Halloween: Should We Participate Or Not?

HALLOWEEN

SHOULD WE PARTICIPATE OR NOT

Ephesians 5:11

(11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

As the 31st of this month of October 2002 fast approaches, many Christians are asking themselves the same question. Should we participate in Halloween or not? My emphasis is not to say whether participating in HALLOWEEN is right or wrong. But rather, I am to leave you with the question for you to answer yourselves. I do desire to share with you how this holiday came about and inform you of the basis & purpose of HALLOWEEN. Then allow you to make your own decision on how, if at all, you do decide to celebrate Halloween.

So here’s the question.

“HALLOWEEN: SHOULD WE PARTICIPATE OR NOT?”

Now then,

HALLOWEEN IS A MAJOR MONEY-MAKING HOLIDAY

In the retail industry, HALLOWEEN is promoted much like Christmas, Thanksgiving & Easter.

1. Candy is everywhere (No shortage in the stores)

2. Costumes of all sorts (Dracula, Frankenstien, Werewolf, etc)

3. Decorations all over (Pumpkins, & Witches Flying on Brooms)

4. VHS & DVD Horror Movies are promoted heavily (Halloween w/Michael Meyers all over the internet)

5. Wierdo’s are given more attention in the music industry during Halloween (such as; Marilyn Manson & Ozzy)

Because of the money that is made on HALLOWEEN its celebration will continue. Regardless of whether or not its holiday is in the right or not. Many wrong things in society is allowed because of the money it generates.

By my standards;

 Drinking is wrong------but because of the monies made, it too will continue

 Smoking is wrong------but because of the money generated it too will continue

 Gambling is wrong-----but it is stronger than ever here in SC, wouldn’t you say

HALLOWEEN is a money-making holiday & it too will continue! How awful a thing it is that so many are killed in accidents, die of lung cancer, lose their life savings all because of the “love of money!”

The love of a dollar is one of the top sins that befall mankind. With HALLOWEEN comes huge dollars.

And as long as the dollar continues, so does the holiday.

But I pose the question;

“HALLOWEEN: SHOULD WE PARTICPATE OR NOT?”

FOR THE MOST PART,

MODERN DAY HALLOWEEN IS NOTHING MORE THAN A PAGAN HOLIDAY

HALLOWEEN is considered to be a Pagan Holiday. But guess what else started out, as Pagan Holidays-----Easter & Christmas.

EASTER

The Pagans were originally behind what we now know as Easter. We as Christians celebrate Easter as Christ Resurrection. We didn’t do as the heathen did-----but we used that day as one to promote our Lord. We took a day that some evil people celebrated as having done bad things & done some good things with it.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas was instituted from The Pagans worship of their God "Samhain." Who was one of their God‘s called "The Lord Of Death" Today he is called the "Grim Reaper." Druids (some who practice Pagan religion), were actually the source of the Christmas tree. They celebrated mother earth by worshiping the oak of the Holly. We as Christians celebrate Christ birth as Christmas. We didn’t do as the heathen did-----but we used that day as one to promote our Lord.We took a day that some evil people celebrated as having done bad things & done some good things with it.

Ahhh, how ‘bout

HALLOWEEN

The Celts who practiced the Pagan religion, originated HALLOWEEN by a time of praying for their dead. (and continues to do so). Their “new year” began on November 1st. They believed that Samhain gathered all the souls of those who had died in the past year.

These souls had been confined to the bodies of animals to atone for their sins. They were then sacrificed on October 31. We as Christians tried to institute a Christian alternative. It was the Christians that coined the name, "HALLOWEEN."

Actually the church had 3 holidays

1. All Hallow’s Eve Oct 31st and

2. All Hallows Day (November 1) to honor dead martyrs of the faith

3. All Souls Day was on Nov 2nd and was a day of prayer to move people from purgatory. Unfortunately these Christian events have not last-----but the evil celebrations continue strong.

“HALLOWEEN: SHOULD WE PARTICIPATE OR NOT”

HALLOWEEN IS NOT THOUGHT TO BE

A TIME OR CHRISTIAN OBSERVANCE TODAY

HALLOWEEN today means Goblins, Ghouls and witches, people decorate their yards with tombstones and caskets. And many think of it, much as I once did; harmless fun. Trick or Treating was certainly nothing that I thought of as evil. Collecting and eating candies was mere fun & enjoyment for me as a child. The act of receiving candy on Halloween may indeed be harmless, but what is behind it? Most often, it is important for us to know, not only what is going on, but what is behind the things that go on.