18 Reasons Why I Don’t Celebrate Halloween

From http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/18-reasons-why-i-dont-celebrate-halloween

By Michael Snyder, on October 28th, 2015

Halloween Fire - Public DomainThis year, 64 percent of all Americans will celebrate Halloween, but I will not be one of them.  For me, it is a wretched, horrible holiday that celebrates the darkest side of humanity, and it is deeply rooted in ancient pagan traditions that would get people thrown in prison if they attempted to duplicate them today.  With each passing year, the sexually suggestive costumes being marketed to our young girls become even skankier, the horror movies become darker and even more demonic, and the number of Americans that participate in occult ceremonies just continues to grow.  In fact, it has been estimated that the number of self-identified witches in the United States is doubling every 30 months.  Those that are deeply into the occult take this holiday very seriously, and the dark forces that they are dealing with are very real.  So no, I don’t want anything to do with this festival of death.  In no particular order, the following are 18 reasons why I don’t celebrate Halloween…

#1 I don’t want anyone in my family to observe a holiday that celebrates death, witchcraft and the occult.  This year, millions of Americans will participate in activities that could potentially open up a door for demonic activity.

#2 The average American spends $74.34 on the holiday.  I would rather save the money.

#3 Millions of women use Halloween as an excuse to dress like street walkers, and millions of men use Halloween as an excuse to act like sexual predators.

#4 Even little girls as young as three years old are being dressed up in sexually provocative costumes.  What kind of message does this send to them?

#5 Dressing up little children as ghosts, demons and vampires is not healthy for them.  In recent years, there has been a trend to make costumes for children as hellish as possible.

#6 Originally, costumes were worn on October 31st “to change the personality of the wearer to allow for communication with the spirit world“.  For 11 years in a row, dressing up as a witch has been the number one costume choice for adults in the United States.

#7 In ancient Britain, the festival known as Samhain was celebrated on October 31st.  It was supposedly a day when dead souls would revisit their old homes.  Personally, I don’t want anything to do with contacting the souls of the dead.

#8 According to the History Channel, Samhain was also the day when the Druids “gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities”.

#9 As I have written about previously, the fastest growing religion in America still practices a holiday known as “Samhain” to this very day.

#10 According to Wiccans, Halloween is the time when the veil between the living and the dead is considered to be the thinnest.  They believe that on this day their god “dies” and is reborn every year on the Winter Solstice.  This year the winter solstice falls on December 22nd.

#11 In ancient times, the resurrection of the sun god required human and animal sacrifice.  The following is what occult expert Bill Schnoebelen says that the Druids would do at this time of the year…

Druids worshiped the sun god, called by names like Bel (Ba’al?) or Chrom. On October 31, they believed that he died and went into the kingdom of the dead, Anwynn. The purpose of Samhain was to insure his return. Even witches admit this involved human sacrifice.

Both animal and human blood were believed to be needed to resurrect Bel on Samhain. Human blood was believed to open the gates of Anwynn and released the spirits for a night. Thus, October 31 came to be associated with ghosts. This is not just history. Samhain is still celebrated by Pagans and is the most solemn ceremony on their “religious calendar”.

#12 To this day, animal torture and sacrifice is still practiced on Halloween by occultists.  Many animal shelters will not adopt out black cats during the month of October for this very reason.

#13 In the early seventh century, a Catholic Pope known as Gregory the First decided that the best approach to ensure the continued spread of Catholicism was to “christianize” existing pagan holidays and practices…

As a result of their efforts to wipe out “pagan” holidays, such as Samhain, the Christians succeeded in effecting major transformations in it. In 601 A.D. Pope Gregory the First issued a now famous edict to his missionaries concerning the native beliefs and customs of the peoples he hoped to convert. Rather than try to obliterate native peoples’ customs and beliefs, the pope instructed his missionaries to use them: if a group of people worshipped a tree, rather than cut it down, he advised them to consecrate it to Christ and allow its continued worship.

#14 The tradition of “trick-or-treating” was one of the existing pagan traditions that was later “Christianized”…

The idea of trick-or-treating is further related to the ghosts of the dead in pagan, and even Catholic, history. For example, among the ancient Druids, “The ghosts that were thought to throng about the houses of the living were greeted with a banquet-laden table. At the end of the feast, masked and costumed villagers representing the souls of the dead paraded to the outskirts of town leading the ghosts away.”

As already noted, Halloween was thought to be a night when mischievous and evil spirits roamed freely. As in modern poltergeist lore, mischievous spirits could play tricks on the living—so it was advantageous to “hide” from them by wearing costumes. Masks and costumes were worn to either scare away the ghosts or to keep from being recognized by them

#15 The tradition of carving out a “Jack-O-Lantern” also comes from paganism.  The following comes from wicca.com…

Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was not advised.

