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UnHallowed Origins of Halloween [by Ken Hoeck- TOTW Ministries]
The Encyclopedia Americana states that Halloween "is clearly a relic of pagan times." Its 5th century BC origins are tied to the ancient Celtic race and their Druidic priests. Druid worship is founded upon the ideal of pluralistic worship of the "Divine" through nature, seeking an awareness of ones symbiosis with nature. The Druids observed holiday called Samhain [pronounced Sow-en] named after the false god who was the "The Lord of the Dead." [Romans 14:9 tells us that Christ is the true Lord of the living and the dead.] To the pagans Samhain was a time when the division between the world of the living and the world of the dead became very thin. A time when hostile supernatural forces were active. A time when demons, ghosts and evil spirits were free to wander as they wished. The pagan Celts believed on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. Those not wanting to be possessed sometimes dressed as a ghoul to fool the so-called "real deal", even leaving treats to appease them [food offered to false gods or idols]. All historic resources will ultimately lead one to the same druidic beginning that has no place in the lives of followers of Christ.
Now, as most know, the Roman Catholic Church would gain new converts (by various means) and let them retain their pagan practives as long as the names were changed to make it look "christian." The RCC has 'painted' many a holiday with a form of godliness which denies the power thereof. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. In 834, Gregory III moved All Saint's Day from May 13 to Nov. 1 and this became an opportunity for Catholics to remember all the saints who had died and all the dead in the Christian community. Oct. 31 thus became All Hallows' Eve ('hallow' means 'saint') or the evening prior the day of All Hallows (All Saint's Day).
Young America was a home for Christians who desired to worship God by their conscience and not under Romes thumb. Halloween was not a day the Founding Fathers observed. The custom of Halloween was apparently brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants. The first recorded instance in the United States of a Halloween celebration occurred in Anoka, Minn. in 1921. "The American celebration rests upon Scottish and Irish folk customs which can be traced in direct line from pre-Christian times. ... Although Halloween has become a night of rollicking fun, superstitious spells, and eerie games which people take only half seriously, its beginnings were quite otherwise. The earliest Halloween celebrations were held by the Druids in honor of Samhain, Lord of the Dead, whose festival fell on November 1." (Halloween Through The Centuries, by Ralph Linton, Page 4.)
Many of the original pagan trappings of the day honoring Samhain are still practiced by Trick-or-Treaters today. Many kids and adults dress up in a false personage seeking candy from neighborhood homes. Gluttony often abounds when the 'booty' is brought home. The Chicago Dental Society calculated that a trick-or-treater, on average, will consume 5,435 calories and more than three cups of sugar from Halloween candy. Calorically-speaking, it is comparable to consuming 3 quarts of double chocolate ice cream or 2.5 gallons of soda.
I would be remiss if I did not mention of the opportunity Trick-or-Treating and/or Halloween celebration allows for murderers (poison candy, glass chips, razor blades, etc.), abductors, pedophiles, and vandals to unleash malicious behavior on the unsuspecting population. The day is also used as an 'excuse' for adults to have drunken parties and to commit fornication. These activities heap these additional sins upon the sins of honoring false gods, evil spirits, and belief in immortal souls of men. The day is still a 'high holiday' for wiccans (nature worship, earth goddess) and satanists (of nearly as many flavors as Christian denominations). "After one's own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (May 1st) and Halloween (or All Hallow's Eve)." [The Satanic Bible by Anton Levey page 96, section on Religious Holidays.]
Halloween was originated as an ungodly celebration. It is still ungodly today. Some well-meaning people seek to paint it over with a form of godliness but they do deny the power of Him. God told His people to have no part in activities used to worship other gods. The scriptures tell us to not eat anything (candy, etc.) "offered unto idols" and treats handed out in blind continuance of this ancient druidic rite is tantemount to such. The Bible shows us the falseness of the 'immortal soul' doctrine that this 'holiday' promotes; albeit mostly, unwittingly. A Christian/Believer should not give Satan this opportunity to entice people to sin. Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. Just say "NO" to Halloween - in its entirety.
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Note: I saw a 'halloween tree' yesterday!
satan's holidays are about to begin!
Phil
Confessions of a Halloween Hypocrite
By Ellen Makkai
I am a reformed Halloween hypocrite.
The Bible is my personal roadmap, a handy navigational manual for the life’s hills, valleys, potholes and dead-ends. As a Bible teacher, I teach folks to make good use of it. But during 15 years in Scripture, I took an annual side trip into forbidden territory.
