Halloween is not harmless fun
Halloween originates from the ancient pagan festival of “Samhain,” celebrated by Celtic people in Ireland, the UK and Northern France over 2,000 years ago. The day celebrated the end of harvest and the start of dark, cold winter; a time associated with human death. New Year began for the Celts on Nov 1, and they believed that on the night before (Halloween) the boundaries between the living and the dead became blurred. They believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth and walked among them.
During Samhain, Druids (Celtic priests) made bonfires where crops and animals were sacrificed to the Celtic gods (Druid practises also sacrificed humans to the fire to appease their gods; a practice despicable to God). Celts wore costumes of animal heads and skins to warn off evil spirits that may want to harm them. They also attempted to tell each other’s fortunes. The inner circles of Freemasonry today have many roots in ancient Druid practises.
The Roman Empire had conquered the majority of Celtic territory by 43AD. Over the next 400 years 2 Roman festivals were added to the celebration of Samhain. One was Feralia, which commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was to honour Pomona, he pagan goddess of fruit and trees. Today Wiccan, witchcraft and New Age incorporate some of these practises.
Pope Gregory 111, in the mid 8th C, designated Nov 1 as a time to honour all saints. Against all teachings of Christ and the Bible he raised up All Saints Day. Soon, some of the traditions of Samhain were incorporated. The evening before was known as “All Hallows Eve” and later “Halloween.”
Halloween is the most important day of the year for Devil worshippers according to the founder of the Church of Satan, who is now freed and serves as a Christian minister.
Christ is very clear that those involved in magic arts of the occult who refuse to repent, will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Rev 22:15; Deuteronomy 18:10-13). Although Halloween looks like harmless fun to many it is actually exposing innocent children and parents to demonic activity. Most people like to believe in Heaven, but to get there we must first believe and follow the Biblical God.
About Pastor Julie
I’m passionate about the church – building believers up in their faith, to be all God intended them to be; and I’m passionate about sharing the love and hope of Jesus with people who don’t know Him yet.