And as Bill Schnoebelen has noted, pumpkins eventually replaced turnips, but the meaning remained the same…

Here it’s a pumpkin, but in Europe it was often a turnip, or a skull with a candle in it. This serves two symbols, 1) the lord of the Dead, a “god” just like a Buddha – in short, an idol. 2) The fearsome face represented the god, Samhain, who would drive off less powerful demons that night. The lights in the Jack-o-Lantern symbolize the “faery fires” or “Will’o the Wisps” which were believed to be the lost souls flitting through the night. They also hearken back to the huge Samhain “balefires” which were lit to help conjure back the god from the darkness.

#16 On all Satanic holy days, there are children that get ritually abused.  This has been documented repeatedly, and yet most people (including most Christians) don’t want to hear about it.

#17 For Satanists, Halloween is one of the most important celebrations of the year.  On page 96 of the Satanic Bible, Anton LaVey wrote the following…

“After one’s own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (May 1st) and Halloween.”

#18 The Scriptures are very clear about this sort of thing.  Deuteronomy 18:9-13 says the following: “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 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 with the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord”.

So what about you?

Will you and your family celebrate Halloween this year?

 

“Remember Lot’s Wife!” What We Can Learn from Lot’s Life

Lot had a lot, and cast in his lot with the lot of them and ended up losing a lot.

Is Lot a picture of the typical modern born-again believer whether Christian or Messianic? I believe so. In saying this, as a pastor and having been a watchman on the spiritual wall for many years, I see very little if any differentiation (broadly speaking) between Christians and most Messianics, for the spiritual condition of both groups is fundamentally the same.

Lot1

Primarily what differentiates the two groups is the religious jargons and nomenclatures each group uses in addition to the outward religious trapping or externals each uses to identify itself. What about Torah, you may ask? Don’t Messianics obey the Torah and Christians do not? My response is that there is not a huge difference between the two—at least not from the Creator’s perspective. YHVH looks at hearts, and not merely the superficiality of outward appearances and the religious trappings by which people identify themselves.

In reality, both born-again Christians and born-again Messianics follow Torah principles to one degree or another. The only difference is that the former group does not claim to follow Torah, but teaches that it was “done away with.” In reality, to a certain degree, many serious Christians do follow the “moral” principles of the Torah along with tithing. On the other hand, a majority of Messianics profess loudly and proudly their Torah-obedience, but largely, in practice (except for an often half-hearted adherence to the Continue reading →

 

Biblically speaking, what is the sin of sodomy?

Genesis 18:20, Their sin [Sodom and Gomorrah’s] is very grievous. What was the sin of Sodom? Genesis 19:5 gives us the answer. The men of Sodom were so morally perverted that Paul says of such a human condition in Romans 1:24–29,

Sodom

Wherefore Elohim also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of Elohim into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause Elohim gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature, and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain Elohim in their knowledge, Elohim gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness …

Ezekiel 16:49–50 speaks of the symptoms of a society that has given itself over to a spirit of sodomy (homosexuality) because it has become abundantly wealthy, proud and obsessed with idleness (entertainment and pleasure). As a result it has become inwardly focused and self-absorbed, which leads to an obsession with self-gratification instead of helping the poor and needy. It shouldn’t be hard to see parallels between Sodom’s society before it was judged and the moral and spiritual decline we see occurring in America and the rest of the western world. America, for example, has become obsessed with the concept of pride—especially since September 11, 2001. Notice, for example, the many car bumper stickers expressing the idea of national “pride” since 9/11? Not only that, our culture has also become obsessed with promoting “gay” (homosexual or sodomite) rights and agendas calling it “gay pride.” It’s Sodom all over again!

 

What is my view on the Trinity?

From time to time over the years I have been asked about my view of the doctrine of the trinity. Today on my YouTube channel, someone even asked me to do a video teaching on the subject.

Trinity 3D sign

Actually, I have very little to say on the subject, except that I fear that any explanation any man (including myself) could proffer on the subject of the “Godhead” would be just that: man’s explanation of it. How can the mind of man with its limited intellect and language that is only capable of describing earthly and physical things comprehend much less explain the unexplainable — namely the “Godhead”? Think about it for a moment. If he could, then he would be an a par intellectually with Elohim (Hebrew for God). For man, this is an impossible feat.

Moreover, for a man, or a men, regardless of the height of their intellectual capacities to quantify the “Godhead” in human terms would be a violation of the second commandment — idolatry or making a god in our own image. Man is incapable of comprehending much less explaining that which is uninvestigatable, uncomprehendable and unexplainable.

