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How does God, as He looks down on
Halloween night, in full awareness of the events that have happened on
this night historically and today, view little children, especially
Christian children, dressed up as ghosts, devils, witches, and goblins?
Or even dressed up as innocent characters but going out on that very
night so dedicated by occultists to their own activities?
How does God view Christian parents, His own spiritual
children, participating in an event that, on that very day, is so
honored by occultists and the devil—the day on which so much evil has
been committed historically, and is actually being committed on that
very night?
The larger question this raises—that of Christians
innocently participating in Halloween—is whether it involves a
deliberate mockery of God on the part of the devil; i.e., to have God’s
own children participate symbolically in celebrations that are tributes
to Satan, pagan gods, and all kinds of evil?
Is it possible that we can see Satan deliberately
mocking God by having children, and especially Christian children,
actively participating in the symbolic activities on the very day which
he, Satan, is most honored? Satan, of course, knows the meanings of
these symbols—and so does God. If we think of who Satan is, what he
does, and how he views Halloween, then how must God view little children
being out on Halloween, Satan’s special day—even being sent out by
Christian parents? Perhaps then it doesn’t look quite so innocent
anymore.
The history of the occult makes it clear that Satan
hates children and we know he hates Christians. Jesus Himself loved the
children and said of them that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these. What do you think Jesus thinks of Halloween? If Jesus were
sitting in your living room on October 31, would He encourage your
children to go out trick-or-treating? Remember Halloween has sparked the
interest of untold numbers of kids in the world of the occult. In light
of this, Jesus also said, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who
believe in me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be
hung around his neck and he be drowned in the depths of the sea"
(Matthew 18:6).
Albert James Dager presents the following argument
against any participation in Halloween. Although we do not necessarily
agree with everything stated, we think he makes some good points:
To engage in revelry associated with such an anti-Christ festivity
as Halloween is a slap in our Lord’s face…. As pastors and teachers
have the responsibility of educating parents, the responsibility of
educating children in the commandments of God weighs heavily upon the
shoulders of parents. But no more so in this age or society than in
ages past. The difference is that today children rule many homes,
Christian and non-Christian alike. For that reason, compromise is the
easy way out for parents who, thinking they are showing love by
acquiescence, are really destroying their children’s spiritual life.
No matter what the evil, parents are forever searching for
alternatives in order that their children not feel deprived of the
world’s fun. When it comes to Halloween, Christians decide to
substitute their own parties for the worlds. Instead of calling their
festivities "Halloween parties," they call them "Harvest Festivals"
and dress them in biblical costumes. But that’s what Halloween is: a
harvest festival. And many children wear biblical costumes for
Halloween anyway, so what’s the difference except in the compromise of
their minds? You can be sure that to most children it’s still
Halloween that they’re celebrating….
It isn’t going to traumatize children if they aren’t allowed to
join in some things just because "everyone else is doing it." It’s the
responsibility of Christian parents to teach their children the truth
from the beginning; not to wait until they’ve been sufficiently
infected by the world that they must be deprogrammed at a later date.
Children who are taught to love Jesus will understand that, because of
that love, they shouldn’t have anything to do with the celebration
that glorifies the power of God’s enemies. 1
Unfortunately, the Christian church never truly Christianized
Halloween—the Roman church merely baptized it with its own unique, if
unbiblical, beliefs concerning sin, the saints, and purgatory. 2
We think the solution is for the Christian church to follow the lead of
the great Reformer, Martin Luther. Let’s make Halloween a universal day
to joyfully celebrate and teach the Reformation and all it implies to us
and our children, especially the doctrines of Scripture alone
(Scripture, not the church, as the final authority), faith alone
(justification by grace through faith alone), and glory to God alone—not
glory to the church. And certainly not glory to the devil.
But, some parents will argue, "My kids do not care
about the Reformation—they want to go out trick-or-treating. The last
thing in the world they want to do is stay home and hear stories about
Jesus or learn Bible doctrine." Of course, maybe that’s the problem.
Have we been educating our children properly and Scripturally as God has
commanded us to?
God commands that we are to teach our children
doctrine. Consider Deuteronomy 4:5-10, especially in light of the
testimony we give on Halloween, either one way or another. Moses writes,
See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God
commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering
to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show
your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all
these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people." What other nation is so great as to have their
gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to
him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous
decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not
forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart
as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children
after them. Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at
Horab, when he said to me, "Assemble the people before me to hear my
words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the
land and may teach them to their children."
In other words, just as the ancient Israelites could
offer a testimony of God before the surrounding nations by obeying and
teaching the commandments and statutes of God—and by this glorify God
before the nations—so Christians can do something similar on Halloween.
By obeying and teaching the doctrines relating to the Reformation on the
day of Halloween, Christians can become a testimony to their neighbors
around them concerning the greatness and power of these teachings to
change lives and glorify the one true God.
In fact, hardly any endeavor in life is more rewarding
or exciting than learning Bible doctrine. We only wish we had the space
to go into this. Of course, if parents have never learned the joy and
adventure of studying theology; then obviously their kids never have.
But, for those who know the rewards of learning doctrine for themselves
and their children, not to mention its impact in society through the
church, what better night to do this on?
In conclusion, here are some things to consider
concerning whether or not your children should participate in Halloween:
1) It is the most sacred day of witchcraft and other
occultism.
2) It was and is believed to be the only day of the
year in which the devil’s help could especially be invoked for a
variety of things; it remains a special day to Satanists.
3) Human sacrifice was and is offered (perhaps most
commonly) on this day.
4) It has and will continue to encourage occult
activity on the part of both children and adults.
5) It is a special day to call on spirits via the
Ouija board and other forms of spiritism.
6) It is a day noted historically for divination.
7) It helps support pagan philosophies and practices
such as reincarnation, animism, Shamanism and Druidism.
8) It is of help to the practices and beliefs of
mediums and psychical researchers by encouraging people’s interest in
things like ghosts and poltergeists.
9) Occultists use this day especially for
proselytization concerning their professions and activities.
10) It can unequally yoke Christians and pagans.
11) Probably no Halloween activity or symbol can be
found that does not go back to pagan occultism.
12) Christian participation in Halloween may, in
fact, be a ploy of the devil to mock God.
13) "Whatever is not of faith is sin" (Romans
14:23).
Of course, when Halloween activities actually involve
genuine occult practices, the Scripture is clear that these are to be
avoided. Both the Old and New Testaments have many references condemning
the practice of witchcraft, sorcery, spiritism, contacting the dead,
divination, and so forth—all things potentially associated with
Halloween.
Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be
defiled by them. I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:31).
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, or casts spells, or who is a medium or
spiritist or who consults the dead.... The nations you will dispossess
listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you,
the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so (Deuteronomy 18:10,
11, 14).
[King Manasseh of Judah] practiced sorcery, divination and
witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in
the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger (2 Chronicles 33:6).
Nowhere are we told such activities are acceptable before God. In
light of these scriptures, no one can logically argue that the Bible is
accepting of such practices. 3
Notes:
1 Albert James Dager, "Halloween: Should Christians Be Apart?",
Media Spotlight, 1986, P. O. Box 1288, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-1288.)
2 See our The Facts on Halloween (Eugene, OR: Harvest House
Publishers, 1996).
3 See our The Coming Darkness, Appendix A.
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