Halloween During the apostasy prophesied by the Apostles, the church adopted many of the pagan practices and gave them new labels. From some of these compromises we now have Halloween, Easter and Christmas. Primary origin of observance of Halloween came from practice of the Druids. Druids were a secret sect of priests and priestesses in the Celtic civilization of Northern Europe Celts rose in power during the time of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and continued several centuries after the time of Christ. (500 BC) Druids practiced a religion based on nature worship and were very cruel. Even kings were not exempt from their power. When a king was too old to lead in battle or to have children, he was sacrificed to their gods by cutting out his internal organs to use for divination and magic. On Nov. 1, They observed a feast called "Samhain" or "Festival of Death", in honor of Samhain, the lord of the dead. According to their calendar, the evening before was con sidered to be the beginning of the day, so they celebrated on the evening of our Oct. 31. The Druids believed that during that evening, Samhain called together the wicked souls that within the past 12 months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals. All through the night, the wicked spirits were free to wander about the countryside. After the sun set, the festival began with the Druids randomly knocking on certain hous es demanding certain foods. They had dietary laws regulating what they could and could not eat and the people had to be ready with the correct kind. If they were given the correct food, they would pass on in silence. If their demands were not met, the people and their homes were cursed with trouble, sickness and death. People also left food for the spirits outside their houses in exchange for not being trou bled by the spirits that were free to move about that night. The Druids carried a large hollowed out turnip with an oil lamp burning inside. They would carve a face into the side of the hollow turnip that represented the Druid's spirit guide. These spiritual guides are called "familiar spirits" in the KJV. Then they would gather around large fires and offer both animal and human sacrifices and their organs were used for divination. They used drugs, danced and committed forni cation through the evening as they celebrated the Festival of Death. In the morning, the Druids would disappear and the common people would come out and all that would be left would be the smoldering ashes of the "bonefires" (bonfires) where both human and animal sacrifices were burned. As the power of the Roman Empire increased, the Druids declined in numbers and influence. The celebration of Samhain continued as more of the common people got involved. The practice spread through the general population during the same time that Christian ity began to be established in Europe. In 607 AD, Emperor Phocas defeated the Northern tribes and recaptured Rome from them. The Pantheon was presented to Pope Boniface IV. It had been dedicated to Cybele and all the other gods of Rome by Emperor Hadrian around 120 A.D. The Romans consid ered Cybele to be the mother of the Gods or the Great Mother. In 610, the Catholics dedicated the Pantheon to Mary mother of Jesus and to all the saints, instead of being dedicated to Cybele, mother of the gods. May 13 was set aside for "All Saints Day" when all Catholics would pray for the souls of all the saints who had died. The more prayers that were offered, the less time the dead would have to spend in purgatory. Also, if people contributed money to the church, that also reduced the sentence of purgatory for the dead. Instead of a place for pagans pray ing for their dead, the Pantheon became a place where Catholics prayed for their dead. In the 800's the power of the Catholic church had spread throughout northern Europe through the conquests of Charlemagne. In 834 AD, the Pope tried to make it easier for the pagans of Europe to convert to Catholicism and instituted a "Christian" holy day or holiday called to compete with Samhain which was still popular. "All Saints Day" was changed from May 13 to Nov. 1. This holy day was to be a day for honoring the Chris tian dead, particularly those who died as martyrs during the Roman persecutions. Instead of observing the Festival of Death, and serving the wicked spirits, they could now have a day of remembrance of dead Christians. In Britain, the day became known as "All Halloweds" since it was a day to honor all the holy or "hallowed ones". Since Samhain always occurred the evening before, All Halloweds was also observed on the evening of Oct. 31. It later came to be called "All Halloweds Evening" or just "Halloweds E'en". Later it was shortened to Hallows E'en and finally Halloween. Some have claimed that this is a Christian holiday, but it was simply another pagan observance that was assimilated by the Catholic church. Even though the name of the festival changed, many of the practices remained the same. During the Middle Ages, there was a revival of witchcraft as the Catholic church continued to become more and more corrupt. Oct. 31 was believed to be the greatest gathering of witches and during this time the belief developed that on Oct. 31, witches traveled to their covens flying on brooms, guided by evil spirits in the form of black cats. When the Puritans first came to America, they outlawed all occultic and pagan practices. There were no observances of the Festival of Death, no Saturnalia or Christmas, no Maypoles or Midsummer night. