Christians and Halloween

Pagan or just innocent fun?




Fellow Christians, I have been asked whether I am against Halloween. My response is that I am. I of course have no aversion to candy...or dressing up in a ridiculous costume to be funny. I have children, they're grown now, but when they were younger we always viewed Halloween as a time to be funny and get a chocolate rush. All it took was one Christian friend to show me that what I thought was harmless and fun-filled was dishonoring to God and wrong for my family. So, now, my opinion has changed and I don't celebrate a holiday which can lead my family down the wrong road.

Halloween is also refered to as Samhain( pronounced sow-in most of the time), and is still celebrated as an ancient pagan festival of the dead by wiccans and pagans all over the world. Unfortunately, just giving the date a "holy" name like All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve cannot change its character.

"Deu 18:13 Be completely loyal to GOD, your God.
Deu 18:14 These nations that you're about to run out of the country consort with sorcerers and witches. But not you. GOD, your God, forbids it.

Halloween is filled with different kinds of pagan characters and customs that Christians should avoid. The black cat, for example, was believed by the Druids to be evil spirit friends of witches, and even witches themselves. Some witches are worshipers of the spirits of the earth. They believe that the whole earth is the giver of life and has power to give and take away life from humans; kind of reminds me of the ancient beliefs of the Romans. Either way, God does not condone the worship of earth-spirits. Scary masks were worn by the Celts to scare away evil spirits. The jack-o-lantern was used for the same purpose, although a turnip was originally used.

Even the orange and black colors of Halloween have a pagan origin. At the Druid Festival for Samhain, huge bon fires were used for offering sacrifices. So the colors of the night were orange flames glowing in the dark. Trick-or-treating might have found it's origin in the custom of peasants going house to house begging for money to purchase necessities for a feast. For more information you can read this article on


Witchvox.com You Call It Hallowe'en... We Call It Samhain Author: Peg Aloi

Beloved, it is my opinion that Halloween is not for Christians. Honor God instead by refusing to observe Halloween this year.

The Bible says,

"Deu 18:10 Don't you dare sacrifice your son or daughter in the fire. Don't practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery,
Deu 18:11 casting spells, holding séances, or channeling with the dead."

"1Co 10:21 And you can't have it both ways, banqueting with the Master one day and slumming with demons the next.
1Co 10:22 Besides, the Master won't put up with it. He wants us--all or nothing. Do you think you can get off with anything less?"

" 2Ki 21:5 And he built shrines to the cosmic powers and placed them in both courtyards of The Temple of GOD.
2Ki 21:6 He burned his own son in a sacrificial offering. He practiced black magic and fortunetelling. He held séances and consulted spirits from the underworld. Much evil--in GOD's judgment, a career in evil. And GOD was angry."


Are you a TRUE follower of Jesus Christ? Then SKIP Halloween this year and tell others to do likewise!

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph. 5:11)
"The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." (Rom. 13:12)


Here are some books that might give you better idea why Christians should not celebrate Halloween:





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Witchcraft and Satanism



The underlying power to all occult practices, is Satanism, i.e., the worship of Satan (or Lucifer) in opposition to the worship of God. It is the worship of Satan which has been the driving force behind the handful of men who have perpetuated the Illuminati conspiracy. Through its various incarnations, the spread of the occult has enabled the Illuminati to create a social climate that has welcomed the advent of the New World Order, and the one-world government that accompanies it.

The word "witchcraft" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Wicca-craft' which means 'craft of the wise', and is considered the world's oldest religion. It is a descendent of the Druids, who existed in the British Isles, Scotland, and Ireland. Around 98-180 AD, the Druid religion was outlawed, and they were forced to go underground, where it has been secretly active, in various forms, ever since. The Druids were members of a priesthood made up of the upper class of Celt society, who were exempt from taxes and manual labor. Their name comes from the Celtic word "daur" which means "oak tree", which was sacred to them. An aura of mystery surrounded the Druids. It was alleged that they possessed strange powers, such as being able to produce mists, storms, floods, and cast spells. They could be compared to he Medicine Man of the American Indians. As it turned out, these men were greatly feared, because some of their rituals included both animal and human sacrifice.

The earliest mention of these "men of the oak" was in the 3rd century BC, and what little information that is available, comes from Roman and Greek historians, and ancient records found in Ireland. For the most part, their legacy has been passed down orally from generation to generation.

Their biggest night of the year, was the ceremony known as the "Vigil of Samhein", on October 31st, in honor of Samhein, the Horned Hunter of the Night (Satan, as seen in the Pentagram), the Oak God of the Underworld, and the God of the Dead. It is this ritual that evolved into the annual tradition of Halloween.

The Druids also worshipped the Sun God, Hu; the moon, and the stars. Many of their rites centered around such astronomical occurrences as equinoxes and solstices. It is believed that Stonehenge, built in 2750 BC on the Salisbury Plain in southwest England, and transferred into a solar observatory by 1900 BC, was later used by the Druids as a temple for sacrifices. A similar structure in Avebury, 20 miles north, was also used.

The lineal successor to the religion of the Druids, was British Witchcraft, which became strong in the 120O's. Witches are polytheists who believe in the superiority of the mother goddess who controls the fertility rites, and the process of birth and life. They also worship a horned god which represents death and the afterlife; and a number of lesser deities. White Sorcery is practiced out of the La Clavicule de Solomon ("The Key of Solomon"), which was said to be written by King Solomon, but was actually written in the 14th or 15th century. The Lemegeton ("Lesser Key") is known as the Book of Shadows. Black Magic comes from the 6th and 7th Book of Moses, mistakenly alleged to have been written by Moses. Witches claim that their religion is not anti-Christian, because they worship deities in existence before the advent of the Christian era.

In 1980, Skip Tarrant, a head witch in the Church of Wicca, said: "Being a witch makes one feel more alive." Thousands have been drawn to the spiritualistic aspects of witchcraft, and their churches are recognized as tax-deductible entities. In 1980, Joyce Clemow, a director of the New York Center for the Strange (a non- profit research group that investigates "the myriad aspects of prognostication, prophecy, and divination") said that among America's practicing witches, were three Congressmen, a syndicated financial columnist, the President of one of the nation's banks, a well-known television newscaster, and a man who held a top foreign affairs position in the Nixon Administration.

It has been reported, that the spread of Witchcraft and the occult, has been the job of an inner circle of the Illuminati, which is known as the Council of 13, or the Grand Druid Council.


Paul McCartney and the 'ram'

According to the testimony of former witches and Satanists, the ancient religion of Witchcraft and its "white magic" is nothing more than a "little white lie." The deities they worship are actually demons, and the "horned hunter of the night" is actually Satan. Many witches have realized, that in order to get more "power," they have to surrender more of themselves, moving into the direction of all-out Satan worship.

Satanic charms, amulets, and talismans have now infiltrated our society, even our churches. The charms, which attract demons, are used in demon worship and to cast spells. It had been impossible to buy them, and were only available in witchcraft bookstores, because they were handmade and sold to occult stores. Now they are marketed commercially to spread the influence of witchcraft. The most notorious of these was called the Unicorn Horn, and was a symbol used by Druid priests. It is now called the Italian Horn, and it means that you trust Satan for your finances. It is available from most jewelry manufacturers and is frequently worn.

