Christian and Halloween

I have been very concerned (in fact troubled) to come to know about how the young people among the Christian community are beginning to embrace Halloween as another celebration and participate in it without knowing the background and the spiritual implication of such celebration. Reading their blog posting and facebook updates gives a lot of inside how these celebration has penetrated into our community.

History traces Halloween back to the ancient religion of the Celtics in Ireland. The Celtic people were very conscious of the spiritual world and had their own ideas of how they could gain access to it. Their two main festival were Beltane at the beginning of summer (May 1), and Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween) at the end of summer (Nov. 1). They believed Samhain was a time when the division between the two worlds became very thin, when hostile supernatural forces were active and ghosts and spirits were free to wander as they wished. According to Celtic Mythology during this festivals the normal order of the universe is suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the hell open and all divine beings and the spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere sometimes violently, in their affairs. The Celtic priests who carried out the rituals in the open air generally performed their rituals by offering sacrifices, usually of crops and animals, but sometimes of humans, in order to placate the gods; ensuring that the sun would return after the winter; and frightening away evil spirits.

As believers, we are called to "Test everything." Who can deny that virtually all of the symbols of Halloween are evil? Have you noticed how costumes and masks are getting generally more bloody, gory, and depraved each year? Unfortunately, the gruesome and grotesque and the occult are increasingly glorified in our society, not only on Halloween, but throughout the year in horror movies and in television programs. All of them portray evil. The Bible says in Ephesians 5:11 that we Christians are to "... have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." and also in Romans 12:2 ""Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Some says we need to change our approach by following the trend and Halloween just another innocent holiday that doesn't harm anyone? Is it really just fun celebration? Vandalism and disregard for the property of others is common on Halloween night. Police officials everywhere report a great increase in such activities on Halloween. Worse yet are the horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby-trapped with razor blades and needles. Such threats are so real and we can read it in the online news. Who but Satan could inspire such evil actions?

Tom Sanguinet, former high priest in the Celtic tradition of Wicca (witchcraft) said "The modern holiday we call Halloween has its origins in the full moon closest to November 1, the witches’ New Year. It was a time when the "spirits" (demons) were supposed to be at their peak power and revisiting the earth planet." He went on to say, "Halloween is purely and absolutely evil, and there is nothing we ever have or will do that would make it acceptable to the Lord Jesus."

We Christian need to Wake Up and learn to seek for the Truth because it is only the Truth that can set us free. Halloween is the night of evil and those who love the Lord Jesus Christ should have nothing to do with it. The Scriptures tells us to "Abstain from all appearance of evil." [1Thess. 5:22]. We are all accountable for our choices and decisions. Ignorance is no excuse. The choice is up to you. Do you struggle with giving it up because "it's just fun" and an innocent opportunity to dress up crazy and partying with our friends? I pray that you would seek the Lord and ask of Him to show you the truth.

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." It is important for us to know the background of such festival before even participating in it. Some may against my view and say that it is an opportunity for us to share the gospel. I believe we need to look back the condition of our heart and ultimate purpose in participating in such celebration. It is really reaching out or it is otherwise?

Be Blessed.