jrs2cents.com

Here’s my opinion on the long debated question of whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween. This issue is debated on websites and books every year. Just Google it and see. There are many who say it is a Satanic holiday. This is false, it was started as a pagan holiday. The difference being that a Pagan is one who believes in more than one God. They do not believe in Satan which would be an acknowledgment of God. Therefore they did not worship Satan on Halloween. A Satanist believes in God and chooses to reject His message to worship Satan.

Satan’s Birthday

Now this does not take away from the fact that there are those out there turning it into “Satan’s Birthday”. (False by the way) A day of witchcraft, etc.. There are plenty of wacko’s out there, again just Google it. But another group twisting this Holiday into something it’s not is Christians, yes that’s right Christians. There are many groups, churches, leaders that have exaggerated what Halloween started as and what it has become. Once again gotta love that Google, a quick search will yield hundreds of variations of what the Holiday actually is. The fact is that people really do not view it as a religious holiday at all.

But it’s still Pagan

Now we look at the issue of what it really is. Yes it is a Pagan holiday, but brace yourself for a news flash. Wait for it…. wait for it… All Christian holidays are pagan! Now wipe whatever drink you were drinking off the screen and keep reading. Even the beloved birth of Christ: Christmas – Pagan. Christ was not born on December 25th. This was a Pagan holiday turned into Christian. He was born most likely sometime in the spring. How about Easter – Pagan. Again a Pagan holiday turned Christian. I thinks it’s great! Turning Pagan holidays into Christian ones. Who cares, the bottom line is it’s how you celebrate it not how it originated or how others celebrate it. If that were the case we would have no Christian holidays.

One problem

I can say that I do have one caution and concern about Halloween. That is the way it takes away from the fact that these occults do exist. There is witchcraft out there and some of the symbolism of Halloween is real, it is not just a once a year thing. Also, it’s where kids dress up in little red outfits with horns. Clearly lacking the understanding that Satan is real! He is not cute and red with horns and a pitch fork.

The alternative

Harvest Festivals happen at just about every church on Halloween as an alternative to going “Trick or Treating” This may also be a surprise. Put down your drink. – Pagan. That’s right even Harvest Festivals are taken from a Pagan event. The bottom line is, people love to celebrate. We love holidays because they’re a lot of fun. It’s America’s history. Go out and enjoy yourself but understand it’s no different than any other day of your life, it belongs to God! But, please do not say you are letting your kids go out on Halloween so that they are not being deprived of something. That is a horrible reason! I would hope as good parents you will deprive them of many things their non Christian peers will be engaging in! Take a good look at it and if you feel you’re not comfortable with it, then gather up the kids in the living room and have a family night. I think that when we have an issue of whether or not something is ok, you’re usually better off without it. Here are some versus to consider:

“Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day – things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:16)

However, there is are qualifiers to this verse:
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)

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