When Halloween is No Cakewalk

By Jessica Kirkland
As a child, I have many fond memories of the Fall Festivals put on by my church each Halloween.  One year, I
was a Southern Bell whose hoop skirt flipped up when I raced for the last chair at the cakewalk. Like the
leaves of Fall, my face turned many shades of red when I realized the other participants had seen up my
hoop. The cakewalk was always my favorite festival activity, despite such embarrassing moments!
Oftentimes, however, Halloween is no cakewalk for Christian parents.  We are frequently torn between the
pressure to allow our children to be like the majority and our Christian convictions.  

When Halloween is no cakewalk for Christians. Despite my enjoyment of such events as a child, there
were many times when I begged to "be like the other kids."  As far as I was concerned, most "other kids" got
to Trick or Treat, dress up like witches, and eat spooky cupcakes.

I will admit, as a mother myself, I already feel the pressure to allow my kids to participate in secular Halloween
activities. I find myself asking questions like “Does it really hurt them to color a witch in their coloring books?”
or “Is it okay for them to watch something like “Casper the Friendly Ghost?”  After all, Casper’s friendly, right?
My children are not even in school yet, and I feel the tug to “just let it slide.”  However, despite the pressure, I
know as Christians we are called to “come out and be separate” according to 2 Corinthians 6:17.  

What the Bible says. Secular Halloween rituals often promote witchcraft, sorcery, and dabbling in other
such common practices. In Deuteronomy 18:9-13, it says, “When you enter the land the Lord your God is
giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.  Let no one be found among you
who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages
in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.  Anyone who does
these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will
drive out those nations before you.  You must be blameless before the Lord your God.”

Hard lessons of Halloween participation. “I would never allow my child to do those things,” you might
say.  However, participation in secular Halloween activities can often give Satan the foothold he so desires in
the hearts and minds of our children.  The reality is that, for some children, introduction to seemingly
“harmless” Halloween activities sometimes results in a lifetime of dabbling in the world of darkness.  

In doing research for this story, I decided to Google some Halloween related ideas.  When Googling “how to
be a witch,” 14,300,000 results surfaced.  When Googling “how to become a psychic,” 7,430,000 results
surfaced.  These results are evidence that the desire to dabble in the supernatural is prevalent in today’s
world.  Our children can easily fall prey to these practices if we are not careful. The Bible tells us not to
“imitate what is evil but what is good” according to 3 John 1:11.  Can you participate in Halloween as the
world does and not “imitate” evil?

Six tips for making Halloween a piece of cake! Christian parenting is certainly tough at times.  Although
the degree of participation in Halloween activities ultimately lies with you, these are some good ideas to help
your family stay true to your beliefs during this Halloween season.

1. Throw a Pumpkin Party in your home.  You can control the decorations, games, and themes.  

2. Attend a church Fall Festival.

3. If your child is school aged, provide Fall themed snacks and goodies for your child’s class instead of
traditional Halloween ones.

4. Talk to your child about your families’ beliefs and how you want them to handle any encounters with ideas
that contradict the Bible.

5. Encourage your child to use Halloween as an opportunity to advance the gospel by talking to their peers
about why they choose alternatives.

6. If your child needs a costume, help your child choose one that is honorable.
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Copyright © 2009 by Jessica Kirkland. All Rights Reserved.
Jessica Kirkland, lives in Southeast Texas with her husband, Robb, and three-year-old triplets—Laci,
Seth, and Leyton. She has a heart for writing and enjoys sharing her testimony about God's activity in
tough circumstances. She addresses topics concerning women's health, faith, and raising young
children. Find Jessica's blog at http://inthedetailsjessicakirkland.blogspot.com.