Remember the peace symbol, which was prominently displayed by the anti-war protesters of the 1960's and 70's. During the Middle Ages, this symbol was known as the "crow's foot" (or "witches foot"), the insignia of Satan. After Nero crucified St. Peter upside-down in 69 AD, the symbol was called the Nero Cross, or the "sign of the broken Jew." It is used by Satanists as a mockery of Christ. In witchcraft, a ceremonial breaking of the crossbar of a cross, is used to symbolize the rejection of Calvary, and Christianity, and was said to bring "peace of mind." It was first used as a "peace" symbol on February 21, 1958, at the Aldermaston Easter Walk in England, which was led by Lord Bertrand Russell, a member of the Fabian Society. It was said to represent the semaphore for the letters "N" and "D", which stood for "Nuclear Disarmament".


Witchcraft and Rock-n-Roll



Besides being able to get occult courses established at many colleges and universities, one of the greatest victories of the occult movement, was to infiltrate the music world. The music that was performed during Druid ceremonies, had a "rock" beat, and they knew that when certain chords were struck, it acted as a hypnotic suggestion to stir rebellion. Witches have their own language, and some rock songs have incorporated these coded incantations. On the surface, what sounds like a bunch of strange words, is actually an intentionally written lyric of hidden meaning. Acid rocker Jimi Hendrix said in an interview with Life magazine (October, 1969) that "music is a spiritual thing of its own. You can hypnotize people with music, and when you get them at their weakest point you can preach into their subconscious whatever you want to say."

According to J. C. Cooper, author of, Fairy Tales-Allegories of the Inner Life... fairy tales are linked to the occult. Cooper said that the fairy tale practice of kissing frogs is a pagan ritual that dates back to prehistoric days. In the story of Hansel and Gretel, the two children encountered a witch. When the wicked witch offered the apple to Snow White, it is based on Satan offering the fruit to Eve. It is not surprising that many rock lyrics are written in the form of fairy tales. In 1991, Bernie Taupin (who has written most of Elton John's lyrics) self-published a book of poems called The Devil at High Noon. Taupin admits that he decorates his walls with "satanic art" and has further declared that, "the occult fascinates me" (People, June 23, 1980).

Some of Elton John's songs (most notably, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road") have allegedly been written in witch language. Bernie Taupin, his co-writer, said that "John's home is laden with trinkets and books relating to Satanism and witchcraft" (US, July 22, 1980, p. 42). Many artists, like Elton John and Bernie Taupin, recognize the Devil's hand in their success, and realize that their fans do not have a clue that they are being deceived by demons. Elton John has admitted that he is deceiving his fans, "Its all a big con," and adds, "But as long as the public laps it up, I'm quite happy to go on giving it to them." (Rolling Stone, July 15, 1976, p. 30).

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Music by Elton John | Lyrics by Bernie Taupin...

Back to the howling old owl in the woods,
Hunting the horny back toad,
Oh, I finally decided my future lies
Beyond the Yellow Brick Road.

The "owl" is notorious in Satanism, representative of the pagan god Lilith, and is worshipped at the occult Bohemian Grove ceremony held every year, just north of San Francisco, California. Lilith appears as a succubus in Aleister Crowley's De Arte Magica. Lilith was also one of the middle names of Crowley's first child, Ma Ahathoor Hecate Sappho Jezebel Lilith Crowley (b. 1904, d.1906). She is sometimes identified with Babylon in Thelemic writings. You can read much more about Lilith on the Bohemian Grove Exposed page. Owl's are an important symbol to witches and occultists. Lest you think it a stretch of the imagination to label Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" as occultic, consider the lyrics to another one of his songs...

"I've Seen The Saucers"
Music by Elton John | Lyrics by Bernie Taupin... Tune in, wouldn't it be something
Rumours spreading into panic
I've seen movements in the clearing
Someone sent you something satanic

Here's another song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin...

"Saint"
Music by Elton John | Lyrics by Bernie Taupin... To sweeten up the witch's brew
You had a better way of working magic
A little mystery in your eyes
Instead of rolling over you remained the same
You took the whole world by surprise

An album by the group Blue Oyster Cult, "Mirror", contains the song "You're Not the One", which has a high speed subliminal message which says: "And furthermore our Father is not in Heaven." Carlos Santana said, "...you meditate and you got the candles, you got the incense and you've been chanting, and all of a sudden you hear this voice: 'Write this down' " (Rolling Stone magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 41). Carlos Santana further states, "The energy of devils and angels is the same energy; it's how you use it. It's fuel. There is a saying: If you scare all your devils away, the angels will go away with them. You know, the halo and the horns are the same thing. I mean it's OK to be spiritually horny - that's what creative genius is all about. Geniuses don't have time to think about how it's going to be received... they don't have time to think whether people like it or not, is it morally right, will God like it?" (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 87).

Jimmy Page, of the rock group Led Zeppelin, who owned one of the largest occult bookstores in England, had purchased the mansion of Edward Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), one of the most famous Satanists of all time, who called himself "the most wickedest man in the world." The mansion is said to be inhabited by demons. Page referred to Crowley as an "unrecognized genius of twentieth century thinking." Band member, Robert Plant, who wrote the song "Stairway to Heaven," was also interested in the occult and said that the song just came together, as if he was being driven by some "spiritual force." He said: "Somebody pushed my pen, I think." It became one of the biggest selling records in music history, and is still one of the most requested songs on rock format radio stations. Some of the words, typical of witch language, having a double-meaning. The line: "And when you wind on down the road, the shadow's taller than your soul," means that Satan is supposed to be stronger than us (which, of course, he isn't). Page said it was taken from the writings of a Druid priest, hundreds of years ago, which was based on the Bible. Which Bible?

The song also used a process known as "backward masking," which is accomplished when a phrase is recorded on tape, played backwards, then recorded again on the master tape. One segment which says: "Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on. And it makes me wonder...," played in reverse, says: "There's no escaping it, oh it's my sweet Satan, the one whose path makes me sad, whose power is Satan." Other parts of the song, when played in reverse, say: "I live for Satan," "The Lord turns me off," "Here is to my sweet Satan," "There's power in Satan," and "Take the 666."

There is some evidence that suggests that the human brain can decode a recorded message that is played backwards, even though the person isn't consciously aware of what's being said. On the Beatles 'White' Album (called "The Beatles"), there is a song called "No. 9 Revolution." In one segment, John Lennon chants "number nine, number nine," which, when played in reverse, says "turn me on dead man." This fueled rumors that group member Paul McCartney was dead. Eric Nehart, of Mechanicsburg, PA, who does research into subliminal techniques used in rock music, said that someone he knew, who was listening to "No. 9 Revolution", and hallucinating from drugs, was imagining that there were no windows or doors in the room, and that fire was coming at him. He began to scream, "Let me out, let me out." A section of the song, when played in reverse, says: "Let me out."

