Has it ever occurred to you that something might be wrong with Halloween? Think about it. The bizarre decorations are all of an occult and demonic nature (certainly things like witches. ghouls, vampires and ghosts are not Christian in character!), and the supernatural powers of the satanic kingdom of darkness seems to be glorified in virtually every aspect of the Halloween celebration.
Every earnest Christian needs to be aware of the facts concerning Halloween that are presented in this tract. We will briefly point out the history and true meaning of this holiday, from sources both secular and religious. Once armed with the truth concerning the origin and nature of this celebration, we hope you too will be motivated to no longer participate in "...the unfruitful works of darkness " (Ephesians 5:11).
WHATS WRONG WITH HALLOWEEN?
l. THE HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION IS THOROUGHLY ROOTED IN PAGANISM AND THE OCCULT. Actually, the occult religion of the ancient Druids spawned this demonic holiday we now know as Halloween.
The American Peoples Encyclopedia explains:
"Halloween: the last day of October, and eve of ; All Saints Day in the Christian church. The origin of Halloween customs, however, antedate Christianity. The Druids, members of pagan orders in Britain, Ireland, and Gaul, held a celebration on October 31st, the eve of the festival of Samhain. This day was considered the time of the year in which both good and evil spirits roamed the earth. It was a night of ghosts and fairies, in which bonfires were built and futures were foretold and witches rode through the sky. The Druids believed that on October 31st, the last day of the year by the ancient Celtic calendar, the lord of death gathered together the souls of the dead who had been made to enter bodies of animals, and decided what forms they should take the following year. Cats were held sacred because it was believed that they were once human beings that had been transformed for committing evil. Although the Druids were outlawed by the Romans during their rule of Britain, Halloween customs of Druidic origin developed in Ireland, Scotland, and England. The use of fruits and nuts on Halloween was derived from the Roman festival of Pomona, the goddess of the fruit of trees. Colonists and immigrants brought their Halloween customs with them to the United States. Modem Halloween parties include masquerading, lighting jack-o-lanterns, parties, and "trick or treat." Prankish destruction on Halloween is a corruption of an earlier belief in the power of witches."
So we see that this holiday has its origin, basis and root in the occultic Druid celebration of the dead. Only they called it "Samhain," who was the lord of the dead (a big demon).
They believed that the dead would leave their graves and wander the streets on the night of October 31st, which is where the emphasis upon "death" comes from in the Halloween celebration. Such death symbols as skulls, skeletons, ghosts, mummies. graves, coffins and tombstones are common Halloween decorations.
According to Druid superstition, if the dead approached you or your house on this night, you would have to placate them by offering them cakes, cookies, gifts or some sort of "treat". This is the source of our present Halloween customs! These pagan superstitions have invaded our society and infiltrated the church to the extent that even Christians gleefully participate in this demonic holiday. The entire Halloween celebration is based on occult religion and pagan superstition.
Students Encyclopedia states:
"Many of the customs and superstitions of Halloween are thousands of years old. A number of Halloween superstitions about ghosts and evil spirits developed from the ancient Druid festival of Samhain. During this festival the spirits of the dead were supposed to return to the homes of their kinsmen. Great fires were lighted to guide them and to ward off the evil spirits that also roamed the countryside. Witches were expected to appear riding on broomsticks to their witches sabbaths."
If the superstitious pagans of those ancient times had to go out or travel on the night of October 31st, they would masquerade as a ghost, devil, witch, monster, or some other demonic creature so they could blend in with the real demons that roamed the streets that night, and thus could travel unmolested by them. This pagan superstition is the origin of the Halloween tradition of masquerading, usually as some demonic creature.
