First, let's have some background on this day from Wikipedia:
Samhain (sɑːwɪn)[1] was a Gaelic harvest festival held on October 31–November 1. It was linked to festivals held around the same time in other Celtic cultures, and was popularised as the "Celtic New Year" from the late 19th century, following Sir John Rhys and Sir James Frazer.[2] The date of Samhain was associated with the Catholic All Saints' Day (and later All Souls' Day) from at least the 8th century, and both the secular Gaelic and the Catholic liturgical festival have influenced the secular customs now connected with Halloween.[3]
The medieval Goidelic festival of Samhain marked the end of the harvest, the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half". It was celebrated over the course of several days and had some elements of a Festival of the Dead. Bonfires (read about the origins of 'bone fires' and related pagan practices of the Druids and later, the Celts here; note: this is a secular source) played a large part in the festivities. People and their livestock would often walk between two bonfires as a cleansing ritual, and the bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into its flames.[4]
Samhain is celebrated as a religious festival by some neopagans.[5]
To read more about the history of this day(s) read the entire article: SAMHAIN
UPDATE: 10/28/11 Halloween's Pagan Themes Fill West's Faith-Vacuum
Here is a link to an article written by Eric Barger of TAKE A STAND ministries; in this article there is another link where you can print up a pamphlet written by Mr. Barger for free distribution to those who need to understand more about this issue.
Halloween: This Trick is No Treat! by Eric Barger
Also on this site you can access a package that deals comprehensively with the occult:
To access the "Occult Awareness Package" click here. You can always "snail mail" a gift or order to our Rowlett, TX address found below. Thanks again!
Here is an article by KOINONIA HOUSE ministries, with Chuck Missler. He deals with the history of Halloween, and the occult..
Halloween: Invitation to the Occult? By Chuck Missler
From the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM - www.carm.org) we have the following:
What does the Bible say about Halloween? Nothing. But it does speak concerning witches, the occult, and paganism.
EXODUS 22:18
You shall not let a witch live.
DEUTERONOMY 18:10-12
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD
CHECK OUT this article: HALLOWEEN: A SATANIC HOIDAY by GOOD FIGHT ministries.
The Bible definitely speaks negatively about occultic practices, spirits, and witches and condemns not only the practice but also the people who are involved in it. As Christians, we are to have nothing to do with the occult. Tarot Cards, contacting the dead, séances, lucky charms, etc., are all unbiblical and can harm a Christian's fellowship with God and open the Christian to demonic oppression. Most Christians know this and avoid these activities. But, the question still remains. Since there are ancient pagan connections and present occultic connections, what is the Christian to do?
The Day of the Dead? Samhain is said to be a day in which the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest and is a useful time to communicate with the dead for guidance and information: this is necromancy which is forbidden by the Scriptures.
Here is Dave Hunt and T.A. McMahon on this issue:
Raising the Dead for Halloween
THE HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN - Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.September 1998 David L. Brown
Since so many believers considered Halloween to be "harmless fun", I wanted to show the history of human sacrifice that took place on Halloween in a Bone-Fire (Bonfire later) and in these giant wicker cages that Caesar called "Kollosi" where we get "Collossus' from.
DEUTERRONOMY 12:31
Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Ralph Linton wrote:
The American celebration (of Halloween) rests upon Scottish and Irish folk customs which can be traced in a direct line from pre-Christian times. The earliest celebrations were held by the DRUIDS in honor of Shamhain, Lord of Death, whose festival fell on November 1st.
Another source adds this information. November 1st was the Celtic New Year. That day was considered the day of death because temperatures were dropping, the tree leaves were falling, and it was getting dark sooner and staying dark longer. They believed their sun god, identified in the World Book Encyclopedia as Muck Olla, was losing strength because Saman, Lord of Death, was overpowering him.
Remember, it was a Druidic belief that on the eve of the Vigil of Saman, October 31, the Lord of Death called together the wicked souls that within the past twelve months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals as punishment for their evil deeds.
This demon god then allowed them to return to their former homes to visit the living. Supposedly, to appease the Lord of Death and keep the spirits from harming the people, Druid priests led the people in diabolical worship ceremonies in which horses, cats, black sheep, oxen, human beings and other offerings were rounded up, stuffed into wicker cages and burned to death.
(Copies of this book are available by contacting: Logos Communication Consortium, Inc.P.O. BOX 173 - Oak Creek, WI 53154 Phone: (414) 768-9754 - Fax: (414) 762-8922
WARNING! This book is NOT intended for children! It is written to warn parents and adults of abominations and perversions of Halloween, witchcraft and the occult.)
Some of my own thoughts on this matter:
I participated in Halloween as a child and teenager; I'm sure most of us have. How many of us as a result are committed witches, pagans or satanists? Not very many, I'm sure.