Like a marriage counselor immersed in adultery, it was, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
Scripture contains unambiguous directives not to explore—nay, even dabble in— divination, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, or consult mediums who supposedly chat with the dead.
But come October 1, our Bible-believing household buzzed with plans for a fiendish display in our front foyer on All Hallows Eve.
This adulterous affair began simply with my gorilla-suited husband cavorting across the roof, pelting passers-by with candy. And like any good intoxicant, it escalated from there.
Over time, he has been a ketchup-covered corpse lying prostrate on the floor with a string tied from his toe to the door so that he could tug it open when the doorbell rang. The candy sat in his bloody hand and only the most courageous trick-or-treaters reached down to snatch the goods before dashing back to the street.
One Halloween he cut a hole in a draped card table and poked his masked head through to recreate a grisly decapitation.
New uninitiated neighbors sent in their little Tinkerbell. When she ran screaming from the house, her father peeped in and muttered, “What the [bleep] is the matter with you people?”
What was the matter with us? So blinded by the macabre merriment, we often prayed that God Himself would provide good weather to ensure a sizeable audience for our abominable displays.
The Almighty, no doubt, sighed in exasperation over our double-minded folly; it is impossible to reconcile Halloween and Scripture.
"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against…the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms," says the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 6:12). His caveat unmasks the satanic energy behind Halloween’s playful facade.
The celebration has its roots with ancient Druids, high priests of the Celtic religion who practiced ritual human sacrifice. It evolved through cultures and centuries, but remains a high holy day focused on supernatural evil and slaughter.
“Two major holidays, Halloween and Walpurgisnacht are celebrated by the Church of Satan,” said the late Satanist Anton LaVey. Witches and disembodied malevolent spirits are invited to roam the earth on the night that marks the season of diminishing sunlight.
Slowly, my students embraced biblical truth and withdrew from Halloween. Instead, many dress their kids in biblical garb and cart mini-Marys, Noahs and Goliaths to alternative church fiestas where nary a witch is found.
And the devil is persona non grata. Why introduce youngsters to the unseen entity dedicated to our demise?
“The first exposure most children have to the occult is Halloween,” says Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D. author of The Dark Side of Halloween and The Bewitching of America. “How does an emphasis on death, fear, horror, evil and the occult glorify God?”
Even those who have embraced spiritual darkness recognize this contradiction. “The hypocrisy of celebrating Halloween is stupid,” says Egan, satanic high priest at the Church of Satan in Salem, Mass. “I often chastise Christians. If you believe in the two opposing forces, good and evil, you can’t fight the Devil every day of the year, then join his side for one day.”
But Halloween is hard to resist.
“Fifty million Americans participate in Halloween,” says retailer Hallmark. “It is the third largest party day annually, surpassed only by New Year’s Eve and the Super Bowl.”
An estimated $6 billion is spent decorating and celebrating.
A move to another town enabled us to end our annual fright-fests. We still fork over the obligatory candy, though. We don’t want to appear unfriendly.
For our inaugural Halloween, our daughter carved a magnificent cross— with shooting beams of candlelight—into her pumpkin. My cowardly thought: “Oh no, the new neighbors will think we’re religious stiffs.”
Fortunately our first trick-or-treater said, “Wow, cool pumpkin!”
As I remember our journey out of Halloween hypocrisy, I realize that Egan — who has renounced the very God I claim to follow — has it figured out.
And now I do, too.
In the words of Israel’s ancient warrior, Joshua, “Choose you this day, whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT....
THE TRADITION OF HALLOWEEN?
"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Song of Solomon 2:15
Foxes sometime in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow, that we might think is little or insignificant, can also be disastrous for us.
Some may consider celebrating Halloween as only a little compromise. However, it is the "little foxes" that spoil the vines and this little compromise can open the door to other evils. Many Christians do not realize that certain traditions that are celebrated in the world have evil origins. Just because our society partakes in certain activities does not make them acceptable for Christians. We must look to Christ and His Word to see if the traditions of this world are good or evil.
