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Should Christians Participate in Halloween?
30 October 2007 By Leave a Comment
Each year Halloween becomes more and more popular, and sadly the popularity among Christians grows as well. Here is a portion of an article from the Jeremiah Project on Christians and Halloween.
Can we borrow pagan customs and superstitions of ancient peoples and “Christianize” them?As believers, we are called to “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. [1 Thesalonians 5:21-22] Who can deny that virtually all of the symbols of Halloween are evil? Witches, monsters, ogres, vampires, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, devils and demons all portray evil. Christians are to “… have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” [Ephesians 5:11]
Is Halloween just another innocent holiday that doesn’t harm anyone? Is it really just childish fun? Vandalism and wanton disregard for the property of others is common on Halloween night. Even normally well-behaved children are driven by unseen forces to destructive behavior. Police officials everywhere report a great increase in such activities on Halloween. Worse yet are the horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby-trapped with razor blades and needles. Such threats are so real that many hospitals offer free X-rays of Halloween treats in order to prevent children from being harmed. Who but Satan could inspire such monstrous actions?
Should the church be compromised by accommodating itself to the culture?
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” [Romans 12:2]
“For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?” [2 Corinthians 6:14, 15]
When America and the world celebrates the Festival of Samhain and the powers of darkness by masquerading as evil creatures or decorating our homes, schools, businesses and churches with occult symbols, Satanic power is glorified.
The sort of practices celebrated on Halloween are what defiled the ancient nations [see Leviticus 18:24-30]. The Israelites were warned against such practices when they entered the Promised Land, “When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.” [Deuteronomy 18:9]
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so. [Deuteronomy 18:10-14]
As an alternative to the celebration of evil and death, Christians should rather do what Christians are supposed to do every day and that is shine the light of Jesus Christ. We should emphasize the Christian influences and strive to make Hallow’s Eve a celebration of the acts of God through his people the saints. We should make it a day when acts of charity instead of vandalism and hatred abound. A day that emphasizes the light of Christ instead of the darkness of evil. A day when people meditate on the acts of Godly people instead of ghosts and goblins.
While you may have participated “all in fun,” be assured, Halloween is serious business for Satanists and witches. Those who oppose Christ are known to organize on Halloween to observe satanic rituals, to cast spells, to oppose churches and families, to perform sacrilegious acts, and to even offer blood sacrifices to Satan. While some may say, “But we only do this in fun…we don’t practice witchcraft,” those things that represent Satan and his domain cannot be handled or emulated “for fun”. Such participation places you in enemy and forbidden territory and that is dangerous ground. Read more…….
Oprah’s promotion of porn and adultery shameful, says Christian attorney
2 October 2007 By 4 Comments
A special counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is blasting talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey for promoting pornography on her program.
On a recent show titled “237 Reasons to Have Sex,” Winfrey featured a number of so-called “experts” on marriage and intimacy. Among them was a woman who traveled worldwide experiencing one night stands — and then wrote a book about the experience. Another guest advocated the use of pornography for couples to enhance their marriage.
ADF special counsel Pat Trueman says it is shameful that Winfrey would advocate destructive behavior on her national talk show. “Shame on Oprah!” says Truman. “There are lots of children who watch the show. Many adults; many, many Christians; she’s got a loyal following because she does have good things on her show.”
But he argues that because of Winfrey’s status, giving a forum to people with what he describes as “anti-Christian” and “sinful” values only serves to popularize such behavior — and that encouraging adultery and pornography can only harm marriages.
“They had a show the same week on the bipolar disorder that many people suffer from,” notes the attorney. And he points out that in the past, Winfrey has aired shows examining the topic of pornography addiction. “She has shows on a variety of issues that are helpful, so she’s built up a solid reputation.”
Trueman suggests that Winfrey think twice before using her top-rated program to promote such things as adultery and pornography.
Christian Singer Wants to Be an Idol
17 April 2007 By 1 Comment
I personally do not like most “reality shows”, but especially American Idol. Oh if some Christians could be as commited to obeying and serving God as they are to television programs that are anything but reality. At Christian Research Network, Ingrid Schleuter shares a letter received from the father-in-law of an American Idol contestant. The father-in-law is also a pastor. The letter struck a cord with me as I received a similiar email just last year.
