HALLOWE'EN is a time when children - and adults - traditionally dress up as ghosts and ghouls. But f

The festival marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter in the Celtic calendar.

Traditionally it is said to be when the gates of the other world are open, and a time when dark forces are abroad in the realm of humans.

Some of the most popular current TV programmes - including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed and Sabrina the Teenage Witch - already touch on the subjects of evil and the undead.

But for most people October 31 is simply the night when children turn from little angels to little devils...or vampires, witches or warlocks...for a fun night of trick or treating.

But Tom Barrett from ConservativeTruth, a group which comments on issues from a biblical, moral and conservative viewpoint, believes parents should not allow their children to celebrate a "religion of evil".

He says that as an alternative to Hallowe'en, many churches in various parts of America have "Hallelujah Nights" on October 31, where children enjoy fun, games and candy and dress up in costumes - although not scary ones.

He said: "Hallowe'en is not innocent fun with costumes and candy, as many believe.

"The last day of October has been known as 'The Festival of the Dead' for centuries.

"Druid (pagan) priests celebrated this day as the passage from life to death. Today Halloween is the most 'sacred' day of the year for Satan worshippers and witches.

"Most parents do not understand that they are allowing their children participate in a celebration of all that is unholy."

Canon Arthur Ranson, from St Silas' Church, Preston New Road, Blackburn, believes that some aspects of Hallowe'en could be considered to be "unhealthy" or "unhelpful".

He said: "I try not to get too hot under the collar when I see children sporting black witches hats or burning candles in a hollow turnip. They are playing games about fear.

"But it is important that we have the festivals that ensure the light of Christ is passed down the generations.

"Christ destroys all our fears. Being part of the Christian community is about overcoming our fears and finding God's love, joy and peace in our lives.

"Perhaps there are people whose lives are haunted by fear, and who do not have the assurance of God's unconditional love, which is freely available for all people today.

"All Hallows' Eve starts a Christian Festival which we call All Saints' Day.

"But the meaning has been twisted by the modern, contemporary ways of marking Hallowe'en.

"It is not about being haunted by evil.

"We rejoice with the millions of Christian Saints who, in the light of Christ, have overcome fears that prevent us all from living a joyful and fulfilled life."

Maureen Stopforth runs the Witches Galore shop in Pendle and believes that the whole aspect of Hallowe'en should be kept lighthearted.

She said: "We have been here for 23 years and every year my husband and I say it can't possibly be busier than the previous year .

"But it is even busier. It is incredible.

"All our customers dress up and when you see the children's faces it is like it's Christmas because there is such an air of expectation.

"I noticed last year that a lot more Asian families were getting involved and when I asked them they said 'Why not?' and said it had nothing to do with their religion.

"I think for a lot of people it is just an excuse for a carnival.

"I am a church-goer but I sit on the fence and look at it from both sides.

"I don't think there is a problem as long as the whole thing is kept very light-hearted.

"You hear all about witchcraft but there is no way you want to encourage that or be involved in it. You just want to keep it fun."

Maureen said she also believes that people do not really think about the subject content of programmes such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

She said: "I think people just like to be scared. We all like to be frightened and hide behind a cushion.

"The majority of people see tonight as Hallowe'en with a capital 'H'. It is just an excuse for a party."

Should we encourage children to celebrate Hallowe'en?

RING OUR FRIDAY JURY HOTLINE ON: 08705 446644.

On hearing the welcome, dial either 9000 for YES, we should encourage children to celebrate Hallowe'en, OR 9001 for NO, we should not encourage children to celebrate Hallowe'en

Last week we asked: Do new laws controlling the use of fireworks go far enough?

Yes 6% No 94%