ADOPTED BY ROMAN CATHOLICISM
When Roman Catholicism became a world power (both religious and political), it tried to stop some of these blatantly pagan customs which were still widely celebrated. However, these holidays were deeply entrenched in the pagan people's hearts, so in the ninth century A.D., the Roman Catholic church renamed this holiday and give it a supposedly Christian significance. Thus, the Druid festival of the dead became "All Saints Day." All of the "saints" who do not have a separate day in their honor on the Roman Catholic calendar are all remembered and honored on "All Saints Day." It's also a time to pay respect to the dead and visit cemeteries. So although the name of the holiday has been changed by the Roman Catholic church, it still carries its Druidic meaning! It's an observance of death! Nothing about this pagan celebration has changed one iota! It's still celebrated exactly the same way it has been since Satan instituted this holiday through his druid priesthood thousands of years ago.
Even the Catholic Encyclopedia admits:
"The night of October 31st and the vigil of the Feast of All Saints, Halloween derives its name from an older English term, All Hallows' Eve. although its traditions derive from pagan worship. An important source of the customs of Halloween was the Druidic religion of pre-Christian Gaul and Britain. The ancient Britons honored their sun god with bonfires at this time of year in tribute to the light that brought their harvest and to mark the beginning of winter. They also saluted Samhain, the "lord of death," who, it was held, gathered together the souls of the year's dead which had been consigned to the bodies of animals in punishment for their sins.
The goblins, witches, and evil spirits are another Druidic contribution. It was believed that on the night of October 31st these creatures roamed the earth wild with glee at the return of their season of winter and darkness. They tormented the poor mortals, who, in turn, paid them bribes of food and delicacies to ensure the safety of their homes and persons. Strange noises and outlandish tricks attended their appearance, and often as not, one or several humans would join their train, if for no other reason than self-protection. It is easy to see in these beliefs and practices the source of our own Halloween customers: the masked figures, the trick-or-treat, the bonfires, even the jack-o-lantern (found throughout central Europe at Halloween), which seems to be a combination of fiend and fire."
Here is their frank admission that Halloween is 100 percent occult!
Dear reader, are we so spiritually silly to think that God condones the church going along with the flow of the world, and adopting these celebrations, customs, and superstitious holidays from pagan religion and occultism? The Bible is not silent on the subject:
Deuteronomy 18:9 says:
"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations." There can be no doubt in our minds concerning the origin of this holiday, Its root is occultism! Its basis is the satanic witchcraft religion of the pagan Druids! Jesus said in Matthew 7:17-18:
"...a corrupt tree (root) bringeth forth evil fruit ; A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Jesus says it's impossible for a rotten tree, or root, to produce anything good. Certainly then, no good can possibly come from the corrupt, evil, demonic root we call Halloween. Romans 11:16 declares:
"If the root is holy, so are the branches." Just the opposite would be true also! If the root is demonic, so are the branches. If the origin is pagan, so is the present celebration! I ask you dear Christian: should you as a disciple of Christ and a child of light, be celebrating such a purely pagan holiday?
2. IT GLORIFIES SATAN. It is a glorification of Satan's power when the whole nation and much of the world celebrates the powers of darkness by dressing and decorating as demons, devils, witches, vampires, monsters, ghosts and evil looking creatures of every sort.
Anyone familiar with occultism could tell you that Halloween is the most important night of the year for those involved in witchcraft and satanism. There are certain hexes and spells that can only be cast on Halloween night, for this is when satanic power is at its peak because this is the night he is most honored and glorified! Satan is delighted when Christians see fit to honor him by participating in his special night, and it is tantamount to worship that Satan receives when you imitate him and the hosts of darkness. The fact is, you tend to imitate what you love and worship.
Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:1:
"Be ye therefore followers (Greek: imitators) of God."
When we love and worship the Lord Jesus Christ, we naturally want to imitate Him, to follow His teachings and His holy example. Therefore, when you imitate Satan, or any of the powers of darkness by masquerading as them, or by honoring them through participation in their occult rituals, ceremonies or holidays,;( is tantamount to worshipping them.
HALLOWEEN SACRIFICES
There are many blood sacrifices offered to Satan on Halloween night by satanists and witchcraft covens. All sorts of animals are butchered; their blood is usually drained and drank in their satanic worship and ritual, and sometimes even human sacrifice takes place right here in the United States! According to a pamphlet published by Bob Larson entitled "Witchcraft and Halloween" such practices are far more common than you may think! However, Christians do not have to fear the devil or his demons, not even on Halloween night when his power surges to its peak, for Jesus said:
"Behold I give unto you power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19.)
