Government to be cursed

[Chupacabras]

August 24, 2003.

The State Government of Veracruz, Mexico, is looking to pass a Law that will make witchcraft illegal, and worshippers of both "black" and "white" magic have joined efforts to oppose the move, citing the Talion's Law (an eye for an eye...).

"El Diabolico", is ready to call on Satan to demand severe punishment for the PAN party which will make effects in the next electoral process. The government says it is necessary to punish the fraud involved in false curations, foretelling and other practices. The sorcerer says the PAN party should reconsider, since they "cannot eliminate them" as they have conjoined the forces of the good and the evil "besides being a major touristic attraction".

Sorcerers cite celebrities consulting them, among which there are TV stars, singers, whole bands and none other than ex-president Carlos Salinas (see my avatar).

This link (in Spanish) is for "daily updates", so it will surely expire this night. Hopefully, tomorrow there will be a follow-up: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=50456&tabla=ESTADOS

* Black magic bases its powers in the adoration of Satan, while "white" magic bases in Jesus.

[arcticpenguin]

Sad. If people were to realize that witchcraft simply doesn't work there wouldn't be a need to outlaw it.

Are all brands of witchcraft to be outlawed? For instance, suppose i could cast a spell that would transform wine into blood and bread into meat, would that be illegal?

[Glory]

Originally posted by Chupacabras
August 24, 2003.

" The government says it is necessary to punish the fraud involved in false curations, foretelling and other practices.

I don't entirely buy this. I suspect the christian's don't want the competition.

The sorcerer says the PAN party should reconsider, since they "cannot eliminate them" as they have conjoined the forces of the good and the evil "besides being a major touristic attraction".

I would add that since outlawing it won't make it go away, all they are doing is losing out on the opportunity to tax it.

This is a perfect example of good intentions leading to bad actions.

Glory

[kittynh]

Well, I'm told some Catholic churches in Mexico are a combination of old beliefs and Christian.

And what about that "painting" of the Virgin Mary?
Joe Nickell did some research, and it's a fake. Or at least the story of its creation doesn't match the real painting.

[Soapy Sam]

I'm guessing that "fake" and "factory / manu facture" have shared roots in the Latin verb "to make" (facere).

If so, we can honestly say all culture is "fake" and all artwork too.

Culture is culture- what humans do. Magic is part of that, as is art, as is government.

I'm not sure how necessary it is that any of these "work".

Does all art "work"? Hardly.
Which works better, magic or government? Hmm. I need to see the stats on that one.

Particularly with Latin America in mind, maybe they should keep the art and the magic and ban the government?

[Chupacabras]

Originally posted by arcticpenguin
... i could cast a spell that would transform wine into blood and bread into meat, would that be illegal?

No, if that was what you were "selling". Government seeks to protect against fraud. OTOH, with one million in your pocket, who cares if it was? :)

Originally posted by Glory
... I suspect the christian's don't want the competition.

Good point! I remember writing something about this in my school years. The church has a quick and strong position against ESP, RV and other paranormal phenomena, and the usual argument is that "these are trobled people". However, IMHO, god and the saints are as plausible as any form of paranormal.


Originally posted by kittynh
... I'm told some Catholic churches in Mexico are a combination of old beliefs and Christian.

Yes, depending on the community. Most, if not all indigenous communities, have "mixed catolicism" religions - they worship Jesus, but they keep their own accounts for the creation of earth and humankind, for example.

Originally posted by kittynh
And what about that "painting" of the Virgin Mary?
Joe Nickell did some research, and it's a fake.

There are numerous studies, testimony and cross-references that prove it is a fake. "El Mito Guadalupano", by Rius, outstands for its simplicity (for the commonest of readers) and wit. But as stated in the "Good Pope (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25687) " thread, there is an agenda to reposition Rome in the religious market. Also, against all arguments and directly under the virgin Mary issue, this Pope made Juan Diego a Saint (and mother Teresa as well, on spite of everything). Ultimately, the church said, the Pope has direct inspiration from god, so he should know. It will be written for my sons to read as one of the greatest shames of modern times.

SS, as said, it is a matter of fraud: getting paid for providing a service, fully and satisfactory in the terms of market laws. I do agree that some governments should be banned for the same reason!

[Frank Newgent]

Didn't PAN start as a rather conservative pro-Catholic free market opposition party? Maybe they don't go for the idea of competition after all.

[American]

I shall follow this story with intense interest, setting aside all frivolity in my life toward seeing the outcome of this issue in resolute historical definition.

Not souly for my own personal development, but for the sake of Mother Mexico....

[Chupacabras]

August 27.

A PAN representative declared that, even tough he is not worried by the imminent curse, the proposed law is not aginst sorcerers, but charlatans.

Ángel Deschamps Falcón declared himself a skeptic on the matter, and invited sorcerers from the region to make a joint negotiation on the wording of this Law, so it won't be adverse to white and black magic sorcerers.

Link (in Spanish): http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=50494&tabla=ESTADOS


My comment: Talk about political correctness.