by
Three Authors
Added comments by Keith Hunt
"TRICK OR TREAT?"
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
It 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 Godfearing, 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, "Full well 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: thou shalt not add thereto, nor
diminish from it" (Deuteronomy 12:30-32).
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 kids."
It may be fun, but consider this: God commands us to keep His
appointed festivals - His weekly and annual holy days. 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
- a mockery of the glorious resurrection promised to Christ's
true followers), and other weird, demonic, creatures of darkness.
Does it not seem curious that we teach our children customs
derived from ancient, pagan religious/harvest festivals, while
completely ignoring God's harvest festivals?
(And with that kind of a statement, you need to see the study on
"Thanksgiving Day" - its true origin may surprise most of you _
Keith Hunt).
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 little
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 churchsponsored
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.
..........
THE HALLOWED EVENING OF OCTOBER 31
by Steve Kurtright
Perhaps of all the customs of the religious community at large,
the celebration and observance of Halloween is the most unusual.
Thoughts of Halloween bring to mind grotesque costumes, door-to-
door treats for favors and parties with not only "devilish,"
things, but is highlighted by decorations of black cats, coffins,
spiders and every other appearance associated with witchcraft.
WHY the emphasis on evil and death? Even further - WHY do
otherwise sane, God-fearing people indulge in this obsession with
all the strangeness associated with Halloween? Aren't you the
least bit curious?
Historically, folks, Halloween is a pagan festival, brought into
the WAY under pretext! It is not, as many might assume, a secular
day on the calendar, nor is it merely a quirk of 20th century
United States! It remains today as it has for hundreds of years,
a religious festival or holy day among certain members of the
Christian community, and especially within the Roman Catholic
Church. Halloween is as much a festival of importance on the
calendar as are the festivals of Christmas and Easter.
The evening of October 31, Halloween - or "hallowed evening" - is
just the beginning of a two-day observance divided into All
Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).
The festival begins at sundown on October 31, the ONLY festival
of the Roman church that does (all others begin at midnight),
just as it had CENTURIES before Christ himself.
History makes no secret of the origins of Halloween and it can be
traced in its observance to the Druids who were located in the
British Isles and Gaul. Theirs was a "festival of the dead."
(But the ancient Druid festival was never as it is observed today
in the western world. See the studies about the Druids on this
Website - Keith Hunt).
However, in the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV introduced
this festival into Christian thinking - and so it has continued
to this day. Before that time, prayers to the dead were practiced
by the Roman church, but on May 13. Then, in A.D. 834 Boniface
adopted the pagans' date in order to supplant the "festival of
the dead."
.....The customs, date and even the time frame were adopted in
whole by the Roman church. Today the festival is of the dead and
is still ushered in on October 31, the hallowed evening followed
by a day of praying to and honoring of all dead saints. This day
is needed since a day could not be set aside for each one. To
illustrate, by the 10th century some 25,000 saints had been
canonized by the Roman church. It is called "All Saints' Day."
All Saints' Day is followed by yet another special day on that
calendar, "All Souls' Day." It is on "All Souls' Day" that
prayers and monetary offerings are given for those dead in
"purgatory" for the release of their souls.
Departed souls, spirits, death and dying are all part of the
observance still, but thanks to yankee ingenuity, we've turned
this pagan festival of death into a fun time! ....
Get the picture? The fear and superstitions which sponsored the
celebration by these ancients have turned to fun and frivolity on
Halloween, but the customs are practically unaltered. Masks of
witches and demons are donned - children roam the streets and
knock with the demand, "trick-or-treat."
Halloween, along with other religious festivals today, is
founded, not on a biblical basis, but rather with origins in
paganism. So what? What difference does it make?
Well, it makes no difference unless you care what God says on the
subject and if you accept the teachings of Christ and true
Christianity. THEN it makes a BIG difference.
Dorothy Beldon nee Wood, a former staff writer for the Wichita
Beacon, stated the plight of the pagan festivals back on October
30, 1959:
This ancient night of revelry for the devil and his cohorts
has degenerated. . . . It's the Christians who are to blame.
For centuries they've been grabbing off all the old heathen
festivals. The midwinter feast with its greens, feasting and
drinking has become Christmas. The wild spring festival has
become Easter and worshippers of Christ boldly use the old
pagan symbols of fertility - chicks, rabbits and eggs. Now
they've completely taken over Halloween.