On the Electric Light Orchestra's album "Face the Music", there's a song called "Fire on High", a segment of which, when played in reverse, says: "The music is reversible, but time isn't, turn back, turn back, turn back..." In their album "Eldorado", there are backward messages which say: "Christ you're the nasty one, you're infernal," and "He's there on the cross and dead." Queen's song, "Another One Bites the Dust," when played in reverse, continually says: "It's fun to smoke marijuana." In Jefferson Starship's "Blows Against the Empire", the song says: "I've got a surprise for you, a child is coming, a child is coming. Everything's gonna get better, it's gonna be brighter." When played in reverse, it continually says: "Son of Satan." On the live album of Black Oak Arkansas, called "Raunch and Roll", during the song, "The Day Electricity Came to Arkansas" the lead singer Jim Landy utters something unintelligible, then laughs. When it is played backwards, he says: "Satan, Satan, Satan; He is God, he is God, he is God." Some researchers believe that not all of this is intentional, that some of it may be put there supernaturally.

To be fair, I have to relate information to the contrary by critics of backward masking. In 1988, the state of Nevada tried to implicate the group Judas Priest in a case where a fan, James Vance, allegedly put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger, because the "Stained Class" album contained a song which repeated a phrase, which, when played backward, said "do it." However, the defense pointed out that the same song, when played backwards, also contained other, much clearer messages, including, "I asked for a peppermint, I asked her to get one." In the opinion of the judge, in his statement to the court, when any segment of human speech is played backwards, it will inevitably contain sounds than can be interpreted as cohesive sentences, but they are purely coincidental and not evil messages put there by the bands for the purpose of "brainwashing" listeners of the song.

The Eagles, who publicly admitted to having ties with the Church of Satan (founded in San Francisco on June 6, 1966), illustrated that fact with their album "Hotel California". The face of the church's founder, Anton LaVey, can be seen in a window on the inside cover. A segment of the song "Hotel California" when played in reverse, says: "Yes Satan, he organized his own religion." The Church is located on California Street, and the song refers to 1969, when the

Satanic Bible ...

was written by LaVey. In January, 1983, Congressman Jack McCoy (D-AR) proposed legislation(HR336) that would require albums which utilized "back-masking" to bear warning labels. If such a record failed to display such a warning, then it would be confiscated. It passed 18-13 in the House Committee on Public Health, and 83-0 in the full House vote. When it got to the Senate, they amended the penalty to a Class A Misdemeanor, and when it was sent back to the House for concurrence, they tabled it. McCoy vowed to reintroduce the Bill during the next session of Congress.



Many groups also use occult symbols on their album covers, even though the public doesn't think of it that way.

Rush and Starz, use the inverted five-pointed star (which represents Satan, the horned hunter of the night); the Blue Oyster Cult, used an inverted Satanic cross, with the bottom section replaced with an upside-down question mark. Other groups using occult symbolism are Black Sabbath (who in an Ontario, Canada concert attended by 70,000 people, gave an altar call for Satan) whose fifth album was called "Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath" and depicted an upside-down cross and the number "666" on the cover; Molly Hatchet; Nazareth; Alice Cooper; Rolling Stones (one of their albums was called "Their Satanic Majesty's Request", and two of their songs, "Sympathy for the Devil", which is the unofficial anthem for Satanists; "Dancing with Mr. D," i.e., the Devil); Styx (named after a mythical river that runs through Hell); Earth, Wind and Fire; Santana; KISS (which some critics believed was an acronym for "Knights in Satan's Service"); Rush; Judas Priest; and Motley Crue (whose album "Shout at the Devil" has a pentagram, the five pointed star which symbolizes the five sense of man, his head and four limbs, and is a protection against evil spirits). On the back of one of Venom's albums, which contains the song "Welcome to Hell", is this line: "We're possessed by all that is evil, the death of you God we demand; We spit at the virgin you worship, and sit you at the Lord Satan's left hand."

The group AC/DC used the Satanic "S" on a couple album covers. Their song "Highway to Hell" claims that Hell is the promised land. Their lead guitarist, known as a "guitar demon" once said: "By the time we're halfway through the first number someone else is steering me, I'm just along for the ride. I become possessed when I'm on stage." Deep Purple has recorded in a 17th century castle that is said to be haunted by a demon who is a servant of the Babylonian god Baal. Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, who was labeled by

Newsweek...

as the "Lucifer of Rock" and the "unholy roller," said: "There are black magicians who think we are acting as unknown agents of Lucifer." Peter Criss, the former KISS drummer, said: "I find myself evil, I believe in the Devil as much as I believe in God. You can use either one to get things done." Rocker, David Bowie, told

Rolling Stone

magazine (February, 1976): "Rock has always been the Devil's music. You can't convince me that it isn't. I honestly believe everything I've said, I believe Rock and Roll is dangerous." Guitarist Craig Chaquico of the group Jefferson Starship said: "Rock concerts are the churches of today." Another member, Spencer Dryden, said: "Get them while they're young and bend their minds." An Iron Maiden concert in Portland, Oregon opened with the words: "Welcome to Satan's Sanctuary." Another element that has permeated rock music, is sadistic violence. The name of Ozzy Osbourne usually comes up, because he bit off the head of a bat in concert (because he thought it was a rubber one); and bit off the head of a dove in the office of the head of his record company; which lead to rumors of him throwing live puppies into the crowd during the 1983 "Us" Festival in California, and refusing to continue performing until they were returned dead. This rumor grew out of an incident at an Alice Cooper concert where someone threw a live chicken on the stage, and he threw it back at the audience thinking it would fly away, but the bird was torn to pieces by the audience. Osbourne once said: "Sometimes I feel like a medium for some outside force..." He said that Aleister Crowley was a "phenomenon of his time." A song by a group known as the "Dead Kennedys" had the following lyrics: "I kill children. I love to see them die. I kill children and make their mamas cry. Crush'em under my car. I wanna hear them scream. Feed'em poison candy, to spoil their Halloween... Ever want to die? Of course you have. But I won't until I get my revenge... Take as many away with me, anyone can be king for a day... I kill children. I bang their heads in doors. I kill children. I can hardly wait for yours."

Parents, do you know what your children are listening to? Do you know what they are watching on TV? MTV (Music Television), owned by Warner Communications, broadcasts rock music 24 hours a day to millions of cable subscribers across the country. The National Coalition on Television Violence (NCTV) had reported that MTV showed "18 violent or hostile actions every hour, with more than half the videos stressing or suggesting violence and 35 per cent of programming featuring violence of a sexual nature."

In 1935, Joseph Stalin said: "If we can enslave just one generation in any country, that country will fall to Soviet Communism." This was to be accomplished through "immorality, music, and drugs." The Illuminati has been working behind the scenes to ensnare our youth, by weakening our moral fiber with pornography; encouraging the use of alcohol and drugs, and seeking the destruction of the family unit. The blueprint for this was prepared by the Tavistock Institute for Human Relations (established by RIIA) at Sussex University in England, under the direction of Professor Willis Harmon. Stanford Research continued the work, which later became known as the "Aquarian Conspiracy."

The 1980's and 90's have brought an explosion of interest in the supernatural, and its level of acceptance has increased because of graphic horror movies and rock music. In horror movie of the past, the villain would die at the end, but today, as in the case of Michael Myers ("Halloween"), Jason ("Friday the 13th"), and Freddy Krueger ("Nightmare on Elm Street"), they could not be killed, and became heroes to the youth of this country who were fascinated by this kind of power. Role-playing games, like Dungeons and Dragons, which contain occult material, have become wildly popular, even though the playing of those games have contributed to the deaths of some participants. Recently, Toys-R-Us has begun selling VooDooz dolls for teenagers, complete with needles and a spell book.