Though we don't have to fear the devil, neither are we to be foolish or naive, thinking that we can flagrantly violate God's commands to abstain from and avoid every sort of demonic and occult activity! We only have power over Satan when we obey God! When we trespass into Satan's territory through occult participation, we will invariably bear the inevitable consequences of demon oppression.
SCRIPTURE WARNS
"Neither give place to the devil," (Ephesians 4:27.)
"Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8.) We're also told to "resist the devil," and to "stand against the wiles of the devil," to beware of "the snare of the devil," and "not to be ignorant of his devices." (James 4:7: Ephesians 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 2:11.)
Would God give all of these warnings and admonitions to His church if it wasn't important, or if it wasn't possible for a Christian to be demon oppressed? We must not "give place" to the devil by participating in occult rituals and celebrations such as Halloween.
Dear Christian, we are to be "lights" in a world of darkness! We are to be different and separate from the world! We are "the salt of the earth!" But Jesus also said:
"...but if the salt have lost his savour (its saltiness), wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out ..."(Matthew 5:13-16.)
What good is salt that is not salty? It's worthless! Cast it out Jesus said! And dear reader, what good is a Christian that is no different from the rest of the world? We are no different from the heathen, from the idolaters, from the pagans and the occultists when we celebrate Halloween along with them! If we participate in the Halloween parties, the spook houses, the masquerades or the trick-or-treat, then we have lost our savour! Paul says:
"...come out from among them and be ye separate..." (2 Corinthians 6:17.)
3. IT TREATS OCCULTISM AS HARMLESS. When Christians celebrate this holiday at home or in their Christian churches or schools, it teaches children (and everybody else for that matter) that the occult. witchcraft, and demonism is something fun, entertaining, and harmless! IT TREATS OCCULTISM AS HARMLESS when in fact it is more deadly than a rattlesnake! How we betray and deceive ourselves and others by considering this satanic festival "fun" or "harmless" God never treats the occult as something innocent or harmless. HE SAYS IT IS AN ABOMINATION! (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Leviticus 18:24-30.)
When you decorate your house with occult symbols or dress yourself or your children as witches "all in fun" you are teaching them that witchcraft, is okay: that it's harmless, innocent and fun! BUT GOD SAYS, THOU SHALT NOT ALLOW A WITCH TO LIVE." (Exodus22:18.)
How disappointing to find churches of every kind participating in Halloween. Their Christian schools have Halloween parties just like the secular schools, and often the church itself will have Halloween masquerade parties. One church I know actually held a Halloween masquerade and the pastor went dressed as Dracula! Another Christian lady tried to justify her church's masquerade party on Halloween night by saying that they weren't celebrating Halloween, instead they called their celebration a "harvest festival". My response was, "What's the difference?" Actually the harvest festival is Halloween! There is no difference! You might have renamed it but you are still celebrating the same festival! It would be like saying, "this is not a car; it's an automobile!"
Although many Christians treat this occult holiday as something harmless, the Bible always reveals that the results of occult practices are deadly. When King Saul dabbled in occultism by seeking out a witch, God rejected him! Saul died under divine judgment for not taking these things seriously! (cf. 1 Chronicles 10:13.)
4. IT IS THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, we are told to:
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." Virtually all of the symbols of Halloween are evil. Witches, warlocks, imps, ogres, vampires, monsters, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, etc.-all portray evil. If these things represent evil, then why do you dress up like them and imitate their appearance? Why do you decorate your house with such demonic symbols when your house is supposed to be dedicated to the Lord? God expressly forbids us to take on an evil appearance, which is exactly what you do if you masquerade as these wicked creatures.
