Many Christians today celebrate Halloween without thinking about it's true origin or meaning. And it is because of this that I am writing, after much prayer, this letter. I am concerned and troubled about things that take place during Halloween. I fear that many Christians both young and old are being deceive and Satan is having his way. It is my prayer that the facts in this letter will enlighten you to what Halloween is all about. The information in this letter is documented facts, taken from such books as the World Book Encyclopedia.

Halloween or "ALLL HALLOWS EVE" means "HOLY EVENING" which is the day before "ALL SAINTS DAY." ALL SAINTS DAY being a Catholic holiday which honors all saints. Mainly those not having a day named for them. "THE DEAD SAINTS."

Now let's look at the origin of Halloween. Now it is impossible to separate Halloween from the Druids, because it is they who originated it. Who are the Druids? They were Celtic priests who lived in Britain from about 100 B.C. to 47 A. D. They were known to live in forests and caves. They, as it was said, used magic to raise storms and place curses on people and places. They even "killed" by the use of spells. They also regularly practiced human sacrifices. They were finally defeated by Rome in about 47 A. D.

Even today there's a growing group of people claiming to be Druid decedents. These practiced the Druid religion including "HUMAN SACRIFCE" honoring their son god, Samhain, the Lord of the dead. They believe that sinful souls that had died that year were in a place of torment. But these souls could be released if Samhain was pleased with their sacrifices. And the day or night set aside for the performance of these acts of sacrifice, to please Samhain was and is Halloween day.

When Constantine became the emperor of Rome, he made a law declaring Christianity to be the official state religion. However, being recently converted himself Constantine was overly zealous in his new found faith and demanded that everyone become a Christian or face the penalty of death. As a result the churches were flooded with pagans, not converts, and with people who were forced to join the Catholic church or lose their lives. As this happened the priest and especially the pope faced some serious problems. These people were bringing their pagan practices and ideas into the church including "THE FESTIVAL OF SAMHAIN". They demanded that this festival remain a part of their lives. Since the church was unsuccessful in getting the pagan practices out of the people, it was decided to sanctify them. In the 9th century the Pope declared a new day to be celebrated by the church on November the first, called, "ALL SAINTS DAY. "This day is celebrated in honor of all the martyred saints of the church. October the 31st then became the eve of "ALL SAINTS DAY." The Catholic Church contended that the people could still have their festival on October 31st, because November 1st was a holy day. "ALL SAINTS DAY" which became known as "ALL HALLOMAS." And over the years the evening before became known as "ALL HALLOW E'EN, "HALLOWED EVE," and finally, "HALLOWEEN."

The people did not lay down their pagan rites and worship of devils. They didn't have prayer meetings or worship services to thank all mighty God for the saints all ready gone. What it was in the beginning, it still now is. When people get ready for a Halloween party they don't buy pictures of Jesus or even of saints. But they look for ghosts, witches, black cats, goblins, etc.

Even our founding fathers of America refused to allow this holiday to be celebrated here until the year 1900. At that time thousands of Irish Catholics migrated to America bringing Halloween with them. "AND NOW I ASK YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHAT SHOULD OUR POSITION BE AS A CHRISTIAN?"

THE CUSTOMS OF HALLOWEEEN

(1.) "TRICK OR TREATING" The Druid priests would go from house to house demanding all sorts of strange foods for their own consumption, and to offer later to lord Samhain at, "THE FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD." If the people would not give them the foods they ask for, they would speak demonic curses over them and the home. It was believed that some one in that home, the one cursed, would die that year. So we have the Halloween custom of trick or treating.

(2.) BOBBING FOR APPLES This custom came from a Roman holiday celebrated in honor for and in worship of Pomona the goddess of the harvest. If a young boy came up from the water with an apple in his mouth, he was assured of love from his girl friend that year.

(3.) "JACK-O-LANTERN" The Druids would carry a large turnip with them which they had hallowed out on the inside and carved a face on the front. This was to represent the demonic spirit that they depended on for their power. The turnip lighted by a candle from with in, was used as a lantern by the Druids as they went from house to house. It was believed that an evil spirit would inhabit these turnips and assist them in carrying out the curses.

When this practice came to America in the year of 1900 or early 1900's the pumpkin was substituted for the turnip. The name of this spirit to inhabit the pumpkin was, "JACK." And so we have the, "JACK-O-LATERN."

My brothers and sisters in Christ, just because we don't believe in something, does not mean that it is not real. Just because many do not believe it is really demonic and something dangerously wrong, does not keep us and our children from Satan's intended desire, which is to instill fear, death, and destruction in our minds. And our Jesus tells us in (2Tim 1:7) “ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” "Think about it," what is HALLOWEEN besides fear, horror, ghosts, witches, goblins, and devils? Just because we don't worship Satan, openly and purposely in celebrating Halloween, does not mean that we are not honoring him when we celebrate Halloween. And my brothers and sisters, if we do celebrate Halloween by taking part in it's activities then we are training our children to honor Satan one night out of the year in the name of fun.

