I’ve been known to joke about someday hanging a crucifix on my own wall as a political statement – bring back the death penalty for bothersome preachers!

I agree, of course, that martyrdom is hardly a matter of sweetness and light. However, the other commenters are correct that Halloween has quite genuine pagan connections. In fact, Samhain was one of the darker and more momentous days in the Celtic calendar. Apart from the notion of welcoming the return of the dead, it marked the waning of the light and the approach of dark, cold winter, and it may even have been “celebrated” with human sacrifices.

The idea of marking the change of seasons actually resonates with me, and I appreciate the pagan insight that darkness, as well as light, has a role to play in our lives. Halloween does have something to do with the “dark forces of paganism”, but there’s no harm in giving those forces – or at least, the sensibility that recognises them – the time of day.

Personally, I’ll be spending Samhain with H. P. Lovecraft, and some chocolate.