DEMONIC SYMBOLISM
Every one of the Halloween symbols represents something either demonic or occult. For instance;
The jack-o-lantern is the ancient symbol of a damned soul. The black cat has long been associated with witchcraft and all sorts of superstitions are still connected to it. Witches and witchcraft, though popularized and considered innocent today by such television shows as "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie (Genie)," are expressly forbidden in Scripture and are an abomination to God! (Exodus 22:18: Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Leviticus 18:24-30.)
The symbols of death, such as ghosts, ghouls, monsters, skulls, skeletons, graveyards, coffins, tombstones, etc. are all demonic! the very trick-or-treat ritual is a threat! It's nothing less than extortion! "You either give me a treat or I'll play a trick on you!" You leave your neighbor with a choice: "trick or treat?" Which will it be?"
HALLOWEEN DESTRUCTION
Vandalism is common on Halloween night, as even normally well behaved children are instigated by demonic spirits to destructive behavior. Any police officer would testify to the great increase in such sinful and illegal behavior on Halloween. Worse still are the horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby trapped with needles or razor blades that make the news virtually every year at Halloween. Who but Satan could inspire such monstrous actions?
5. IT IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD! Over and over in the Bible, God forbids His children to participate in such blatantly demonic activities, as the following passages attest: Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Exodus7:11-12: 2 Timothy 3:8: Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:26,31; 20:6,27: 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; 2 Kings21:5-6; Isaiah 2:6: Jeremiah 27:9-10; Zechariah 10:2: Malachi 3:5; Acts 8:9f.: 16:16f.; 19:19: Galatians 5:16-21; Revelation 21:8; 22:15. A careful examination of these Scriptures reveals God's unreserved condemnation of all who indulge or participate in any occult activity.
What's wrong with Halloween? Everything about it is wrong! It is a demon inspired, devil glorifying, occult festival! Those who love the Lord Jesus Christ should have nothing to do with it!
"Learn not the way of the heathen,...for the customs of the people are vain." (Jeremiah 10:2-3.)
"When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations." (Deuteronomy 18:9 NASV.)
"Let us cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:12.) "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11.)
"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor or darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:5.) "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing..." (2 Corinthians 6:14-17.)
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8.)
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17.)
Every earnest Christian needs to be aware of the facts concerning Halloween that are presented in this tract. We will briefly point out the history and true meaning of this holiday, from sources both secular and religious. Once armed with the truth concerning the origin and nature of this celebration, we hope you too will be motivated to no longer participate in "...the unfruitful works of darkness " (Ephesians 5:11).
WHATS WRONG WITH HALLOWEEN?
l. THE HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION IS THOROUGHLY ROOTED IN PAGANISM AND THE OCCULT. Actually, the occult religion of the ancient Druids spawned this demonic holiday we now know as Halloween.
The American Peoples Encyclopedia explains:
"Halloween: the last day of October, and eve of ; All Saints Day in the Christian church. The origin of Halloween customs, however, antedate Christianity. The Druids, members of pagan orders in Britain, Ireland, and Gaul, held a celebration on October 31st, the eve of the festival of Samhain. This day was considered the time of the year in which both good and evil spirits roamed the earth. It was a night of ghosts and fairies, in which bonfires were built and futures were foretold and witches rode through the sky. The Druids believed that on October 31st, the last day of the year by the ancient Celtic calendar, the lord of death gathered together the souls of the dead who had been made to enter bodies of animals, and decided what forms they should take the following year. Cats were held sacred because it was believed that they were once human beings that had been transformed for committing evil. Although the Druids were outlawed by the Romans during their rule of Britain, Halloween customs of Druidic origin developed in Ireland, Scotland, and England. The use of fruits and nuts on Halloween was derived from the Roman festival of Pomona, the goddess of the fruit of trees. Colonists and immigrants brought their Halloween customs with them to the United States. Modem Halloween parties include masquerading, lighting jack-o-lanterns, parties, and "trick or treat." Prankish destruction on Halloween is a corruption of an earlier belief in the power of witches."
So we see that this holiday has its origin, basis and root in the occultic Druid celebration of the dead. Only they called it "Samhain," who was the lord of the dead (a big demon).
