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Society
Two women report ghost has been having sex with them
The following is a sample from the Federal Way police public information log:
At 4:02 p.m. April 10, two women went into the Federal Way police station claiming that over the past two years, a paranormal person has been placing sensors on their bodies and visiting them in their house at 28600 block of 25th Place [...]
UK mediums foresee trouble ahead
A change in the law could mean mediums, psychics and healers face prosecution if they cannot justify their claims. Spiritualists are delivering a mass petition to Downing Street and complaining that a genuine religion is being discriminated against.
More at the BBC
Climate change to bring more witchhunts?
There is evidence that European witch-burnings in past centuries may also have resulted from climate variations and the resulting crop failures, economic distress and search for scapegoats. Emily Oster, a University of Chicago economist, tracked witchcraft trials and weather in Western Europe between 1520 and 1770 and found a close correlation: colder weather led to [...]
Christians try to reclaim Harry Potter
Richard Albanes, author of “Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings: What You Need to Know About Fantasy Books and Movies,” says:
“There is this crossover where the Wiccans know it, the occultists know, the practitioners of all these things know it, and they are using that curiosity that kids have for all of [...]
Irish priests sign huge record deal
Life imitating art… This is actually a real story, not an episode of Father Ted.
Jehovah transfusion deemed lawful
A hospital acted lawfully in sedating and giving blood to a woman who refused the treatment after a haemorrhage, the Irish Republic’s High Court has ruled.
The woman, a Jehovah’s Witness, did not want the transfusion for religious reasons after giving birth at Dublin’s Women’s Hospital last September.
More at the BBC
Exorcism case begins in NZ
Nine members of the extended family of 22-year-old Janet Moses appeared in Lower Hutt District Court today jointly charged with her manslaughter during an apparent exorcism ceremony in New Zealand.
Name suppression was continued for the accused, aged between 42 and 57, and they were bailed to reappear on May 27 for a pre-depositions hearing.
Ms Moses [...]
Don’t be albino in Tanzania
Witchdoctors in Tanzania have been chopping bits off albinos in the belief that their body parts have magical powers. Now the government has announced a crackdown against the practice.
“This is senseless cruelty. It must stop forthwith,” Jakaya Kikwete said on television
UK to repeal Fradulent Mediums Act
Next month the UK’s Fraudulent Mediums Act will be replaced by the new Consumer Protection Regulations, which will allows consumers to expect psychic activity for money to operate the same way as any other business transaction (and why shouldn’t it be?
A legal specialist said: ‘Now there is no difference between a psychic and a double-glazing [...]
Santo Daime
I’ve read about the uses of ayahuasca before, but had never heard of Santo Daime till I read this piece in The Times. It’s a fairly modern religion, seemingly formed of the fusion between Amazonian shamanism and Christianity. A fascinating read.
