Halloween is not a Holy day!
The original meaning of the word holiday is holy day. There is nothing holy about Halloween. This article will explain why Christians should not celebrate Halloween. Halloween seems like an innocent celebration that kids can enjoy, however, the bible says that we must grow in understanding to become mature.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult (mature, emphasis is mine), I no longer used childish ways
(1 Corinthians 13:11 GWT).
It is time for us to become mature about Halloween.
Where did Halloween come from?
Halloween had two origins. The pagan Celts had an ancient festival of Samhein. They believed “this festival celebrated the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, a time of year associated with death.”1 Further they believed that on that night, the boundary between the worlds of the living and dead blurred and the ghosts of the dead returned to the earth.2
The Celtics had priests called druids. On October 31, the druids went from house to house demanding certain foods, and all those who refused were cursed. The people were tormented by means of magic. As they went, the druids carried large turnips which they had hollowed out and on which they had carved demon faces as charms. Each one was believed to contain the demon spirit that personally led or guided that priest: his little god.3
To counter the festival of Samhein the Catholic Church created All Saints’ Day was instituted as a holiday in the year A.D. 609 (initially celebrated in May, it was later moved to the November 1 date). And what is the origin of All Souls’ Day, which is a distinct holiday. On All Souls’ Day Catholics are encouraged to pray for the souls in purgatory.4 This “holy day” was created as an alternative to the festival of Samhein but the plan did not work. It was not widely observed until the twentieth century.
Initially, it was practiced only in small Irish Catholic settlements, until thousands of Irish migrated to America during the great potato famine and brought their customs with them.
The premise to celebrate Halloween is faulty
The origins of Halloween are not Christian. Pagans worshiped nature or demons masquerading as “gods.” The question of other gods was answered for the descendents of ancient Israel.”The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”6 Jesus is King of kings and God over every other so-called god.
The Catholic teaching of Purgatory is a non-biblical belief. A corrupted Catholic church taught that souls could be brought out of purgatory or wait there for a period of time, then go to heaven later. However, the bible is clear: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”.
What does the bible say about the devil, darkness and demonic practices?
The entire natural world order is under the control of Satan8 we know this is true with all the emphasis on death, demons and witchcraft in Hollywood movies. The apostle Paul tells Christians not to have fellowship with darkness but to rebuke it.9 The things the world loves (like Halloween) Father God does not and are passing away.10
Celebration of death is a major part of Halloween. Yet the bible says that death, for the Christians, is the last enemy to be destroyed.11 Halloween is a celebration to the demonic and Christians must not partner with the celebration of anything demonic.12 The general belief that Halloween celebrations are only make-believe is not true.13
The fact is Halloween is not harmless. It is time for Christians to become mature in our understanding regarding this ungodly celebration. Let us not celebrate this festival in any way.
Other information links:
http://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/e008rp_Halloween.htm
http://www.demonbuster.com/halloween.html
By Pastor. Tyrome Garrison
References
- 1.Halloween: A Return to Paganism by Marian T. Horvat, Ph.D
- 2.Ibid
- 3.Pagan Origins of Halloween: All Hallows’ Eve History by David Beaulieu
- 4.Ibid
- 5.Ibid
- 6.Mark 12:29
- 7.Hebrews 9:27
- 8.1 John 5:19
- 9.Ephesians 5:8-11
- 10.1 John 5:15-17
- 11.1 Corinthians 15:26
- 12.1 Corinthians 10:20
- 13.1 Timothy 4:11
