Halloween ("It's just harmless fun")

When Daniel and I started building our family, we started asking ourselves why do we celebrate this and that etc...here is just one of many truths you will find by researching endless books from your local library or the net...and then choose..... for it is written;

Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

When our oldest son Keanu was in 2nd grade.......his class was reading Harry potter.

Keanu told his teacher...he can't read books with witchcraft because he is a Christian and she made him sit out in the hallway and draw...the next day another little girl...didn't like the Harry Potter story and she was put out in the hall by her teacher...Keanu said they just played around the whole time.

That's great.....my kid's at school learning...no?, he is sitting in the hallway,playing around. We had to sit Keanu down and tell him that we had learned from God that this wasn't something we should celebrate anymore........we asked God to forgive us. And we never participated in it again.

We now find a local church who gives "Ex-Holloween participants" such as ourselves a place to Honor God...the true Lord of the harvest.....on that night......an alternative thing to do.......and we don't stay home and give out candy to those taking part in it.


Just the main theme promotion of fear,
clearly shows it's origin and driving force.

Some will say that I'm being a bit extreme for speaking out against Halloween ("It's just harmless fun"), well I have no doubt that to many it is fun... the Bible never said that sin and things promoted by Satan wouldn't be fun.

More than ever, Christians need to take a stand for what is right and make a difference for good in their children's education and lives.

People that would have nothing to do with these themes the rest of the year use the excuse of Halloween to participate "this one night."

Actually the Bible speaks of sin as being pleasurable......so what are ya gonna do? (choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.)Moses knew what he was talking about.
Hebrews 11:20-25

Others will raise objections like, "well they could be doing a lot worse". But remember that all evil, from the least to the worst, is still evil; and equally wrong in God's sight.

Next comes one of the greatest excuses, "the kids don't dress up as anything evil, and they're only going out to get some candy"................................................ Actually, many people (young and old) get involved in far worse, because the starting levels look harmless.

Sanctioning any part of Halloween is giving your child the message that the themes, practices and promotion of Halloween are okay or are "not that bad" (so don't be surprised if they try out any of the other darker parts of Halloween when they're older)

The last feeble excuses,

that "every one else is doing it" and "I did it while I was young and I grew up okay".

More anti-biblical practices have been promoted through family tradition and peer pressure, than any other means. When all is said and done, it doesn't matter if you did something when you were young, and that it appeared to have no effects,

what does matter is what the Bible has to say about it.

On a holiday that Satan has claimed for himself and for evil (and with, by far, the majority of all its themes testifying of its spiritual source), we as Christians should not show honor or reverence to Satan;
by participating in or celebrating Halloween in any way.

Of course, any Christian dressing up as characters that God has called an abomination in His Word (even as Satan himself) must truly break the Lord's heart.





First Alternatives -Why should Satan get any credit for our fun?

There is no reason why Christians cannot creatively author celebrations that in no way honor Satan. Our celebrations, and all we do, should be glorifying to God (principle of Matthew 22:37).

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.


Some ideas that have been tried and work well include churches or groups having a "harvest party" (honoring God as our provider) or something along that theme.
If you choose to have a costume party along Biblical themes, be careful to limit what characters; as the Bible includes many pagan and demonic personalities.
Remember that taking pagan practices inside the church no more makes them Christian than a person feeling they are a Christian because they go to church.

JUST BECAUSE THE MOUSE IS IN THE COOKIE JAR,DON"T MAKE HIM NO COOKIE!................


Additional Bible References -
The Bible is full of references that show God's Holiness and His requirement for all His children to be separate from the world and to be holy in thought and deed. A few examples:

Also...
10 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, [1] anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, 14 for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.
Deuteronomy 18:10-14

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, [1] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
FOOTNOTE:
If your wondering how to stop doing all these things?? Invite Jesus,who is the Holy Spirit into yourself and he will give you power to overcome Satan.

For it is written,

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 !

!(Your part is to resist)!

IT IS NOT "your SIN" TO BE TEMPTED, (as Satan would like you to believe) IT IS WHAT YOU DO WITH the TEMPTATION of the SIN that Satan offers... THAT 'S what MATTERS.

