Special Newsletter: Halloween and Paranormal Activity

Dear Good News Magazine Subscriber,

In a previous newsletter, Clyde Kilough asked if Jesus would celebrate Halloween, with its dark themes and sordid past. We think not.

But most Americans would say: It’s for the kids. It's all about dressing up in costumes, eating lots of candy and having fun. It's all just make believe.

But is it? Is the horror, gore and ghoulishness just good fun? Or is there a sinister aspect to this holiday that masquerades as innocent fun for children and a not-so-innocent fun for "adult" revelers?

Is it really harmless to dress up as ghosts, witches, wizards, demons and other denizens of the spirit world? If the spirit world were totally make believe, maybe so. But the Bible says what many of us suspect in our heart of hearts: The spirit world is real. Satan is real. Evil exists and should be left alone, not dabbled with. (Our booklet Is There Really a Devil? goes through a thorough biblical study of this subject. Read it online or order a copy to be sent to you.)

I have not seen, and don't plan to see, the low-budget but high-impact film Paranormal Activity. But I've read enough about it to know that it taps into real fears that lie just beneath the surface of our minds. The moviemakers' magic may not be real, but the spirit world it invokes is all too frighteningly realistic.

Of course God is in charge, and if we stay close to Him, we don't need to fear Satan (James 4:7-8). But when we stray from God and take evil lightly, there is reason to fear.

We don't have to blindly follow the customs of our increasingly godless society. Many Christians are choosing not to participate in Halloween's celebration of evil. If you are one of them, let us know. We are happy to encourage you in this positive decision.

Please take a moment to check out some of the links to related articles. We pray they will be interesting and helpful to you in growing in your relationship with our loving Creator.

Warm regards,
Mike Bennett
Editorial content manager

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October 28, 2009 - Harmless Halloween?

Archived Good News Video Commentary

Bible FAQ

How did Halloween come to be considered a "Christian" celebration? Does the Bible say anything about All Hallows' or All Saints' Day?

What Holy Days and holidays does God want (or not want) us to celebrate?

Archived Bible FAQ

Weekly Commentary

Should Parents Protect Their Children From Halloween? If you as a parent want God's Word to have the final say on how children should be brought up, why would you allow them to participate in Halloween?

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Behind the Mask What image comes to mind about Halloween? Just a night of fun or a holiday devoted to spirits who oppose God? You need to know.

Halloween: Treat or Trick? Witches, ghouls, ghosts, monsters and demons. Why participate in a holiday that emphasizes the morbid and macabre?

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