"Trick or Treat?" THE PLAIN TRUTH OF HALLOWEEN
Every fall, ghouls, goblins, ghosts, and witches find their way
to the doorsteps of tens of thousands of homes across the
country, as the professing Christian world dons the trappings of
an ancient festival honoring the "Lord of Death."
by Vance A. Stinson
I is that time of year again - that is, time for Samhain the
Celtic "Lord of Death," to permit the "souls" of the wicked to
return to their earthly homes for an evening. It's also time for
bonfires, apple-bobbing, scary stories, jack-o'-lanterns,
fortunetelling, and children arrayed as the "hosts of hell." In
other words, it's time for Halloween.
Have you ever wondered why Christian parents permit, even
encourage, their youngsters to "dress up" like evil, God-defying,
wicked creatures? Why would God-fearing, Bible believing
Christians want to participate in a festival of ancient pagan
origin?
"But what difference does it make if Halloween customs were
handed down from the pagans?" someone asks. "After all, isn't the
celebration just a fun tradition?"
Indeed, Halloween is a tradition, and it's been around for a
long time. Though not well accepted by many early American
settlers, it has been alive and well in the United States since
the influx of large numbers of Irish and Scottish immigrants who,
along with their customs and traditions, made their way to
American shores in the 1800s.
But what does the Bible say about tradition? Does
"tradition" justify the things we do?
Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Fullwell ye reject the
commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition" (Mark
7:9).
Tradition, then, does not necessarily justify our actions.
But what about Halloween? Does it really make any difference that
the custom developed from ancient pagan festivals?
Yes, it does! God warned Israel not to follow after the gods
and religious customs of heathen peoples. "Take heed to thyself
that thou be not snared by following them ... and that thou
inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve
their gods? even so will I do likewise ... thou shalt not do so
unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which
He hateth, have they done unto their gods ... what thing soever I
command you, observe to do it: then ye shall not add thereto, nor
diminish from it" (Deuteronomy 12:31-32).
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God says, "Learn not the way
of the heathen ... For the customs of the people are vain"
(Jeremiah 10:2,3).
But is there any real proof that Halloween was derived from
paganism?
Actually, anyone capable of looking up the word "Halloween"
in an Encyclopedia at any library can easily discover the pagan
origins of the custom.
"But we don't observe Halloween as a religious custom,"
someone argues. "It's just fun, especially for the kid."
It may be fun, but consider this: God commands us to keep His
appointed festivals - His weekly and annual holy days. (For a
thorough study of the holy days, they are all expounded on this
Website - Keith Hunt). We are commanded, at the Passover season,
to take the symbols of our Lord's shed blood and broken body; to
eat unleavened bread seven-days during the Feast of Unleavened
Bread, picturing our dependence upon the "Bread of Life" as the
Source of our salvation; and to annually, at the Feast of
Tabernacles, picture the fact that we are "pilgrims" and
"sojourners" in this world, as we look forward to the
establishment of the Kingdom of God upon this earth. In other
words, God commands us to "act out" His plan; and in so doing, we
become more and more like Jesus Christ, who is portrayed in some
way in each of God's annual feasts and holy days.
Apparently, many professing Christians would rather have
their children pretend to be witches, ghouls, ghosts, and other
"hosts of hell" than have them "act out" God's plan. Why? Because
its easier to go along with the crowd than chance being labelled
an "odd ball" or risk loss of social status.
Most parents wouldn't approve their children adopting the
rituals of satanism - even the seemingly "harmless" rituals. Yet,
thousands of children from professing Christian homes go out
dressed as ghosts, or "souls departed from the body" (a
completely pagan and unbiblical concept), demons (twisted,
warped, angelic beings who followed Satan the devil in rebellion
against God), witches (disciples of an ancient anti-God mystery
cult), ghouls (walking, murderous, half-decayed, "living"
corpses, mockery of the glorious resurrection promised to
Christ's true followers), and other weird, demonic, creatures of
darkness.
We teach our children customs derived from ancient, pagan
religious/harvest festivals, while completely ignoring God's
harvest festivals?
God's Feast of Tabernacles, occurring at the end of Israel's
harvest year (September-October), is generally ignored. In fact,
thousands of professing Christians have never so much as heard of
the festival. Many reject it outright, calling it "Jewish," or
claiming that the Sabbaths and holy days were "nailed to the
cross" and shouldn't be kept. Yet, a festival associated with
ancient, pagan superstition is "fun" for nearly everyone.
But what if your pastor, just for "fun," decided to throw a
big "Buddhist" party at the church's fellowship hall? Suppose
everyone was to come in Buddhist religious garb, carrying tittle
Buddha images; the walls of the fellowship hall were to be
decorated with traditional Buddhist religious art work; and, of
course, images and incense were to add to the "Buddhist spirit"
of the party. The pastor explains that the party would be "in
the spirit of Christianity," and assures his parishioners that
"it's just for fun."
Do you honestly think Jesus Christ would be pleased with
such a party? Is it fitting that a Christian church don the
apparel of pagan Buddhism? Probably, a good number of professing
Christians would be utterly outraged, absolutely refusing to
participate in such an affair.
Yet, incredibly, tens of thousands of professing Christians
- the same people who would adamantly refuse to attend the
"Buddhist party" - would think nothing of attending a church-
sponsored Halloween celebration, or of taking their children
(dressed as demons, witches, and ghouls) "trick-or
treating"!
What about you? Will you observe a festival founded on
superstition - a celebration with roots extending into pagan
antiquity? And what of God's festivals? Will you ignore them?
The Creator of the universe commands us to obey His laws.
And His laws forbid the observance of heathen religious customs.
Are you willing to obey Him?
The choice is yours.
...................
Entered on this Website October 2007