Many kids are being seduced into the occult because of the allure of having power, and feeling accepted. Some come from dysfunctional homes, being raised in an environment void of love. The parents of this generation are allowing their children to "do their own thing." The problem with this mentality, is that there are too many external conflicts. Foremost, is that God has been taken out of the schools. Nothing has done more damage to the youth of this country, than to have prayer taken out of our schools. Much of the decline of morality in this country can be traced to that single incident. With the weapon of first amendment rights, our children are being bombarded with sex, violence, and drugs. Without the proper guidance, role models, and teaching, they are vulnerable - "ripe for the picking".

The Bible is very clear concerning the occult. Exodus 22:18 says: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Jeremiah 10:2 says: "...Learn not the way of the heathen..." Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says: "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord..."




http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%.../witchcraft.htm

http://www.christian-forum.net/index.php?s...st&p=253541

I read somewhere,,,that on halloweens of the past,,,, Christians use to dress up in 2 groups,,,one group would be evil spirits and the other gropu would represent the Holy spirit,,,,,,,,,the first group (evil spirits ) would run in the camp and the second group would come in and drive them out.......This represented the Holy spirit cleansing the tribe and area of evil......

I dont know how true it is,,,but it seem some/kenites/satan have a way of turnig passover into a easter egg hunt,,,turning Christmas into a present worship of some fat dude in a red suite,,,,,so I would be surprised if holloween use to ba a worship of God and has now turned into something like X mas.....

Hi Nightmare,
That is an interesting observation. If you have a link to it, please offer it in this topic/thread - that Halloween may have been a way of worshipping God. A link is
worth seaching out.
Many thanks - Maranatha

Halloween: A Distinctly Christian Holiday (?)
Another view ...



It has become routine in October for some Christian schools to send out letters warning parents about the evils of Halloween, and it has become equally routine for me to be asked questions about this matter.

"Halloween" is simply a contraction for All Hallow's Eve (Hallow-Even—Hallow-E'n—Halloween). The word "hallow" means "saint," in that "hallow" is just an alternative form of the word "holy" ("hallowed be Thy name"). All Saints' Day is November 1. It is the celebration of the victory of the saints in union with Christ. The observance of various celebrations of All Saints arose in the late 300s, and these were united and fixed on Novemeber 1 in the late 700s. The origin of All Saints Day and All Saints Eve in Mediterranean Christianity had nothing to do with Celtic Druidism or the Church's fight against Druidism (assuming there ever was any such thing as Druidism, which is actually a myth concocted in the 19th century by neo-pagans).

In the First Covenant, the war between God's people and God's enemies was fought on the human level against Egyptians, Assyrians, etc. With the coming of the New Covenant, however, we are told that our primary battle is against principalities and powers, against fallen angels who bind the hearts and minds of men in ignorance and fear. We are assured that through faith, prayer, and obedience, the saints will be victorious in our battle against these demonic forces. The Spirit assures us: "The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly" (Romans 16:20).

The Festival of All Saints reminds us that though Jesus has finished His work, we have not finished ours. He has struck the decisive blow, but we have the privilege of working in the mopping up operation. Thus, century by century the Christian faith has rolled back the demonic realm of ignorance, fear, and superstition. Though things look bad in the Western world today, this work continues to make progress in Asia and Africa and Latin America.

The Biblical day begins in the preceding evening, and thus in the Church calendar, the eve of a day is the actual beginning of the festive day. Christmas Eve is most familiar to us, but there is also the Vigil of Holy Saturday that preceeds Easter Morn. Similarly, All Saints' Eve precedes All Saints' Day.

The concept, as dramatized in Christian custom, is quite simple: on October 31, the demonic realm tries one last time to achieve victory, but is banished by the joy of the Kingdom.

What is the means by which the demonic realm is vanquished? In a word: mockery. Satan's great sin (and our great sin) is pride. Thus, to drive Satan from us, we ridicule him. This is why the custom arose of portraying Satan in a ridiculous red suit with horns and a tail. Nobody thinks the devil really looks like this; the Bible teaches that he is the fallen Arch-Cherub. Rather, the idea is to ridicule him because he has lost the battle with Jesus and he no longer has power over us.

(The tradition of mocking Satan and defeating him through joy and laughter plays a large role in Ray Bradbury's classic novel, Something Wicked This Way Comes, which is a Halloween novel.)

The gargoyles that were placed on the churches of old had the same meaning. They symbolized the Church ridiculing the enemy—they stick out their tongues and make faces at those who would assault the Church. Gargoyles are not demonic; they are believers ridiculing the defeated demonic army.

Thus, the defeat of evil and of demonic powers is associated with Halloween. For this reason, Martin Luther posted his 95 challenges to the wicked practices of the Church on the door of the Wittenberg chapel on Halloween. He picked his day with care, and ever since, Halloween has also been Reformation Day.

Similarly, on All Hallows' Eve, the custom arose of mocking the demonic realm by dressing children in costumes. Because the power of Satan has been broken once and for all, our children can mock him by dressing up like ghosts, goblins, and witches. The fact that we can dress our children this way shows our supreme confidence in the utter defeat of Satan by Jesus Christ—we have NO FEAR!

I don't have the resources to check the historical origins of all Halloween customs, and doubtless they have varied from time to time and from Christian land to Christian land. "Trick or treat" doubtless originated simply enough: something fun for kids to do. Like anything else, this custom can be perverted, and there have been times when "tricking" involved really mean actions by teenagers and was banned from some localities.

We can hardly object, however, to children collecting candy from friends and neighbors. This might not mean much to us today, because we are so prosperous that we have candy whenever we want, but in earlier generations people were not so well off, and obtaining some candy or other treats was special. There is no reason to pour cold water on an innocent custom like this.

Similarly, the jack-o'-lantern's origins are unknown. Hollowing out a gourd or some other vegetable, carving a face, and putting a lamp inside it is something that no doubt has occured quite independently to tens of thousands of ordinary people in hundreds of cultures worldwide over the centuries. Since people lit their homes with candles, decorating the candles and the candle-holders was a routine part of life designed to make the home attractive or interesting. Potatoes, turnips, beets, and any number of other items were used.

Wynn Parks writes of an incident he observed: "An English friend had managed to remove the skin of a tangerine in two intact halves. After carving eyes and nose in one hemisphere and a mouth in the other, he poured cooking oil over the pith sticking up in the lower half and lit the readymade wick. With its upper half on, the tangerine skin formed a miniature jack-o'-lantern. But my friend seemed puzzled that I should call it by that name. 'What should I call it? Why a tangerine head, I suppose.'" (Parks, "The Head of the Dead," The World & I, November 1994, p. 270.)

In the New World, people soon learned that pumpkins were admirably suited for this purpose. The jack-o'-lantern is nothing but a decoration; and the leftover pumpkins can be scraped again, roasted, and turned into pies and muffins.

