Q.
I am interested in your thinking on churches that have harvest festivals on halloween. Our church has one and I do not feel it is right. Of course I am in the minority, but that is not a new thing for me. Seems to me that they are doing like the world but saying that it is not a halloween party. Their theme this year is that they are "redeeming the night back for the Lord" My thinking is that God never lost the night in the first place.

What do you think?

A.
When one considers:

1. that Halloween has its origins in English, Irish, Celtic traditions of setting up bonfires to chase away the evil spirits, that it was a day in which "Samhain" was observed; i.e. herds came home, property tenures were renewed, and it was believed that the deceased returned to visit their old homes.

2. That the catholic church made it into the "eve" of All Saints Day (Nov1) where the saints, the "virgin mary" and martyrs were commemorated.

3. Leading to All Souls Day (Nov2) in which those in Purgatory were venerated.

4. As for those who worship Satan and his demons, Halloween is their "highest" (LOW) day of the year...just as Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is for the Jews, or Resurrection Sunday is to the Church.

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. (Eph 5:11)

Having said that, what about your question? Harvest festivals? Do we not celebrate "Thanksgiving" as a "harvest festival?" That was a true harvest festival, and it is such officially as well. "Harvest Festival" at "Halloween" is a cop-out.

What I am going to say now, I say by "permission."(1Cor7:6)

It is my observation and opinion that churches are too "scared" to make a stand for the Lord, against evil. To refuse to participate, in some manner, during Satan's high day, which the "rest of" the world celebrates, would bring about criticisms, hostility and hatred from the world. They are so busy trying to appease the world so as "not to offend" in hopes of getting them "in the doors" that they have become quagmired in the evil, themselves.

Let me assure you that taking a stand will generate hostility. I experience it with my business. (for you newer subscribers..I own a sign/banner business) There are some "lines" I don't cross. I refuse to make signs for Halloween, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, etc. I have lost some customers because of it, some that could have been "big" accounts. I have also had sarcastic comments directed at me because of these stands. But I'll tell you what...the Lord sees to it that the bills are always paid on time. I am adequately clothed, housed and fed...and even have many "desires." And now, because I have been faithful, for whatever reason, the Lord has graciously allowed those requests to not come very often any more.

As for the churches who "cater" to evil; if they would not be so concerned about the "youth that they would lose" or those "offering dollars" that would be missing because some people stopped attending, and started being true to God's Word and His righteousness, the people who do attend would start being "convinced by all...the secrets of his heart [would be] revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he [would] worship God and report that God is truly among [them]." (1Cor14:24-25)

Amen.

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