Christianity Has Nothing to Do with Halloween

Question: Should Christians celebrate or participate in various activities of Halloween? This question seems easy enough to answer because most would say "yes" it is perfectly fine. But, is it? Asking a Christian about participating in Halloween would be the same as asking if they also enjoy casting spells, playing with a Ouija Board, or worshipping the dead. Although one may first react by saying "You jerk! I don't do that evil stuff...I'm a Christian. Besides, there is a BIG difference!" REALLY? Not so fast! Let me explain. Unfortunately, most of the "fun" activities and American traditions associated with Halloween are related to the seasonal holidays of the Wiccans and the Celtics. For Wicca, their celebration on October 31st is called "Samhain" and it is their highest holy day where festivities are focused on darkness and death. After all, Samhain is a god known as the Lord of Death. It is a time to embrace evil and the dark side of the spiritual world by contacting the dead and paying homage to them.

Let's Just Take a Quick Look:

• Trick-or-Treat: Celtic tradition of placing turnips/pumpkin on the porch/outside the front door to ward off and keep the dead spirits out of their house. It was a hope that the evil spirits would haunt the turnip/pumpkin and leave their family alone.


• Bobbing for Apples: Wiccan celebration during "Samhain" where they appease the dead spirits with a sacred offering of fruit to enhance their state of immortality. Known as "Paradise of Apples."


• Costuming: Celtic tradition of dressing up to mimic the "returning dead" or to pretend to be various spirits from the "otherworld." Main development of the practice was to hide one's identity from the evil spirits and ghosts that roamed freely on October 31st. Some used costumes to hide their identity at pagan festivals while others used it to "change their identity" in order to contact and talk with the dead.


• Bon Fires: Wiccan tradition of worship where cattle were slaughtered for their nightly feast of "Samhain." During the midnight festival the Wiccans would create a large fire and proceed with casting the bones of the slaughtered cattle upon the flames. This was known as the "bone fires" in which we derive the word "bon fire."

It all boils down to one thing: THERE IS NOTHING SACRED, HOLY, GODLY OR CHRISTIAN ABOUT HALLOWEEN...PERIOD. They simply don't mix...they weren't meant to be put together. Halloween is the celebration of death and darkness. Christianity is one that celebrates life and living in the Light. The two are polar opposites.

As one can plainly see...Halloween's history, symbolisms, and activities all come from and still retain the underlying associations for which they were originally intended...their original purpose. So, is this what you, as a Christian, really want to be promoting?

I pray that we will reconsider how much we associate ourselves with a pagan festival that promotes evil, death, and darkness. 3 John 11: "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil." Ephesians 5:1; 8-11, "Follow God's example in everything you do...for though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in their worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them."

May you spend October 31st this year and always in deep reflection of how to avoid all appearances of evil and to come to a point where you no longer brush off Halloween as nothing more than "harmless fun." May God be praised by your decision.

Realizing We're Wrong

I have watched with great interest the latest rounds of arguments, debates, and finger-pointing the latest 700-billion dollar banking bail-out has caused. The one thing that amazes me beyond the amount of money involved is that not one single person has admitted fault...everyone has managed to point the finger at someone else or deflect blame in the direction of another party, organization or business. Nobody really seems to be able to handle failure or accept any form of responsibility. I realize that it is basic "sinful human nature 101" to find a scapegoat for our shortcomings...after all, just ask Adam (Genesis 3:12). The fact is no one wants to be told they are wrong. It can even be taken one step further by saying that no one wants to be proven wrong. I don't think anyone really feels comfortable with hearing that it is their behavior, lifestyle, diet, work habits and morals that are wrong, immoral, or unhealthy and that by living in such fashion could greatly jeopardize their life, family, employment or someone else. So let's learn a new concept: THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW WE ARE RIGHT IS TO BE WILING TO DISCOVER WHERE WE ARE WRONG. We must be able to grow to a new depth of maturity that constructive criticism, mentorship and counsel is a healthy routine of our life style. Maturity includes a great deal of integrity to be able to realize when we're wrong and take strides to make the necessary corrections. Words such as "admit" "confess" and "apologize" must become a natural part of our character. When we realize that we are "in the wrong," let us accept and admit our shortcomings then use them as opportunities to grow and succeed at a higher level.