I'D LIKE to thank Tony Taylor (Letters, November 24) for drawing our attention to York Dungeon's plan to feature satan's grotto during December.

How can we allow the children of our city to be harmed by a satanic ritual in which "they sign away their souls amidst scenes of robins being roasted over an open fire and elves impaled on spikes"?

Christmas celebrates Jesus coming as the light of the world, to banish evil and darkness. He invites children to come to him and teaches that they should be protected from evil. He gives a severe warning to anyone who hinders children from coming to him.

Christmas is a time for children to enjoy singing carols, nativity plays and parties and to think of others, for example by sending Christmas shoe boxes to children in Eastern Europe.

I would urge York Dungeon boss Helen Douglas to seriously consider the emotional damage and abuse she will cause in children's lives if she goes ahead with her plan.

The influence we have on the lives of children today will affect us all tomorrow, for good or evil.

Judy Diatta,

Lidgett Grove,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 09:38 Tuesday, November 30, 2004