God never intended His people to borrow worship from the pagans.
Beware that you are not enslaved to follow them . . . and
that you do not inquire after their gods, saying 'How do
these nations serve their gods, that I also may do
likewise?' You shall not behave thus toward the Lord your
God (Deuteronomy 29:30, 31).
The New Testament makes clear that the believer is not to bring
himself into partnership with lawlessness or darkness. Further,
there is no agreement between God's people and idols
(I Corinthians 6:14-17).
Knowing the injunction of the Word should make the difference
between your observance and staying as far away from these
customs as possible.
Just the smallest amount of curiosity will reveal the so-called
hallowed evening of October 31 (Halloween) is neither holy nor a
God-favored festival.
...........
MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
A CHRISTIAN REVIEW OF ENTERTAINMENT AND THE MEDIA(1979)
HALLOWE'EN
by Albert James Dager
This is that time of year when the world holds its festival to
honor the powers of darkness - the time when stores stock up on
all the goodies that children will be seeking as they make their
way from door to door with their wails of "trick or treat."
Doting parents will take pictures of them in their little
costumes dressed as witches, demons, monsters, and their favorite
media characters. They will think to themselves of how cute their
kiddies look as they waddle about the neighborhood working their
peculiar brand of blackmail.
All humor aside, it's important that Christian parents consider
the true meaning of this holiday called Hallowe'en. Whether or
not Christians should be a part of the festivities connected with
Hallowe'en is a legitimate question. It is one more among the
many concerning the affairs of the world and how they relate to
God's people, called to be holy and separated unto Him.
It seems as if many Christians think that Hallowe'en is an
outgrowth of Christian tradition honoring the saints of the
Church. While the name and most recent influences of Hallowe'en
appear to be Christian (the name means the evening before All
Hallows or All Saints' Day), the day itself originated among the
ancient Druids....
The reason some Christians associate the day of Hallowe'en with
Christianity is that in the eighth century Pope Gregory III had
the Roman Catholic church festival honoring the dead moved to
November 1st. Then, in the ninth century, Pope Gregory IV decreed
that the day was to be universally observed by the Roman Catholic
Church which, at that time, held the greatest influence among the
Christian populous because of its unification with the government
of Rome. In reality Hallowe'en was at first a pagan festival
which was then converted to a Roman Catholic festival.
The eve of All Saint's Day became known during the Middle Ages as
the time most favored by Satan's followers, comprised of witches
and sorcerers.
(The festival became vastly different than was the festival
observed by the Druids - much emphasis has been placed on the
Druids and this day, which is a gross error. The festival of
October 31st and November 1st went through a great metamorphose
over the centuries, to bring it the festival as to how most
observe it today - Keith Hunt).
It isn't necessary here to dwell upon the physical dangers that
present themselves to children who get caught up in the
festivities of Hallowe'en. There are enough warnings on radio and
television and in other mass media outlets about what to beware
of in the way of contaminated food, how to dress to avoid fire
hazards and to be easily seen by drivers at night, and what to
give them to offset the aches in their little tummies from
gorging themselves on too many sweets.
The physical dangers of Hallowe'en are minimal, however, when
compared to the spiritual dangers. Whether Christians should join
in the festivities and allow their children to dress up as
witches and ghosts for all the merriment has been a hot issue for
a long time. The common argument in favor of their doing so is
that it's only in fun and the kids don't know the difference
anyway.
And that's the problem - it's all in fun and they don't know the
difference. When we think that we can enjoy engaging in
celebrations that began centuries ago as tributes to Satan and
the forces of darkness, either we are failing to acknowledge the
reality of those demonic forces and their influence in the world,
or we think they are something we can associate with and not be
affected.
The fact is, Christian, that Hallowe'en is a feast of Satan. It
is not only demonic in its origins but the practices associated
with it are steeped in ancient mysticism. Even today, worshippers
of Satan gather on the evening of Hallowe'en and engage in all
sorts of perversions - even animal sacrifices and, it is
suspected, human sacrifices.