That is why Jesus said pray like this:Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
those who trespass against us.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,

but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

So in a nutshell that is what is called getting "Saved" and trust me.....whatever the demons are that you fight or are fighting against....Ha Ha...they are no match for your heavenly Father whom you have finally come home to.You are dearly loved.

1 John 4:4
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

"Them" meaning evil spirits...Satans friends.(read the whole text and you'll see.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have
*divine power *to destroy strongholds.

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Continuing in the Word..................................

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?

Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

15 What accord has Christ with Satan?

[1] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols?

For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will .......................................welcome you,
2 Corinthians 6:14-17

By now...don't freak out...remember your righteous because you believe on God's son Jesus.

It is written you

For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
Philippians 3:9


Stay with me.............So in everything you do....or celebrate!


And in everything you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17


What you celebrate and teach your children, is a choice;

Your Choice.


31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Matthew 22:37

Fear -

Fear has perhaps the oldest roots of all the elements of Halloween. This is due to the fact that all godless fear comes from Satan - and the Devil has been in the business of promoting fear for a long time. We who trust in God live by faith and faith eliminates fear. In contrast to Satan and his tactics, God is the author of Peace,

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."2 Timothy 1:7

10 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, [1] anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, 14 for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.
Deuteronomy 18:10-14

Psychics and clairvoyants,
along with occult, witchcraft, and astrology publishers, all claim a definite increase in business at this time of year - many claiming it to be their busiest time of the year.

Statistics show that rapes, muggings, arson, vandalism, kids burned from costumes & jack o' lanterns, and vehicle - pedestrian collisions, all escalate at Halloween.

Across North America, around Halloween, programs hosted by practicing witches are presented to the general public (including kids), even at public libraries.

Devil's Night - Also known as "Mischief Night", it is celebrated on the eve of Halloween (not Halloween night, but the night prior). Primarily a modern phenomena (not two decades old) common to North America, Devil's Night has become a night in some areas where the bulk of vandalism, primarily fires, take place. In one Maine, USA, community there were 133 fires set on Devil's Night 1992. Some communities have now established curfews for this night.


Halloween becomes the one time each year that people do their very best to look and be their very worst. Beyond individual appearance, Halloween is now second only to Christmas as the time when people spend great sums of money, effort, and time, to decorate their homes - with many competing to make their yards look like scenes from horror films and sadistic graveyards.

Even the active participation in and popularity of modern Goth clubs and vampire societies merely reflect the growing blood-lust in society. Latest incarnations of Dungeons & Dragons , like the participatory Camarilla , have combined role-playing and vampire themes.

The movie industry has catered to this blood lust and intrigue with the supernatural, by producing many "Slasher" and occultic films. Examples include the titles and sequels of Halloween, Friday the 13th, Hellraiser, Exorcist and Nightmare on Elm Street. Some of these films are up to their 5th to 9th sequel...

Horror sells.

Halloween is when most of these films are released and according to the rental stores, when their viewing goes through the roof. Even the 1991 movie remake of the Addams Family, is popular "family" viewing, even though it includes many references to murder, necrophilia, and other equally bizarre practices.

Combining horror with humor, as in the Addams Family, is Hollywood's way of getting younger viewers hooked on the supernatural and bloody themes found in the other darker films.

The worst of these glorified mass murderers, like Jason, Michael Myers, Freddie Krueger, and any of Hellraisers' other demonic heroes, are the ones that many children and adults choose to dress up as.
Even the so-called "light hearted" costumes include such vulgar (pyromania promoting) entities as Beavis and Butt-Head. In 1991, in Canada, a 14 year-old girl answering her door was slashed in the face by a knife wielding trick-or-treater dressed as a Ninja Turtle.


In some schools today...................Christian values and teachings are no longer being allowed ,


Yet the pagan celebration of Halloween is avidly discussed and promoted.


When surveyed, many educators felt more time was spent on Halloween than on Thanksgiving or Christmas - both of which are Christian in origin or practice.

