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As a child growing up, Halloween night was
always big. I was raised in a Christian family that never questioned
tradition. As I got older, I started seeing that a lot of things Christians
participated in didn’t line up with God. That’s one of
the main reasons I left the church. I had intended on writing this
article weeks ago but working afternoons and finishing up the Yuinon
EP made it impossible. This morning (Oct. 30 2003) my spirit convicted
me and now I am sitting here typing. This is something that God wants
me to do, so I am obeying Him. I pray that this brief article will
enlighten and challenge us to renew our minds, no longer conforming
to the ways of this world (Romans 12:1-2).
Halloween has many customs but none of them appear
to be godly. Please keep this in mind as we examine this so-called
holiday.
“The word Holiday originates from “holy
day” Originally, a day of dedication to religious observance
but in modern times, it’s a day of either religious or secular
commemoration. Many holidays of the major world religions tend to
occur at the approximate dates of more ancient, pagan festivals.”
- Encyclopedia Britannica |
Halloween
Believe it or not, the word Halloween has its origin in the Roman
Catholic Church. It comes from All Hallows Day or All Saint’s
Day (November 1st). This day was a Catholic day of observance in honor
of saints. All Saint’s Day or All Hallows Day originated in
the 7th century when the Pantheon (a temple dedicated to all the gods)
at Rome was wrested from the barbarians. In the 5th century BC, in
Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended October 31st. The holiday
was called Samhain ("sow-eyn") “summers
end”, the Celtic New Year. It is told that on that day, the
disembodied spirits of those who had died the proceeding year would
come back to possess the bodies of the living to be their only hope
for the afterlife. Pope Gregory IV officially authorized All Hallows
Day in 835 after it was moved to November 1 to coincide with Samhain.
It began on the evening of October 31, which was called All Hallows
Eve. The Roman Catholic Church adopted the customs of Samhain to further
its mission to convert the world to Catholicism. What’s deep
is that the Roman Catholic Church never required the pagans to abandon
their practices but instead, made room to accommodate the barbarians.
Thus leading to joint celebrations. One (All Hallows Day) was to honor
“saints” and the other (Samhain) in respect of evil spirits.
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For
what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? – 2 Corinthians
6:14
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Trick
or Treat?
“Do not seek revenge or
bear a grudge against one of your people, but love you neighbor as
yourself. I am the LORD.” - Leviticus 19:18
The saying might actually sound cute coming from little children but
it’s actually a serious question or threat. Are going to give
me a treat or do you want a trick? The custom of 'trick or treat'
has several origins, mostly Irish. Trick or treat is an old Irish
peasant practice called for going door to door to collect money, bread
cake, cheese, eggs, butter, nuts, apples, etc., in preparation for
the festival of St. Columbus Kill. Yet another custom was the begging
for soul cakes, or offerings for one's self - particularly in exchange
for promises of prosperity or protection against bad luck. Failure
to supply the treats would usually result in practical jokes.
“Inhospitable or absent homeowners may be punished
by tricks – customarily mild but sometime destructive.”
– Encyclopedia Americana (ref. A-013 pg.726) |
Jack-
o'- Lantern
The Jack-O-Lantern comes from Irish folklore. A man named Jack, who
was a notorious drunk and trickster, tricked the devil into climbing
a tree. Jack made a deal with the devil that if he would never tempt
him again, he would promise to let him down the tree. According to
the tale, after Jack died, he could not enter heaven because of his
evil ways. But he could enter hell because he had tricked the devil.
So the devil gave him an ember to light his way through the darkness.
It was placed in a hallow turnip to keep it glowing longer. But when
immigrants went to America, they discovered pumpkins were much better
so used them instead.
Another story of the Jack-O-Lantern occurs during the time of the
Druids. They believed that the sinful and lost souls were released
upon the earth on the night of October 31st while they awaited their
judgment. People greatly feared these spirits and thought that the
spirits would harm and even kill them. So they carved demonic faces
into pumpkins or large turnips and placed a candle in them to keep
the evil spirits away from their homes. Humm, sounds like a pagan
version of the Passover to me. Read Exodus 12:2-14
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Costumes
Believers of Jesus be denouncing Satan on every level but
every Halloween they’re dressin’ like devils!”
- Krs One Album: Return of the Boom Bap / Song: Higher Level
To avoid being possessed, on the night of October 31st, the Celtic
villagers would make their homes damp, dark, and undesirable, while
dressing in the most frightening costumes. It is told that on that
day, the disembodied spirits of those who had died the proceeding
year would come back to possess the bodies of the living to be their
only hope for the afterlife. To defend themselves, the villagers
would loudly parade around the neighborhood to frighten off the
spirits. Some tales are told that burning people who were thought
to be possessed at the stake was common. Other accounts say these
were only myths. Myth or not, I have yet to discover anything that
is godly about Halloween.
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Stand Firm
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance
the LORD will bring you today.” - Exodus
14:13
One year my daughter brought a pumpkin to our home from school
to be carved or decorated. As much as it hurt me to throw the
pumpkin outside in the garbage, it wasn’t as bad as I
thought. I sat down and explained to her what Halloween really
represented. Since her love for God is greater than her love
for the world, she accepted my actions in love. Parents remember
that our children are a gift from God and He expects us to train
them to be godly (Proverbs 22:6). Their aptitude to stand firm
against spiritual wickedness is less than ours, that’s
why we must train them. Training is never easy, it requires
discipline, patience, sacrifice and sometimes tears; but the
fruit that comes from it is a blessing to God.
“If you are allowing your children to participate
in Halloween (Trick or Treating, costume parties etc.) You are
allowing them to play on “the devil’s turf,”
and Satan will definitely press his home court advantage.”
- Victory Baptist Church / www.victory-baptist.org/Library/Halloween2.htm
SEIZE THE OPPURTUNITY
The Bible says we are not to become involved with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather expose them (Eph. 5:11). Use this
day/night to shed light on this dark helliday, bring God glory
and lead the unsaved to Christ. This year the Yuinon plans to
giveaway Corey Red & Precise Mixtape Vol. 2 and other ministry
gifts instead of candy.
Warning: Since
I don’t know most of you who may read this personally,
I purposely did not post all of my references. Searching the
web for information on Halloween can be very troubling to ones
spirit, some websites glorify this wickedness with suggestions
of witchcraft or devil worship. If you aren’t grounded
properly, you can let the wrong spirit enter your person. Before
researching Halloween, please pray, use discernment and guard
your heart (proverbs 4:23 NIV).
Your brother in Christ, Maji
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