The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-5, titled "Bible Questions and Answers."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  Copyright John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

I have a little boy who is going to Christian School--he's in Kindergarten.  It has come to my attention that they are going to be making "Jack 'O Lanterns," for Halloween and "Black Cats."  I talked to his teacher and she said that "at Christmas they make Santa Clauses, and Easter Bunnies on Easter."  I told her, I said that, "This is why my son is in Christian School--I want him to be separated from this.  I teach him at home that we are not supposed to be a part of Halloween or this and that, but yet you are compromising, or contrary to me, to what I am saying and it is confusing him."  "Mommy, why can't I do this; they are doing it?"  And he understands he is in a Christian School.  I have an appointment to talk with the principle of the school tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock--can you give me some advice?

Answer

I think that's good.  Well, I think you're right.  Why create the unnecessary confusion?  "Jack 'O Lanterns," and "Cats," and "Witches," and "Devils," and "Demons," and people dressed up in funny costumes and all of that.  That is all out of paganism.  In fact, I wrote a whole thing on that one time--I don't know if we have any of those around any more.  The terrible mixture of Old Church festivals with pagan festivals, you know, like the Saturnalia feast of the pagans that got all mixed up with Christmas and that kind of thing.  I think that it is good to keep those things distinct, and I think you're right to go talk to the Principle.  I think it is a simple an issue as basically saying, "Look, this is a Christian School so let's celebrate the things that speak of Christ and the Word of God, and set a different pattern."

What we have always done with our kids in reference to Halloween, is to give them some kind of alternative when they were little (now they don't care).  But when they were little we wanted to do something as a family that would be even more special than what everybody else did; and if you can create that for your own child he's not going to have any problem with what the others are doing if you do something with him that is even better.  But I would definitely speak to the people and let them know how you feel about that; I think that is very important.