And Are Its Occult Roots Meaningless in Our Modern Age?
ARE THE PAGAN HALLOWEEN SYMBOLS HARMLESS AND MEANINGLESS TO GOD ?
Most people believe that all the witch-led Halloween activities are harmless fun. Kids getting candy is all fun and games. Well, should this giving of candy be based on tricks, witches, vampires and dead spirits? Should the candy be based around something more wholesome? What one really should ask is, “What does God think?” What would an in- depth biblical analysis reveal?
CLEARLY IT IS PART OF MANKIND'S ANCIENT HERITAGE
Today this is viewed positively. But what does the Creator reveal in His book?
1 Corinthians 10:19-21, “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.”
This is a frighteningly negative connection to paganism. God is very jealous of His people following these demonic influences. Why ? What kinds of influences are found in Paganism? Historically, pagan cultures exhibit some of these traits listed below:
- Participation in the occult could involve interaction with demons.
- Nature worship, which involves “Mother Nature” and is idolatry.
- Superstitious fears of heavenly bodies including Sun or Moon worship.
- Historically often includes human sacrifices, normally infants.
- Some included worshiping the gods of war and violence as well.
- Often includes Temple prostitution with children sold into sex slavery.
This is why these pagan worship services are an abomination to God. Even when the Israelite's thought that they were worshiping Him through these patterns, He said they were abominable. Note:
Deut. 12:30, “Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' 31 "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.”
Some would think that modern Halloween is innocent –– not that kind of paganism. However, it is quite obvious that Halloween is the most openly pagan celebration in our modern world. Is playing with the demonic themes good for society? Of course not. But the world does not see it that way. This is labeled by God as foolish when referring to His people in the past.
Jer. 4:22 “For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.”
Our culture is clearly declining morally. Up is down and down is up in today's world. Child predators are on the prowl and grooming kids in today’s society.
TO TREAT OR NOT TO TREAT, THAT IS THE QUESTION
Is it smart to celebrate things that God does not like? Many Christians are divided over this dark magic, occult-type holiday. Some find it acceptable regardless while others choose to hide from its dark side. God does not like His nation to follow these negative, occultist ways.
Isaiah 65:1 “Because, when I called, you did not answer; When I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”
The Bible says believers should not follow things that do not delight God. Some try to clean it up by observing it at a church with some limits on ghoulish costumes, etc. Other churches take advantage of the popularity of the day to try and evangelize. Surprisingly, Halloween is the number two commercial draw of the year behind only Christmas.
BABYLON IS THE FOUNDATION OF MUCH OF PAGANISM
According to the Library of Congress Research Center, virtually all Halloween customs can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, about 2000 years ago in Ireland, when the Druids (Celtic priests) ushered in the new year. They lighted bonfires (originally “bone fires”) and offered sacrifices, both human and animal. They danced around the fire and celebrated the end of summer and start of a new year. It is linked to Sun worship. The people wanted to appease the demonic forces they superstitiously feared.The act of 'trick or treating' is based on appeasing the evil underworld of demons.
How did “Hallowe’en” get it’s start? The Roman Catholic Church decided to create a day to honor all saints and it was similar to the paganism of Europe at the time. They called it, All Saints Day, or All Hallows, as a day to celebrate all the dead saints, thus Halloween. It worked politically for Rome but how does God feel about these compromises?
Deut. 18:9-12 ““When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow theabominations 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…”
Pagan ways brought curses to Israel. The Emperor Constantine had a great deal to do with the acceptance of pagan traditions into the early Christian Church. He wanted to strengthen his rulership so he joined paganism with the new and popular Christianity. Pagans believed that appeasing the demons prepared them for the six months of relative darkness. This was pure sun worship. The sun god is the life giver for the superstitious. God strongly disliked pagan customs –– they are harmful for society.
Matt. 15:9, “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
We should follow the Bible’s examples. What days did the non-Jewish Christians observe?
1 Cor. 5: 8, “Therefore let us KEEP the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
The New Testament gentile converts, many years after Christ crucifixion, were still keeping the Biblical Holy Days. They WERE TOLD to keep the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread by the one who wrote most of the New Testament –– not Halloween. This is clear as a bell!
Deut. 14:25-26, “And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: …you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.”
When keeping the Feast of God enjoy food and treats that are fun for all. Give out candy treats on God's days, not pagan days!
