![\"Halloween](\"\/Halloween-Dublin.jpg\")
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COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n Halloween is often considered as a Catholic holiday, but within Catholicism there are different views of it, and there are differing views in other groups.<\/p>\n Here is the view of one Catholic writer endorsing Halloween:<\/p>\n It should be noted that Halloween is a Catholic holiday. Pope Gregory IV in 835 made it the universal practice in the Roman Catholic Church to celebrate All Saints\u2019 Day on Nov. 1. All Souls’ Day follows the next day as the commemoration of all of the faithful who have departed.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAll Hallows\u2019 Even\u201d as the evening before All Hallows\u2019 Day \u2014 All Saints\u2019 Day \u2013 eventually became shortened to Halloween. Hallow, as in \u201challowed be thy name\u201d in the Lord\u2019s Prayer, is an older form of the word \u201choly.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n It was the Protestant Reformation that rejected the universal practice of devotion to the dead (Martin Luther dropped any references to praying for the dead from his Bible). This Catholic holiday was attacked, much like the church as a whole, for being pagan and evil. Hence I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if this cloud of suspicion hovering over Halloween originated from the spirit of anti-Catholicism. <\/span><\/p>\n But Nov. 1st was the day of the Celtic Summer\u2019s End feast of Samhain, the day when the dead returned to the earth. We have retained some of these pagan elements to Halloween, as is true of Christmas and Easter. <\/span><\/p>\n Why would a pope put the Catholic celebration of the dead on top of the pagans\u2019 celebrations of the dead? Because the Catholic feasts are in continuity and fulfill the meaning of the pagan ones<\/strong>…<\/span><\/p>\n So what about the indulgence in the spooky and scary? Skeletons are spooky, but they are also very Catholic. In fact, one couldn\u2019t find a better haunted house for a Halloween pilgrimage than the various \u201cchapel of bones\u201d that can be found across Europe (Killian Brian. Halloween, as autumn celebration, reminder God\u2019s name is hallowed. Catholic Online International News. 10\/31\/06. http:\/\/www.catholic.org\/international\/international_story.php?id=21818).<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n While the above author claims that anti-Catholic sentiments are perhaps the reason for objections to Halloween, it should be noted that more recently other Catholic leaders have condemned it, while Protestant supporters, like some of those at Christianity Today<\/em> endorse its observance and attempt to profit commercially from it (for specific see the recent article American\u2019s Expected to Spend Nearly $7 Billion on Halloween, CT Wants its Share<\/a>).<\/p>\n Interestingly, the powerful Roman Catholic archdiocese in Mexico City publicly condemned Halloween observance as pagan in 2007, though it is still being observed by many practicing Catholics there:<\/p>\n Mexico’s Roman Catholic church slammed Halloween as “damaging and against the faith” on Monday, as conservatives sought to stem celebration of the ghouls-and-goblins holiday and return to the country’s traditional Day of the Dead.<\/p>\n The U.S.-style holiday has made broad inroads in Mexico, with monster costumes almost as widely sold as the marigold flowers traditionally used to decorate relatives’ graves during Nov. 1-2 Day of the Dead ceremonies, when families build altars and leave food, drink and flowers for the dearly departed.<\/p>\n “Those who celebrate Halloween are worshipping a culture of death that is the product of a mix of pagan customs,” the Archdiocese of Mexico published in an article on its Web site Monday. “The worst thing is that this celebration has been identified with neo-pagans, Satanism and occult worship.”<\/p>\n The archdiocese urged parents not to let their children wear Halloween costumes or go trick-or-treating \u2014 instead suggesting Sunday school classes to “teach them the negative things about Halloween,” costume parties where children can dress up as Biblical characters, and candy bags complete with instructions to give friends a piece while telling them “God loves you.”…<\/p>\n Pre-Hispanic cultures celebrated a similar holiday in August, but after the Spanish conquest, historians say the date was changed to Nov. 1 to coincide with the Catholic holiday…<\/p>\n In another article, Onesimo Herrera-Flores complained that “Halloween, for a variety of reasons, has imposed itself on other nations, displacing native customs.”