A lot to catch up here...

1. Starting and continuing this thread - Bryster, I'm very surprised at your attitude. You sound very judgmental and too quick to pronounce that the thread shouldnt have been started or that it shouldnt be continued. It is not for you to say. Being a moderator puts you in a position to stop a discussion if people disregard the TOS. Did I? did anyone else? I dont think so. The opinions posted were opposing but all fairly civilised. In this case I was supporting the implementation of the TOS not bushing it. We can continue it as long as we like, till we feel satisfied with the results or till we give up hope achieving anything. So please dont call my original post a 'non -starter', dont tell others to refrain from posting till admin says something, dont call me a 'TOS basher'. You're out of line.
2. Can violent images be posted in the galleries and in competitions?
   I think so. There are very many things in the galleries & marketplace & competitions I dont like, artisticlly or morally. None of my business though. I dont have the right to judge other people's work.  But I dont want such images shoved in my face. I approve of the rules in the TOS preventing members from posting such images without warning or in locations where I cant avoid them. This enables me to avoid what I find objectionable.
3. Is violence in images ever justified ?
   I think so. If it serves a moral purpose. Exposing its existance and condeming it. (But even on newsreport ,on decent channels, there is a warning before presenting violent scenes. ) The only  reason I expressed my opinion about Halloween in general is that the  only noticeable aspect of it is the  commercial aspect. This is not a good justification for an open display of violence.
4. Is the image that started this thread violent and is posting it on top a the forum a violation of the TOS?
   This can not be decided by a democratic procedure - it isnt a matter of what 'most' people think. The rules are there to protect minorities. The fact that a lot of people didnt see it as violent is'nt the main consideration. The first thing I felt when I saw it was shock and disgust. Considering the size of the image, all I could discern was blood oozing out of his eyes and mouth. This is violence. Artur presented compelling arguments both about what he felt, and about what is considered violence by the movie industry. As he said - even if it is just makeup it doesnt matter, it represents and is percieved as violence.
   I beleive Jenx and Bantha that they try to implement the rules consistently and fairly. The reason I posted is to draw attention to the fact that the good intentions failed here. Some people find the banner offensive and cant avoid seeing it whenever getting to the forum. I'm absolutely sure there are more people who object to it but didnt post. By the nature of the problem the people who find it offensive are more sensitive than average. Most of these will just try to avoid taking part (and being branded as 'not adult' at best.) I have pointed out a problem for some. Couldnt admin be considerate and avoid using this image? Couldnt you chose something more neutral for general locations? A pumpkin? a scarecrow? a ghost? a clown that isnt bleeding?
   On your main page, at the bottom left you have another clown image promoting the contest - he's still ugly and disgusting but his makup cannot be confused with blood, perhaps as a compromise and a show of good will  you could use that  on top of the forum? (and anywhere else that I cant avoid , like newsletters).

I understand that you do your best to apply the rules fairly, but once you have evidence that members are offended nevertheless, perhaps you can find a way to accomodate their feeling and use another image?
Thanks for listening and reconsidering.

"I paint that which comes from the imagination or from dreams, or from an unconscious drive. I photograph the things that I do not wish to paint, the things which already have an existence."
Man Ray, modernist painter
http://artpearl.redbubble.com/