They believed that the dead would leave their graves and wander the streets on the night of October 31st, which is where the emphasis upon "death" comes from in the Halloween celebration. Such death symbols as skulls, skeletons, ghosts, mummies. graves, coffins and tombstones are common Halloween decorations.
According to Druid superstition, if the dead approached you or your house on this night, you would have to placate them by offering them cakes, cookies, gifts or some sort of "treat". This is the source of our present Halloween customs! These pagan superstitions have invaded our society and infiltrated the church to the extent that even Christians gleefully participate in this demonic holiday. The entire Halloween celebration is based on occult religion and pagan superstition.
Students Encyclopedia states:
"Many of the customs and superstitions of Halloween are thousands of years old. A number of Halloween superstitions about ghosts and evil spirits developed from the ancient Druid festival of Samhain. During this festival the spirits of the dead were supposed to return to the homes of their kinsmen. Great fires were lighted to guide them and to ward off the evil spirits that also roamed the countryside. Witches were expected to appear riding on broomsticks to their witches sabbaths."
If the superstitious pagans of those ancient times had to go out or travel on the night of October 31st, they would masquerade as a ghost, devil, witch, monster, or some other demonic creature so they could blend in with the real demons that roamed the streets that night, and thus could travel unmolested by them. This pagan superstition is the origin of the Halloween tradition of masquerading, usually as some demonic creature.
ADOPTED BY ROMAN CATHOLICISM
When Roman Catholicism became a world power (both religious and political), it tried to stop some of these blatantly pagan customs which were still widely celebrated. However, these holidays were deeply entrenched in the pagan people's hearts, so in the ninth century A.D., the Roman Catholic church renamed this holiday and give it a supposedly Christian significance. Thus, the Druid festival of the dead became "All Saints Day." All of the "saints" who do not have a separate day in their honor on the Roman Catholic calendar are all remembered and honored on "All Saints Day." It's also a time to pay respect to the dead and visit cemeteries. So although the name of the holiday has been changed by the Roman Catholic church, it still carries its Druidic meaning! It's an observance of death! Nothing about this pagan celebration has changed one iota! It's still celebrated exactly the same way it has been since Satan instituted this holiday through his druid priesthood thousands of years ago.
Even the Catholic Encyclopedia admits:
"The night of October 31st and the vigil of the Feast of All Saints, Halloween derives its name from an older English term, All Hallows' Eve. although its traditions derive from pagan worship. An important source of the customs of Halloween was the Druidic religion of pre-Christian Gaul and Britain. The ancient Britons honored their sun god with bonfires at this time of year in tribute to the light that brought their harvest and to mark the beginning of winter. They also saluted Samhain, the "lord of death," who, it was held, gathered together the souls of the year's dead which had been consigned to the bodies of animals in punishment for their sins.
The goblins, witches, and evil spirits are another Druidic contribution. It was believed that on the night of October 31st these creatures roamed the earth wild with glee at the return of their season of winter and darkness. They tormented the poor mortals, who, in turn, paid them bribes of food and delicacies to ensure the safety of their homes and persons. Strange noises and outlandish tricks attended their appearance, and often as not, one or several humans would join their train, if for no other reason than self-protection. It is easy to see in these beliefs and practices the source of our own Halloween customers: the masked figures, the trick-or-treat, the bonfires, even the jack-o-lantern (found throughout central Europe at Halloween), which seems to be a combination of fiend and fire."
Here is their frank admission that Halloween is 100 percent occult!
Dear reader, are we so spiritually silly to think that God condones the church going along with the flow of the world, and adopting these celebrations, customs, and superstitious holidays from pagan religion and occultism? The Bible is not silent on the subject:
"Learn not the way of the heathen...for the customs of the people are vain..." Jeremiah 10:2, 3.
Deuteronomy 18:9 says:
"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations." There can be no doubt in our minds concerning the origin of this holiday, Its root is occultism! Its basis is the satanic witchcraft religion of the pagan Druids! Jesus said in Matthew 7:17-18:
"...a corrupt tree (root) bringeth forth evil fruit ; A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Jesus says it's impossible for a rotten tree, or root, to produce anything good. Certainly then, no good can possibly come from the corrupt, evil, demonic root we call Halloween. Romans 11:16 declares:
"If the root is holy, so are the branches." Just the opposite would be true also! If the root is demonic, so are the branches. If the origin is pagan, so is the present celebration! I ask you dear Christian: should you as a disciple of Christ and a child of light, be celebrating such a purely pagan holiday?
2. IT GLORIFIES SATAN. It is a glorification of Satan's power when the whole nation and much of the world celebrates the powers of darkness by dressing and decorating as demons, devils, witches, vampires, monsters, ghosts and evil looking creatures of every sort.
Anyone familiar with occultism could tell you that Halloween is the most important night of the year for those involved in witchcraft and satanism. There are certain hexes and spells that can only be cast on Halloween night, for this is when satanic power is at its peak because this is the night he is most honored and glorified! Satan is delighted when Christians see fit to honor him by participating in his special night, and it is tantamount to worship that Satan receives when you imitate him and the hosts of darkness. The fact is, you tend to imitate what you love and worship.
Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:1:
"Be ye therefore followers (Greek: imitators) of God."
When we love and worship the Lord Jesus Christ, we naturally want to imitate Him, to follow His teachings and His holy example. Therefore, when you imitate Satan, or any of the powers of darkness by masquerading as them, or by honoring them through participation in their occult rituals, ceremonies or holidays,;( is tantamount to worshipping them.
HALLOWEEN SACRIFICES
There are many blood sacrifices offered to Satan on Halloween night by satanists and witchcraft covens. All sorts of animals are butchered; their blood is usually drained and drank in their satanic worship and ritual, and sometimes even human sacrifice takes place right here in the United States! According to a pamphlet published by Bob Larson entitled "Witchcraft and Halloween" such practices are far more common than you may think! However, Christians do not have to fear the devil or his demons, not even on Halloween night when his power surges to its peak, for Jesus said:
"Behold I give unto you power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19.)
Though we don't have to fear the devil, neither are we to be foolish or naive, thinking that we can flagrantly violate God's commands to abstain from and avoid every sort of demonic and occult activity! We only have power over Satan when we obey God! When we trespass into Satan's territory through occult participation, we will invariably bear the inevitable consequences of demon oppression.
SCRIPTURE WARNS
"Neither give place to the devil," (Ephesians 4:27.)
"Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8.) We're also told to "resist the devil," and to "stand against the wiles of the devil," to beware of "the snare of the devil," and "not to be ignorant of his devices." (James 4:7: Ephesians 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 2:11.)
Would God give all of these warnings and admonitions to His church if it wasn't important, or if it wasn't possible for a Christian to be demon oppressed? We must not "give place" to the devil by participating in occult rituals and celebrations such as Halloween.
Dear Christian, we are to be "lights" in a world of darkness! We are to be different and separate from the world! We are "the salt of the earth!" But Jesus also said:
"...but if the salt have lost his savour (its saltiness), wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out ..."(Matthew 5:13-16.)
What good is salt that is not salty? It's worthless! Cast it out Jesus said! And dear reader, what good is a Christian that is no different from the rest of the world? We are no different from the heathen, from the idolaters, from the pagans and the occultists when we celebrate Halloween along with them! If we participate in the Halloween parties, the spook houses, the masquerades or the trick-or-treat, then we have lost our savour! Paul says:
"...come out from among them and be ye separate..." (2 Corinthians 6:17.)
3. IT TREATS OCCULTISM AS HARMLESS. When Christians celebrate this holiday at home or in their Christian churches or schools, it teaches children (and everybody else for that matter) that the occult. witchcraft, and demonism is something fun, entertaining, and harmless! IT TREATS OCCULTISM AS HARMLESS when in fact it is more deadly than a rattlesnake! How we betray and deceive ourselves and others by considering this satanic festival "fun" or "harmless" God never treats the occult as something innocent or harmless. HE SAYS IT IS AN ABOMINATION! (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Leviticus 18:24-30.)