I might add that the wide spread problem of harmful substances such as razor blades, drugs, and poisons, being placed in Halloween treats today, here in America, and in other places around the world, is no accident. Testimonies of ex-Satanists say that children killed and injured by these acts are a form of sacrifices to Satan. And my brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a known fact that human sacrifices are being preformed throughout the world on Halloween night.

ARE WITCHES FOR REAL?

Between 1575 and 1700, millions of witches were put to death who were correctly or incorrectly judged to be practitioners of the black arts. But in spite of such attempts to destroy witchcraft, its occult rituals have survived and today are practiced in every corner of the globe. We've come a long way since the witch trials of Salem. Instead of being threatened with death, witches have a sort of counter cultural respectability. In Beaufort County, S. C. forty black people had set up their own separate kingdom called Yoruba. A throwback to darkest Africa, the village advocates voodoo, polygamy and black magic.

The Internal revenue Service officially recognized witchcraft as a religion and granted tax exemption to the Church and school of Wicca ( "seekers of wisdom"). Courses in the occult are being taught in some secondary schools. College students on many campuses take courses in ESP, numerology, hypnotism and yoga. And all of these are for academic credit.

Some sorceress estimate that ten million Americans practice witchcraft, including some vary famous congressmen and movie stars.

WHAT IS A WITCH?

If you expect to see one of today's witches dressed in a black cape and a conical hat while spiriting through the air on a broom, forget it. They are "ordinary" people. Physicians, dentists, nurses, clerks, secretaries, and even preachers. They have only one thing in common. Their lives are yielded to what the Bible calls the "rulers of darkness."

Webster defines a witch as "one regarded as possessing supernatural or magical power by a compact with an evil spirit, especially with the devil." The actual history of witchcraft is difficult to trace because the rituals and beliefs have been orally communicated. The representation of witches riding broomsticks goes back to the Pre-Columbian period. Witch craft rituals have been traced to the worship of Artemis of the Greeks, Diana of the Romans, the moon goddess of the Egyptians and the fertility goddess of the Canaanites. The modern history of witchcraft is closely linked to the first century heresy of Gnosticism, the source of the mass-like ritual of witchcraft.

Modern witches believe in two main gods: Hectate (the Greek goddess of ghosts) and Lucifer (analogous to the Greek god Pan, usually protrayed as the god of the woods and shepherds). Witches are quick to point out that even though their god Lucifer is horned and cloven-hoofed, he is not the same Lucifer condemned in Scripture. Their reverence for the serpent (another Biblical form for of the devil) causes one to question this claim, especially when they point out that the snake is a symbol of reincarnation. It was , after all, the serpent in the Garden of Eden who said to Eve," Ye shall not surely die" (GEN. 3:4)

WHAT DO WITCHES DO?

It's not easy to become a witch since such cults do not actively evangelize for membership. A prospective witch is taken into the coven (usually consisting of six couples and a high priest or priestess) for a thirteen week probationary period.

Cult meetings take place at a covenstead (generally the home of the leader) on a weekly basis.

A ceremony may typically begin when the members shed all their clothes to become "skyclad." This supposedly allows the energy of the body to be released more easily. The high priest then draws a circle around the cloven with a sword or Athame (ritualistic dagger). Candles light the room and incense burns on the altar. The coven faces all four directions and then asks the gods to protect the circle. A boiling cauldron may be placed in the middle for the participants to frequently leap over.

Ceremonial activities may follow which include drug taking, group sex, healing by the laying on of hands.Love spells may be put on a reluctant boy or girl friend. The demonic aspect of witchcraft is displayed by summoning evil spirits to answer questions. The ritual may be concluded by the sacrifice of a goat or a hen. Remembering the Middle Ages when dead infants provided the ceremonial feast, one may wonder if human sacrifices are not sometimes used even today. They are! Some secretive satanically inclined witchcraft cults do offer live children upon sacrificial altars.

And does the Bible have anything to say about witches? Yes it surely does speak of witches! For instance, (Deut. 18:10-12) “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” (Exd. 22:18) “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”

Now I ask you is this something that you want your child to participate in? Brethren these things ought not so to be. Remember the Bible says "to train up a child in the way he should go." (PROV. 22:6)

"You can't take all the fun of Halloween away from children," you may say. Well allow me to ask you this, do we have to concentrate on horror, evil, and death? Why not decorate your home with fruit of the harvest and autumn leaves instead of jack-o-lanterns and skeletons?Instead of taking your children "trick or treating", have a custom party, but dress the children as Bible characters, not grotesque monsters. When the little one knocks on your door, hand them a Gospel tract. Best of all proclaim Halloween "Jesus Celebration" night. Plan a Bible study regarding the occult and use it as an opportunity to witness. Have a prayer meeting to bind the powers of evil at work in you community that night. Redeem this day from the devil.

YOURS IN CHRIST

A CONCERNED PASTOR

PASTOR DAVID MCGEE

Jesus My Lord And Savior Church

References

(1.)Celebrations------------by Robert J. Myres

(2.) The Famous Druids--------by A. L. Owen

(3.) The Two Babylions--------by Rev. Alexander Hisp

(4.) The Battle Cry---------by Chick Publications

(5.) The World Book Encyclopedia

(6.) Halloween and Witchcraft---------by Bob Larson