<\/p>\n Celebrating Halloween<\/strong>, he said, citing a church authority, is “like inviting Satan into your home<\/strong>.” (Mexico’s Catholic church slams Halloween; conservatives call for return to Day of Dead. Associated Press – Oct 29, 2007 http:\/\/www.iht.com\/articles\/ap\/2007\/10\/29\/america\/LA-GEN-Mexico-Church-Halloween.php<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n In 2009, the Vatican itself took steps to condemn Halloween:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/newstopics\/religion\/6467253\/Vatican-condemns-Halloween-as-anti-Christian.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n It is good when religious leaders discourage those who profess Christ from observing pagan holidays with pagan practices. Yet, most Catholics I have spoken with in Southern California seem not to be aware of Vatican condemnations of it.<\/p>\n While I do not believe those in the following report have gone far enough to remove all vestiges of paganism, some in Italy are attempting to have less of the Celtic pagan elements in their observance this year:<\/p>\n ROME (AFP) \u2013 As trick-or-treaters dig out their witch costumes, cut scowling faces into pumpkins and hone their apple-bobbing skills, young Catholic parishioners throughout Italy are preparing for “Holyween”.<\/p>\n Instead of dressing up as black cats or zombies, young faithful from some 30 Italian cities will spend October 31 hanging pictures of saints from their windows and balconies to celebrate the eve of All Saint’s Day…<\/p>\n From Turin to Palermo, residents and mayors are also preparing feast days with local cakes and biscuits like Ossa dei Morti (Bones of the Dead), with regional variations made with almonds, pine nuts, vanilla or chocolate.<\/p>\n “Halloween isn’t part of our identity,” the mayor of Calalzo di Cadore, near Venice, told ANSA news agency. Instead, the town will be hosting a ‘food marathon’ of local delicacies until late into the night. http:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/s\/afp\/20101027\/od_afp\/italyholidayhalloweenreligionoffbeat<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Halloween is pagan and leaders in many professing Christian churches kno<\/span>w this. And some people are questioning some of it pagan practices.<\/p>\n From the Worldwide Church of God<\/strong><\/p>\n The old Worldwide Church of God clearly taught against the observation of Halloween as can be shown below:<\/p>\n What about you and your children? What comes to your mind when thinking about Hallowe\u2019en? The truth of the Bible? Not at all! Instead, weird and FRIGHTENING MASKS \u2014 persons PORTRAYED AS WITCHES AND DEMONS. Pumpkins and turnips hollowed out in the shape of EERIE-LOOKING faces! Lighted candles are placed inside to help bring out the more frightful side of these carvings. Dough is baked into small figurines RESEMBLING WITCHES AND SPIDER\u2019S WEB CAKES are baked by the dozen for this occasion. Children, dressed up in the most revolting garments, are let loose on the neighbors, trying to scare the daylights out of them. Let\u2019s be honest. I have before me the Good Housekeeping\u2019s Book of Entertainment<\/em>, which my wife picked up from the local library. On page 168 of this much-read book, there is a section on what to do on Hallowe\u2019en. Notice the astonishing advice given! \u201cHalloween decorations are quite as important as the food. When planning them, remember that if the room is to be dimly lit (preferably by candle and FIRELIGHT) the decorations must be bold to be effective. Orange, black and red, THE DEVIL\u2019S COLOURS, are the colours associated with Halloween and THIS SCHEME SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT as far as possible . . . . Have paper streamers and lanterns hanging from the ceiling, or, if you would like to have something less usual, you could make a giant SPIDER\u2019S web with black and orange strings, or in narrow strips of crepe paper coming from the four corners of the room, complete with a LARGE SPIDER \u2014 one of the DEVIL\u2019S FAVOURITE FOLLOWERS.\u201d Notice where the stress lies! Read further of the black magic associated with this festival. \u201cTo decorate the walls, make large silhouettes of CATS, BATS, OWLS AND WITCHES ON BROOMSTICKS . . . . For the supper table small WITCHES WITH BROOMSTICKS can be made by using lollipops on 4-inch sticks.\u201d Weird lanterns, witch-balls, and witches\u2019 cauldrons are some other objects, the book suggests, which must fit into the evening somehow. How pagan can you get?<\/p>\n NOWHERE does the Bible command us to observe Hallowe\u2019en. Hallowe\u2019en and other common festivals which people observe in the Christian-professing world have NO BIBLICAL BASIS. They originated in paganism. The testimony of history stamps Hallowe\u2019en as a HEATHEN festival. It\u2019s built on a PAGAN FOUNDATION. Your Bible warns: \u201cFor other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ\u201d (I Cor. 3:11). Which is the BASIS of YOUR practice and belief? Turn to Deuteronomy 12:29-31 and read God\u2019s condemnation of Hallowe\u2019en! (Marx, Gerhard O. The Origin of Halloween. Plain Truth Magazine, October 1967).