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Christian Pastors Mostly OK With Halloween Observance"I think it's like anything else -- in moderation. Know what it is, know what you're dealing with and then just be careful with it."It's the 'things-go-bump-in-the-night' night: Halloween -- the annual festival of fear. It's a secular event, but are spiritual matters involved? The era when ministers would, if you will, demonize Halloween appears to be largely past. But that does not mean there are not some lingering reservations about how contemporary America treats the subject of the occult. The question posed by the killers in the “Scream” films – “What's your favorite scary movie?” -- gets a quick answer from Pastor John Carpenter of Baxter Bible Church. "I guess the movie that really grabbed me the most as a kid was 'Halloween.' the first one. And the best part, of course, was John Carpenter was all across the screen," he added, referring to the famous director of the film. But Carpenter tossed his collection of Stephen King hardcovers when he became a Christian, and now urges caution in Halloween-related activities. "I think it's like anything else -- in moderation. Know what it is, know what you're dealing with and then just be careful with it." Likewise, Pastor Jim Strutz of Anchorage City Church has a low-key view of Halloween. "There are some Christians who believe there is a lot of danger in it. Some take serious issue with Halloween. I'm not one of those." But make no mistake: Although these Christian ministers don't speak out forcefully against Halloween, they do believe in the occult." Strutz said: "I do believe that's true, yes, that Satan has basically hoodwinked American society into not believing that he exists, yes." "You know, I grew up dressing up, and I enjoyed it,” Carpenter said. “And I’ll take my son trick-or-treating tonight. But the biggest thing as a Christian I have against Halloween is it does celebrate and promote fear. We know that fear isn't of God. Fear in fact is like a perverted faith." So while these ministers aren't warning anyone away from Halloween parties, they say the spirit world is very real -- and potentially dangerous. Halloween gets its name from All Hallows Day, or All Saints Day, which once was widely observed on November 1, although it is largely forgotten today. So Halloween, which emphasizes the dark side of the spiritual spectrum, is the equivalent of Fat Tuesday to Lent.
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Sena said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 6:10 PM
So sad, Pastor Strutz, that you don't see danger in Halloween. A few Scriptures that pop into my mind for you to consider: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph. 6:12 Avoid every kind of evil. I Thess. 5:22 Also, Eph. 5:7-10 I encourage you, Pastor Strutz, to take a stand against evil and the way of our sinful world. Don't just do the easy thing. I'm also TOTALLY UNIMPRESSED with KTVA. I could give you the names of 100 local pastors who DO NOT support Halloween, so I believe the title of this article is completely inaccurate!
76491359Laughing@You said on Tuesday, Nov 1 at 10:54 AM
Well of course Christianists believe in Lucifer and his merry band of demons... did I say believe?? When clearly I mean every christianist pastor in Anchorage has FAITH IN LUCIFER AND HIS DEMON HOARDES. I have no faith in the supernatural... why? I bet you could guess with just a little thought.. okay the secret is out... they do not exist... what does exist are the electronic soul-molestors hammering their audiences with lies and begging for money ... a little like Prevo's henchmen do when there is a need for a little extra cash on hand... ya gotta love the 'door-to-doors'... so young clean and fresh.. so full of lies .. Prevo's janitors' housing is not taxed... this is what religion is about ... follow the money.. so when Anchorage pastors warn you to be careful and use caution ... they sure know whereof they speak
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