Mark 7:13: "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
One very evil tradition is the celebration of Halloween. No Christian should partake in the activities of this holiday, nor should they allow their children to do so. We can discern the evil of this day by taking a look at the festivities that are associated with its celebration. Children are dressed as witches, goblins, ghosts, little devils and fortune tellers. All these are representatives of Satan's kingdom. Games played at carnivals promote fear in children as they are ushered through spook houses and horror rooms. Skeletons, black cats and bats represent death and darkness. No carnival is complete without the gypsy who tells fortunes. Satan has gained man's approval to celebrate his day by simply making it a tradition that seems like a fun day. The opposite is true, however, as more damage and harm are done on this day each year than any other holiday. Children are taught to go door to door chanting "trick or treat." It is unchristian to demand a gift under threat of playing some trick. Police are on the alert for juvenile vandalism and caution parents to be watchful.
Because so many of us have grown up celebrating Halloween, and seemingly did not experience any negative effects, some feel that not celebrating Halloween at all is an extreme measure. However, we would encourage you to pray about this. Is any holiday that glorifies death and darkness (even in fun) a proper thing for a Christian to do since we have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light?
1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
Whether we feel that we have been really hurt by celebrating Halloween or not, is only part of the issue. How does God feel to see His people making light of demons and witchcraft? Shouldn't we be thinking about how to honor Him and show our love to Him? Where do our loyalties lie?
Most Satanists celebrate this as their high holy day and even offer human sacrifices to the devil. Until recently, most Christians have not questioned this traditional celebration, but rather have gone along with it by even bringing Halloween parties into the church. The earliest Halloween celebrations were not held by the early church, but the Druids in honor of Samhain, the "lord of the dead", and his demons, whose festival fell on November 1. Halloween actually means "holy or hallowed evening."
According to the Roman calendar in which days began at midnight, the evening of October 31 was the eve before the hallowed day; hence Halloween or All Soul's Eve was kept throughout the ancient pagan world. All Hallows Eve, because it is the day before All Hallows' or All Saints' day, was a holy day in the Roman Catholic Church, Episcopal Church, the Church of England and the Greek Orthodox Church. This festival honors all martyrs, known and unknown, who have died for the church. During the time of Constantine, these two holidays were merged in an attempt to Christianize the heathen. The church could not prevent these heathen practices, so they thought "taming'" them would be the answer. They were, of course, not to worship their gods on the church's "All Saint's day." However, as it is with all compromises, soon the evil overrode the good, and hence we still honor these heathen practices by celebrating Halloween.
Parents have a responsibility not to allow their children to be exposed to these evil celebrations. What might seem to some as innocent children's games is a "little fox" that can open the door to satanic influence and even demon possession in some cases. Children can be tormented with a spirit of fear that can come through this involvement that stays with them throughout their lives. It also introduces children to witchcraft, making it easier for them to become involved in cults and occultic activities. When children are taught it is alright to play with the things of darkness, it does not give them the repulsion and resistance that they need to stand against greater Satanic involvement. When the things of Satan are taken lightly, as games and fun, it sets our children up to accept evil rather than to resist it. This "little fox" is not only spreading evil to children but has been a curse for the church and our nation as well. As Christians, we should spread the word to others about the evil tradition of Halloween.
Ephesians 5:6-12: "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."
Excerpt from the book Exposing Satan's Devices; Click here for more information and how to order.
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Christ Unlimited Ministries
Ministry Directors: R. S. "Bud" & Betty Miller
P.O. Box 850
Dewey, AZ 86327, USA
(928) 632-8005
www.Bible.com
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<b>Hey, thanks for commenting, Gerard... but, you know, Halloween isn't the only..." pagan, evil, ungodly, satanic..." traditional holiday, that Christians often involve themselves in... it's just that the rest are now "Christianized"... hmm... I dunno, maybe somehow 'drycleaned', refurbished, polished and dressed up... they are 'traditional'... and, often filled with nostalgia... lots and lots of "good, sweet and lasting memories" sights, sounds, smells.. all entwined with, and made a part of the very fabric of our lives... hard to say no to these... ya know what I mean?
But, hey, again.. thanks for commenting and I look forward to seeing what other Christians think of Halloween...
It has nothing to do with religion and doesn't claim to. Neither does it have anything to do with devil worship. Maybe it did in the 1600's but I'd hope we've gotten past all that back with public floggings and with burning.
Last Halloween my hubby and I went out to the mall to watch the trick or treaters there. It was amazing! There must have been thousands of little ghosts, goblins, princesses, Shreks and Darth Vaders all going from shop to shop with their mommies and daddies and treat bags stuffed to the handles.