Most children and teenagers will celebrate this day and receive treats and play tricks with no harm done, so what's all the fuss about? Why this article and all these warnings about this day?
For one reason, "this day" is not at all like the days in which we who are about 30 yrs of age and older were; these days find the religion of Wicca, and other neo-pagan religions like modern day Druidism, and in general, the occult and occultic interests growing at an exponential rate.
Go to any book store: look at the amount of space made available for new age and occult literature; compare this to the space for Christian books. This is a telling indication as to the movement of our society away from the biblical perspective to one that embraces the occult.
For a very good resource on this, read Dave Hunt's book The Occult Invasion
The primary force in this world of occult power is the ILLUMINATI, for a brief 9 min. video from the KNOW YOUR ENEMY series explaining its origin and purpose, watch this:
Participating in 'Trick or Treat' will not in itself lead children and teenagers into occult practices; however, because there is such an interest in the occult today, and greater acceptance of such, people are more open to playing around with Ouija boards (a tool of divination), and seances, fortune telling, psychic readings, tarot cards, and the like. Any such involvement in these things affect what's known by those Christians that deal with the demonic as "entries" or "portals" - these are the means by which people become open to demonic interference and involvement, which in turn can lead to demon oppression and, or even possession. It is no wonder that God forbids us to be involved in these things, especially in these last days when even our LORD Jesus warned: "Beware that no one deceive you..." Spiritual deception and seduction is at an all time high; certainly no less on such a day as Oct. 31st.
Anyone who saw the film The Exorcist may remember that the little girl, Regan was possessed as a result of using a Ouija board; what many don't realize is that this film, based on the book (by the same name) by William Blatty was based on five real-life documented accounts (in the film these five accounts are combined in one case)!
These 'tools' are not merely games or 'just for fun' activities, and while they are not directly related to Halloween, such a time that this pagan holiday provides an opportunity to get into some of these things and many become open to such activities where they perhaps might not otherwise. Such exposure to this pagan holiday may prove to 'de-sensitize' people to the dangers inherit in occult activities.
As one who was once involved (briefly and somewhat superficially) in the occult, I can tell you that it was during the last week of October as Halloween neared, I could feel spiritual power of the darker sort increase dramatically. Satan and demonic spirits are very observant of symbols, objects, certain sensitive people and specific days and use such things for their own means and ends.
As a Christian I can tell you that during this last week of October, I can discern that the satanic forces are on the 'upswing' at this time; a sense of oppressive power is readily observable by myself and other believers I know personally.
It is my personal conviction that born again believers who know the LORD and love His Word should distance themselves from this pagan day and its associative occult involvement. If you don't agree, then you stand before one Judge, and that isn't me: its the LORD Jesus Christ.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves regarding Halloween: What Would Jesus Do?
Finally, I want you to read what Dr. Greg Reid has to say on this subject. Whereas I was only superficially into occult practices (and even my brief fliration in this, I had experiences and results from meditations and rituals) Greg was heavily involved in the occult and satanism and possessed psychic and paranormal abilities, but is now a committed born again believer and warrior for Christ with a tremendous ministry and educates the public, law enforcement and the church in these, and other matters:
The HALLOWEEN COMPROMISE
The Day of the Dead? Samhain is said to be a day in which the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest and is a useful time to communicate with the dead for guidance and information: this is necromancy which is forbidden by the Scriptures.
Here is Dave Hunt and T.A. McMahon on this issue:
Raising the Dead for Halloween
THE HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN - Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.September 1998 David L. Brown
Since so many believers considered Halloween to be "harmless fun", I wanted to show the history of human sacrifice that took place on Halloween in a Bone-Fire (Bonfire later) and in these giant wicker cages that Caesar called "Kollosi" where we get "Collossus' from.
DEUTERRONOMY 12:31
Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Ralph Linton wrote:
The American celebration (of Halloween) rests upon Scottish and Irish folk customs which can be traced in a direct line from pre-Christian times. The earliest celebrations were held by the DRUIDS in honor of Shamhain, Lord of Death, whose festival fell on November 1st.
Another source adds this information. November 1st was the Celtic New Year. That day was considered the day of death because temperatures were dropping, the tree leaves were falling, and it was getting dark sooner and staying dark longer. They believed their sun god, identified in the World Book Encyclopedia as Muck Olla, was losing strength because Saman, Lord of Death, was overpowering him.
Remember, it was a Druidic belief that on the eve of the Vigil of Saman, October 31, the Lord of Death called together the wicked souls that within the past twelve months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals as punishment for their evil deeds.