In some cultures, what we call a jack-o'-lantern represented the face of a dead person, whose soul continued to have a presence in the fruit or vegetable used. But this has no particular relevance to Halloween customs. Did your mother tell you, while she carved the pumpkin, that this represented the head of a dead person with his soul trapped inside? Of course not. Symbols and decorations, like words, mean different things in different cultures, in different languages, and in different periods of history. The only relevant question is what does it mean now—and nowadays it is only a decoration.

And even if some earlier generation did associate the jack-o'-lantern with a soul in a head, so what? They did not take it seriously. It was just part of the joking mockery of heathendom by Christian people.

This is a good place to note that many articles in books, magazines, and encyclopedias are written by secular humanists or even the pop-pagans of the so-called "New Age" movement. (An example is the article by Wynn Parks cited above.) These people actively suppress the Christian associations of historic customs, and try to magnify the pagan associations. They do this to try to make paganism acceptable and downplay Christianity. Thus, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, etc., are said to have pagan origins. Not true.

Oddly, some fundamentalists have been influenced by these slanted views of history. These fundamentalists do not accept the humanist and pagan rewriting of Western history, American history, and science, but sometimes they do accept the humanist and pagan rewriting of the origins of Halloween and Christmas, the Christmas tree, etc. We can hope that in time these brethren will reexamine these matters as well. We ought not to let the pagans do our thinking for us.

Nowadays, children often dress up as superheroes, and the original Christian meaning of Halloween has been absorbed into popular culture. Also, with the present fad of "designer paganism" in the so-called New Age movement, some Christians are uneasy with dressing their children as spooks. So be it. But we should not forget that originally Halloween was a Christian custom, and there is is no solid reason why Christians cannot enjoy it as such even today.

"He who sits in the heavens laughs; Yahweh ridicules them" says Psalm 2. Let us join in His holy laughter and mock the enemies of Christ on October 31.


http://www.wittenberghall.com/index.asp?Ac...&BlogID=294

I have often wondered where Halloween came from. Some say Druid, very probable.

Here is a 'Feast" from "the writings" portion of the law.

1Ki 12:32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.

This "feast" which was intended to draw people away from Reheboam, to keep people from returning to Jerusalem which was the place where Yah had set his name, and to create new forms and places of worship in both Bethel and Dan.

This feast was probably about the time of what we know today as "Halloween".

If anyone might have something on this I would appreciate it. Though it probably isn't the ancient form of Halloween, it no doubt is just as rediculous.

What about Christmas.

In the beginning i though Christmas was the day when Christ was born and i was researching for more info and the Bible says nothing regarding when Christ was born so i wonder who made up December 25th story and after finding it some more it was made by Pope. To be frank iam totally against Pope and the Roman Catholic and any divisions.

Iam a curious person and when i dug deep research i found this site http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/.

I was shocked to know that Christmas is nothing but Christ Massacre.

From then i stopped all festivals because none of them were from Lord. Incase if people want to celebrate follow this :-

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Good post and a good question ... this may help ...another theory ... it is written by one who is a proponent of British Israelism from the House of Yahweh, who also believes that man's soul is not immortal ... his explanation is bizarre and intriguing ....



Halloween has been called the devils holiday. Is it? One writer referred to this holiday as "a mystery hidden behind a mask." Where did Halloween and the idea of ghosts and goblins or evil spirits originate? What about Jack-o-lanterns, witches, apple-bobbing, and trick or treating -- and what is the meaning behind them?

In recent years Halloween has become a highly commercialized event involving most communities, schools, business and government offices throughout the U.S. Many schools and businesses go all out in taking part with its celebration. Today, children and adults alike wear the costumes and play out the rituals of this seemingly harmless event without ever considering their origins and true meaning or possible consequences. Most reason, "How could having fun "pretending" possibly have any harmful effects? After all, who believes in the devil and evil spirits today?"

Are Halloween traditions really just harmless "fun" as most suppose? How did they come to be accepted by traditional Christianity?

Present day Halloween festivities and beliefs are an amalgamation of superstitious traditions and religious beliefs of many cultures, some going back 3000 to 6000 years ago.

Like Christmas and Easter, the festival of Halloween with its traditions of witches, ghosts, hobgoblins and spirits, its games and incantations, pranks and parties "originated in a pagan celebration, even though its present name derives from the (Catholic) festival of All Hallows' [all the holy ones'] or All Saints' Eve" (Strange Stories, Amazing Facts, 1980, by the Readers' Digest Association). "Only since the late 18th and early 19th centuries has Halloween developed into a festive time for children, with costumes, lanterns, and games. Before then it was regarded as a night of fear, and wise men, respectful of hobgoblins (mischievous goblins) and wandering demons, stayed indoors. (Book of Festival Holidays, 1964, pages 123,125, by Marguerite Ickis)

"In the 17th and 18th centuries it was customary...for people in weird masks and costumes to go from house to house, singing and dancing to keep evil at bay, or to go about as representations of the ghosts (disembodied souls of dead persons believed to inhabit the unseen world, which may appear to the living in bodily likeness; also spirits or demons) and goblins of the night (ugly spirits that are mischievous and sometimes evil and malicious)." (ibid.)

"Halloween was scarcely observed in the United States until the last half of the nineteenth century. It is thought large-scale Irish immigration had much to do with the popularizing of the holiday". (ibid.)

"There were two different festivals in the early world at this time of year, and they are both represented in our own Halloween activities. When you duck (bob) for apples, or throw an apple paring over your shoulder to see what initial it makes on the floor, you are doing (divinations) as the Romans did -- honoring Pomona, the Roman goddess of orchards and especially of apple orchards. And when you light a candle inside a jeering pumpkin face (jack-o-lantern), you are in a small way imitating the Celtic Druids of northern Britain, who lit a fire to scare away winter and the evil spirits who were waiting to come rushing in when summer was over." (The Book of Holidays, 1958, pages 149-153, by Walker McSpadden)

"The two chief characteristics of ancient Hallowe'en were the lighting of bonfires and the belief that of all nights in the year this is the one during which ghosts and witches are most likely to wander abroad. Now on or about the 1st of November the Druids held their great autumn festival and lighted fires in honour of the Sun-god in thanksgiving for the harvest. Further, it was a Druidic belief that on the eve of this festival Saman, lord of death, called together the wicked souls that within the past twelve months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals [ie. black cats]. Thus it is clear that the main celebrations of Hallowe'en were...Druidical, and this is further proved by the fact that in parts of Ireland the 31st of October was, and even still is, known as Oidhche Shamhna, 'Vigil of Saman.' On the Druidic ceremonies were grafted some of the characteristics of the Roman festival in honour of Pomona held about the 1st of November." (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th ed. (1911)

"The Druids, an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain, believed that on Halloween, ghosts, spirits, fairies, witches, and elves came out to harm people. They thought the cat was sacred and believed that cats had once been human beings but were changed as a punishment for evil deeds. From these Druidic beliefs comes the present-day use of witches, ghosts, and cats in Halloween festivities." (World Book Encyclopedia's article on Halloween)

"The Druids had an autumn festival called Samhain (pronounced SAH win), or summer's end. It was an occasion for feasting on all the kinds of food which had been grown during the summer. The custom of using leaves, pumpkins, and cornstalks as Halloween decorations comes from the Druids. The early peoples of Europe also had a festival similar to the Druid holiday." (ibid.)

