dress up! And when Princess was a baby, we bought her a ladybug costume that went over her onesie – she was SO cute!
That is where I am torn. There is fun to be had in dressing up and I don’t want to deny her that. But on the other hand, I don’t want to embrace things that I know are an abomination to God. But is just letting my child wear a costume “embracing” it? I don’t condone the spiritual/evil aspects of Halloween, but by letting her participate in dressing up, does that mean I’m condoning by association?
I really like the idea of fall baskets. I just wish we had the money to do something like that.
I’m with you on the “fall festivals” thing. In our old town, the churches would hold the fall festivals from 4:30-5:30, which still left plenty of time for the kids to go home to trick-or-treat. I wouldn’t mind having a party the weekend before or after Halloween where kids could dress up and play games and have snacks, but then I’m sure some Christians out there would say it defeats the purpose because the kids would still be free to trick-or-treat.
Can you tell I am really confused?
Rachels last blog post..Home… but for How Long?
Rachel said,
Wrote on September 8, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
I just have one more thing to say after reading Leticia’s comment.
First of all, Leticia, I hope no one gives you any flak. I feel about Halloween (and I might catch some flak for this) that it falls under the “disputable matters” category that Paul elaborates on in Romans 14. Kind of similar to “Is it OK for a Christian to have a glass of wine?” There are many Christians who say no alcohol whatsoever and there are many who say a glass is fine as long as there is no drunkenness or stumbling of brothers. The Bible isn’t black and white clear on it and a case can be made for either side. I think the same goes for trick-or-treating. Obviously most Christians will not let their child dress up in bloody, spooky, gory costumes, and most parents aren’t sharing the history of Halloween with their kids. It’s a night to get out, go get pizza, and get candy with your friends (at least that’s what it was when I was growing up).
Perhaps we should look at this not as what is right for me but will this make my brother/sister stumble? If this is something they have a conviction about, will my participation cause problems with their faith? I know a lot of Christians who read Harry Potter and have no problems about it, but will not bring it up around other Christians who do have problems with it.
I’m just rambling now and I don’t know the answer, so does anyone else want to throw out some ideas???
Rachels last blog post..Home… but for How Long?
MInTheGap said,
Wrote on September 9, 2008 @ 8:38 am
@Leticia: Like I said, my father and mother took us out, but I haven’t taken my children out. Rachel’s probably right in that it’s probably a Romans 14 issue. And yet I can’t bring myself to participate.
@Rachel: I’ve read articles that were so strong against it– comparing it to celebrating the mocking of Jesus– that I didn’t want to do it. But I also remember what it was like to experience it, and I had no clue as a kid.
To me, it’s much like all the childhood fantasies– Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny (SC and EB we don’t do) where there’s things grown up around real holidays and the parents have to choose what to do with it.
I could probably do Halloween if it weren’t for the witches, wizards, and the neighbors with their haunted house.
@MusicGuy: So here’s a question to you… If you don’t mind your child being exposed to other ideas (i.e. My church’s VBS), then are you in favor of teaching Creationism along with Evolutionism so they can make up their own mind about their worldview?
Musicguy said,
Wrote on September 9, 2008 @ 11:58 am
Sure, teach Creationism. In a religion or philosophy class. Not in SCIENCE class.
Musicguys last blog post..Quote Monday
MInTheGap said,
Wrote on September 9, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
@Musicguy: We could definitely go on a rabbit trail here, but there’s a difference between testable science and talking about history and the beginning of time and the world. We both agree that we should teach testable science in our classrooms, how about removing all talk about the historical beginning of time as well?
Katie said,
Wrote on September 9, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
I guess we’re an exception…we do celebrate Halloween, at least on a pretty small scale. I like making a jack-o-lantern and doing the costumes; we’ll definitely keep only to modest and not-frightening costumes as our dd and subsequent children come along. If at some point my dh decides we shouldn’t participate, we won’t, but we haven’t come to that yet.
Katies last blog post..Words and attitudes that need to go
MInTheGap said,
Wrote on September 9, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
@Katie: Same thing that my parents did, and we’ve actually made non-scary jack-o-laterns before.
Mary said,
Wrote on September 9, 2008 @ 7:27 pm
Wow what a comment load here! Leticia, you should know us better! No flack from me anyhow. I totally understand the draw from Musicguys’ perspective about it all being about ODing on sugar and getting to play dress up…that’s exactly what I thought as a child that I was missing out on. I’ve changed my mind about it since, but I agree with Rachel, that we aren’t all necessarily going to be convicted about the same things. It’s not a matter of salvation…I’m not going to say it’s a matter of personal preference though…that would be God’s arena, not mine! But I’ve only in the last five years decided that Halloween isn’t for us. For reasons stated by others above.
Rachel, since you mentioned fall baskets not being in the budget, I thought I’d add that they aren’t in our budget either…but we were recently given a ton of apples and I’ve been peeling and slicing them into apple pie fillings to freeze…fifteen pie fillings later, guess what our neighbors are getting for their “happy fall” gift from our family?
Now to think of something inspirational to include on the tag…
Marys last blog post..The Christian and Suffering
MInTheGap said,
Wrote on September 10, 2008 @ 8:46 am
@Mary: How about “You are the apple of God’s eye”? Too cheesy, I’m sure!