First let me make it clear that I’m not particularly fond of Halloween, but I have no high, lofty, righteous reasons for it. Maybe it’s because I’m not fond of spiders, skulls, or blood, or because I don’t believe in living mummies, vampires, or ghosts. (I said ghosts not spirits. Don’t even get me started on that. We’ll be here all day.) It could be a safety issue. If my grandkids want candy, I’ll buy it for them. Truth is, it’s probably just that I’m getting old.
That said, I want to talk about an article a friend pointed out to me today, which I find very troubling. The woman who wrote The Danger of Celebrating Halloween is described as, “a sought after conference speaker and preacher”. I don’t know her and have never heard her preach, but based on this article I do wish she would educate herself on the topics she chooses to tackle.
The thing that troubles me most about this article is the constant reference to witches, as if satan worship and witchcraft are interchangeable. I’ve known a few witches in my time, even practiced as one for a short period. I never worshiped satan, and they don’t either.
It also troubles me that she claims, with no proof, that Halloween candy is cursed. Exactly how is this happening? I work at a big WalMart, and have never seen people cursing the candy. Are the miniatures being cursed at the factory in Pennsylvania? Are people cursing the trucks as they roll by? What the heck is a “time released” curse, anyway. It sounds like a frightening catch phrase to me.
Those of us who refuse to take her word on these things are called “lukewarm” Christians. We are ignoring the dangers of this “dark night”, and that just pops my cork. What we don’t need in the world is more public “shooting of our own wounded”. What we don’t need in the world is more judgmental, self-righteous, know-it-all “Christians”. To loosely quote a another friend we do not need Christians “who are so cocky they would presume to advise the Apostles”. What we need is a little more love and understanding, and a lot less fear!
Kimberly, if you ever chance to read this, please understand I’m not angry at you but at the mess we all sometimes make of our own doctrine. And when I’m done with this I’m going to sit down and pray for both of us, my sister in Christ. I can promise you one thing, no demon will ever mistake this Christian for an occult worshiper.
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November 1, 2009 at 4:44 am
Stevo
Nicely said, Shawn. A little more understanding is needed, in many things, in the world today.
I’m ambivalent towards Christmas. I don’t have any particular attachment to it, other than (once upon a time) a meal with family. I can understand other people’s beliefs and feelings and wouldn’t try to ruin the holiday for them.
No, not the same as Halloween, but the only parallel I could think of.
November 2, 2009 at 1:36 am
Shawn W
It’s close enough, Stevo.
If she has a problem with Halloween that’s fine. My dispute with her is the unproven claims and errors. Christian credibility is at stake. If there is proof of what she is saying, then she needs to produce it.
November 1, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Dorci
Thanks for your post. I read Kimberly’s article and while I don’t agree with much of it, namely the supertitiousness, I do believe that there is a spiritual battle being waged in the heavens that we do not see, and most don’t acknowledge. The bible tells us that our battle is with spiritual wickedness in high places. I believe God’s enemy uses any chance he can to maneuver his way into our spiritually desentized world and influence people. I notice that many of the comments, (all of them I read were negative) to Kimberly’s article are non-believers, and some claim to be witches. I realize that wiccan is a pagan practice, (and so were the practices of halloween for more than 1000 years before they came to America) and I don’t even know to what, if any, extent they acknowledge the existance of demons. I believe participating in halloween is a matter of conscience between each believer and God. I may be more sensitive toward it because I grew up in a home steeped in spiritual darkness. Even the feeling of evil is so dark, I want nothing to do with it. That said, Jesus Christ is my Lord and His power (yes, HIS power) is infinitely stronger in me than he who is in the world. I also desire to be a light to that world and that means keeping my light on when the world is darkest.
God’s blessings to you,
Dorci
November 2, 2009 at 1:50 am
Shawn W
Dorci, I agree completely about the spiritual battle being waged. I believe the enemy also tweeks the truth just enough to keep it from being the truth, and that we must always be on guard against superstition and fear.
I too believe it has to be a matter of conscience, and those who choose not to participate should not be riddiculed, but encouraged in their efforts to be lights. As I said it’s the spreading of what amounts to gossip and fear that bugs me.
I’m so glad, my sister in Christ that you were able to break free of the darkness. Even in your kind words here, your light shines. God’s great blessings to you also.
November 2, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Corina
What I take from this is that no one, regardless of how popular or how informed they may appear to be, should go unquestioned about the validity of their claims and/or knowledge. Too often we think that just because So And So said it, it’s gospel. Let’s use our heads to think things through and research and find the truth instead of believing everything that is dished out to us.
November 3, 2009 at 2:42 am
Shawn W
Exactly, Corina! We’ve never agreed more.
November 8, 2009 at 10:07 am
fromthesamesky
Wow, well said – this is an excellent post.
November 8, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Shawn W
Well, thank you.