Having made these disclaimers, let me share with you what I tell people when they ask Continue reading →

 

Franklin Graham Urges Christians to Stand up for Their Faith Amidst a ‘Culture of Intolerance’

From http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/franklin-graham-urges-christians-to-stand-up-for-their-faith-amidst-a-culture-of-intolerance.html at http://www.christianheadlines.com

Amanda Casanova | Religion Today Contributing Writer | Friday, October 23, 2015
Franklin Graham Urges Christians to Stand up for Their Faith Amidst a 'Culture of Intolerance'

FRANKLIN GRAHAM URGES CHRISTIANS TO STAND UP FOR THEIR FAITH AMIDST A ‘CULTURE OF INTOLERANCE’

“This was not about gun control,” Graham said in a column for Charisma News. “It was about a man filled with hate, especially for those who bravely and boldly confessed they were Christians. The shooter, who listed ‘organized religion’ as a dislike on his Facebook page, perpetrated a hate crime against the name of Jesus Christ and those who follow Him.”
Graham said that there is a “culture of intolerance” against Christians in the United States.
“From the media, to the courts, to this current administration, there has been a flagrant, disturbing mockery of Christian values and beliefs,” he said.
Graham referred to the bakers in Oregon who were fined for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex marriage. He also mentioned the florist in Washington who also would not provide services for a same-sex wedding.
“Who would have thought that, here in our own country, there would be less empathy for Christianity than for any other faith?” he said. “That God-fearing people who stand up for their biblical faith would be called bigots and be vilified while those who harass and mock Christians draw approval and applause?”
Today’s Christians need to take a stand against the “culture of intolerance.”
“Here’s what I know we can do: Like the courageous men and women at Umpqua Community College, in Roseburg, Oregon, we can stand up for our faith by unashamedly confessing Jesus Christ. They knew they would be killed when they stood and faced the gunman, and they stood anyway,” Graham said.
 

High School Football Player Penalized for Giving Glory to God after Scoring Touchdown

We must pray people in this nation who go to such extremes to show their hatred for Elohim. In this case, it was a high school football referee. May the fear of Elohim come on this spiritually backslid and destitute nation!   Natan

From http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/high-school-football-player-penalized-for-giving-glory-to-god-after-scoring-touchdown.html at the http://www.christianheadlines.com

High School Football Player Penalized for Giving Glory to God after Scoring Touchdown

Veronica Neffinger | Editor, ChristianHeadlines.com | Friday, October 23, 2015
High School Football Player Penalized for Giving Glory to God after Scoring Touchdown

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER PENALIZED FOR GIVING GLORY TO GOD AFTER SCORING TOUCHDOWN

Christian Today reports that 17-year-old Dante Turo ran 73 yards to score a touchdown in a high school football game in New York over the weekend.
After scoring the touchdown, Dante raised one finger to the sky in a gesture of thanks to God for allowing him to make the play.
Immediately after, the referee penalized Dante 15 yards for “taunting” and “excessive celebration.” Dante, his father, and others who watched, were incredulous and did not understand why the referee would penalize Dante’s action so severely for such a simple gesture.
In video replays of the offense, it is clear that Dante raises one finger to the sky only for a couple seconds.
“I talked to the referee and told him I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious or arrogant—I was just trying to give praise to God. He [referee] told me, ‘don’t do it again,’” Dante said.
Dante’s coach argued with the referee, stating that Dante was only praising God and not taunting, but the referee stood by his claim.
Dante’s father also said that his son was not being overly arrogant, but on the contrary, he was taking a moment to give God the glory so he would not become arrogant.
“When you score touchdowns, when you make big plays, it’s easy to become proud,” Geno stated. “It’s easy to take credit for yourself. I didn’t want my son to get caught up in that.”
In speaking of the referee’s decision, “It troubles me,” Geno said. “I think people have forgotten that we settled in this land to flee religious persecution. We’re supposed to have religious freedom here. But it seems like instead of religious freedom we are being persecuted for our beliefs.”
Dante has vowed not to let the referee’s warning deter him from giving glory to God. If he scores another touchdown, “Without a doubt I will raise my finger,” he said.
 

Blog Scripture Readings for 10-25 Through 10-31-15

Aside

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION:

Parashat Vayera — Genesis 18:1 – 22:24
Haftarah — II Kings 4:1 – 4:37
Prophets — Joshua 22:1 – 24:33; Judges 1:1 – 4:24
Writings — Psalms 21:1 – 27:14
Testimony — Matthew 14:1 – 18:20

Most of this week’s blog discussion points will be on these passages. If you have general comments or questions on the weekly Scripture readings not addressed in a blog post, here’s a place for you to post those. Just use the “leave a reply” link below.

The full “Read Through The Scriptures In A Year” schedule, broken down by each day, can be found on the right sidebar under “Helpful Links.” There are 4 sections of scripture to read each day. One each from the Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, and from the Testimony of Yeshua. Each week, the Torah and haftarah readings will follow the traditional one-year reading cycle.

Weekly Blog Scripture Readings for 10/25 through 10/31/15.