Towards Excellence

“Prior to October 31, in the western world, with great eagerness, shops, entertainment centers, restaurants, shopping centers and even schools are getting ready to celebrate appropriately the so-called Halloween.”

A few hours before the big celebration, where the renowned phrase “Trick or Treat?” has especially captivated thousands of children, precisely millions of children, adolescents and adults in several countries around the world are getting ready to celebrate, “innocently”, the “party of death.”

And I will not delve into the historical part and the origin of this celebration, because it has already been sufficiently researched and written about it. In fact, at the bottom of this article, I put into consideration a couple of resources for those interested in learning more in detail about this “innocent celebration.”

Prior to October 31, in the western world, with great eagerness, shops, entertainment centers, restaurants, shopping centers and even schools are getting ready to celebrate “appropriately” the so-called Halloween.
Then I wonder and I extend this question to all my readers, Is Halloween a party that we must celebrate, especially if we identify ourselves as followers of Christ or clearly, as Christians?

And to answer this, one must know its story (below / suggested resources) and analyze it from the perspective of the Bible.

For this purpose, I will briefly share at least three important aspects:

1. Halloween, a commercial party
In October 2015, Money reported that Americans spent USD 6.9 billion in

Halloween, an innocent party?

total on Halloween parties.[1] All this amount includes candy, costumes for children and adults, even pet costumes.

Perhaps as Christians, should not we think more responsibly in the “stewardship of the resources we have”? How is it possible that we waste so much money on irrelevant activities like these? Should not we invest all this money on more important causes and for instance, more aligned with our social responsibility?

We must not forget that we are all simple stewards of the resources and assets that God has given us while we are in this world.

Now, do not get me wrong! We all have the right to have fun and enjoy with family and friends. But, knowing the origin of this celebration, do you think it is wise to pursue and follow these customs?

2. Halloween –or party of death, a pagan celebration
According to an article published in History.com, “Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Celts believed that on the night before the new year [November 1], the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future.” [2]

Against this, what does the Scripture tell us?, 10 “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their 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…” (Deuteronomy 18:10 -12)

If the origins of Halloween promote pagan customs like these and clearly enters the spiritual side of darkness, Should Christians participate in such celebrations? I believe that the Scripture is self-explanatory.

3. A celebration innocently dangerous and diabolic

October 31 is not only a customs, masks and sweets celebration, it is

Let us protect our children!

tragically a celebration of diabolic rituals during which, animals and even children are sacrificed. These days I became acquainted with the testimony of Beth, who through her blog bravely confesses, “I cannot even say how many Halloweens I was forced to be involved in rituals on Halloween… I don’t think any person can truly fathom the reality and the evil of a satanic ritual…”[3]

If such actions are the outcome of the so popular Halloween each year, do we still want to participate in this “innocent party”? God, our creator, specifically tells us in His Word, 11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. (Ephesians 5:11).
And this is exactly what this blog intends to do -to expose the works of the biggest enemy of soul of the human beings, Satan. Certainly, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; but Jesus has come so we all may have life and life to the full.” (John 10:10).

Therefore, I invite you all to analyze more deeply this issue and decide for yourselves whether it is right that as followers of Jesus or clearly Christians, we should play along the game of “trick or treat” and be or not part of this dark celebration disguised as light and color.

“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”       (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Recommended Sources:

. Passion for Truth /  Should Christians celebrate any version of Halloween?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJtXWUPVwtY&list=PL17h3jSzhSTPid1w6lAi-cLD5cV_Tkike

Sources:

(1)  http://time.com/money/4069887/halloween-spending-costumes-candy/

(2) http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

(3) http://www.theothersideofdarkness.com/i-was-abused-in-a-satanic-halloween-ritual/