Halloween Demons
Stock Photo - Microsoft Word

Halloween really does bring out some scary characters, and this year is no exception. Usually, though, those characters are in costume and they are playing a role. One person who comes to mind this year isn't wearing a costume and doesn't seem to be playing a role. Still, she gets my vote for Halloween's scariest person this year.

In an article reprinted on the Christian Broadcast Network (CBN) Web site, preacher Kimberly Daniels waxes crazy about "the danger of celebrating Halloween." It's somewhat difficult to figure out what she's babbling about. All that is clear is that she believes that demons run rampant on Halloween. Her ramblings about it seem lifted right off the pages of a poorly written, poorly conceived fantasy novel.

I truly believe that if she were found wandering the streets espousing the same nonsense she put forth in the article, she promptly would be carted off to the nearest psych ward.

Among other things, Daniels claims that Halloween is a day of service for Lucifer. She wrote, "The root word of Halloween is 'hallow,' which means 'holy, consecrated and set apart for service.' If this holiday is hallowed, whose service is it set apart for? The answer to that question is very easy—Lucifer's!"

What's more, demons and curses run amok on Lucifer's day of service. According to Daniels, "The key word in discussing Halloween is 'dedicated.' It is dedicated to darkness and is an accursed season. During Halloween, time-released curses are always loosed. A time-released curse is a period that has been set aside to release demonic activity and to ensnare souls in great measure."

And how do they get you? Well, apparently they use Halloween candy, among other things.

Daniels said, "During this period demons are assigned against those who participate in the rituals and festivities. These demons are automatically drawn to the fetishes that open doors for them to come into the lives of human beings. For example, most of the candy sold during this season has been dedicated and prayed over by witches."

Apparently, you don't even have to go trick or treating to be affected by these demons. The mere act of purchasing the candy can doom you. "Curses are sent through the tricks and treats of the innocent whether they get it by going door to door or by purchasing it from the local grocery store," Daniels said, adding "The demons cannot tell the difference." (Apparently, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to be an effective demon.)

Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, according to an article on the AU Web site, said "I’ve heard of the devil being in the details, but to think he’s lurking inside a Snickers bar is a little too much. Pat Robertson has always peddled some scary stuff, but this is over the top.” (CBN is Pat Robertson's site.)

I will say this, were I the owner of a candy company, I'd be filing a suit against this woman right now.

All of my life I was under the impression that Halloween was about fun with family and friends, dressing up, and getting free candy from neighbors. I, it seems, was grossly mistaken. As it turn out, it's all about the demons, the curses, and the evil. Daniels said, "Halloween is much more than a holiday filled with fun and tricks or treats. It is a time for the gathering of evil that masquerades behind the fictitious characters of Dracula, werewolves, mummies and witches on brooms. The truth is that these demons that have been presented as scary cartoons actually exist. I have prayed for witches who are addicted to drinking blood and howling at the moon." (Emphasis added.) Well, if she says it's true, it must be. After all, she is a woman of God, so why would she lie.

Now, just in case all of this hasn't convinced you how "out there" Daniels is - er, I mean - how dangerous Halloween is, there's more. Apparently, the real danger of Halloween lies not in what we see happening all around us, rather, it is to be found in what goes on behind the scenes. (Even though demons can't tell the difference between candy being passed out and candy being purchased, they are crafty enough to keep their worst shenanigans hidden.) Look, if you don't believe me, listen (or read) what Daniels has to say about it:

The word "occult" means "secret." The danger of Halloween is not in the scary things we see but in the secret, wicked, cruel activities that go on behind the scenes. These activities include:

Sex with demons
Orgies between animals and humans
Animal and human sacrifices
Sacrificing babies to shed innocent blood
Rape and molestation of adults, children and babies
Revel nights
Conjuring of demons and casting of spells
Release of "time-released" curses against the innocent and the ignorant.

Daniels notes that necromancy is a problem as well. This can be particularly dangerous because, as everyone knows, "[s]éances and contacting spirit guides are very popular on Halloween, so there is a lot of darkness lurking in the air." (Put away your Ouija boards, kiddies, she's on to you!)

It seems to me that Daniels took a wrong turn on the road to reality. I ask you, how is it that people like this are permitted to walk the streets? How is she allowed to continue to peddle this brand of crazy? (Perhaps it is because there are people buying it.) I can't decide which is more scary - that she says these things or that there are people who believe these things she says.