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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
What does it celebrate and should Christians be involved? A good first indicator would be to examine it's decorations. Consider the images it conveys: ghosts, witches, monsters, demons, dead people, blood and gore, the devil, graves, pumpkins with garish faces, black cats, and black magic - symbols of evil or good, wholesomeness or unwholesomeness?
What's to celebrate? Even the cry, "Trick or Treat!" is a threat or at the very least bribery. Treat me and I won't play a trick on you. Don't and you're in for it. For some, it is nothing more than an excuse for bad behavior, you're gonna get it either way! Halloween, Oct. 31, one day before Hallow mass, all hallows or All-Saints Day, established in 835 A.D.; two days before All Souls Day established in 998 A.D. They are Catholic Christian dates, Nov. 1 and 2; observed partially as a counter to All Hallow Even to honor God, the saints and departed souls. Not being Catholic nor agreeing with many of the practices of Catholicism, we can still see how the opposite of loving and trusting in God, the contrast between honoring good, God-fearing men and the mocking fear of the departed are prevalent in the celebration of Halloween.
It is thought to stem from the ancient Druids who believed Saman, the Lord of the dead called forth evil spirits on this day to walk the earth. In fear they lit bonfires across the countryside to ward them off. The Celtic peoples believed Halloween to be the last day of the year, a good day to foretell the future, and that the spirits of the dead rose and visited their old homesteads. The Romans conquered these people and added to their observances the practice of a harvest festival, dedicated to the goddess Pomona, often represented by fruit-bearing trees. From this festival we may get the game of dunking for apples and our harvest decorations associated with this time of year as well. No date can be cited for the general practice of fearing and even revering the dead nor can we pinpoint the time when this crossed over to outright defiance to Christian thought; but the differences should never be overlooked as we contrast the ideals of love, redemption, life, and light with the opposite ideals of fear, killing, dismemberment and darkness.
Doesn't this celebration mock both common sense and faith? Could it be a form of pagan worship, however watered down? Some say there is a difference between active participation and unwittingly going along; others that we mock our fears, thus overcoming them, by playing scary games; confronting the devil, demons, witches, etc. - the "paganism" cleaned up and the celebration sanitized. So what's the harm? After all, wind chimes were thought to ward off evil spirits, dream catchers "capture" bad dreams. That's nonsense and doesn't mean anything if I don't want it to, does it? Some look to rabbits feet, four leaf clovers, and horse shoes to bring good luck, making the sign of the cross to ward off evil. Isn't it all just fun superstition?
So what's the problem?! The possibility of anything which may lead to acceptance of and dependence on - in any way, shape or form - something or someone other than God; and the inherent mockery and opposition to the spirit of Christianity by the spirit of - anything goes, all is sacred, or nothing is sacred. Even when done just for fun, we can become used to these garish displays and the silent messages they pronounce, at times being drawn into a deeper involvement in behavior that is anti-social, self-abusive, and uncaring of those around us. Granted, soaping windows and throwing corn won't hurt much but how about spray painting houses and cars, throwing rotten apples and eggs at vehicles, people, and houses? Destroying property is common and many times starts with just a stolen pumpkin smashed on someone's porch. Some have gone so far as to set fires, give candy with razors imbedded inside, demanding more than candy from the elderly, intimidating people to give what they don't have or want to give -- all in the name of fun! I realize that not everyone participates in these types of activities. Some trick - or - treaters go dressed as cartoon characters, a princess, or even angels as opposed to demons, devils, and monsters. But ask yourself, where else are the things generally accepted as representative of Halloween usually found? The occult, Satan worship, the black arts, witches - EVIL!
Many will still ask - "What's the big deal? Why should unbelievers have all the fun? Can't we just clean it up; take the good, reject the bad, and have a little fun?" That won't make us devil-worshippers, or a serial killer, will it? No, not for most. But who knows what will stick in a child's mind, what questions will be raised, fascination and imaginings indulged in. Many bright, well educated kids from well-to-do families get caught up in wrong and evil. (Bad behavior not being restricted to the poor, uneducated, or social outcast.) It can all start with a dare and excitement generated by something different perceived as an opportunity to rebel, shock and get attention. Games such as Dungeons and Dragons have inspired murder and passing exposure to the teachings of cults and the occult have led to active participation. A sense of boredom, listlessness and uninvolvement in reality have led people to seek out alternative answers to life's questions as well as alternative lifestyles that are dangerous, antisocial, and just plain dumb.
Bottom line...Are you willing to take ANY chance that this might happen to one of yours or someone you know? Are you willing to allow even the remotest possibility that something might come between you and your Lord and Savior? Are you willing to be a compromised witness to someone in trouble, seeking direction by watching you and your activity? Will you be able to accept responsibility years from now, saying, "I wish I hadn't done that," and yet live with the unchangeable consequences, whatever they may be?
The Apostle Paul gets right to the point of the issue when he admonishes Christians to, "Avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22, or better put, "…all appearance of evil." KJ In writing to the Corinthian church he advised separateness, not total removal from the unbelievers around them but a pulling away from all that was "unclean." This was encouraged as an attempt to remove them somewhat from temptation and to make a strong, easily understood statement of purpose, intent, and non-acceptance of evil. (2 Corinthians 6:17) He pointedly asked "...what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and (the devil?)" 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15
All hallow even - Halloween - A trick or treat?
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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