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"...The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
I Timothy 3:15
Halloween: An Annual Peril
Raymond Blanton
Halloween is associated with paganism, witchcraft and Romanism and yet most professing
Christians are found participating in related activities. Some churches will even
cancel services when Halloween falls on Wednesday, so that their members may be free
to celebrate. "Halloween-popular name for Oct. 31, the eve of All Saints Day. Also
called All Hallows Eve, Eve and Cake Night." Grolier Encyclopedia, p. 380
I. Halloween and Paganism
1. Celebrated by Druids who were — "Members of the Celtic religious order of priests,
soothsayers, judges, poets, etc., in ancient Britain, Ireland and France." Webster
"The earliest Halloween celebrations were held by the Druids in honor of Samhain,
lord of the dead, whose festival fell on November 1." The Truth About Halloween —
Robert McCurry
2. "Halloween...from early times has been associated with many superstitions and
customs. Halloween is supposed to be a survival from the ancient festival of Pomona,
the Roman goddess of fruit trees. There still lingers a belief that children born
on Halloween possess super-natural gifts." Grolier Encyclopedia, p. 380
3. "In Mexico, Halloween is observed by taking the favorite food of a departed loved one to the cemetery on the night of October 31 and spending the night in the cemetery with candles set up around the grave of this loved one. It is believed that the departed spirits return and feast on the aroma of the food. Fire works are shot off all night which are supposed to scare away other spirits who might intrude.
On November 1, during the day, the people then feast on the food and usually there
is much drunkenness in the cemeteries and it is not unusual for people to be killed
during drunken brawls in the cemetery." Holidays Christian or Pagan, Milton Martin
II. Halloween and Romanism
The Roman Catholic Church "Christianized" Halloween:
"What is the meaning of Halloween? Hallowe'en is related to an old, old festival. The Romans held a feast about the first of November, in honor of Pomona, goddess of fruit trees. In Britain the Druids celebrated a festival at the same time in honor of the sun god, and in thanksgiving for harvest, and the two festivals seem to have become one in the minds of the Britons.
“When the people became Christians the early Church fathers wisely let them keep
the old feast, but gave it a new association by holding it in commemoration of all
saints. The eve of the festival came to be called All Hallow E'en. The name comes
from the old English word halwe, or, as we now say, holy. The Feast of All Saints
occurs on November 1; the eve, therefore, is on October 31. Bonfires were lighted
in ancient Hallowe'en celebrations.
“Many beliefs grew up about this day, such as the belief that on this one night the
spirits of the departed were allowed to visit their homes." Grolier Book of Knowledge,
p. 1453
III. Halloween and Witchcraft
All over this country and the world, witches will gather around their altars on October
31st for that is their "New Year's Eve."
1. "Andras Corban and Deirdre Pulgram are witches... Corban says that on Halloween,
which the pair sees as an ancient celebration of death, their witches' coven will
perform rituals to remember dead relatives and friends." The Morning Union, 10/29/83
2. Jack-O-Lantern — "The apparently harmless lighted pumpkin face or "Jack-O-Lantern"
is an ancient symbol of a damned soul. 'Jack-O-Lanterns were named for a man called
Jack, who could not enter heaven or hell. As a result, he was doomed to wander in
darkness with his lantern until Judgment Day."
"Fearful of spooks...folks began hollowing out turnips and pumpkins and placing lighted
candles inside to scare evil spirits from the house." (The Truth About Halloween)
3. Trick or Treat — "The modern custom of 'Trick-or-Treat' began in Ireland hundreds
of years ago. A group of farmers went from house to house begging for food for the
village Halloween festivities in the name of their ancient gods. Good luck was promised
to generous donors, and threats were made against those who would not give.' Thus
these ancient pagan traditions continue today as youngsters, masquerading as ghosts,
skeletons and demons go 'trick-or-treating' — begging in a sense for food while promising
to refrain from evil deeds." (ibid)
The principal of blackmail is being taught to children by today’s trick-or involvement.
Conclusion:
Eph. 5:8-11 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk
as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness
and truth;). Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
We find clear instructions for Christians, in regards to Halloween and its related
activities, in I Thess. 2:21-22 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good,
Abstain from all appearance of evil."