Your comments:

"Halloween was/is and will always be fun for most. I'm 14 and stopped going out for candy last year. I guess I grew out of it. Even though I don't go trick-or-treating anymore, it doesn't mean I don't like Halloween. My friends and I go to parties, watch scary movies and such. It's just plain fun. I'm Christian, have a good feeling with God and I don't think there's anything wrong with it. My little sister loves going out, dressing up and getting candy. Its a great time, but its not better then Christmas ... Christmas is great, not because of the gifts, but from the songs, the snow and the season." James B. Northford

"Halloween is manifestly not harmless fun, at least not anymore. I am a high school teacher. Not a year has gone by when I haven't overheard conversations about how many eggs, cans of shaving cream, rolls of toilet paper have been hoarded for the event. Then there are the ad hoc gangs that get together and go hunting for their favorite victims. If you think bullying is bad in general, you ought to hear what goes on during the evening festivities on Halloween. And there's worse, but we all know that already. The great shame is, of course, that we, society in general, have allowed what used to be harmless fun -- and quite a lot of fun if my memory is even half accurate -- to be now, for all intents and purposes, irretrievably out of control. What do parents think full-blown teenagers are doing when they go out on Halloween? Surely not trick-or-treating?" J.B.H., Norfolk

"I love Halloween! I love dressing up and getting candy. Some people spoil it. My friend's house was "paintedballed" last year and a few years ago our car was scratched. I think Halloween should be a worldwide celebration! Just last year, they celebrated it in Paris ..." J.G., Storrs

"HARMLESS FUN?? Hardly. Your subscribers need to realize that Halloween is a Demon's Holiday, celebrating pagan and evil spirits and opening their souls to demonic influence and oppression. The Kingdom of Earth belongs to Satan, and Halloween is one of his most successful holidays for evil activity. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to God, and Christmas is His most successful holiday. Wake Up, America. Don't take my word for it, research this stuff for yourself! I'm praying for you all. God Bless You and Protect You." C.P.D., Stamford

"I'm Pagan and I celebrate Halloween a bit more spiritually than most." Tiamat, Sharon

"I think Halloween is a time for children to go out and trick and treat before the cold weather starts to come. Although many people may think of Halloween as a waste or childish, some people actually enjoy giving out candy and seeing the happy faces of the children in their creative costumes." D.F., Moosup

"It could be a harmless day. The number of people who choose a fun holiday as a tool to hurt children disturbs me." V.K.J., Waterbury

"I think Halloween is harmless and a good reason to let kids enjoy their youth while they have it. However, the night before is a mess." C.A.L., Bantam

"It is a fun time for kids, but I don't like the way adults have taken over the holiday. I really don't like going into a business and seeing the people in the office dressed up for Halloween. At least this year, with it coming on a Sunday, that might not be as widespread as it has been." M.J., Hamden

"It ought to be banned? Are you kidding? Are any of us Pagans trying to get Christmas banned? I don't think so. It is always amazing all the hate Christians characterize as love." A.D., Norwich

"Halloween is a great holiday. Unlike Christmas and Thanksgiving, which promote separatism, Halloween promotes community togetherness. It's the only time of the year when everyone is either meeting each other out on the street or being visited at their front door. All costumes aside, there should be more community oriented holidays like this one." C.W., West Haven

"I personally hate Halloween, it's like most of the holidays, a scam for the stores to make more money. I never liked dressing up as a kid and going door-to-door begging for candy. As an adult, I still don't like it, I don't dress up at work like the others, but I also don't condone it either. My son loves Halloween and I take him out every year. I would never take away from him something that he likes and I don't." Sesran, Naugatuck

"Hallowe'en was more fun when I was a youngster ... aside from some pranks pulled by other kids! There used to be a costumed parade that was great fun. But my costumes were never picked for any prizes. Afterwards, on our way home, we made our trick or treat housecalls. We had some great times!" M.F.B., Brookfield

"It's a dentist's favorite time of the year. Why? Because kids are getting candy and cavities. The only part of this time of year I hate is the night of Oct. 30, MISCHIEF NIGHT!" C.Y., Fairfield

"I think Halloween is different for all age groups. I think its a good idea for the kids -- they can get together with friends, meet the neighbors, play dress up, and, on top of it all, get some "illegal" contraband (yum yum!). However, Halloween is NOT such a good idea for those who wish to use it as an excuse for violent behavior or costumes. Some teenagers or young adults (not saying all, as I myself am a teenager) get into the blood-and-guts thing too much. They prey on the little kids, smash pumpkins, and pour fake blood all over themselves and call it a costume. This is NOT the "Halloween spirit" and should not be tolerated. Therefore, Halloween shouldn't be banned, but just kept under a little more control." E.K., No Town

"45 years ago, it was a fun time. Scary -- but all the goodies! One neighbor actually gave out whole, big candy bars. I went there more than once. (I wish there was some way to let them know they were the best home for trick- -or-treat.) Today's world is a different place. I would not want any of my grandchildren going out alone. They range from 4-18. I like the program they are offering in the schools. We tell the children not to accept candy from strangers, so we should be bringing them only to homes they know, and in the neighborhoods they are familiar with. We want them to have a safe fun night." D.P.S., Colchester