"The custom of holding a festival at harvest time goes back over two thousand years. The last day of the year on the old pagan calendar, October 31, served the triple purpose of bidding goodby to summer, welcoming winter and remembering the dead. The Irish built tremendous bonfires on hilltops to offer encouragement to the waning sun and to provide a warm welcome for visiting spirits and ghosts that walked about in the night." (Book of Festival Holidays)

"People of the British Isles had the quaint custom of tossing objects, such as stones, vegetables and nuts, into a bonfire to frighten away any "spooks" that might be near. these symbolic sacrifices were also fortunetelling props, still widely used at Halloween parties today... If the nuts tossed by young lovers exploded in the flames, theirs would be a quarrelsome marriage..." (ibid.) "...Fearful of spooks....folks began hollowing out turnips and pumpkins and placing lighted candles inside to scare evil spirits from the house. According to tradition, they were called "jack-o-lantern" because an Irish Jack, too wicked for heaven and expelled from hell for playing tricks on the devil, was condemned to walk the earth with a lantern forever" (ibid.)

"It was the Irish, too, who initiated the "trick or treat" system hundreds of years ago. Groups of Irish farmers would go from house to house soliciting food for the village Halloween festivities in the name of no less a personage than Muck Olla (ancient god of Irish clergy). Prosperity was promised to cheerful givers and threats made against tightfisted donors. It was the custom for English children to dress up in each other's clothes (boys donning girls' outfits and vice versa) and wearing masks, to go begging from door to door for "soul cakes." (ibid.)

"'Souling,' of 'Soul-caking,' is the custom descended from pre-Reformation times, of going about on All Saints' or All souls' and begging for cakes, in remembrance of the dead.... The cakes householders gave were in exchange for prayers for the dead, a 'charity' for the departed.... Bonefires, 'to light souls out of purgatory,' and the ringing of church bells, also characterized old-time observances." (Yearbook of English Festivals, by Dorothy G. Spicer, 1954, pages 153-157)

"Defense against evil spirits was a concern in Mesopotamia from earliest times." (The Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 5, page 1521,22 -- Demonology in the Ancient Near East).

According to the beliefs of demonology "The intervention of spirits in nature and in human affairs is made possible by means of magic. Thus, magic is employed by primitive peoples to prevent drought, to produce rain, and to ward off disease or famine. By means of propitiation and spells, evil spirits may be diverted from their malevolent designs or pursuits. Among some primitive tribes, the path along which it is believed a demon will approach is barricaded with thorns, brushwood, odors, fire or other obstacles... To the primitive tribesman magic is the only available source of power whereby the attacks of demons may be averted or withstood." (Collier's Encyclopedia, Vol. 8, page 96 -- article on Magical Influence)

"Types of Spirits. Among the spirits most familiar to students of demonology are the spirits of vegetation, water spirits, domestic spirits, ancestral spirits, and dream demons." (ibid.)

"Ancestral Spirits. Belief in ancestral spirits and the practice of ancestor worship are widely prevalent. In its cruder forms, this phase of demonology stresses the malignancy of the souls of suicides, of those who die by violence, and of women who died in childbirth. Demons of the unburied are feared more than ordinary ghosts. The worship of ancestral spirits, either as gods or as surviving souls of departed members of the family, reflects belief in immortality and the almost universal belief that death does not dissolve an individual's relation to the group. The postmortal status of the individual corresponds to that during his mortal existence. For this reason spirits of the departed are accorded the respect, love or fear shown them during their earthly state. Although all dead are held in awe, those who lived evil lives or died by violence are dreaded because, in the former instance, they are freer to work harm and, in the latter instance, may be intent upon revenge. It follows that the living must safeguard themselves against dangerous spirits or demons. Hence, exorcism and charms are superlatively important wherever this form of demonology prevails." (ibid.)

Halloween means hallowed or holy evening. October 31, the eve of November 1st became known as All Hallows' Eve, or All Hallow E'en because it takes place on the eve before All Saints' Day.

All Saints' Day was a Catholic mass "first celebrated on May 13, A.D. 610 as the feast of All Holy Martyrs." (All Hallows' Day) (World Book Encyclopedia, article on All Saints Day)

In the 8th century (the 700's) the Roman Catholic Church moved All Hallows' Day (All Saints' Day) to November 1st "To counteract the pagan celebrations held on that date... October 31... the last night of the year in the ancient Celtic calendar, was celebrated as the end of summer and its fruitfulness. It was a festival that the Celts of northern Europe (and the British Isles) marked with bonfires, to help the sun through the winter." (Strange Stories, Amazing Facts).

"To ancient Druids (Celtic priests), the end of October commemorated the festival of the waning year, when the sun began his downward course and ripened grain was garnered from the fields. Samhain, or "Summer's End," as this feast to the dying sun was called, was celebrated with human sacrifice, augury (divination, foretelling events by signs or omens) and prayer; for at this season spirits walked and evil had power over souls of men." (Yearbook of English Festivals)

"[Catholic] Christianity has swept the world in a relatively short time... [However], the pagans were reluctant to give up their false gods and ancient practices. So the missionaries, unable to convert them easily to an entirely new code of worship, did the next best thing. They took the pagan festivals as they were and gradually grafted the observances of the new faith onto these festivals and the rites and customs surrounding them." (Strange Stories, Amazing Facts) "The old pagan customs and the [Catholic] feast day were combined into the Halloween festival." (World Book Encyclopedia)

"The pagan vigil for the god of light (sun worship) give way to All Hallows, a mass for Catholic saints; and...the Druids' death feast become All Souls', the day of prayer for souls that had entered rest. Cakes for the dead were substituted for human sacrifice, fortune-telling for heathen augury, lighted candles for the old Baal fires... The early English Church called All Saints', the feast to commemorate all the saints, All Hallows. Hallow E'en, All Saints' and All Souls' (October 31, November 1 and 2, respectively) share a common tradition. The three festivals concern remembrance of departed souls. Hallow E'en...is celebrated with games and divination rites, since people...believed spirits of the dead walked abroad on this night. All Saints' and All Souls', on the other hand, are popularly observed with "souling" customs and plays. (The Yearbook of English Festivals)

But who were the Druids and Celts and where did their beliefs originate?

In the Garden in Eden, God instructed Adam in His laws and the foundations of all truth. And He said:

"Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knknowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Gen. 2:16-17)

Why did God forbid man to partake of the tree of good and evil knowledge? Evil knowledge would deceive them because man can not tell the difference between good and evil without God's guidance. Partaking in sin would cut them off from God, the source of all truth and eternal life and result in death (Gen. 3:22-24; Psa. 66:18; Isa. 59:2 ; Eze. 18:4).

