WCG/GCI Still Ambiguous About Halloween
A search for what the Tkach “WCG” (now renamed GCI) teaches currently on Halloween brought up the following article first:
The day does have religious significance for some people, particularly wiccans and druids. For some people and in some regions, Halloween or some of its elements may have a non-Christian religious meaning. Some Halloween activities could be considered anti-Christian, and would, therefore, be avoided. Christians would want to avoid demonic associations, for example. With these things in mind, it would be appropriate for Christians to consider carefully their activities on this holiday.
For most children, however, there is no religious significance involved in either the day itself or in such elements as pumpkins or costumes. It’s true that such things as jack-o’-lanterns, bonfires and black cats, which are part of the Halloween tradition, may have roots in pre-Christian activities…
Most Christians believe they can celebrate Halloween (in some respects) as a purely secular day of fun…
Should Christians and their children participate in Halloween activities if they are unsure whether it is the right thing to do or are convinced it is wrong? The Bible teaches us that we should be fully persuaded in our own minds about these things—either pro or con. But we should not judge or condemn others who are of a different persuasion. The apostle Paul’s advice in Romans 14 can be applied to the question of Halloween activities…
It is the responsibility of each Christian to decide, based on biblical and Christian principles, whether to participate in Halloween activities, and to avoid judging other Christians who have different circumstances and make different decisions.
So, GCI is ambiguous. And it needn’t be.
For example, when it stated “that such things as jack-o’-lanterns, bonfires and black cats, which are part of the Halloween tradition, may have roots in pre-Christian activities”, it could have stated that they they DO (not may) have pre-Christian, pagan roots, as none have a biblical origin (though jack-o’-lanterns may have began after Christ came, jack-o’-lanterns are not a Christian symbol).
Furthermore, most real Christians do not believe that they can celebrate pagan holidays. Additionally, even the Vatican has warned that Halloween as observed in places like the USA, should not be done.
But the main point to address here is that GCI pointed to the Apostle Paul who was speaking about personal days to fast in Romans 14. Paul was not talking about endorsing nor participating in pagan holidays, he opposed them.
Let’s first notice the fact that Romans 14 is specifically talking about vegetarianism and fasting days:
1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. (Romans 14:1-6)
GCI is suggesting that the above means that people can observe any day, including pagan ones in a pagan manner, if they so choose.
But is that consistent with the rest of the Bible or Paul’s other writings?
No, it is not.
Notice something else that the Apostle Paul wrote:
19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. (1 Corinthians 10:19-22)
If people in GCI will not look up scriptures, no wonder they remain associated with an organization that is more into its own version of political correctness in many areas than the Bible.
And if some want to argue that 1 Corinthians 10:19-22 is not related to Halloween (even though it is a pagan holiday with many demonic connections), perhaps the following scriptures will be of benefit:
2 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. 3 For the customs of the people are vain (Jeremiah 10:2-3, KJV).
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: 20…idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, 21… drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Halloween is a holiday from heathens and in modern times has become a time of even more drunkenness, revelries, and the like. Tonight and tomorrow night, many adults will go out for drunken revelries.
The Bible is clear. Observation of pagan holidays, like Halloween, are not appropriate for Christians.
Unlike GCI, the Living Church of God is not ambiguous on Halloween and posted two commentaries this week against it. One I already referred to can be found in the article titled Catholic and COG Views on Halloween.
But here is something from one posted today as written by Davy Crockett:
At this time of year, as the daylight portion of the day becomes shorter and the leaves begin to fall, an ancient tradition with roots in paganism seems to gain in popularity with every passing year. Halloween, adapted from All Saints Eve, with all of the dark and foreboding trappings associated with this bizarre holiday, is celebrated by children and adults…
It’s pretty plain that such activities are not pleasing to God.
But, why darkness? Again, the bible makes it plain. The Apostle John recorded the words of Jesus when he wrote, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). The wise writer of Proverbs put it this way, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble” (Proverbs 4:19).
It is obvious that the “wicked one” (1 John 5:19) has kept this world in darkness to try to accomplish his perverted plan to keep mankind out of the Kingdom of God…
The Apostle Paul wrote to those early converts to Christianity in the church at Ephesus about coming out of darkness: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11).
Jesus Christ came to bring the light and those that are called now can escape the dark side and live in His marvelous light, free from the pagan traditions and practices of this age. http://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/tw/commentary/tw-comm.cgi?category=Commentary1&item=1288357888#headline
The light of scripture eliminates any ambiguity about Halloween.
GCI is being ambiguous apparently because it does not want to stand up for the truth on this matter. Real Christians do not observe Halloween.
Two articles of possibly related interest may include:
Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? This article provides some historical and biblical insight on this question.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
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