A bishop denied he was a killjoy after claiming traditional Hallowe'en merchandise - such as scary masks - were helping create a "climate of fear".
The Bishop of Bolton believes retailers are helping to promote a "dark and negative" side of the festival.
The Rt Rev David Gillett is calling on the UK's five biggest supermarkets to stock alternative goods such as bright balloons and hair braids alongside more traditional Hallowe'en products, such as witch costumes and skeleton masks.
He said: "I share the view of many Christians that large retailers are increasingly keen to commercialise Hallowe'en celebrations in a way that pressurises parents to purchase goods that promote the dark, negative side of Hallowe'en and could encourage anti-social behaviour.
"I am worried that Hallowe'en has the potential to trivialise the realities of evil in the world and that occult practices should not be condoned, even if they are only being presented in a caricatured, light-hearted form."
He added: "Those in the Church supporting this move towards a more positive approach to the event are not being killjoys, but are simply reflecting the concerns of many parents and teachers across the land.
"We want everyone to be able to have an enjoyable time at Hallowe'en, which is why people need to consider the impact of their behaviour on their neighbours.
"It is why we want supermarkets to take a responsible position in relation to the products they promote for celebrating the event."
Bishop Gillett wrote to the supermarkets last week saying he believed some of their goods could create a climate of fear.
He will be displaying some of his alternative Hallowe'en products outside Asda, in Hulme, Manchester.
