Here in the UK we're all used to the occasional vicar spouting off about the evils of Halloween in the local press.  Or, occasionally (as with the Bishop of Bolton a few years ago), the odd Bishop. 

This year, however, the Anglican Church has launched a campaign to smear paganism, and the festival, with ideas of harm to children, and to undermine the growing popularity of the festivities with the general public.

In a way that they would never dare with the festivals of other faiths such as Diwali and Ramadan, this year, through their Children's Society, they are organising alternative events to Samhain, once more implying that kids aren't safe if they celebrate the event and building on the pressure they put on retailers in recent years.

The last time religious groups went on the attack in this way, we ended up having to fight off a new witchcraft law - one that would have seen people going to jail for up to 5 years. We only narrowly won that one, and could do without having to fight it again.

I would ask everyone to help us resist this incidious campaign, which will only get worse in future years if we do not.

There is a petition, and full details at:

http://www.halloweenchoiceorg.bravehost.com

Please sign it.

Thanks for your time and attention

TO A CERTAIN EXTEND THAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN THE U.S. TOO. I LIVE IN THE SO CALLED BIBLE BELT AND THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES TRY TO MAKE THE CHILDREN SPEND HALLOWEEN THERE INSTEAD OF CELEBRATING SAMHEIN. THE CHILDREN ARE BRIBED WITH WHAT THEY CALL TRUNK-OF-TREAT.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN EUROPE MYSELF AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THEY GO BACK TO THE MIDDLE/DARK AGES WHERE EVERYTHING OUT OF THE NORM WAS FEARED.

It hasn't been much of a problem in Canada, except in certain provinces. In Toronto, it isn't much of a problem at all. I just hope that Samhain will remain in the U.K.

Thanks for the information
Will be signing it
well if they don't like the idea of halloween they best not celbrate easter

Thanks to everyone who has read this so far. Given how this kind of campaign has run in other countries, I suspect we'll be in for a stepped up effort next year.

Signing the petition will still be a useful stage in the efforts to prevent things getting worse.

YES AND CHRISTMAS. THE EASTER EGGS AND CHRISTMAS TREE ALL HAVE THEIR ORIGIN IN PAGANISM. I BELIEVE THAT I AM CORRECT IN THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS INCORPORATED WHEN THEY TRIED TO CONVERT THE "BABARIENS" TO CHRISTIANITY.