Letting the witch out of the bottle

How should social workers “engage with faith communities where particular beliefs, such as witchcraft and possession, cause emotional trauma and physical harm to children”? That was a question posed at a conference on child abuse reported by the Church Times.

On page 4, the paper also ran a report about children in Cornwall being offered paganism in their religious education syllabus. “The syllabus allows teachers to respond to – and celebrate – local diversity,” said the director of education for the Truro diocese of the Church of England.

On page 7, the paper reported: “Concern about accusations of witchcraft and possession within black and minority ethnic communities was heightened this year by the case of Kristy Bamu, aged 15, who was murdered by his sister and her partner.” His killers had thought he was using the harmful power of witchcraft.

So it seems there are now two kinds of witchcraft: the bad kind that black people believe in, and the kind that should be celebrated because it is believed in by Cornish people.

It’s not just Cornwall. The Pagan Federation has just been allowed to join the Religious Education Council, which aims to foster religious education in schools. A spokesman said, smugly, that diversity was its strength. In response, the Catholic Education Service is considering its membership.

Continue reading at www.telegraph.co.uk

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Chris

Paganism isn't witchcraft and witchcraft isn't real.
- guest
  
  Scripture says witchcraft is real. This is Gods' word and Jesus and the word are interchangeable
  terms in scripture.
  - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
    
    Which is just another reason that we know the bible is not providing factual information.
    - http://youtu.be/zjgBhpanOfQ Despeville
      
      You and reason are opposing Wikipedia moron.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        From the man who believes snakes and donkeys can talk and the sun can stop in the sky. Humpty, you lost all semblance of reason years ago, you delusional loon.
    - Joe Anzilotti
      
      Jeff, "factual information" isn't necessarily what you get by sitting all day playing on the internet. Get a grip on reality.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        So says the king of the Luddites of today.
msjallen

This type of thinking would never encompass the American school system nor accepted by society if Christianity (not religion) had been taught correctly in our churches. Instead, they have chosen to compete with the cosmic system of entertainment to keep their doors open.
Roman 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world (human viewpoint), but be transformed by the renewing (renovation) of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
The study of the Word of God is the way we learn how to follow God's plan for our lives and it sure helps because no matter what problems we have in life we can face them with God's help. This gives peace of mind.
aceituna

The Bible definitely tells us to avoid "witchcraft".
- daves
  
  A man or a woman who acts as a medium or fortuneteller shall be put to death by stoning; they have no one but themselves to blame for their death. (Leviticus 20:27 )
  - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
    
    Nancy Reagan enjoyed fortunetellers. How come the Gipper never put any of them to death?
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  Also blended fabrics and shellfish. Make sure you avoid those abominations as well. Oh, and haughty eyes. Stay away from those devil eyes at all costs.
http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11

What about the effect of abortion on children. How do they react to the knowledge that mommy can or has killed off one who would have been their brother or sister?
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  It is highly unlikely that mommy has told her other children about this.
Chris P

Better than living in a family of overpopulaters like Octomom and the Duggars. Having to a apologize for parents that cannot do the mathematics showing that dividing finite resources amongst more people means that each person has less.