Christians DO NOT part take in Carnival!

Written by Netisha Alie-Grant

Intro…

While many may argue that Carnival is the celebration of emancipation from slavery I highly doubt that the ancestors would look in delight at the so called expression of freedom currently done by dispossessed people as they engage in this obvious pagan worship and reveling. Clearly Carnival today is losing its significance to emancipation. 

      

Somewhere along my journey of enlightenment I was made to believe that Carnival is a “cultural” celebration that represents the freedom and liberation our African forefathers fought so tirelessly to attain. 

Yet some how I look at the festivities and couldn’t help but ask; what might our “ancestors say if they were to see Carnival today?” 

Carnival Masquerades in Dominica

I’ve only attended this event twice in 13 years. Firstly to see what the “hype” was about: Youthful curiosity! Then again when my family wanted the same! Of course I’d did the village jam session we’d have back in Dominica where the villagers would come together dressed in masquerades, jamming to the sounds of goat skinned drums (lapo kabwit) and singing gossip type songs about the issues and dramas that had happened in the village prior to that date. –A possible version of calypso.  

After my two (2) experiences here in Antigua where the ‘celebration’ is much bigger compared to the village jam I was used, I would deliberately flea the island to spend my money, time and energy touring New York City or Texas with my family. Of course even in my ignorance (of biblical view) I was obviously enlightened to personally boycott the hedonistic celebration. 

Carnival in Venice 

However recently I became “disturbed“ by the act of Carnival and decided to explore it further! Why would a celebration geared towards my history be so troubling?

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

Let’s take a closer look at the events surrounding carnival:

During this season there is an increase in crime (theft, violence and death) unwanted pregnancies, spread of S T D’s and immorality entangled in demonic spirits of lawlessness. 

As much as there are aspects of The season itself that may show less inappropriate behaviours, the focus here is on the areas that leads partakers to pose as totally different individuals the following day as they ignore the guy they jammed on while being drunk the day before. 

Maria E. Baynes (Aug 6, 2015) describes it perfectly " Just imagine, jumping, chipping, and winning half naked in the streets from sun up to sun down; seeing masses of people from all over the world covered in paint & powder without a care in the world; drinking rum..." She neglected to mention the "money burning" $100 USD per decorative pasties (informal-a decorative covering for the nipple worn by a stripper. ) To spend this much money to look naked one might as well be the star in The Emperor's New Clothes. 

How much more must man fall for the devil's devices as he constantly makes a mockery of man in the name of "Culture" or "Independence?"

Why True believers do not attend Carnival?

While carnival was derived from the Italians to mean “the removal of meat” Its root word Carnal is latin for “of the flesh” It is what the Italian Catholics did as a wild costume festival before lent. The fact that “The white man” brought this to the Caribbean to enslave or in this case ‘liberate’ the Blacks will be left for another article. 

When one stands before God and says, “I accept you as my personal Lord and saviour, I renounce the world (flesh) and surrender to your Holy Spirit…” they become a “new creation and the old man/things are passed away” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Perhaps if we knew that we were created to be members of God’s family and to worship Him we’d not see Carnival as emancipation but rather a separation from our Father. 

God continues to make it clear in a number of scriptures why His children (Born again Christians) should NOT take part in such carnality.

Romans 8: “ ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

2 Timothy 2:21 "If a man therefore pure himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified (set apart) and meet the master's use, & prepared unto every good work. "

God wants to use you if you you'll choose Holiness. We are called to separate ourselves from such life style and remain focused on our true purpose pf worshipping God. 

Though some Christians claim to show "The right way to celebrate carnival..." According to history that's actually incorrect, but rather just a continuation of past religious celebrations. 

 Don't agree? Just how much has this display been effective in changing the view of Carnival when it keeps getting lawlessly skimpier each year?

Have I taken part in Carnival? Yes! Do I still take part? No! Why? “1 Corinthians 13:11 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways." Are you still a child? 

What if we changed the way we did Carnival? 

Until Jesus Christ returns and casts the devil and his counterparts into hell forever, (Revelation 20:7) satan will continue to roam this earth seeking whom he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8) And God will have those who’ll continue to press to the mark of the highest calling. (Philippians 3:14) 

If Carnival were to change see Galatians 5 to know what to replace the lawlessness with. 

Until then Christians God says “My sheep know my voice…” You are a royal people set apart: SEPARATE YOURSELVES!