When Satan, the great dragon, that serpent of old called the devil, who deceives the whole world (Rev 12:9), deceived Eve into believing that she had an immortal soul, she and Adam took of the tree of good and evil knowledge cutting themselves off from the tree of life (Gen. 3:1-24) -- opening Pandora's box of evils as Greek mythology puts it. So from that time to the present the world has been blinded to much of the truth by Satan's lies (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

Satan's lie that man has an immortal soul is the source of the beliefs in the ghosts and goblins or spirits of the dead wandering around on Halloween. Paradoxically many do not believe in the existence of the devil and demon spirits as revealed in the Bible. Consequently they participate in the pagan rituals honoring and trying to appease those evil spirits as just "harmless fun". Some occult groups, Satanic cults, believe in the devil and the demons as Satan worshippers. Halloween is their most important religious observance of the year.

The Bible gives many warnings against participating in the worship of the devil and demons and the torment and curses that can result for doing so.

In Gen. 12:1-4 Abram was told to "Get...out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house..." Why? The land of Ur (part of Mesopotamia) and Abraham's ancestors worshipped gods and demons (Josh 24:2). God instructed: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Ex. 20:3). The ancient Babylonians had a god called Samas. "...from the Amorite period the major name for Satan was Samael" Jewish legend says 'Samael-Samiel' is the angel of death and the head of the devils. The Greek rendering of the word 'Samael' is 'Sammane'. (The Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 5, page 1020 and Vol. 14, page 719)

Deut. 18:9-12 God warned Israel, "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. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft (uses divination), or a soothsayer (an observer of times), or one who interprets omens (an enchanter), or a sorcerer (witch), or one who conjures spells (a charmer), or a medium (consulter of familiar spirits), or a spiritist (a wizard), or one who calls up the dead (a necromancer). 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."

Ex 22:18 "You shall not suffer a witch to live." 1 Sam 28:3 "The worship of these demons were practices of appeasement... The pagans believed these 'gods' had to be 'fed' during licentious feasts. They believed they had to be fed the lives of their own children. But God instructed Moses that no one could serve the Lord God and serve gods' at the same time." (Halloween! Modern-Day Sacrifices of the Dead!, by The House of Yahweh)

Deut. 4:15-19, 24-26 "Take therefore good heed unto yourselves...lest you corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image...the likeness of anything...and be driven to worship them and serve them...For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. When you shall beget children and children's children... and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or likeness of anything, and shall do evil in the sight of the Lord your God, to provoke Him to anger: I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you shall soon utterly perish form off the land whereunto you go over Jordan to possess it: you shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed."

But Israel did not heed the Lord their God. Num. 25:1-5 "And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel...and Moses said unto the judges of Israel, 'Slay you every one his men that were joined onto Baal-peor."

Psa. 106:28-29 "They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them."


1 Kgs. 12:26-33 Jeroboam, king of Israel, feared that, "If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah. Therefore the king took counsel and made two calves of gold and said to the people, 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!' And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. Jeroboam (king of Israel) ordained a feast on the 15th day of the eighth month (Heshvan - equivalent to late October early November), like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. So he made offerings ...on the 15th day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel..." 2 Chron. 11:14-15 "The Levites left their common-lands and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving as priests to the Lord."

These sins of Jeroboam which he introduced in Israel continued until they were taken captive by the king of Assyria about 721-718 B.C. "Yet the Lord testified against Israel...saying, 'Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes...' Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God. And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols, became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them that they should not do like them. So they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger." (2 Kg 17:5,13-17)

As a result of following the sins of Jeroboam, the ten northern tribes of Israel were rejected by God and went into captivity (2 Kgs 17:20-23). They became scattered and lost their true identity and knowledge of the true God because they rejected His true feasts and Sabbaths (Ex. 31:13-17) and set up their own priests. Eventually some became known as Celts and their priests as Druids or the Druidic priesthood as they migrated to northern Europe and the British Isles.


Others, known as Saxons (Isaac's sons) also migrated to northern Europe and the British Isles some becoming known as English, Scotch, Welsh, and Irish peoples of the British Isles. They were later converted to modern "Christianity" by Catholics and later the Protestant reformation. But in the process they still kept their pagan rituals and combined them with other pagan rituals incorporated into Christianity by Roman Catholicism. This is how the feast of the 8th month ordained by Jeroboam became known as Halloween today.

Christians should consider the Satanic origin and character of Halloween with its occultic and heretical rituals and activities and the consequences of observing them. Christians are admonished to "Prove all things and hold fast that which is good" (1 Thes. 5:21).

When Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan, He answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matt. 4:4). He warned, "Beware of false prophets..." (Matt. 7:15). And, "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many... For false christ's and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (Matt. 24:5-6,24).

How can you know who are false ministers? "You shall know them by their fruits." (Matt. 7:16). "And when they say to you, 'Seek those who are mediums, and wizards, who whisper and mutter,' should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony (the Word of God)! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. 8:19-20).

The apostles also gave many warnings. Paul warned, "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work... The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thes.. 2:7,9-12)

James instructs, "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:6-8).

Peter warns, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." (1 Pet. 5:8-9).

Speaking of the great false religious system inspired by Satan's deceptions, the Book of Revelation tells of its final end and warns mankind, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities... Therefore her plagues will come in one day -- death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her." (Rev. 18:4-5,8).

Consider the following points regarding the Halloween observance:

1. The roots of Halloween are from pagan idolatry, superstition and heretical ritual, which blind man to God's truth.
2. It is the most sacred time of the year for the Satanic cults.
3. It treats the occult and the world of evil spirits as merely children's fantasies, thereby deceiving believers to the reality and power of the spiritual world. The scriptures clearly teach that the spirit world is real and dangerous (Eph. 6:11-12).
4. It portrays the devil and his ministers as comical characters, dulling one's awareness to his power and destructiveness (2 Cor. 11:3,14). The Bible clearly portrays him as a dangerous, ruthless, and vicious enemy (1 Pet. 5:8).
5. Halloween is idolatry, giving honor and attention to Satan, the god of this world and the powers of darkness who has blinded this world (2 Cor. 4:4; Eph 2:2; 5:11).
6. God's word says to abstain from all appearances of evil (1 Thes.. 5:22) and to do all things to the glory of God (1 Cor.. 10:31). Christians are to separate themselves from all unrighteousness (2 Cor.. 6:14-18).
7. In contrast, God's true feasts teach the Word of God and give understanding of the difference between good and evil and of God's plan of salvation for all mankind (Neh. 8:1-12,17-18)

http://www.hope-of-israel.org/hallowe2.htm

Revelation 2:24
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

I'd consider delving too far might put a person in the above verse of knowing too much. Sometimes and in some cases it is better to know nothing...

Knowing something is better than knowing nothing. They both has it advantages and disadvantages.

True...however if the information weakens someone's faith in The LORD; then one might want to consider that faith is more important than what we do and don't do or observe and don't observe. The promise we have in Yahshua Messiah is through faith alone..

Also there are seven churches Yahshua addresss in the beginning of Revelation; which is one body of believers which have different gifts; blessings; reprovals etc...

Here is an example; if my Jewish friend does not eat pork, I'm not going to invite them to a pork dinner-obviously. And if for example it is a sin for a friend of mine not to participate in Christmas; then I would not send or give them a Christmas card/gift.

Apostle Paul expounds on these sort of issues in 1 Corinthians and here is a passage from there:
1 Corinthians 8:10
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;


So again...if you are one who's faith is stronger than don't take advantage of those of the weaker faith; rather edify the faith in your brothers and sister...we are not little destroyers unless we are working for the destroyer.