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a flood of Celtic immigrants came to America, primarily from the British islands, and brought with the their folk beliefs and pagan superstitions. They brought the Festival of Death with them. In America, they found pumpkins which were much easier to hollow out and carve than turnips. Among the English speaking Celts, the hollowed turnip or pumpkin was known as "Jock or Jack of the Lantern" which referred to the spirit guide (Jock or Jack) who lived in the lantern. This was soon shortened to Jack o' the lantern and then jack o lantern. There were some who voice objection to these practices, but the general population accepted them quickly. Since then, several stories have arisen about a wicked man or spirit named Jack who was supposed to be the face represented by the pumpkin. Today, many are not concerned with the origins of Halloween. It is a night to have fun, dress in costumes, go trick or treating for candy. They do not stop to think about how this night came into being to start with. Night of witches, black cats, skeletons, decorations of scenes of death, mutilated bodies and coffins. Night of vandalism, time for people to put razor blades and drugs in candy and apples. It is still a night of destruction. It is a night when more policeman must be on duty in many places because of all the trouble. As the church in our land become more and more corrupt, we are seeing another rise in popularity in the occult and witchcraft. It is being promoted by many cartoons, comics, games. music groups. Halloween is still taken very serious by witches today. 1. There are increasing reports all over the country of farm animals and pets being sacrificed. 2. Many police depts. are having to train personnel on occult related crimes. 3. There are too many reports of women being used as breeders to produce babies for sacrifice. Some heavy metal bands are promoting involvement with the occult among young people. Different reasons people become involved with Satanism and the Occult. 1. Some are just rebelling and are out to have fun. 2. Others get in it for sex and drugs. 3. Others are seeking spiritual contact and power. Whatever reason or degree individuals and groups are involved with the occult, Halloween is their most important day of the year. Many consider this day to be when the barrier between the spiritual and physical worlds to be the thinnest, so this is the best time to get in contact with the spiritual realm. This is why there are many sacrifices offered on this night. According to Doreen Irvine, who was once the ruling witch of western Europe and Britain, and now who professes to be a Christians, said: If Christian parents had any idea of what Halloween really is they wouldn't even mention the word around their children. Doreen Irvine, Freed From Witchcraft Nelson Publishing Co. How Should Christians View Halloween? Deuteronomy 7:24-26 And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. 25 You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 26 Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing. What Does God Consider An Abomination? Deuteronomy 18:9-12 When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. Leviticus 20:1-7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Again, you shall say to the children of Israel... 6 And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. 7 Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. God's Command to Israel: Numbers 33:50-53 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, 51 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52 then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; 53 you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess. Could the Israelites kept any of the images of the false religion of the Canaanites and let their children play with them "just for fun"? Many passages warn against even the slightest involvement with the occult. Whether mediums, witches, sorcerers, necromancy, astrology, familiar spirits - God said to stay away from it all! Has God's Attitude toward the occult changed any? Action of Christians: Acts 19:18-20 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic (curious arts - KJV) brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. "Magic" or "curious arts" is translated from periergos [per-ee'-er-gos] Definition: busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters, esp. busy about other folks' affairs, a busybody; of things: impertinent and superfluous, of magic arts Only other use: 1 Timothy 5:11-13 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. Busybody = a person getting involved in something that is none of their business. These books were on how to get involved in spiritual activity that is none of our business. Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident... sorcery (NKJV), witchcraft (KJV) ...and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation 22:15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 1 Corinthians 10:19-22 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? If the ignorant paganism of the 1st Century was communion with the demons, how much more is there communion with the demons when the demons are deliberately served? Christians were told that to eat in the pagan temples was communing with demons even though that was not their intention. It was not even the intention of the pagans! How can children of God participate in a day that IS dedicated to demons, witches and Satan? Even if it is just for "fun"? Is it fun to enjoy the glorification of the enemies of our God? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty." Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Halloween is a false religious practice. It was begun by pagans, and adopted and modified by an apostate church. How can a true Christian participate in that which is false, even in fun? How about Josiah? After his reforms in 2 Kings 22 -23, do you think he later kept some of the practices of the false religions because he enjoyed the holidays? he would make sure he told everyone it was a non-religious observance! But would he even have the outward practice? 2 Kings 23:25 Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. How did Josiah rate this great commendation? 2 Kings 22:8 He ruled in a time of apostasy that they found a copy of the law in the Temple and did not know what it said. 23:1-3 The people entered a covenant 23:4-7 The cleansing began in the Temple. 23:10-11, 24-25 They did not save anything for themselves. It was a complete turning to the Lord. Instead of being concerned about having fun, and worrying about what everyone else is doing, we need to be concerned primarily about the glory of God. Instead of following the crowds, we have an opportunity to show them that we serve a God that is much more important to us than the practices of the society we live in. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc