Halloween is upon us again and time for kids to dress up to get their sugar fix. Do you take part in this holiday as Christians? Also for non believers what do you think of the day?
As a Christian yes I do take my kids trick or treating. According to the Bible it depends where your heart is like eating food that was sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8. In the Old Testament it was the act that was sinful but in the NT we can see that adultery is not just the act but the mere thought of lusting after someone or murder is just merely hating your brother instead of the act.
Christians who celebrate Halloween are not doing so to celebrate witchcraft or even idolatry just dress up to get free candy. Doesn’t all your kids play around the house pretending to be some fictional character? It’s the same thing and the day in itself is no different from any other day (Romans 14:5). Christians dress kids up in Among Us, Angels, Pumpkin, bees, the incredibles, princesses and many other costumes that have nothing to do with witches or evil. It’s what you make it and what’s in your heart as that’s what God looks at.
But for those who believe it’s evil then I respect it and it’s not for everyone. We can see the same in the first scripture I gave that not everyone will accept you can eat meat that was sacrificed to idol gods on the alter but others give it no power, just like some Christians give the day itself no power and just have fun.
I do not celebrate Halloween, for two reasons.
- I do not want to be in any of the structures resting on the foundation Satan has laid, when they crumble under the wrath of God.
- I want to make sure of what God approves of, so as to have his approval, and be in an actual relationship with God and his son.
Scriptural reasons.
- Ephesians 5:10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
- Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Exodus 32:5, 6 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to indulge in revelry.
- 1 Corinthians 10:6, 7 These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and to drink, and got up to indulge in revelry.”
- Revelation 2:13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Explanation.
Halloween or
Hallowe'en (less commonly known as
Allhalloween,
[5] All Hallows' Eve,
[6] or
All Saints' Eve)
[7] is
a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observance of
Allhallowtide,
[8] the time in the
liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including
saints (
hallows),
martyrs, and all the faithful departed.
[9][10][11][12] In popular culture, the day has become a celebration of
horror, being associated with the
macabre and
supernatural.
[13]
Regarding all three of these roots, none are good.
Christianity from the end of the first century deviated from the Christ, and corrupted, and adulterated the teachings of the church. 2 Thessalonians 2:2-12; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:18, 19; Acts 20:29
All Saints' Day
From the 4th century,
feasts commemorating all
Christian martyrs were held in various places,
[3] on various dates near
Easter and
Pentecost. In
the 9th century, some churches in the British Isles began holding the commemoration of all saints on 1 November, and in the 9th century this was extended to the whole Catholic Church by Pope Gregory IV.[10]
In
Western Christianity, it is still celebrated on 1 November by the
Roman Catholic Church as well as many Protestant churches, such as the
Lutheran,
Anglican, and
Methodist traditions.
[7]
Why the same date?
Get the Straight Answers from Fr. William Saunders on your questions about Catholicism and the Catholic Faith.
catholicstraightanswers.com
What are the origins of All Saints Day and All Souls Day? Are these linked with paganism and Halloween?
Both the Feast of All Saints and the Feast of All Souls evolved in the life of the Church independently of paganism and Halloween. However, elements of pagan practices were perhaps “baptized” by some cultures or attached themselves to the celebration of All Saints and All Souls.
According to an early Church historian, John Beleth (d. 1165), Pope Gregory IV (827-844) officially declared November 1 the Feast of All Saints, transferring it from May 13. However, Sicard of Cremona (d. 1215) recorded that Pope Gregory VII (1073-85) finally suppressed May 13 and mandated November 1 as the date to celebrate the Feast of All Saints. In all, we find the Church establishing a liturgical feast day in honor of the saints independent of any pagan influence.
Now for
the pagan connection: November 1 marked Samhain, the beginning of the Celtic winter.
Besides the Celtic traditions in place, the Roman conquest of Britain in AD 43 brought two other pagan feasts: Feralia was held in late October to honor the dead. Another Autumn festival honored Pomona, the goddess of fruits and trees; probably through this festival, apples became associated with Halloween. Elements of these Roman celebrations were combined with the Celtic Samhain.
With the spread of Christianity and the establishment of All Saints Day,
some of these pagan customs remained in the English speaking world for All Hallows Eve (or Halloween, All Saints Eve), perhaps at first more out of superstition, and later, more out of fun. Nevertheless, All Saints Day clearly arose from genuine Christian devotion independent of Halloween.
Nevertheless,
All Souls Day as well as all Saints Day are rooted in Christian belief and arose in this life of the Church through a healthy spirituality, despite some pagan trappings that may have survived and have remained attached to their celebration.
@Krav Maga do you know how a person can be in harmony with the teaching of 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, and be associated with Halloween?
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[
a]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[
b]
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[
c]
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”[
d]
