4.06.2008
First Shot Fired in British Psychic Wars
America isn't the only place dealing with laws banning or unfairly regulating psychic practitioners. Britain is set to pass a new set of regulations concerning divination, spiritual healing, and psychic practices in line with EU recommendations.
"...a whole list of disclaimers must be added to the spiritualists' spiel if they are to avoid an avalanche of writs following the repeal next month of the Fraudulent Mediums Act, to be replaced by the new Consumer Protection Regulations. Promises to raise the dead, secure good fortune or heal through the laying on of hands are all at risk of legal action from disgruntled customers. Spiritualists say they will be forced to issue disclaimers, such as 'this is a scientific experiment, the results of which cannot be guaranteed'. They claim the new regulations will leave them open to malicious civil action by skeptics."
The new Consumer Protection Regulations also places the burden of proof on the psychic or practitioner in accusations of fraud. A very different scenario than under the old Fraudulent Mediums Act (which replaced the repealed Witchcraft Act).
"For the past half-century, 'genuine' mediums have been protected by the 1951 Fraudulent Mediums Act, under which prosecutors had to prove fraud and dishonest intent to secure a criminal conviction, which was difficult. There have been fewer than 10 convictions in the past 20 years. With that protection gone, there will now be nothing between the medium and the trading standards officer - and no need to prove fraud. Instead it will be up to the trader, in this case the medium, to prove they did not mislead, coerce or take advantage of any 'vulnerable' consumers."
Those most upset over these impending regulations are the Spiritualist churches in Britain (which, according to latest census, has over 30,000 members), who rankle at having to describe sacred rites as "experiments", in effect denying their own beliefs in order to avoid accusations of fraud.
"Carole McEntee-Taylor, a spiritualist healer in Essex, said having to stand up and describe the invoking of spirits as an 'experiment' was forcing spiritualists to 'lie and deny our beliefs'. She added: 'No other religion has to do that. And how can you tell if someone is vulnerable? You would have to ask them if they felt vulnerable, or had mental health issues, or were of a nervous disposition' ... 'It is taking a religion, a way of life, and making it a commercial transaction,' said David McEntee-Taylor. 'If we hold a service in a village hall, we have to charge or ask for a donation to cover the cost of hiring the hall. There are bad mediums out there, and we would like to regulate them. But this is unfair on genuine spiritualists. Some people are very nervous of entrapment.'"
These regulations would also have an immediate effect on British Pagans and occultists as well. Did you charge for a healing? A tarot reading? Did you pass the hat to cover rent at a public gathering where a Priestess invoked the Goddess and gave advice? You could be held liable for fraud if the advice or healing doesn't work out. The British government, in response to criticisms, claims that no religious services "in themselves" will be affected, only "misleading" business transactions. Some are holding out hope that the regulations will only, as the government claims, affect the scam-artists. Leaving Spiritualists and other practitioners in peace.
"All that Spiritualism needs to do is to ensure that it's mediums operate within the new law regarding any services which involve transactions that could be interpreted as a "consumer contract". This may require some precautions such as verbal disclaimers and possibly in the case of private sittings, signed indemnity statements, but surely this is perfectly possible for any responsible Spiritualist medium to arrange ... In my opinion, the sky is definitely not falling, and the new legislation will serve to eliminate the undesirables, the fortune tellers and the con artists."
In truth, no one is quite sure how these new regulations will be enforced. Will it only target "undesirables", or will it create a litigation nightmare for anyone engaged in psychic practice, mediumship, or spiritual healing work. Is it fair to make a Pagan or Spiritualist call practices tied to their religion "experiments" that the "gullible" or emotionally "vulnerable" should avoid? Since it seems likely that these regulations will be put in place without much opposition in Parliament, we'll all just have to wait and see.
Labels: law, litigation, Paganism, psychics, Religious Freedom, Spiritualism, Tarot, The Witchcraft Act, UK
Comments:
Wouldn't this law also refer to any Christian church service that promises you a better life if you put yourself in the hands of Jesus and then passes the collection plate?
These sorts of laws can cut both ways, and it seems to me that it usually takes seeing how it can negatively affect Christians before they are changed or repealed. I don't know much about British law, but I would be interested in seeing the implications for everyone else.
They can't write it to apply to Pagans only, can they?
--Phae
I was thinking the same thing. About the time Catholic priests are made to say all the disclaimers before giving communion, the laws will be rendered useless.
I would love to take the vatican to court for fraud!!!!!!!!!! christ is risen??? okay where???? prove it or i'll sue.. you can see the headlines now can't you!
Post a Comment
Wouldn't this law also refer to any Christian church service that promises you a better life if you put yourself in the hands of Jesus and then passes the collection plate?
These sorts of laws can cut both ways, and it seems to me that it usually takes seeing how it can negatively affect Christians before they are changed or repealed. I don't know much about British law, but I would be interested in seeing the implications for everyone else.
They can't write it to apply to Pagans only, can they?
--Phae
I was thinking the same thing. About the time Catholic priests are made to say all the disclaimers before giving communion, the laws will be rendered useless.
I would love to take the vatican to court for fraud!!!!!!!!!! christ is risen??? okay where???? prove it or i'll sue.. you can see the headlines now can't you!
Links to this post:
