However, other Christians argue that Halloween is a rare time of year when you actually get to meet your neighbours -taking the kids trick or treating, or opening your door to neighbour's children- and that Christians should use it as a "meet and greet" opportunity instead of remaining aloof from this community activity.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

It can be very intimidating, and is definitely not something Jesus would do! It's the same with dressing up as ghosts and witches, and carving pumpkins -it was part of Samhain and it's focusing on fear and can be intimidating.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

You can see from the history where the practise of "trick or treating" comes from -leave out a treat or risk having a trick played on you by those from the other world- but we don't think it is nice to threaten people with pranks unless they hand over sweets.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

There is NOTHING in Halloween of the peace and love of God, or the saving power of Jesus, or the fact that Jesus has conquered death and sin. The Bible says "fear not" 366 times! God doesn't want us to be scared or afraid.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

What do Christians today think of Halloween?

Hmmm...there are mixed views!

Most non-Christians and some Christians view Halloween as "a harmless bit of fun". However, Halloween's pagan Celtic origins revolve round placating, and trying to hide from, the roaming dead and evil spirits - in other words, Halloween is about FEAR, over-emphasising evil and telling people they have to save themselves by dressing up in disguise and offering gifts.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Because of it's Celtic history it is only popular in the UK, and the USA and Canada, taken there by the Irish who emigrated to America in their tens of thousands after the 1845 potato famine.

So now you know!

What do Christians today think about Halloween?

[A full list of sources used to compile this article can be found under Links - Acknowledgements for Halloween information]

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The date was chosen on purpose to rival Samhain and involved similar traditions, including dressing up as a saint, an angel or a devil and joining a parade, with the aim of weaning people off of the pagan festival. By the 9th century, Samhain traditions were still going strong, so the church tried to take-over the evening of the 31st of October itself by making it another feast day, "All Hallows Even" (evening) and this and Samhain (remember, it's pronounced something like "sow-een") merged to become "Halloween".

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.