Horror or Honour?

It’s that time of the year again — pumpkins on porches, cobwebs in shop windows, and adults donning Halloween-themed costumes. Everywhere we look, the world seems to celebrate horror — from haunted houses to zombie dramas that grip our screens. And children are not spared.

Some years ago, my family and I were taking a morning stroll in the park when someone called out to us. It was our neighbour, and when asked if she was there for exercise, she smiled and said she was attending her six-year-old son’s Halloween-themed graduation party — yes, in broad daylight!

Moments like these remind us how deeply woven Halloween has become in our culture, even in Singapore. For many, it’s simply a night (and day!) of candy, costumes, and creativity — harmless fun. Yet for Christians, it invites a deeper reflection: How should followers of Christ respond to the world’s fascination with horror and darkness?

According to Wikipedia, Halloween is observed on Oct 31, the eve of All Saints’ Day, when Roman Catholics and other Christians honour saints of the Church. Over the years, Halloween has evolved into a celebration of horror, often associated with the supernatural. The allure of horror — with its the thrill of being scared — can easily desensitise us to what is dark and evil.

Even if culture calls Halloween harmless fun — with costumes, candy, and carved pumpkins — it still glorifies fear, death, and darkness, the very things Christ came to conquer. Philippians 4:8 offers a sobering guide: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”

That said, as believers, it doesn’t mean we totally withdraw from the world. We can choose not to participate blindly in cultural practices that glorify fear, death, or evil. Instead, we approach them with discernment and grace — engaging the people with love while staying rooted in truth.

When others feed their fascination with fear, we can focus on what fuels our faith. When our world loves to play with symbols of death, we can find true freedom and joy in the Giver of Life. Romans 8:2 reminds us, “Through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Whereas others glorify horror, we can honour the Almighty God who redeems all humanity.

The apostle Paul grounds us with this truth: “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5) This Halloween, let’s pause and ask ourselves — are we chasing horror and its thrills, or are we honouring the Holy One in what we do? May our choices reflect not the culture around us, but the Christ within us.

God bless,

Ps Chao Rui