"I neither celebrate nor set out to disparage Halloween. If people want to celebrate Halloween, fine, but where children are concerned, it has to be up to the adults in their lives to 1) protect them; 2) make sure they choose their costumes tastefully; and 3) clarify the distinction between Halloween and true holidays (i.e. "HOLY DAYS") like Christmas. I don't think the term "holiday" necessarily applies, but Halloween does seem to have become an integral part of American culture. As long as we remember that's all it is, I have no problem with it." L.E. Morton, Hamden

"I think that the holiday is becoming increasingly more dangerous. I would prefer to see community/school-based evening Halloween parties. The towns could then ban the door-to-door activities. It would be a way to protect children." J.S.H., West Hartford

"I think Halloween would be okay, IF people didn't think it was so much fun to scare little children. We feed on the fear, watch scary, gory movies and think it's all fun. It's not ... it's sick." S.G., Madison

"It should be a neighborhood thing, where people know you and your children. I resent the ones that bring carloads to an ungated condo complex and am nervous about opening my door and giving to strangers. As a parent, I would be nervous and afraid of people I don't know giving my children goodies. As far as the teenagers go, they should have dress-up parties someplace with prizes and such and enough activity so that they don't want to do damage. They should be shown and taught how damaging some of the pranks they pull can be ... even though they think it will never happen to them. It's a shame how what used to be a fun night has turned into something else to worry about." F.McL., New Milford

"Halloween is one of many devices that Satan uses to blind people. There are two kingdoms, Gods' Kingdom and the devil's. Halloween is not a Godly holiday, it is about death, darkness, and bondage. God's kingdom is about Love, Eternal Life, Forgiveness, and Freedom ..." Denise, Lisbon

"At my house, we do not recognize Halloween anymore, meaning, we don't "do" the trick-or-treat thing, or even decorate. I have three children ages 6-15, and we started our own new tradition four years ago. We had always done the whole nine yards where Halloween was concerned: the scary decorating, the spooky music, dressing-up. All of it. I LOVED Halloween! It's a very fun day. For me, becoming a Christian seven years ago had something to do with it. My church doesn't necessarily forbid "celebrating" Halloween. They even have their own kind of party ... an "alternative" party. But for me, it was when a non-church goer said, "I didn't think Christians celebrated Halloween. You're not so different after all." ... Well, I need to BE different from non-believers. They need to see that I AM different. What good is it to be a witness for the Lord if no one can see Him in you?! So, I chose to stop the Halloween "thing", and we now do our own "holiday." ... Sue, Groton

"I think Halloween is a great holiday. However, each year we seniors -- and others -- become frightened to open our doors. Many times carloads of perfect strangers from other towns appear at our doors. I believe this is a problem for many." M.M.L, Wolcott

"It's a heavily commercialized holiday where the costumes, candy and greeting card companies have made it into a billion dollar or more business, rather than it being just harmless inexpensive fun for the kids." O'Malley, Old Saybrook

"Everyone seems to like Christmas so much, but I love Hallowe'en! Christmas used to be good until stores began displaying Christmas goods in October, and in the last few years, September! Before summer ended! Well, that's why I love Hallowe'en. There's no overkill, and it's fun to get scared and to scare other people. One year, I dressed as a witch, with Hollywood-quality make-up and costume, and everyone who came to my door (yes, I get dressed to give out the candy) LOVED it - even the kid who fell backward down my walkway and his parents. The neighbors always love my decorations - none of that cutesy stuff at my house! Only problem is I just moved to a new neighborhood where all the kids go to some organized event rather than Trick-or-Treating ... Boo-Hoo!" K.T., Storrs

"I think Halloween is a great holiday and is lots of fun for kids. The only problem I have with it is that children should not be allowed to go door-to-door by themselves. There are too many sick people out there and Halloween is the perfect opportunity for those who prey on children. This is nothing new, either. When I was a kid, my mother used to take me and my sister (and her friends) to the trailer park where my grandmother lived to go door-to-door trick or treating. Of course it wasn't cool to hang around with the girls, so I went by myself. One year I knocked on the door of a certain trailer and yelled "Trick or treat!" When the door opened, instead of a treat, I was greeted with a face full of boiling water. I was not able to point the trailer out to my father or the police that night and the old man who burned me was never caught but needless to say, I do not allow my children to go door-to-door by themselves. They visit only people we know and then attend the various parties scheduled that night. They have a ball. The holiday should be fun but keep the safety and welfare of the children in mind." E. A., Thompson

"Even though there are people who object to Halloween for religious reasons, I believe it's a fun dress-up day for adults and kids. It's also the only day we can beg from strangers!" B.F., New Haven

"It's a pagan holiday that's turned into a "business" opportunity at the expense of our children. It should be banned." Al, Hartford

"Too many adults ignore Halloween! It's a wonderful holiday and a wonderful time of year, so let's get out there and be kids again!" L.J.C., Manchester

"While it's not my favorite holiday, it is up there in the top ten. Halloween has always conjured up images of adventure and excitement, in nearly all the stages of my life. As a child it was thrilling to dress up and go door-to-door "trick or treating." As a teenager there were parties and dances ... Then, as a young adult I rediscovered Halloween as an excuse to party. Now it is fun to live out Halloween through the eyes of my children and their friends." J.B., Naugatuck

"Halloween was never meant to "celebrated." It was a time of fear and terror. Why should we take this time to "celebrate?" Instead, it would be a good time to reflect on our relationship with God, not the devil. Now that would be something to celebrate!" Dawn, Morris