TRICK OR TREAT
The modern custom of going from door to door begging candy, nuts,
apples, and pennies while masked and dressed in grotesque
costumes goes back to the pagan new year's feast. The ghosts that
were thought to throng about the houses of the living were
greeted with banquet-laden tables. At the end of the feast,
masked and costumed villagers, representing the souls of the
dead, paraded to the outskirts of town leading the ghosts away.
This was done to avoid any calamities the dead might bring upon
them should they not provide for them. Were the living to fail in
their provisions they might find their lives disrupted by such
things as having their livestock die, their milk turn sour, their
food spoil, or whatever other mischief the evil spirits might
devise.
The new year's festival was celebrated in various areas with
minor differences. One way to appease the ghosts in some places
was to set out bowls of fruit and other treats so the dead could
partake of them and, once satisfied, they would leave in peace.
Your child, when he goes door to door in the ritual of "trick or
treat," is re-enacting that ancient superstition.
(You will notice here the correct historic truth that what was
added to Halloween was from the pagan festival of January 1st or
New Years night. Such did NOT come from the Druids as many want
to relate it. You need to study the studies on this Website about
the Druids to get the truth of the matter regarding them - Keith
Hunt).
JACK-O-LANTERNS
The jack-o-lantern (also known as will-o-the-wisp, fox fire,
fairie fire, friar's lantern, and corpse lantern, among other
things) was believed to be a wandering soul which could not find
refuge in either Heaven or Hell because of a particularly evil
deed committed in its lifetime. Some believed it to be a
malignant imp. The Finns believed that it was the soul of a child
buried in the forest.
According to ancient folklore from many places, a will-o-the-wisp
wanders about and entices victims to follow it. Should a person
succumb to the temptation, he may become hopelessly lost or led
to his death in a bog or pool. There are also tales of these
mischievous spirits chasing terrified victims through mud and
brambles until confused and then leaving them stranded with the
sound of mocking laughter ringing in their ears. Today's leering
pumpkin face is symbolic of the mocking spirit that laughs at
one's calamity.
A corpse candle is like a small flame moving through the air in
the dark and is believed by the superstitious to be a warning of
the observer's imminent death or the death of a loved one should
it hover before him. Then, too, it may hover at the scene of an
impending death.
These strange fires, probably originating from observance of the
atmospheric ignition of swamp gases, were also known as "Ignus
Fastuus" or "Foolish Fire" because only a fool would follow them.
BONFIRES
Most everyone is familiar with the Hallowe'en bonfire which,
unknown to most, is traced back to the Celtic fire festivals
which had specific purposes in ancient pagan superstition.
In North Wales every family built a bonfire into which each
person would throw a stone he had marked with his own
identification. The family would recite prayers to their gods
while gathered around the fire. Should a stone be missing when
they came back to the site the next morning, it was believed that
the owner of that particular stone would die within a year's
time. The same belief existed in the Scottish Highlands and many
forms of fortune telling would accompany the festivities. This is
probably because it was the Celtic new year and a suitable time
for predicting coming events for the year. Even today modern
mystics and seers fill the newspapers during the Christmas season
with their predictions for the new year.
It is believed that the bonfires were first meant to provide
light and heat to compensate for the feeble sun during the
darkening and chilling period of winter. On this particular night
all the people would extinguish their fires at home and
congregate at a great community bonfire consecrated through
sacred rites during the fire festival. In order to receive fire
for the next year it was necessary to engage in pagan rituals,
many of which included human and animal sacrifices to the gods of
nature.
(Do not confuse the notion of "human" sacrifices with the Druids
of the Celtic people, and Druids of Britain, for no such teaching
or practice can be proved to be found among them - Keith Hunt).
The Celts held two fire festivals, one of which honored Samhain
and is rekindled every Hallowe'en all over the world today. The
other was held for Beltane during the Easter season and focused
on the Queen of May and the Earth Mother. These goddesses, in
turn, were derived from the ancient Chaldean Queen of Heaven,
Ishtar from whom Easter gets its name.
(It is true that many of the Celtic tribes had much paganism
within their religious practices, but again this should not
automatically be taken as "druid" teachings - see the studies on
the Druids and you will be in for some surprises - Keith Hunt).
