Halloween An Annual Peril
Halloween is associated with paganism, witchcraft and Romanism
and yet most professing Christians are found participating in
related activities. Some churches will even cancel services when
Halloween falls on Wednesday, so that their members may be free
to celebrate. "Halloween-popular name for Oct. 31, the eve
of All Saints Day. Also called All Hallows Eve, Eve and Cake
Night." Grolier Encyclopedia, p. 380
I. Halloween and Paganism
1. Celebrated by Druids who were — "Members of the
Celtic religious order of priests, soothsayers, judges, poets,
etc., in ancient Britain, Ireland and France." Webster
"The earliest Halloween celebrations were held by the Druids
in honor of Samhain, lord of the dead, whose festival fell on
November 1." The Truth About Halloween — Robert McCurry
2. "Halloween...from early times has been associated with
many superstitions and customs. Halloween is supposed to be a
survival from the ancient festival of Pomona, the Roman goddess
of fruit trees. There still lingers a belief that children born
on Halloween possess super-natural gifts." Grolier
Encyclopedia, p. 380
3. "In Mexico, Halloween is observed by taking the favorite
food of a departed loved one to the cemetery on the night of
October 31 and spending the night in the cemetery with candles
set up around the grave of this loved one. It is believed that
the departed spirits return and feast on the aroma of the food.
Fire works are shot off all night which are supposed to scare
away other spirits who might intrude. On November 1, during the
day, the people then feast on the food and usually there is much
drunkenness in the cemeteries and it is not unusual for people to
be killed during drunken brawls in the cemetery." Holidays
Christian or Pagan, Milton Martin
II. Halloween and Romanism
1. The Roman Catholic Church "Christianized" Halloween
—
"What is the meaning of Halloween? Hallowe'en is related to
an old, old festival. The Romans held a feast about the first of
November, in honor of Pomona, goddess of fruit trees. In Britain
the Druids celebrated a festival at the same time in honor of the
sun god, and in thanksgiving for harvest, and the two festivals
seem to have become one in the minds of the Britons. When the
people became Christians the early Church fathers wisely let them
keep the old feast, but gave it a new association by holding it
in commemoration of all saints. The eve of the festival came to
be called All Hallow E'en. The name comes from the old English
word halwe, or, as we now say, holy. The Feast of All Saints
occurs on November 1; the eve, therefore, is on October 31.
Bonfires were lighted in ancient Hallowe'en celebrations.
Many beliefs grew up about this day, such as the belief that on
this one night the spirits of the departed were allowed to visit
their homes." Grolier Book of Knowledge, p. 1453
III. Halloween and Witchcraft
All over this country and the world, witches will gather around
their altars on October 31st for that is their "New Year's
Eve."
1. "Andras Corban and Deirdre Pulgram are witches... Corban
says that on Halloween, which the pair sees as an ancient
celebration of death, their witches' coven will perform rituals
to remember dead relatives and friends." The Morning Union,
10/29/83
2. Jack-O-Lantern — "The apparently harmless lighted
pumpkin face or "Jack-O-Lantern" is an ancient symbol
of a damned soul. 'Jack-O-Lanterns were named for a man called
Jack, who could not enter heaven or hell. As a result, he was
doomed to wander in darkness with his lantern until Judgment
Day."
"Fearful of spooks...folks began hollowing out turnips and
pumpkins and placing lighted candles inside to scare evil spirits
from the house." (The Truth About Halloween)
3. Trick or Treat — "'The modern custom of
'Trick-or-Treat' began in Ireland hundreds of years ago. A group
of farmers went from house to house begging for food for the
village Halloween festivities in the name of their ancient gods.
Good luck was promised to generous donors, and threats were made
against those who would not give.' Thus these ancient pagan
traditions continue today as youngsters, masquerading as ghosts,
skeletons and demons go 'trick-or-treating' — begging in a
sense for food while promising to refrain from evil deeds."
(ibid)
The principal of blackmail is being taught to children by todays
trick-or involvement.
Conclusion:
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the
Lord: walk as children of light:"
"(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and
righteousness and truth;)"
"Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them."
We find clear instructions for Christians, in regards to
Halloween and its related activities, in
I Thess. 2:21-22 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is
good, Abstain from all appearance of evil."
~ Raymond Blanton