What in the world harm is there in that? I remember fondly all the years of trick or treating I did and throwing corn at old ladies' windows and running. And it was always a little scary because the wind was blowing and leaves were rustling and maybe a werewolf was lurking somewhere. *-)
it is good to at least see a lot of sites at least discussing this matter....questioning it....there are some....that will justify this pagan celebration no matter what evidence is before them....but hopefully some will try to see things in a larger picture...that picture being...how does G-o-d!...see these things and feel about them...which of course is found in scripture.
The moment I read from anyone on this matter or similar topics like xmas and Ishtar.... the ole 'well, i feel it is...' (hold the phone)...well so much for G-o-d....it becomes about what they want....not about what G-o-d has stated in His Holy word....
and shouldn;t THAT be everyone's first frame of reference on these things????....
Researcher Says Halloween No Laughing Matter
For Many Youngsters
Halloween may seem like so much harmless fun, a time when adults enjoy laughing in the face of death, and implore their young children to do the same. According to a Penn State researcher, however, the humor of tombstones, monsters and other scary elements is often lost on kids at the ripe age of 6 or 7--many of whom don't find the holiday the least bit funny.
Cindy Dell Clark, associate professor of human development and family studies at Penn State's Delaware County Campus, says parents need to realize that scaring the bejeebers out of kids this age isn't necessarily a way to make safe kids' fears of death and other things frightening.
"Halloween is a time when we expose kids to behavior that is not the norm. Children connect the holiday with death," said Clark, whose study, titled, "Tricks of Festival: Halloween, Children and Enculturation" was published recently in the anthropological journal, Ethos. "We typically distance ourselves from death and shield children from it, but in this case, young children encounter their fears when they face decorations of skeletons and tombstones."
Of course, not all children are intimidated by the holiday. Not only do they get all the sweets and treats they could ask for, but they are also given the opportunity to turn traditional parent-child roles upside down--at least for a day. Halloween is what anthropologists call a festival of inversion, a flip-flop festival when kids get more powerful.
"Halloween is a time when children dress up in grown up costumes and get to demand treats from the adults," said Clark."Parents see Halloween as mock power for children, but children see it as real power."
Clark's research included interviews with parents and 6- and 7-year olds following Halloween in 1999, 2000 and 2001, as well as anthropological observations. The most recent studied holiday fell just six weeks after the September 11 attacks on the United States, an event that changed the way some families celebrated Halloween that year.
"The terrorist attacks made many adults reevaluate scary Halloween customs, and heightened mature angst over the holiday, already associated with urban legends of child harm," Clark said. "9/11 brought out intense grown-up concern about real fears of candy tampering and worse--and many adults felt there was no longer a need for the play stuff of ghosts and goblins."
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FYI
This message has been edited by PhilBarnes on Oct 27, 2006 6:56 PM
It is the celebration of EVIL.
And, contrary to what was said in one message on another board...
It is NOT a CELEBRATION OF LIFE!
It IS a celebration of DEATH! It is a celebration of the wages of sin!
Should a Christian celebrate the wages of sin???
WWJD???
This message has been edited by PhilBarnes on Oct 26, 2006 7:23 PM
he would do just what i did down at the mnursing home on halloween, I did not even remember it was but I felt ewell enough at last to go and play the piano and sing with them 'christian songs
i got there and there was a halooeween party fixin to happen
so I got to the party and played the piano and got the crowd ot singing hymns
and we had a ball praiseing the Lord
and just having good clean fun,,
they wanted to play the old silly record that screamed etc and several of the guests and the others yelled turn that old silly stuff off we want to hear songs from jenny and we played music and sang and had cupcakes and John my 93 year old brother sang his and their favorites\ we haromnied and got others ot sing and a beautiful time was had by all and the haloween thing was forgot all about and we just enjoyed our party we can drop a hat and have a party and I love gong and i know God has his finger in this.
you wanted me over here on your iste so you AND gerard both can have a fling at granny huh? go for it, ...
about Halloooowwweeennny read the post below from scripture think it is roman20 (not for sure though)
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17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to 'mutual' edification.
20 Do not 'destroy' the work of God for the 'sake of food'. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21It is better
NOT to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else.(or have halloween)if....
that will 'cause your brother to fall'.
22
So whatever 'you believe' about these things 'keep between 'yourself and God'. Blessed is the man who 'does not condemn himself 'by what he approves.
