Embrace or resist
Why not? I mean, why not do as The Romans do. The Roman Catholics that is. Because in today's world Catholics and 'Christians' are the same right?! So go ahead and celebrate the "Days of the Dead" with them, I'm sure it's all Biblical. Many 'Christians' fight and make excuses to celebrate Halloween every year. And there are churches that even encourage it or make substitutions for it. (NOW IF YOU ARE CATHOLIC, THIS IS NOT MEANT TO HURT YOU. Maybe you don't know any better. May you have a desire to research and learn more.)
Anyways, here you go, A Catholic's Guide to Halloween...
Halloween is short for All Hallow's Eve. It is the vigil of All Saints (All Hallows) Day. All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, and thus a major feast on the Catholic Church's liturgical calendar.
Halloween (October 31st) is connected with All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd). These three days taken together are the "Days of the Dead," a triduum of feasts also called Allhallowtide, Hallowtide, or Hallowmas ('hallow' means to honor as holy).
Halloween is, therefore, the first day of Allhallowtide, the time of year when the living (i.e. the Church Militant) honors all the dead in Christ: all the saints in heaven (i.e. the Church Triumphant) as well as all the holy souls detained in purgatory on their way to heaven (i.e. the Church Suffering). It is a beautiful celebration of the communion of saints!
Catholics historically believed that on these "Days of the Dead", their annual feast, the veil between heaven, hell, and purgatory is the thinnest (that means you might even see some souls you know!) -Get Fed (Catholic Ministries)
Check out these statements...
"It's time for Catholics to embrace Halloween."- Word on Fire (Catholic Ministries)
'Learn Religions' website has an article on Halloween that ends with… "Let's reclaim Halloween for Christians, by returning to its roots in the Catholic Church!"
Hmm, Great stuff huh! The Roman Catholic Church adopted this holiday (Holy Day) from the pagan Celtics. Look it up! Yet the Word of God tells us to NOT worship Him how the pagans did and to NOT commune with the dead. And to NOT follow after the traditions of men! Read it for yourself....
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8
"Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19:31
"And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? Isaiah 8:19
"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." Deuteronomy 18:10-11
"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." Ecclesiastes 9:5
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22
"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." Ephesians 5:11
I know what you're thinking, 'Well, God knows my heart.' And yes He does! And you can choose to follow The Word of God or follow the traditions of men. Your call!
AND never forget, October 31st 1517 is the day that a man stood up to state that the Word of God was the supreme authority for the 'Christian', rather than tradition or papal decrees. The start of the Protestant Reformation.
Let us remember, that we are to Protest the Roman Catholic Church and it's teachings, and NOT join hands with her! Come out from among her.
Much love!