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The above condemnation of such pagan practices are consistent with the teachings in the Bible irrespective of the opinions of men. The Bible teaches:<\/p>\n Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines (Hebrews 13:8-9).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Certainly Halloween contains many pagan practices that Christians should realize are “strange doctrines” and it was not observed by the original Christians. Therefore, irrespective of the opinions and later traditions<\/a> of men, true Christians still do not celebrate pagan holidays like Halloween. The Bible itself teaches that we should listen to the Bible above added traditions and opinions of men<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet, GCI, the group that took over the old WCG takes a different approach:<\/p>\n The day does have religious significance for some people, particularly wiccans and druids. For some people and in some regions, Halloween or some of its elements may have a non-Christian religious meaning. Some Halloween activities could be considered anti-Christian, and would, therefore, be avoided. Christians would want to avoid demonic associations, for example. With these things in mind, it would be appropriate for Christians to consider carefully their activities on this holiday.<\/p>\n For most children, however, there is no religious significance involved in either the day itself or in such elements as pumpkins or costumes. It\u2019s true that such things as jack-o\u2019-lanterns, bonfires and black cats, which are part of the Halloween tradition, may have roots in pre-Christian activities\u2026<\/p>\n Most Christians believe they can celebrate Halloween (in some respects) as a purely secular day of fun\u2026<\/p>\n Should Christians and their children participate in Halloween activities if they are unsure whether it is the right thing to do or are convinced it is wrong? The Bible teaches us that we should be fully persuaded in our own minds about these things\u2014either pro or con. But we should not judge or condemn others who are of a different persuasion. The apostle Paul\u2019s advice in Romans 14 can be applied to the question of Halloween activities\u2026<\/p>\n It is the responsibility of each Christian to decide, based on biblical and Christian principles, whether to participate in Halloween activities, and to avoid judging other Christians who have different circumstances and make different decisions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n So, GCI is ambiguous.\u00a0 And it needn\u2019t be.<\/p>\n For example, when it stated \u201cthat such things as jack-o\u2019-lanterns, bonfires and black cats, which are part of the Halloween tradition, may have roots in pre-Christian activities,\u201d it could have stated that they they DO (not may<\/em>) have pre-Christian, pagan roots, as none have a biblical origin (though jack-o\u2019-lanterns may have began after Christ came, jack-o\u2019-lanterns are not a Christian symbol).<\/p>\n Furthermore, most real<\/em> Christians do not believe that they can celebrate pagan holidays.<\/p>\n Origins from the Living Church of God and the Church of Rome In a commentary the Living Church of God<\/a> had the following:<\/p>\n From Egypt to Central and South America, this night was celebrated as the festival of the dead. In Ireland, this pagan Celtic festival celebrated on October 31st at sundown was known as Samhain. It was believed that the border between this world and the world of the dead became so thin at this time that the spirits of the dead, as well as other supernatural entities, could pass to this world, making communication with departed loved ones easy at this time. It was a night of superstitions, divinations, incantations and odd traditions.<\/p>\n Divination was practiced as a means to determine such things as the identity of one\u2019s future spouse and how many children they might have. Apples were often used in these rituals, owing to the ancient sagas telling of the Celtic Otherworld wherein was located the apple tree whose fruit had magical properties.<\/p>\n Samhain continues to be celebrated today by neo-pagan Wiccans who consider it one of the principal religious days to honor the dead. But it is also celebrated by millions of ordinary people as a holiday named Halloween or All Saints\u2019 Day.<\/p>\n Christianity attempted to convert the pagans to Christianity by attaching new meanings to the old pagan festivals. So this night of the dead was to be changed to honor the departed saints and renamed All Saints\u2019 Day. But the pagan traditions continued unabated, as people to this day still wear costumes and masks, still carve pumpkins with scary faces, still place fake gravestones in their yard, still play games of divination, and still decorate with witches, ghosts, fake gravestones and various representations of the dead and the macabre.