The scary Hallowe'en mask is a ghastly picture of how what was originally the feast of All Saints has reverted to the old Celtic festival of New Year's Eve with its placating evil spirits and the celebration of superstition, magic and evil (The Argus, October 30).

In recent times, due to commercial pressures, our children have been encouraged in these superstitious beliefs, which have a negative effect on behaviour.

So we have "trick or treat", with its intimidation of the elderly and vulnerable, the throwing of eggs and flour and other forms of antisocial behaviour.

All Saints Day, on the other hand, was instituted by the church as a time to remember the faithful departed, to give thanks for the great heroes and heroines of the Christian church and to remember the triumph of Christ over the devil, light over darkness and good over evil.

-Rev John Webster, Hove