Derry City Council’s Hallowe’en carnival encourages Satanism and has brought a curse on the city, according to a Methodist minister – Rev Jonathan Campbell, from Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church
BBC
Derry City Council’s Hallowe’en carnival encourages Satanism and has brought a curse on the city, according to a Methodist minister.
Rev Jonathan Campbell, from Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church, has launched an online petition to stop this year’s event.
He said Hallowe’en celebrations “make evil look innocent”, and has appealed for families to boycott the festival.
The Hallowe’en Carnival will take place on the Foyle on 30 and 31 October.
Rev Campbell said his church was opposed to Hallowe’en because it was “one of the two major days for Satanists”, and “God’s word clearly condemns and warns people about celebrating or glorifying Hallowe’en or the occult”.
“One of the main reasons we as a church are opposed to the carnival is that children are being disturbed.
“People are being deceived – they look on it as harmless fun, but it isn’t.
“We are doing this because we care for the people of Londonderry and this is harming parents, children, families in Londonderry,” he said.
The two-day festival includes family fun days, magic shows, movies and live music, and culminates in a firework display on the river.
EDITORS NOTE – Please note that eChurchWebsites has been informed that the following article originated with the Londonderry Sentinel and and was written by the senior reporter Olga Bradshaw – our apologies to our readers and to Olga for any confusion.
http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/
A local clergyman has branded Derry’s Halloween Carnival as ‘Satanic’.
Rev Jonathan Campbell, of Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church, has launched an online petition calling on Derry City Council to ban the Banks of the Foyle Halloween festival – widely regarded as the biggest festival of its kind in Europe and a massive genaerator of revenue for the local economy – because it makes ” evil look innocent.”
“Christians believe that evil is a real but defeated power,” he says. “Halloween, however, is about evil triumphant, therefore it is a distortion of reality.The carnival brings a curse upon the city.”
The petition, available to sign online at www.ipetitions.com/petition/carnival/, calls upon “Derry City Council to stop the annual Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival which makes evil look innocent. The word of God clearly prohibits any involvement in or support for the occult – Leviticus 19:31 ‘Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.’ ”
The petition further reads: “In light of the warnings of scripture, we call upon DCC to scrap the Carnival. It makes evil look innocent and glorifies that which the word of God strongly condemns. It encourages people to get involved in Satanism and brings a curse upon the city. Families are encouraged to be a part of the carnival. Little children are being led astray.
“We have heard reports of people having sex openly in the streets during and after the parade. These are the reasons why we cannot stand by and do nothing.”
Rev Campbell adds: “Christians believe that evil is a real but defeated power. Halloween, however, is about evil triumphant, therefore it is a distortion of reality.
“”Halloween can also breed an unhealthy interest in the occult, which leads to emotional, mental and spiritual distress. This is confirmed by child psychologists who are dealing with increasing numbers of disturbed children.”
A spokeswoman for Derry City Council says the local authority believes “an exchange of views across a wide range of issues regarding Halloween is a useful exercise”.
“The Council has an events team in place to ensure that the annual Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival celebrations is a success for the city. The main focus of our celebrations is on the family and a range of activities have been programmed specifically for families.
“The Council works closely with a number of agencies to promote the Carnival Care message which encourages everyone to enjoy Halloween safely and sensibly”, she said
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Tags: Church Life, News
October 14th, 2009 at 11:34 am
The minister is dead right of course, but the non-Christian world will simply not be able to see the spiritual dimension, as they don’t have the Spirit of Christ within them.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
The Mayor should know that this is not one person’s opinion. It is based on God’s word in Scripture. It is so sad that the majority of people do not see that this is not innocent fun but it is the worship of the devil. We cannot serve two masters you have a choice to make. To believe in the work of Calvary, to ask to have your sins forgiven and follow the Lord Jesus Christ or to follow the devil and the occult.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
The minister is right. It is not his opinion but based on the God’s Word the Bible.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Thank you Rev Campbell for taking this stand against Hallowe’en. We have been warning people for years that it is a Satanic Festival. We run the Mid-Ulster Christian Helpline. Don’t know if you have heard of a man called Clifford Wallace – he travels all over the country giving talks on the ‘Dangers of the occult.’ He has spoken in a few Independent Methodist Churches. If you
would be interested – do feel free to give us a ring for Mr. Wallace’s details. Our Tel No.
028 796 44499 or 028 796 42772.
Every Blessing in all your efforts for God’s glory and the extension of His Kingdom. We will be praying for you. Trusting that your petition will be well supported. William & Freda KERR.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I agree completely. Hallowe’en gave me cancer and then ate my children. Great to hear that the good people of derry are finally fighting back against this evil.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
October 15th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
No problem, webmaster. I hope you have a happy Hallowe’en..
October 22nd, 2009 at 11:15 am
It’s good to see someone stand up and speak out for what’s right and proper, not fudging on the issue, as so often happens in Christianity today.
November 1st, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I very much doubt that before the Reverend brought his petition into the public eye, that many people saw halloween as anything more than an opportunity to have some fun. A chance to dress up, scare one’s friends, let your hair down, no thoughts of Satan or the occult. The Reverend is harking back to the days of Torquemada of the Spanish inquisition, a Christian who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, and the displacement of thousands more. That was about 500 years ago – we’ve moved forward since then, and we have a thing called ‘freedom of choice’ which we must not be denied. Believe what you wish, but don’t try to force those beliefs down other people’s throats.