When you decorate your house with occult symbols or dress yourself or your children as witches "all in fun" you are teaching them that witchcraft, is okay: that it's harmless, innocent and fun! BUT GOD SAYS, THOU SHALT NOT ALLOW A WITCH TO LIVE." (Exodus22:18.)
How disappointing to find churches of every kind participating in Halloween. Their Christian schools have Halloween parties just like the secular schools, and often the church itself will have Halloween masquerade parties. One church I know actually held a Halloween masquerade and the pastor went dressed as Dracula! Another Christian lady tried to justify her church's masquerade party on Halloween night by saying that they weren't celebrating Halloween, instead they called their celebration a "harvest festival". My response was, "What's the difference?" Actually the harvest festival is Halloween! There is no difference! You might have renamed it but you are still celebrating the same festival! It would be like saying, "this is not a car; it's an automobile!"
Although many Christians treat this occult holiday as something harmless, the Bible always reveals that the results of occult practices are deadly. When King Saul dabbled in occultism by seeking out a witch, God rejected him! Saul died under divine judgment for not taking these things seriously! (cf. 1 Chronicles 10:13.)
4. IT IS THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, we are told to:
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." Virtually all of the symbols of Halloween are evil. Witches, warlocks, imps, ogres, vampires, monsters, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, etc.-all portray evil. If these things represent evil, then why do you dress up like them and imitate their appearance? Why do you decorate your house with such demonic symbols when your house is supposed to be dedicated to the Lord? God expressly forbids us to take on an evil appearance, which is exactly what you do if you masquerade as these wicked creatures.
DEMONIC SYMBOLISM
Every one of the Halloween symbols represents something either demonic or occult. For instance;
The jack-o-lantern is the ancient symbol of a damned soul. The black cat has long been associated with witchcraft and all sorts of superstitions are still connected to it. Witches and witchcraft, though popularized and considered innocent today by such television shows as "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie (Genie)," are expressly forbidden in Scripture and are an abomination to God! (Exodus 22:18: Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Leviticus 18:24-30.)
The symbols of death, such as ghosts, ghouls, monsters, skulls, skeletons, graveyards, coffins, tombstones, etc. are all demonic! the very trick-or-treat ritual is a threat! It's nothing less than extortion! "You either give me a treat or I'll play a trick on you!" You leave your neighbor with a choice: "trick or treat?" Which will it be?"
HALLOWEEN DESTRUCTION
Vandalism is common on Halloween night, as even normally well behaved children are instigated by demonic spirits to destructive behavior. Any police officer would testify to the great increase in such sinful and illegal behavior on Halloween. Worse still are the horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby trapped with needles or razor blades that make the news virtually every year at Halloween. Who but Satan could inspire such monstrous actions?
5. IT IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD! Over and over in the Bible, God forbids His children to participate in such blatantly demonic activities, as the following passages attest: Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Exodus7:11-12: 2 Timothy 3:8: Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:26,31; 20:6,27: 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; 2 Kings21:5-6; Isaiah 2:6: Jeremiah 27:9-10; Zechariah 10:2: Malachi 3:5; Acts 8:9f.: 16:16f.; 19:19: Galatians 5:16-21; Revelation 21:8; 22:15. A careful examination of these Scriptures reveals God's unreserved condemnation of all who indulge or participate in any occult activity.
What's wrong with Halloween? Everything about it is wrong! It is a demon inspired, devil glorifying, occult festival! Those who love the Lord Jesus Christ should have nothing to do with it!
"Learn not the way of the heathen,...for the customs of the people are vain." (Jeremiah 10:2-3.)
"When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations." (Deuteronomy 18:9 NASV.)
"Let us cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:12.) "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11.)
"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor or darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:5.) "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing..." (2 Corinthians 6:14-17.)
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8.)
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17.)