One north eastern news report (Nov. 4/93) emphasized one school's "whole curriculum" approach to Halloween for grade 6 students... "In social studies, the students learned the history of gravestones... They learned about the epitaphs written on the stones, and had a chance to write their own. The children were fascinated to learn the origins of Halloween... In Science, students learned about E.S.P. (Extra Sensory Perception) and the important words, dates and people connected with it. They also has a chance to test their own mind-reading abilities.

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen... (Jeremiah 10:2)

You are a believer LEARN from JESUS..the one and only son of the Living God.



Once again...Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)


"Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen." (Romans 15:33)




Below is the History of certain practices...Brent Macdonald is a great resource...as I have already pointed out.
But there are so many...do your research.
And make your choice.

Black Cats - Black cats, are considered by witches and Satanists to be an animal in which a "familiar (demon) spirit (helper)" can live. Ancient tradition holds that along with using broomsticks for flying (levitation), that on Halloween, the spirit in the black cat could transform it into a black horse as another means of transportation. Another tradition, in medieval Europe, held that black cats were witches in disguise. Often the cats were burned on Halloween - even after other sacrifices has been outlawed. Local SPCA's still warn owners to keep their pets (especially cats) inside on Halloween due to abnormal numbers that go missing.

Ouija Boards & Seances - Two of the most popular "scare" activities for young people at parties. Both serve the same purpose of attempting to summon spirits to gain insight into past, present, or future events. Many new interactive "games" and "toys" are being produced utilizing the same concepts of spirit divination. Expressly forbidden by God (Leviticus 19:31), these practices are extremely dangerous as they open individuals up to contact and communication with demonic entities.

Ghosts/Haunted Houses - Disembodied spirits. All based on the idea that a man's soul can roam the earth for one purpose or another. The Bible is clear that when you die, you are either in Heaven or Hell. This leaves only demons to be doing the haunting. The contacting of, or communication with, these spiritual entities is expressly forbidden by God (1 Sam 28:6-20, Leviticus 19:31).

Jack-O'-Lantern - The traditional European "jack-o'-lantern" was usually a large turnip or beet - now our North American pumpkin. The best known legend (Irish) concerning the "jack-o'-lantern" says it was named after a notorious man - Jack - who was well known for his insobriety. Jack entered into a pact with the devil, which Jack subsequently broke by tricking him. In due time the man died and was turned away from heaven. Due to his trickery, the devil also turned him away from hell. As Jack started to leave, consigned to wander the earth as a spirit forever, the devil threw him a live coal from the fires of hell; which Jack is said to have placed in a carved out turnip to light his way. This myth helps perpetuate many modern spiritual misconceptions. Foremost is the belief that the devil rules over hell as God rules over heaven, and that Satan has some say into who will go there. Luke 12:5, and many other passages, make it clear that God alone judges and casts into hell.

Flying on Broomsticks - Levitation is the belief that an individual can fly, or use an object to fly, from supernatural causes. Satanists and witches who adhere to this practice believe that spirit beings (demons) actually provide the power for this feat. The broomstick also has a phallic (sexual) connotation for witches (wiccans) who believe in sexual magic.



Celts/Druids - The evening of October 31st and the first of November were considered by the Celtics to be the transition from summer into the darkness of winter
. Celtic pagan priests were known as Druids. (Information pertaining to the Druids comes from Greek and Roman writings dating back to at least 200 B.C.).
At this time of the year, the Druids celebrated their "Fire Festival" or "Fall Solstice". October 31st was celebrated by the Druids with human sacrifices and a festival honoring their (sun) god, Samhain (lord of the dead).

It was on this day that the people renewed their home fire from the altars of the Druidic Priests. According to the modern Satanic Bible, this was the night that the Druids believed the Lord of Death brought the souls of the evil dead to inhabit bodies of animals.

(At least three variations of the name "Samhain" exist, including: Sanhain, Sawhain). By 43 A.D. (Alt. source 47 A.D.) Rome finally defeated the Druids in England and formally outlawed the human sacrifices -- but not the complete celebration or holiday.

