Casting Out Spirits - Should Christians Celebrate Witches and Ghosts?

Once again the Philistines gathered against Israel, and Saul was afraid. He asked the Lord what to do, but got no answer. So, what did he do? He went to a woman that had a 'familiar spirit' so he could ask Samuel - the man of God who had already died - what to do.

Saul, weak, disloyal, prideful and afraid, coaxed a woman into doing something against his own decree. It's apparent that, while witches and wizards and seers had been told not to practice their black magic, they hadn't been removed from the land, and so she did as she was asked and called Samuel up from his grave. Samuel knew that God had turned away from Saul, as Saul had turned away from God. We don't even have to wonder why. A man who so quickly turns to receive answers from a familiar spirit in lieu of the Lord God has problems with loyalty.

How loyal are we, each of us? Have we set a decree against the 'familiar spirits', but not removed them? Have we denounced the activity in our lives of witchcraft, ouija boards, 'new age'... then called them up by flagrantly displaying plastic bats and cardboard witches' hats on Halloween?

Halloween, formerly Hallow Evening, started out to be called the 'Death of the Year' by the Celts, hundreds of years ago. They believed that on that day, ghosts of the dead returned to haunt those who hadn't given them proper remembrance and worship. These ghosts came in the form of bats and owls and ghouls and goblins, flying through the night, angrily causing terror and destruction wherever they went, and not only to those who were guilty. Those unfortunate enough to have to venture away from home, light, and family, carried candles within hollowed out turnips which had been carved with frightening, scowling faces, in the hopes of keeping away these angry spirits.

When Christianity reached the area, the Church used this pagan holiday, as it did so many others, for it's own good. Instead of simply being 'haunted' by ghostly evil, the Church decided to celebrate the lives of those were especially worthy of remembrance. Martyrs were 'sainted' - made worthy of human worship, and the day was a celebration of their sacrifice for the cause of Christ.