Halloween is a pagan tradition that has been celebrated in countrys such as america to where other countrys deicided to bring this pagan festival into their countrys


when i saw this hitting our shores in Australia i told my first wife not to prepare for halloween like the non believers in america do i told her dont buy lollies or goodies and dont deck out the house with halloween symbols in the coastal town we settled in which was her home town where she had grown up they just brought halloween into the community kids in our street door knocked the homes we had seval kids come to our home with me standing on the porch saying sorry guys you wil not get anything out of me and i told them dont come next year knocking on my door expecting to be given lollies these young kids were dressed in stupid out fits one kid had a dracula out fit another kid was dressed as the ware wolf and sevral kids where decked out as casper the friendly ghost

we just got a new dog and i was braking her in she had a ruff life we had her on a runner she started going off her head and i decided to bring her inside her name was angel pure kelpie black with brown markings around the eyes her last owner told me a group of aborigonal kids would throw rocks at her she would come home and find big rocks in her back yard when my first wife saw the add in our local free paper free dog to good loving family she got her dad to pick her up and decided this was the right dog for us i wanted a pup this was a mature dog who had stayed with the same family they got her when she was just a pup angel started going off at 7pm and at one stage nearly broke free from the runner i knew it was the kids that she wanted to have a go at


what got me anoyed australia never really celebrated Halloween like its celebrated in America its an american tradition not an australian tradition for us aussies to follow suit i have seen movies on halloween

i know a group of christians that use halloween to there advantage what they do is hit the streets and witness to the young people and to their familys

we do this hear also halloween is not that well acepted in canberra as it was well accepted in the coastal town my first wife grew up in the locals took it on and each year there homes are decked out just like the homes in america are decked out


i am a christian and i dont encourage it or do i believe christians should participate in pagan festivals we who belong to christ should not be celebrating this ritual that gives demons full reign not many can sence what i have senced and the christians i know all this is doing is creating trouble to wher it gives satan and his demons free reign





Damo

Matthew 17:19-20 "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?' He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Luke 17:5-6 "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied. 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.'"

Jesus gave His disciples the authority to heal people of all sorts of diseases, to prove to men that their message came from Him as God. One man brought a demon-possessed child to the disciples. They should have been able to cast out the demon, but they could not. When Jesus cast out the demon, they asked Him why they had failed. He answered that they didn't have enough faith. If they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could do anything.

A mustard seed is very, very tiny. (find one if you can). But once planted, it grows into a huge tree. Jesus said a little faith can have incredible results. Who were the disciples to have faith in? God. If a mustard seed is that small, and they didn't have even that much, how much would be enough? So Jesus was really using the mustard seed analogy to talk not about quantity of faith, but the quality of faith. Just, believe. Only believe, only believe ... all things are possible, only believe ... one sings in church.

And is there anything God can't do? No. Were the disciples actually causing the miracles, or God? God was. The disciples thought casting out a demon was too hard for them. Of course it was. They in themselves didn't have that 'ability' but could not exercise their qualitative faith, their authority in Jesus Name.

But can God cast out a demon? Of course. Can God do anything we ask of Him? Absolutely. So when we doubt through fear, prudishness, false modesty, timidity, we are doubting God's ability. That is an insult to Him, because He is your Daddy and you are the King's child and you own that authority.

We don't need a lot of faith - just as much as a mustard seed - to provoke great results - because our God is an awesome God!

We must believe in Him and not worry about what we can or can't do or how much we have of this or that thing. God will not ask us to do more than we can. He wants us to be willing to do His work. He'll provide the rest.

James says (5:16-18) "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest."

Will God do everything we ask of Him? Probably not - because we don't always know best and He does. Jesus taught us to pray "Not my will but yours be done." Luke 22:42.

God wants what is best for us and will provide it, sometimes against our (misdirected) wishes and preconceived notions. James says in 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures."

He also warns that a doubter will not receive his request: "James 1:6-8 "But ask in faith, nothing doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord." Does any of this negate God's ability to do anything? No, He is all powerful.

Voice,
I'm in agreeance to all the passages you provided and the words you highlighted. My *personal* take though on holiday's is this;
I do not believe Jesus Christ shed His blood for nought. I 100% believe His blood covered all sins..yes all. From beginning to end. Now with that in my mind...I am very careful how I deal with people/Christians who celebrate these holiday's. I believe that their faith is weaker and I do not want to be a person who comes along condemning them or berating them to a point where they lose faith in Yahshua or hope. I dealt with a situation a couple of years ago with my neighbor over Christmas and she even went to her pastor on it and came back to me and said her pastor told her there is nothing wrong with Christmas etc...I felt horrible for about a year as she would not have anything to do with me after all that; she even said things like "well you have this" and "you use air conditioning in your home and that's not in the Scriptures" I felt like not only had I damged the faith of a child of God but also she sort of became bitter, not the result I'd want someone to have by giving them what I'd consider as Biblical truth..

Not to mention, you know it took me about 5 years after being revealed the bare truth of these holiday's..to actually forego them, so we also have to be patient. Things don't always happen suddenly, I realised the last time I put up a tree and decor that it would be my last time...I just knew that there was no glory being given to Jesus Christ, in Christmas, I realised it was something I did for ME and for my family, He is far removed from that holiday and looking back at my childhood years...was He ever even there to begin with? These are questions all believers and doers of the Word of God might want to ask themselves...if it is something I'm doing for me, then let it be for me, but there is no sense pretending it is something for Him when evidence shows it is very earthy and carnal and very money oriented.

It is interesting...my family has had an 'issue' with me not celebrating Christmas and my Mom said "it takes more faith to celebrate Christmas, because these people see no harm in it" But I later told her.."No Mom, it has taken more faith for me to walk away from Christmas, than to stay" because it is a brave step to let go of these things and one generally the majority of Christians absolutely love and defend and will sometimes hate you for not participating in.

OK, I know the topic is halloween...but is there realy a difference? I don't think so. None of the pagan holiday's bring any glory to Jesus Christ...not in this day and age anyway. But am I a better person for not participating in these? Nope. I'm still a sinner and there is not one good thing I can do that could top what Yahweh has done for me..not one.
~Selah

http://www.christian-forum.net/index.php?s...st&p=254051

Very thoughtful post.

Halloween is about demonic sacrifice..

Here are some scriptures to not just quote but to take to heart..

God's word says to abstain from all appearances of evil (1 Thes.. 5:22) and to do all things to the glory of God (1 Cor.. 10:31). Christians are to separate themselves from all unrighteousness (2 Cor.. 6:14-18).

Jeremiah 10:2 says: "...Learn not the way of the heathen..." Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says: "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord..."

I'm amazed how Voice worked in the fact that the 10 lost tribes are today's England or the Christians.
Voice has expanded the topic to the lost tribes...so l have license to expand too.

Halloween is about killing babies.
It's the highlight of everything they do all year. They prepare for it.
As Voice has said...It's not just Halloween. Paganism is laced into the culture.

It's come to be a symbol of today's abortionist.
If you elect Obama you will be electing a man who symbolically represents the core of Halloween.