23But the 'man who has doubts' is condemned if he eats,''(if you doubt and then still do it to you that is a sin.)
because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Response to Halloween
jenny wrenski says, "you wanted me over here on your iste so you AND gerard both can have a fling at granny huh? go for it, ..."
Nope! Don't "want a fling" at you. Why would you think that? Is that what you get wherever you go? If so, that's too bad. Hey, I'm glad you're here. Thanks for dropping in. Not sure what you meant about Gerard wanting a fling at you. I hope he doesn't. [Gerard, if you're reading this, please do not take a 'fling' at Granny] ... There now, hope you feel better about being here..
jenny wrenski, "about Halloooowwweeennny read the post below from scripture think it is roman20 (not for sure though)"
Granny, I read your post below and find it interesting, but I do not find it to have anything to do with "Halloooowwweeennny"... It doesn't mention Halloween, so, why would you think it has anything to do with that pagan holiday?
And, no.. there are only 16 chapters in Romans.
Let's take it verse by verse..... They are in Romans Chapter 14...
------------------------------------------ 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
See here? Nothing about halloween.... and first, let me say, I don't know what Bible version you are using, but these verses sound more like a paraphrase than actual scripture.... We use the KJV around here, just in case you're curious. Now wait, hmmm... Oh... "eating and drinking"... ahhh well, I guess people DO eat and drink on halloween... I'm sure they do a heap of drinking, but that doesn't make this verse about halloween....
Jenny >> 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
From the KJV: Rom. 14:18 -For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
I've read this verse several times and can't see any mention of halloween or it's customs.. ??? How could keeping the pagan customs of halloween, be 'serving Christ'??
Jenny >>19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to 'mutual' edification.
From the KJV: Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Jenny, I always strive to edify others, and I always strive to "follow after the things which make for peace"... But, Jenny... telling someone about the origins of the halloween customs, and telling them what God thinks of those customs, and telling them about whether or not God wants, expects, or desires those customs, is something I must do. The Bible says, that the TRUTH will set you free! And, truly, thousands of others have been set free from the practices and customs and symbols of halloween.. I hope a few others will benefit from the truth on these things. If one finds these things upsetting, I can understand that too. It IS upsetting to find out that what one has done all their life, is wrong, and not productive in the active worship of the creator God. It usually takes some time to get used to the idea.
Jenny >>"20 Do not 'destroy' the work of God for the 'sake of food'. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble."
From the KJV: Rom 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Jenny, these verses ALL appear to have something to do with EATING and DRINKING... but nothing to do with halloween.. I'm absolutely CERTAIN that halloween has nothing to do with the "work of God". What does all this about eating have to do with observing halloween??
Jenny >>21It is better NOT to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else.(or have halloween)if.... that will 'cause your brother to fall'.
From the KJV: Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
I'll try not to eat meat or drink wine in front of you...will that help? As far as observing halloween goes, well... NOT KEEPING it will certainly not 'cause [my] brother to fall'... my brother KNOWS the truth about these pagan holidays and he doesn't observe them either. He, like me, stays as far as possible AWAY from them... Look, I know you like halloween, I know you desire to take part in the celebration... but, Jenny... God does not like it, He does not desire it and He does not desire for HIS PEOPLE to be involved in it, in any way! He hates those customs. Now, truly, if you don't like these statements, I do understand. But, please, don't take them personally... they are not offered as any kind of insult, but rather...as the truth they are.
By the way, Telling someone the truth, will never make them WEAK.
Jenny >>22 So whatever 'you believe' about these things 'keep between 'yourself and God'. Blessed is the man who 'does not condemn himself 'by what he approves.
From the KJV: Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Well, I do have faith. I have faith that the Bible is true, and that IF I read and follow it, instead of following some man, or some group of men, that I will, with God's help, be on the right track. I try very hard to share the truths I've learned about halloween, and as I said, sometimes, the truth is a little hard to take, especially if it cuts into, or shines a disfavorable light on, the things we love to do. I guess being a Christian isn't as easy as many would like it to be.
Jenny, I know that millions love halloween. Next to X-mas, it's probably the biggest 'money maker' of the year! And, I dare say, that most, if not all observers of halloween, do not and will not be 'condemning themselves' as they party and celebrate.
But Jenny...WWJD? Yeah, what about Jesus? What would He do? If He was here now, do you suppose that He would be keeping and observing halloween? "trick or treating"?? What type of demon or evil spirit do you suppose that He would dress up as ??? hmm... Just something to think about!