BLACK CATS AND TALISMANS
It is a fact that witches (who worship the gods of nature) have
living talismans, or symbols through which they derive their
power, that are indwelt by evil spirits. Some have dogs, owls,
snakes or swine for their talismans, but the most common are
cats. The witches invoke the familiar spirits to enter the bodies
of their talismans and they keep them around for the exercising
of dark powers.
The black cat has come to symbolize these familiar spirits
because black represents evil, death, and darkness.
The other trappings of this holiday are all steeped in black
magic and the occultic practices of ancient civilizations. With
the advent of Christianity, Christian rationalizations were given
to these practices. For instance, children went around on the eve
of All Souls' Day (the day following All Saints' Day) offering to
fast for the departed souls of loved ones in exchange for money
or some other offering.
Like so many pagan festivals that were conveniently adapted for
Christian usage, Hallowe'en is today accepted as Christian in
origin and practice. But the darkness that permeated the minds of
those within the Church of Rome at that time resulted in that
church taking that which was consecrated to Satan and offering it
to God. We have numerous Scriptures which tell us that such a
practice is an abomination to God, punishable by death. That's
how much He detests such practices regardless of whom one says
they honor.
"Learn not the way of the heathen," He says in Jeremiah 10:2.
Lest those "under grace" think this does not apply to the
present, I remind them of what Paul says in 2 Corinthians
6:14-18:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath
he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for
ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I
will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their
God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and touch not the
unclean thing: and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
To allow Christian children to engage in any revelry that is
associated with such an anti-Christ festivity is a slap in our
Lord's face - nothing less. Yet, because of "vain tradition,"
Christian parents, and even some churches, go all out to make
Hallowe'en a time of festivity.
Some Christian organizations even go public with "haunted" houses
designed to scare the wits out of people for profit in order to
finance their other programs. But God says that He has not given
us a spirit of fear, but of love and power, and of a sound mind
(2 Tim. 1:7).
Is it suitable for the Body of Christ to raise money by embracing
the symbols of Satan and, for the excuse of "fun," induce fear in
people? I could write pages about how easy it is to be oppressed
by evil spirits if we don't keep our guard up and continue in the
peace and joy of Christ but instead allow ourselves to indulge
our senses in the momentary pleasures that revolve around Lucifer
and his dominion.
Hallowe'en has always been the night when Satan's worshippers
have enjoyed their greatest feasts and revelry, indulging in all
sorts of perverse and demonic activity. The symbols and
festivities are definitely demon-inspired and carry with them the
possibility of demonic activity directed toward those who partake
in them.
If the Church is so bound by tradition that it can't see this
then I question whether it is fulfilling the role to which it has
been called in the service of God.
There is nothing on this earth, least of all some bits and pieces
of candy, which can justify embracing Satan in his unholy day's
celebrations. Yet the Church has accepted so many things of this
world because of ignorance or tradition. Hallowe'en has
captivated the minds of Christian children and adults alike to
the point where the Church has compromised this evil to its
spiritual detriment for too long.
The responsibility of educating children in the commandments of
God weighs heavily upon the shoulders of parents; but no more so
in this age or society than in ages past. Today children rule
many homes; and not only those of unbelievers but of Christians
as well. For that reason compromise is easier than conviction for
the parent who, thinking that he is showing love by acquiescence,
is really destroying his child's spiritual life.
Have children so taken hold of the authority within the Christian
home that they cannot be told right from wrong for fear their
little psyches will be injured?
It isn't going to traumatize a child if he isn't allowed to join
in just because "everyone else does it." It is the responsibility
of Christian parents to teach their children the truth from the
beginning; not to wait until they have been sufficiently infected
by the world's teachings that they must be de-programmed at a
later date.
Children who are taught to love Jesus will come to understand in
time that, because of that love, they shouldn't have anything to
do with glorifying Satan and his power .... The parents'
responsibility is to bring their children up in God's
righteousness ....
This is no trivial matter. God is alive and He is working His
plan of redemption in the world. If you want to be a part of that
plan and, just as importantly, if you want your children to be
part of that plan, you must once and for all learn to die to self
and let God have His way in your life so that you can more
effectively touch the lives of your children with His truth.
That is a tremendous role; hardly worth sacrificing on the altars
of worldly pleasure.
..............
Entered on Keith Hunt's Website September 2003