This demon god then allowed them to return to their former homes to visit the living. Supposedly, to appease the Lord of Death and keep the spirits from harming the people, Druid priests led the people in diabolical worship ceremonies in which horses, cats, black sheep, oxen, human beings and other offerings were rounded up, stuffed into wicker cages and burned to death.
(Copies of this book are available by contacting: Logos Communication Consortium, Inc.P.O. BOX 173 - Oak Creek, WI 53154 Phone: (414) 768-9754 - Fax: (414) 762-8922
WARNING! This book is NOT intended for children! It is written to warn parents and adults of abominations and perversions of Halloween, witchcraft and the occult.)
CHECK OUT:
Johanna Michaelsen's HALLOWEEN! WARNING To CHRISTIAN PARENTS
Some of my own thoughts on this matter:
I participated in Halloween as a child and teenager; I'm sure most of us have. How many of us as a result are committed witches, pagans or satanists? Not very many, I'm sure.
Most children and teenagers will celebrate this day and receive treats and play tricks with no harm done, so what's all the fuss about? Why this article and all these warnings about this day?
For one reason, "this day" is not at all like the days in which we who are about 30 yrs of age and older were; these days find the religion of Wicca, and other neo-pagan religions like modern day Druidism, and in general, the occult and occultic interests growing at an exponential rate.
Go to any book store: look at the amount of space made available for new age and occult literature; compare this to the space for Christian books. This is a telling indication as to the movement of our society away from the biblical perspective to one that embraces the occult.
For a very good resource on this, read Dave Hunt's book The Occult Invasion
The primary force in this world of occult power is the ILLUMINATI, for a brief 9 min. video from the KNOW YOUR ENEMY series explaining its origin and purpose, watch this:
The ILLUMINATI Agenda
Participating in 'Trick or Treat' will not in itself lead children and teenagers into occult practices; however, because there is such an interest in the occult today, and greater acceptance of such, people are more open to playing around with Ouija boards (a tool of divination), and seances, fortune telling, psychic readings, tarot cards, and the like. Any such involvement in these things affect what's known by those Christians that deal with the demonic as "entries" or "portals" - these are the means by which people become open to demonic interference and involvement, which in turn can lead to demon oppression and, or even possession. It is no wonder that God forbids us to be involved in these things, especially in these last days when even our LORD Jesus warned: "Beware that no one deceive you..." Spiritual deception and seduction is at an all time high; certainly no less on such a day as Oct. 31st.
Anyone who saw the film The Exorcist may remember that the little girl, Regan was possessed as a result of using a Ouija board; what many don't realize is that this film, based on the book (by the same name) by William Blatty was based on five real-life documented accounts (in the film these five accounts are combined in one case)!
These 'tools' are not merely games or 'just for fun' activities, and while they are not directly related to Halloween, such a time that this pagan holiday provides an opportunity to get into some of these things and many become open to such activities where they perhaps might not otherwise. Such exposure to this pagan holiday may prove to 'de-sensitize' people to the dangers inherit in occult activities.
As one who was once involved (briefly and somewhat superficially) in the occult, I can tell you that it was during the last week of October as Halloween neared, I could feel spiritual power of the darker sort increase dramatically. Satan and demonic spirits are very observant of symbols, objects, certain sensitive people and specific days and use such things for their own means and ends.
As a Christian I can tell you that during this last week of October, I can discern that the satanic forces are on the 'upswing' at this time; a sense of oppressive power is readily observable by myself and other believers I know personally.
It is my personal conviction that born again believers who know the LORD and love His Word should distance themselves from this pagan day and its associative occult involvement. If you don't agree, then you stand before one Judge, and that isn't me: its the LORD Jesus Christ.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves regarding Halloween: What Would Jesus Do?
Finally, I want you to read what Dr. Greg Reid has to say on this subject. Whereas I was only superficially into occult practices (and even my brief fliration in this, I had experiences and results from meditations and rituals) Greg was heavily involved in the occult and satanism and possessed psychic and paranormal abilities, but is now a committed born again believer and warrior for Christ with a tremendous ministry and educates the public, law enforcement and the church in these, and other matters:
The HALLOWEEN COMPROMISE
Also see the following videos:
For more on this issue of the occult, specifically something called "Spirit Boards" or more commonly known as OUIJA Boards, go here. And to read part two of this article, go here.
Pagan Invasion Vol 1: Halloween: Trick or Treat
For more on this issue of the occult, specifically something called "Spirit Boards" or more commonly known as OUIJA Boards, go here. And to read part two of this article, go here.
ALSO, check out Calvary Chapel Oro Valley - Calvary Connections, and the Q & A on Halloween with Steven Bancarz:
2 comments:
so informative! I really hope we as Christians stand together for the Lord and not celebrate Halloween...Blessings!
Amen, Jewels, amen!
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