Norway hosts Witchcraft Forum
Pastor Dale Morgan
Norway hosts Witchcraft Forum*
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.