Halloween & Christians: What's the Big Deal?

Well, Before I get started I must say that this article is not meant to make anyone mad or create strife. However, I know that because of the nature of the subject, it is likely that many will take issues with me on this matter.
My request to every reader however, is that before you right me off as strange and stuck in the mud or whatever, stop for a moment and consider the ideas presented in this article.
It seems to me that with each passing year the interest and participation in halloween is ever increasing. I even heard someone say two days ago that halloween is thier favorite annual holiday. We can see the signs of this increase as we drive around our communities. Houses decorated with witches, Jack-o-lanterns and ghost that rival Christmas decorations. To so many people it is a fun, family oriented holiday. But is it really?
Let's take the word holiday for starters. Holiday literally means "holy day" where something significant that God has done is to be celebrated. The original name for October 31st is "all hallows eve" or all saints day. But halloween has veered to the point that it represents nothing that is holy, or anything that is godly.
I wrote an article last year giving some details of the origin and meaning of some of the common events during this time. Instead of attacking the traditions of halloween, let us look at the practical side as it relates to Christians and our participation. I want to give 5 reasons most parents have for participating in this event. Along with these reasonings, let us also look at what the Word of God has to say.

1. It's Just Innocent fun
-Halloween has it's deepest roots in the occult. The Celtic New Year was on Nov. 1. On the evening before, Samhain, the lord of death, along with evil spirits, released disembodied spirits to go out and possess humans. Druid priest would go door to door asking for an animal or a human being for sacrifice to appease the evil spirits. If the people treated them with a sacrifice then they would not be tricked, or cursed. Now to me, that just sounds wicked. Well, this is the origin of trick or treat. (sela).
The word tells us to be imitators of God, not Druid priest. We should imitate all that is good and flee from all that is evil.

2. All My Friends Do It
-One of the major problems in the church world is to do what pleases people. There are Church leaders, including Pastors, that feel that they must do these things to keep the parents in the church happy. We have to many people pleasing pastors today. We have allowed the spirit of the world to dictate our agenda in order to keep these tithe paying families in our churches. God is calling out a people that will make a stand against the spirit of this age. If the church is going to change, it must start with leadership. If we have to make each family happy with our ministry to keep them, then they are following the wrong one. Who's ministry is it? Is Christ still building His Church, or has man taken over the project with our social skills and salesmanship. Bottom line. MAKE A STAND!

3. We Went Trick or Treating As Kids
-Everything we were taught as children, doesn't mean it's right today. I think trick or treating can send a wrong message to some kids. In today's world, we can't trust everyone in our neighborhoods. Our kids need to know that it's not ok to take things from a stranger. Our kids need to have real heros to imitate. (not superman, spiderman, witches, demon-looking creatures)
While our kids are learning these things during halloween ask yourself these questions. Do my kids know the 10 commandments? Do they know the Lord's prayer and it's meaning? Is Jesus the hero in thier lives?

4.We Don't Want Our Children's Friends To Think We Are Weird
-As stated before, the spirit of this age is after our children. We must take this very serious. Our forefathers of the faith made a stand against the evils of thier day. We must teach our children that we are seperated from the world. Yes, it's hard. But remember, there is a mastermind behind these evil schemes. He plays for keeps. If you love your children, teach them they are different than the world. Instill this in them early.

5. We Don't Want Our Children To Miss Out On All The Fun
-If the only fun our children have is wearing scary mask and scaring people and taking candy from strangers then we have serious problems.
Create your own family fun time. Oct. 31st. is the day that the Lord made, spend time rejoicing and enjoying family fun that teaches truth verses traditions that are rooted in the occult.
If it's the candy they want, Food Lion can hook you up.
I know this message is hard and somewhat offensive to many people. But think about the Holy days the Word of God speaks about. Do we consider them? My point is simple. If we are Bible believing children of God, let's practice what He has ordained, and shun what the world and centuries of tradition has handed down. If we don't stand for some things, we will fall for anything. Blessings to you all.