<\/p>\n Perhaps those celebrating the day have been treated to a trick by being seduced into observing a day which is thoroughly pagan in origin and practice. Read more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Speaking of “donning costumes that are ghoulish, bizarre or risqu\u00e9,” notice the following related to risqu\u00e9 ones:<\/p>\n A new nationwide Clarus Poll finds that more Americans would rather dress up for Halloween as Lady Gaga and the Geico Caveman than as well-known political figures. \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t \t \t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t The Clarus Poll found that, among women voters across the nation, 36% would rather go costumed as Lady Gaga, 24% picked Sarah Palin and 20% selected Michelle Obama.http:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/new-clarus-poll-lady-gaga-and-the-politics-of-halloween-132745478.html<\/a><\/p>\n As everyone knows, the perennial favorite among Halloween costumes for women is “ho,” followed by “sexy witch,” “sexy nurse” and “Lady Gaga.”\u00a0 http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/news\/opinion\/commentary\/la-oe-allen-halloween-sluts-20111030,0,6455906.story<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n No one can consider how “Lady Gaga” provocatively dresses to be Christian, and no true believer would ever try to follow her risqu\u00e9 example, or to try to directly resemble some type of harlot as many women apparently like to do now.\u00a0 For those who claim that modern Halloween has nothing to do with pagan Druid practices, the reality is that intentionally immodest costumes, which are apparently very popular among American women, certainly should indicate that this is not an event for real Christians to celebrate.<\/p>\n All theological scholars realize that the apostolic church did not observe Halloween or anything resembling it.<\/p>\n Notice also the following scripture:<\/p>\n Thus says the LORD: “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, At their absolute best, Halloween customs are futile, came from the way of the Gentiles, and detract from the emphasis to worship the true God. Those in the Church of God have always realized this. And many in the Church of Rome are getting some understanding of that.<\/p>\n Halloween is not a holiday that the earliest Christians observed. It should not be observed by modern Christians either.<\/p>\n Some articles of possibly related interest may include<\/em>:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? <\/a>This article provides some historical and biblical insight on this question. COGwriter Halloween is often considered as a Catholic holiday, but within Catholicism there are different views of it, and there are differing views in other groups. Here is the view of one Catholic writer endorsing Halloween: It should be noted that Halloween is a Catholic holiday. Pope Gregory IV in 835 made it the universal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cog-news","category-doctrine","category-wcg-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n
Vatican condemns Hallowe\u2019en as anti-Christian <\/strong><\/div>\nThe Vatican has condemned Hallowe\u2019en as anti-Christian, saying it is based on a sinister and dangerous \u201cundercurrent of occultism\u201d. <\/strong><\/div>\nTelegraph <\/strong>– Oct 30, 2009<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Catholic group shuns Halloween for ‘Holyween’<\/h2>\n
<\/cite>\u2013 Wed Oct 27, 10:29 am ET<\/abbr><\/div>\n\n
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Commentary: Halloween – a treat or a trick?<\/a><\/div>\nBy Roger Meyer (guest columnist) | Thursday, October 28, 2010<\/div>\nTens of millions of children the world over are getting ready to dress up in strange costumes and scary-faced masks to go door to door and beg for candy treats by saying, “Trick or treat!” At the same time, teens and adults are also getting ready to attend parties and gatherings to celebrate this strange holiday by donning costumes that are ghoulish, bizarre or risqu\u00e9…<\/div>\n\n
\nFor the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile (Jeremiah 10:2-3).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nWhich Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God?<\/a> Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Portugu\u00eas: Qual \u00e9 fiel: A igreja cat\u00f3lica romana ou a igreja viva do deus?<\/a> Tambien Espa\u00f1ol: Cu\u00e1l es fiel: \u00bfLa iglesia cat\u00f3lica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente?<\/a> Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverl\u00e4ssig ist: Die R\u00f6misch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?<\/a>
\nThe History of Early Christianity<\/a> Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"