Roman Empire/Catholicism - Pope Gregory (I) the Great was the first to make a proclamation concerning a church festival at the time of Halloween. He said of October 31st, "They are no longer to sacrifice beasts to the devil, but they may kill them for food to the praise of God, and give thanks to the giver of all gifts for His bounty." (Obviously when human sacrifices were officially banned the same ceremonies continued with animal victims).

Pope Gregory III (731-741) moved the church festival of October 31st to November 1st and called it "All Hallows" or "All Saints Day". Even later, in 834 A.D., Pope Gregory IV decreed that the day was to be a universal church observance. (The best date we can find as to the first Roman/Catholic "church" observance at the time of Halloween is 608 A.D., yet with Pope Gregory the Great making the aforementioned proclamation, date unknown, it must have been at least initiated a few years earlier - Pope Gregory's term was from 590-604.)

We need to note that the ancient Romans also had a holiday on October 31st -- a festival honoring the goddess of the harvest, Pomona. With the defeat of the Druids, the ancient Roman celebration was in essence merged with the Celtic/Druidic holiday. The new holiday honored (or should I say, worshipped) the dead ("All Hallows Eve" or "The Feast of the Dead"), retaining elements of the pagan harvest festival.

With the Roman empire and the church effectively merged through the "conversion" of the Roman emperor Constantine, Roman and church policy became universal. To solidify it's hold on the public, the church tried to replace the pagan holiday with a new "Christian" holiday. It appears the church tried hard. Not only was November 1 called "All Saints Day" to honor the saints (both canonized and unrecognized), but also they later added "All Souls' Day" on November 2nd to honor the (more recent) faithful departed. (It appears that for some time "All Saints" and "All Souls" days were, and still are, celebrated separately.) Replacing existing celebrations was felt necessary to appease the populace who would have been extremely riotous to lose one of their valued (pagan) feasts (and time off from work) had they merely abolished them outright.

The practice of placing Christian celebrations on the date of other pagan holidays has influenced the modern dating of many other church holidays including Christmas and Easter. Even the word "holiday" is a historical contraction of the words "Holy Day". Unlike Christmas and Easter, Halloween's "Christian" holiday never really overcame it's pagan counterpart in popularity or practice. Halloween is the only widely celebrated modern holiday that still retains it's pagan connotation.

Some of the superstitions of Halloween actually are derived from the Catholic "All Saints Day"; which functionally merged Christian thought with pseudo pagan rites like worship of the dead. The traditional Halloween colors of orange and black come from the commemorative mass (called "Allhallowmas") that was held for the dead... The candles were made of un-bleached beeswax, which was orange in color, and the ceremonial caskets were always draped in black.

European/North American - Much tradition of the Druids and it's subsequent merger with Catholic superstition was brought to North America by Irish and Scottish immigrants. Even the name Halloween comes from the Scottish name for their observance - "hallow 'een". In those and other European countries, the people lived in fear of the night of October 31. It was considered a night when evil spirits & goblins roamed the land (with special powers) and witches flew about. The people believed it necessary to leave food offerings on their door steps to appease the evil spirits. This treat had to be left or you would be tricked by the evil spirit. These "tricks" traditionally could include such nastiness as your live stock dying, milk drying up -- or other suitable evil. This practice became the basis of our modern "trick or treat".

Back in Europe... Some people felt the food offering, by itself, was not enough to ward off the evil spirits. So bonfires were lit on hilltops to disperse the spirits (who thrive in darkness), others (especially in Ireland) wore masks and costumes to scare them away (and/or to give the wearer special powers). Some of these dressed up "mummers" carried a "jack-o'-lantern" with a hideous face carved in it to light their way and assist in helping to drive away the evil spirits. European All Souls Day observances may have contributed to Halloween practices also. In medieval times, English "soulers" (doing "Soul-caking") would walk the streets, singing and begging for alms. These they received in return for saying extra prayers for the dead relatives of the almsgivers. With many similarities, the still diverse Halloween practices and beliefs of numerous European nations have blended together to influence and fashion our modern observance.