Jenny >>23But the 'man who has doubts' is condemned if he eats,''(if you doubt and then still do it to you that is a sin.)
From the KJV: Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Again, I DO appreciate your taking the time to post, and I'm not attempting to 'take a fling' at you, but this verse, like all the others, is NOT speaking of halloween. But, tell me, IS halloween "of faith"?? Really? Whose faith? I wonder...
Jenny, are you, or do you claim to be, a Christian?? If so, why do you keep halloween?
Jenny, I appreciate your posting, but, if you are looking for some validation or support for the observance of halloween in these verses, I feel that you will not find it..
Many tell me that the TRUTH is important to them, but is it really? The truth is, halloween is a celebration of death, and destruction. A celebration of the END of life... It is not something that God or Jesus find harmelss, and not something that they want their people involved with! But, alas, people WILL do what they want to do...
This message has been edited by PhilBarnes on Nov 6, 2006 3:20 AM
if anyone can teach you two it is an old lady
who has been on this earth and seen about all
there is to see and she has recognixed that
death that you two seem so afraid of is nothing
but graduation formthis life... into whatever
'you' DESERVE for YOUR living of it..........
i HAVE JUST ABOUT RUN MY RACE AND THE END IS IN SIGHT AND RELIEF FILLS MY SOUL.
AND gOD FILLS MY HEART LIFE SOUL AND MIND.
ENJOY THE LIVING OF LIFE, YOU CAN BE FREE IN WHATEVER 'STATE' YOU BE IN,,,SEE IT.11111
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(VS. 5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
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Some insist on the 7th day as the day of worship, most have adopted Sunday or the 1st day of the week for their worship services after the apparent precedent set by the Apostles and early Churches. On what day we worship should never be a consuming issue. The important things are Salvation first and service second. Again we will answer to God for what we did with what He told us to do.
To put things in perspective, suppose I raised my children to worship on Tuesday. Now there is no basis for doing so but, just because that was the way I believed, that is the way I raised my children to believe. My children would grow up believing that Tuesday was the correct day. That being the case do you believe God will bring judgment against them for following such a teaching. I say that they will be judged on how they worshipped God, not on whether or not Tuesday was the right day.
Verse 5 would also apply to holidays. Again some hold days like Easter and Christmas as sacred days and holy days. But the true Christian celebrates the fact that Jesus was born, lived, died for us and was raised for our justification every day, not just on the days set aside to remember the events. That does not mean that anything is wrong with setting aside days of observance but it is not matters to fight over.
VS. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
We need to be so busy and tied up working for the Lord that we don't have time for petty differences that would bring division among the brethren. Whether you eat certain foods or conscientiously abstain from certain foods, worship God in Spirit and in truth and give thanks for all that He has given you. Whether your day of worship is on Saturday or Sunday, worship God in Spirit and in truth. Whether you choose to set aside special days of thanksgiving and remembrance or not, worship God each and every day in the Spirit that He would have you to worship.
As for the petty differences in beliefs (the plan of salvation, baptism, communion and acceptable conduct are not petty matters) just be fully persuaded in your own mind that you are following God's will to the best of your knowledge. If you have doubts, ask God for the answers. Prayerfully read and study your Bible often. Every day should be the goal. When these things are done, God will give peace and assurance.
Statement: Not many want to hear the TRUTH about anything!
Especially about things that are contrary to <I>what they want to
do</I>.
Not many want to hear the TRUTH about Halloween!
Why? Well, because the TRUTH about Halloween might interfere with what
they want to do! Knowing what it is, where it came from, and WHAT GOD
THINKS ABOUT IT, might cause them some grief... it might even make
them feel GUILTY of disobeying God. And, after all, they are
<I>supposed to be</I> Christians.....
Now, I realize, that not everyone claims to BE a Christian. For
those, not much of anything can cause them any grief. Because. to
them, ACCORDING TO SOCIETY'S LAWS,... "all things are lawful".
But, for the "Christian", -those who claim the Name of Christ,
-hearing and considering the TRUTH about such things, can be a little
nettlesome... a little irritating... a little upsetting.... On the one
hand, they WANT to be Christians, but on the other hand, they WANT TO
DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO!.
Mark it down: People WILL DO, what they WANT to do!
