I felt my response would be too lengthy to post in the comment section under the post Halloween? Really? so I will post the comment and post here so that everyone can understand.
Here is the comment that I received:
Tracy said...
"Actually, that's not true. Halloween is falsely attributed to the Druids. It's actually an old world, pre-christianity celebration of the new year. In the 900s the catholic church completed for followers and redubbed November first as All Saints Day, making Oct 31 All Hallows Eve, Hallow meaning holy. Priests would go door to door asking for cake and prayers. Kind of a medieval mission to spread the word of God. It is said that if a house refused the occupants were threatened or curse. I am not sure if this is true. The only information I have read about the Druid involvement in Halloween is from Christain sources, not historical unbiased ones. I think many holidays and observances have changed through the centuries, even Christmas was once a winter solstace festival that slowly grew to become christmas as the popularity of Christianity grew across Europe. Don't judge others so harshly. Halloween can be a time of fun and playing dress up. If you don't want to participate fine, but please stop spreading false history lessons."
Tracy, first I would like to address that you think I am judging. I am certainly not judging anyone who has or will participate in this particular festival. What I am doing is judging the festival and the dark meaning behind it. I also wanted to make it clear in my post that stepping away from the things of this world is not an easy task. This so that others who are in the same place in their journey can understand that they are not alone. What feast and celebrations one chooses to celebrate is a personal matter that exists between them and God. However, it is nice to know sometimes that you are not alone and you are not crazy and you are not a fanatic. That was my purpose.
Now, I would like to address the history lesson behind this festival and upon whose authority I have relied upon. The druids and wicca do pre-date Christianity, so I am not sure where you find fault with that. However, it was not a celebration of the new year. That celebration was December 25th, the birthdate of Tamuz the son-husband of the goddess Ishtar, which dates back to Babylonian times. But that is a "whole nother can of worms" that I won't get into here. Yes, the church renamed and tried to "Christianize" a pagan religion. That is no surprise since they did the same with christmas (pagan winter solstice festival honoring the birth of Tamuz the son of the son god Baal) and easter (worship of the goddess Ishtar/Astarte, the goddess of fertility). Just because the church does something doesn't mean that it is ok with God.
Jeremiah 10:1,2 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
Deut 12:29: When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;
30: Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
31: Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
32: What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
1 Cor. 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Now as to the sources of the history. Yes, most of them are Christian and since you feel they are biased I will not even give them here. However, Pastor David J. Meyer of Last Trumpet Ministries, I consider an authority on the matter. You see he was not always a Christian, in fact he comes from a long line of witches. He himself was quite a strong witch and astrologer. This history of halloween was his history, his family's history. They lived it in our modern world. So please take the time to read his articles on halloween/samhain...here and here.
Tracy, you say that many holidays and observances have changed over the years. I agree that in man's eye they have and certainly no longer have the meaning that they once did. However, it is not man's view that I am concerned with. For my family, it is God's view and His opinion of these things remains constant. While most view halloween as just a time to have some fun and dress up, there are darker forces at work whether one participates or not. Otherwise, Anton Lavey the author of the satanic bible would not have written that halloween was satanists second most important holiday.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Romans 13:11-14 ...now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
1 Thess. 5:5-8 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Again I say that what a person chooses to do is between them and God. My only purpose is to shed Light on a dark holiday that belongs not to God. Blessings on your journey, Kat
3 comments:
While I applaud your ability to quote scripture so easily, I still see various flaws in your history lesson. There extists no evidence of ancient druids participating in human sacrifices. This blantant error in fact brings all other content of your tale into question. Jack-o-lanterns as well are a modern construct. Do you mean pumpkin jackolanterns? Or the originating turnips carved to resemble the faces of departed family members? The turnips were not hallowed out as they are too dense and difficult to cut. They could never fit a candle of any type. Pumpkins were not grown in Europe until trade began amongst the Native peoples of the new world. Candles made of human tallow? I read an article recently by a biologist, who said human biology is not condusive to making anything resembling a candle, it would be too soft and would be far more work to extract and use than the animal counterparts that they would have been using for centuries. You have to remember the people of the ancient times had no time to take the long difficult way when the simpliest way will suffice. This entire story is hate mongering in the 21st century used to bolster the Christian cause. I doubt God would agree to such tactics as he says we are to love all people. This is one of the main reasons I left the church. Preaching hate and fear of another religious group shows a weakness in faith. I do not feel my God is threatened by other people who believe different things. I believe your heart is in the right place. You are mindfully making a decision for you and your family based upon your understanding of a holiday, however I question the originating source(s) of this tale. You may not see any harm but I do. I know many modern day pagans who are hurt and offended that their religion is seen so negatively but worst of all so inaccurately. You quoted yet another christian source for your story and yet the evidence of history, real evidence remains to be seen. You base your entire judgement of a group of people and their holiday on the verbal testimony of one or two Christians. I could understand your choice to abstain if you simply said "it is another religion's holiday, not a christian one." In essence, though Halloween is largely a commercial holiday, not a religious one, it is a sacred day for pagans. I don't partake in Jewish observances but I don't falsify their ancient history and judge the modern followers. Your original blog post only served to spread malicious myths about another section of people. You are spreading words of hate instead of love and tolerance. I'd rather appear before God knowing I ministered to people of all races, religions and beliefs through positive DEEDS than negative, unsubstantiated slander. You do no good for God when you promote fear and judgement against others.
Addressed to the Halloween defender:
I am glad I will not stand before God and have to explain that I was tolerant of every god that whomever might worship. The purpose of life is too complex to address in this arena. However, the day of judgement will not arrive with the question of how tolerant one was towards paegans, heathens and non believers who are determined to undermine any person's attempt to share concern over how God views our actions. There are so many versions of truth, but one point remains. Halloween is not a feast of celebrations declared by God, nor is it a secular holiday. Therefore, to question involvement in such activities is honorable.
Hello, I just want to say Amen to your post on Halloween. I must say it was very well written. May scripture always speak louder then the worlds point of view. I also wrote a post about that same subject. I dismantled my comments!
I decided I wanted to write what I felt led to write and not care about touchy feely fit in bloggers.
Be Blessed and I do enjoy your style. Happy Fall!
We just had our first snow.
Blessings Roxy
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