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Norway hosts witchcraft experts
By Mike Lanchin
BBC News

Pro-witchcraft groups say discrimination is still widespread
More than 60 experts on witchcraft from across the world are gathering in a tiny Arctic town in northern Norway.

For three days in Vardo they will have discussions, lectures and the odd film show on ancient and modern sorcery.

The International Midnight Sun Witchcraft Conference is organised by Scandinavian and US universities.

Organisers say persecution is a thing of the past in Europe, but in parts of Africa and Asia men, women and children are still accused of witchcraft.

As in the past, experts say, victims are often singled out by their communities and made scapegoats for outbreaks of disease, bad weather or other misfortunes.

As well as touching on these issues, the Norwegian conference will also discuss Shamanism - a practice that centres on communication with the spiritual world, mostly through animal spirits.

Some experts claim that Shamanism predates all other organised religions.

But beyond the scholars and believers attending this week's conference, witchcraft has recently gained a new and rather younger circle of enthusiasts, following the publication of the best-selling Harry Potter books - and films - one of which has its worldwide premiere today.

During a 17th-Century witch-hunt in Vardo, about 80 women were burnt at the stake.

Reports from the time indicated they were accused of meeting with the devil at the nearby "witch mountain".

During the 16th and 17th centuries it is estimated that up to 50,000 people were executed for alleged sorcery across Europe.

BOO! HISS! HISS!

I have always thought these neo-pagans are playing with fire.

I hate how they try to blame Harry Potter. as if the witchcraft in those stories is even remotely like witchcraft practiced by real witches and pagans.

The real problem is that witchcraft offers a kind of spirituality that conforms with modern morality; it's a very self-absorbed practice, and allows for lust and revenge. It's not "restricting" like Christianity; meaning basically that people get to be "spiritual" but not God-focused. It's a easy religion.

Dear Domilsean,

When something becomes acceptable, it will be emulated. That is what the Harry Potter books do. You know the devil is very smart...and subtle. He gradually infiltrates peoples minds, and if it were not so, promiscuity and homosexuality wouldn't be so prominent today.

I became suspicious of the books, not by the contents, but rather by their success. Saints are persecuted and suffer dearly, so the antithesis would be the rapid secular success of those that worship the god of this world. The author of Harry Potter, quickly rose to great heights, and today is one of the wealthiest women in Britain. Certainly not the reflection of one that would be blessed by God, and who is directing our youth towards a moral re-awakening through a 'magical' wizard. At least in my mind.

God Bless,

Zenovia

Hmm Wealth and success is a sign of God's lack of blessing? That's a new one.

Jason

Dear Jason,

When one takes it in contrast to the sufferings of the saints, then a rapid rise in one's fortunes, certainly would not be a sign of a growth in Grace. But that's my opinion of course, formed through my extensive readings and years.

God Bless,

Zenovia

I would question the narrative strength in the book series, but I must admit that the story is an entertaining one. That the books draw readers into neo-paganism might be a stretch, especially if other factors play a major role as well. Then it's also possible that these teens are skirting around the edge of the occult, that they claim an interest in witchcraft, but are not truly a participant in the movement.

What is a witch? And do these teens mold themselves to become like Harry Potter or Hermione?

I would say that most children know that the book series is fiction and read it as such. That applies even those who dress up as witches on Halloween. A few others do become interested in witchcraft, but I think the news article here exaggerates the correlation.

The rise in popularity, why it has become a fad, has more to do with the characterizations than demonic influences. For some reason a young teen can easily step into the world of the series and associate themselves with their favorite character(s). Besides, Rowling seems hardly demonic.

Dear Domilsean,

I'm going to have to elaborate a little more on what you wrote.

In one of the books by the Exorcist of the Vatican, (I believe that's the title), there was the story about a nun that worked in the hospital. One of the doctors was enamored of her, but she refused his advances. One night, she went into her locked room and saw a black cat. She couldn't understand how a cat could have entered her room, and took a broom, hitting it a few times in order for it to leave.

The next day, the doctor's face was all bruised. She asked him what happened, and he said, 'you should know', you did this to me.

Sooo!!! What do you say to that?

God Bless,

Zenovia

You haven't been in the spirits again, have you? I also worried about Harry Potter a bit when it first came out. When one of my third-grade students said, "it's not real," I stopped being concerned.

Dear Terry,

Actually I'm not fearful of young children. They have vivid imaginations and are accustomed to magical things. My concern are the young teenagers, that know what witchcraft is, and try everything. Once someone enters the spiritual world, they go into it deeper and deeper.

I'm old enough to recall the days when religious leaders were upset about homosexuality becoming acceptable, and how it might influence young people. Well today, everything they said has come about. When something is unacceptable, then it ceases to exist, except among the exceptionally rebellious. When something is acceptable, then it exists and keeps developing until we end up with the pagan society we are now living in...and yet people have adapted to that society so much, that they are not even aware how pagan it really is.

God Bless,

Zenovia

Zenovia,

While I certainly respect your opinion, I just don't see what wealth and prosperity has to do with someones spiritual status. If I won the lottery tomorrow, would that make me suspect?

Jason

"It is easier for a camel to make it through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to go to heaven". Matthew 19:24

Perhaps this is what Zenovia is alluding to? Not that it can't and doesn't happen, but our Lord Himself warns of the great challenge involved.

Alice

One student ... what about the rest of the students?

Zenovia,

That is quite a haunting story.

One of my former acquaintances asked me to house sit when she went to Europe. Before she left, since she had admitted to once playing with Tarot Cards, I asked her if she had any decks of those cards in the house. She said no, that she no longer believed in Tarot Cards. Well, the first night I spent in that house, a deck of cards came out from behind the /t/ books in her Britanica Encyclopedias and started to hit me. These Tarot Cards were brilliantly white and almost blinded me as they spiraled in the air and repeatedly struck me. Finally, I prayed the holy Name of Jesus three times and those cards spiraled back to their hiding place where we discovered them in the morning. The owner of the house didn't know how they had gotten there.

I guess I am just not a superstitious person. Children are remarkably resilient, and have long ago figured out Harry Potter is nothing more than entertaining reading. As another poster noted, the magic in Harry Potter is nothing like that used by real practitioners of witchcraft. I have the last book pre-ordered, and am going to enjoy reading it.