Satanists - All Hallows Eve, or Samhain, is considered one of the greatest of the Satanic holidays. Actually, most Satanists would consider only their own birthday as a greater holiday (because the ultimate Satanic worship is that of self as god or goddess.) As reflected by many Satanic books, most Satanists consider this festival to require a blood sacrifice (animal or human). Although very real, the majority of modern Satanists are self styled/dabblers who usually function by themselves or in small covens. The "religious" type Satanists, as evidenced by Anton LaVey's Church of Satan in San Francisco, usually distance themselves (at least publicly) from any participation in sacrifices, although other rituals may be performed -- and the Satanic holiday still honored.

Witches/Wiccans/Pagans (Druids) - Witches, past and present, honor Halloween as one of their special holidays. There are eight holidays on their calendar know as sabbats (Four are considered greater Sabbats; including Halloween). The first yearly sabbat (or New Year) on the witches calendar is Halloween; the beginning of death (Winter). In 1992, modern Canadian witch and fortune teller Leanne Haze stated that on Halloween she would "be conjuring up the spirits of the dead...", adding that she would call up dead relatives because "the veil between earth and the other world is thinnest during Samhain." Through many branches of feminism and environmentalism the Wiccan variety of witchcraft is receiving widespread promotion and publicity. In 1992 there were an estimated 50,000 Canadians practicing the pagan Wiccan religion -- an increase of over 400% in the last decade.




Like the Catholic church extending All Saints Day to include an extra day, All Souls Day, it appears that Devil's Night has spontaneously been generated to extend Halloween's deviltry an extra day.
Other Halloween Traditions & Superstitions


Many other modern horrors, utilized especially at Halloween, were derived from real individuals whose lives were associated with evil...

Dracula - Like many legends, this one contains some elements of fact and a lot of imagination. The Castle Dracula existed in Romania and it's occupant c.1431-1476 was a blood thirsty man named Vlad. He was also known as the Impaler as he liked impaling his dinner guests on stakes and then dining in their midst; while they screamed and died. Bram Stoker's novel and many later movies have been based on this individual; some redefining and enhancing the lore surrounding Dracula.

Frankenstein - This character, made from dead body parts, comes from a well known novel written by Mary Shelly. This lady was a known drug addict who kept her husbands heart in a box after he died from drowning. Many subsequent books and movies have been based on this character.

Vampire - A vampire is any person with a blood or flesh fetish. Because this description so aptly fits Vlad of Castle Dracula, the name Dracula has become a synonym for vampire. Many modern horror movie figures could also fit this description, ie. Jason and Freddie Krueger. With our societies appetite for horror films, where dead and dismemberment are the norm, many of our present populace could be considered modern day "armchair" vampires.


Werewolf - The concept of a man turning into an animal was possibly derived from the Biblical record of God's punishment on Nebuchadnezzar (II Kings 24 & 25). Today's werewolves are always portrayed as being demonically transformed -- embodying evil. Many witches and Satanists believe that they can transform themselves into animal-beings by utilizing the powers of demons. Such concepts were popular in the middle ages in Europe.



Bobbing for Apples - This was derived from ancient practices of divining the future. The one who successfully caught an apple between his teeth, was supposed to be able to count on having a romance with the lover of his choice (alt. concept: To have good luck). The ancient Roman celebration to their goddess Pomona included giving apples to gods - for she was said to be the Goddess of Fruits. As pagan ritual merged into later celebrations, "apple bobbing" in Wales and "Apple Night" in Ireland (where the apples are tied on strings to try and bite) were just two of the resultant variations. In Scotland many methods were employed to divine the future concerning relationships... A boy and girl burned nuts together in a fire - if they burned quietly they would be happily married. Others pulled kale or cabbage to see if the dirt stuck to the roots - if it did the future mate would be wealthy. The condition of the stalk and taste supposedly divulged such things as the physical stature and temperament of the future spouse.

Back to the apple, a young woman took an apple, a candle, a knife, and a mirror into a dark room. She cut the apple into nine pieces, ate eight of them, speared the ninth on her knife and held it over her shoulder. Her future husband would come in apparition to take the apple. His face would be mirrored in the glass beside hers. Again, all forms of divining the future contrary to scriptures.





Brent Macdonald