Views on Haunted Houses

[Sandy]

I am so confused...well, maybe I'M not confused, but my 15 yr old is. I do not think haunted houses are anything a Christian should go to, particularly The House of Shock. I attended this particular haunted house many years ago and felt completely surrounded by EVIL. I mean, it REALLY gave me bad feelings! This year, my 15 yr old son wants to go there and his father sees no problem with it regardless of my personal beliefs. I have tried talking to my son about our beliefs and what Halloween and haunted houses are based on, but this year he is adamant. Any words of wisdom?

[Mike Miller]

Sandy, this is an issue I have grappled with over the years. I used to be very anti-Halloween and anything associated with it. Then, I realized that most people who dress their kids up in costumes and go looking for candy are not involved in any kind of spiritual pursuits, nor do they have any idea of the origins of the day. My attitude now is that it's just a silly event devoid of any spiritual significance whatsoever and that partaking in harmless activities are--well--harmless. I see this as a matter of conscience. If Halloween violates the conscience, then don't participate. I think Romans 14 is a good guide.

As for haunted houses, though, that's another story. I haven't been to any kind of haunted house since the silly little ones we did at our grade schools when I was a kid. Even we kids weren't scared. I have no experience with the kind of thing you're asking about, as this kind of thing is not entertainment for me. Nevertheless, I would ask some questions in evaluating it. Does it portray ghosts as real? Does it in any way encourage witchcraft, spiritism, or psychic phenomena? Is any of it taken seriously by those participating? In other words, if this too is some kind of silly entertainment where those participating do not see it as real, then it might not be inherently evil. But if it is meant (by the participants or the promoters) as something more, or if it makes light of the occult, then that is definitely a problem. The issue for us Christians is that the answers are probably not clear cut. One person might take this kind of thing very seriously, while another might see it as just a hoax. If this is something with some clear spiritual (demonic) participation, then I can't comprehend why any Christian would want to participate. But if it's not something serious, then I think it becomes a matter of conscience. (And again, I'm commenting on generalities, not knowing the details of The House of Shock)

As for whether your child should go, I would ask him some questions. Why do you want to go? Is this the kind of thing Christians should do? Would you be embarrassed if your youth minister or pastor saw you there? Would you be embarrassed if Jesus saw you there (because he does)? Can you honor God while at The House of Shock? Why is this appealing to you? Will this help or hinder your walk with Christ? How will going there affect your witness for Christ? At the end of the day, however, this is a decision you as a mom will have to make, and the decisions we parents make are not always popular. He might not see it your way, but you're the mom.

I'm sorry I can't be more definitive, but without all the details, I hate to be more clear. This is an important issue for Christians, however. So often, we want everything spelled out and placed in categories of good and evil. Unfortunately, it's not always that simple. We don't live under law, but grace. It's kind of like the food sacrificed to idols discussed in Scripture. Idols aren't real, and the food is just food, so go ahead and eat it . . . unless eating it violates your conscience or causes another to stumble (no rules). Halloween is nothing--unless you're gathering with a witches coven for spells and incantations, or unless you think it's something. In fact, for most, Halloween is further removed from its origins than the aforementioned meat for the early believers. Let's be willing to grapple with the issues, and let's teach our kids to do the same thing. Instead of just rules (no, I'm not downplaying the need for rules for our kids), let's teach them how to think critically about issues and make the most God-honoring decisions possible. I know it's not easy, but I'd rather have our kids have good decision making skills than just trying to follow rules.

Now, having said all that, if I saw something as inherently evil (like it seems you do in this case), I would simply tell my kid he couldn't go. I would explain why. I would make my case as best I could. But as a parent, "I've been there, and it is unholy, so the answer is NO," is good enough. I understand that you and his dad are not unified over this, so that's another issue, but I can tell you that I would not want my 15 year old son participating in something I saw as evil. I'm praying for you all as you work through this issue.

[Sandy]

Thank you so much Mike...your answer was just what I needed! Like you said, my answer may not be popular (and it's not), but I'm the Mom and it is my God-given responsibility to raise my son in Christ and set the good examples. You've given me some valid questions to ask him and the strength to feel that I can sit down with him and talk about this without conflict and the common "because I said so" attitude! And thank you for praying for us through this!