Some feel that they should not tell others to NOT observe such
holidays as Halloween... why? Well, because they think that if they
do, they will be interfering with what God ALLOWS. They don't really
KNOW, for sure, whether or not God ALLOWS the observance of Halloween
or not, but they want to be sure that they don't interfere, <I>just in
case He does allow it</I>. Plus, more than likely, <I>THEY</I> WANT
TO OBSERVE IT! And, they don't want anyone telling them that THEY
should not....
Here's the thing.... most people want to DO what THEY want to do,
without anyone telling them they shouldn't. It's Human Nature!
The society we live in, is getting farther and farther AWAY from God,
and all things that pertain unto God... also, it is quickly moving
towards a total breakdown in morals... and, the farther away from God,
and the weaker the morals get, the MORE things society will be willing
to accept! [I you don't believe me, move to Massachusetts!] So,
according to SOCIETY, eventually, "all things will be lawful"...
But WAIT!! What is considered 'lawful' to society, <I>might not BE
lawful, according to God</I>! That would be LAWLESSNESS!! A
'lawless' society, is a society of INIQUITY!
But, God tells HIS PEOPLE to "Come out of her" and "be ye separate"!!!
He wants HIS PEOPLE to be special, and to be "set apart". Now, I
realize that really hampers the holiday spirit! Why? Well, because the
so-called 'holiday spirit' wants EVERYONE TO GET INVOLVED and
participate! The 'holiday spirit' wants ALL to be a <I>part</I> of
the SOCIETY... Society does not want ANYONE interfering with what THEY
WANT TO DO!! The 'holiday spirit' is anti-GOD because God says, "COME
OUT OF HER"!
Just who is this "holiday spirit", I wonder???
Mark it down! Remember it! Society will eventually accept ANYTHING!
Anything, that is, <I>EXCEPT being, and DOING, what God says to be,
and do</I>!
Halloween. What would Jesus do?? <I>What do YOU want to do?</I>
This morning, as I was reading some messages on another board, I suddenly realized something about the "trick" part of the "Trick or Treat" thing, every year, I see messages that recount the things that people have done on Halloween... you know, 'soaping windows', turning over outhouses, throwing things at people's houses or automobiles... and even worse things... mean, rotten and even EVIL things! ... It seems that these events are remembered fondly, or at the very least, IF the perpetrator has any conscience about it at all, remembered with a tinge of regret... but... what ARE these things... REALLY?? I'll tell ya! They are a DIRECT VIOLATION of the Commandments!!
Most Christians will claim FREEDOM in Christ.. i.e., that they are FREE from the law! And, yet.. Many professing Christians will say that they DO keep the TWO Commandments... (1)Love God with all your heart and (2) love your neighbor as yourself... but, tell me, is it LOVING your neighbor when you sneak onto their property and ROLL their trees and lawn? Is it LOVING them when you throw rotten EGGS and other objects?? Breaking windows? Bashing mailboxes?? Is it LOVING them when you let your children DO these things?? Committing VANDALISM in the name of fun?
When will we come to the realization that those type things are NOT good memories! They are what they are, but they are NOT LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR!! They are BREAKING the LAW of God! And they are things that will keep us out of God's Kingdom!
Doing these.... "tricks" are AGAINST GOD'S COMMAND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!!!
But you say, well, they are just little kids, and they don't mean any harm!
"Trick or Treat!" That's what the little goblins, monsters, and demons say when they ring your door bell!
Cute little kids, all dressed up and ready to GET.... GET... GET... GET! Get the candy.. or what ever "treats" the poor, hapless homeowner might have PAID out good money for, in order not to seem... "unfriendly"...
What are you teaching your children by letting them go through this activity?? What silent message are you putting into their minds via the "trick or treat" activity??
Pay up with a "treat" or you'll be getting the "trick"!
"fork over the goodies... or else!"
And, what is that?? That's right!! It's EXTORTION!
And, if you don't believe what I'm saying, just wait! Those cute little kids will grow up and BE WHAT they have been taught to be! One way or another, the things they learn as children, always manifest themselves later on!!
Jesus said, "suffer the little children to come unto me"...
When kids are little, they are at the most TEACHABLE point in their lives!
Tell me, is halloween, and trick or treating, allowing the children to come to Christ? Is it teaching them about HIM??? OR is it coming BETWEEN them and Christ??
Friends, there is NOTHING GOOD ABOUT Halloween!
It is a celebration of EVIL... a celebration of DEATH... a celebration of LAW BREAKING!
