Witchcraft conference
A small Norwegian town inside the Arctic Circle was the focal point of a gathering of experts in sorcery and witchcraft from universities all over the world. The International Midnight Sun Witchcraft Conference draws participants to Vardo for the summer solstice to celebrate the midnight sun.
The delegates meet for three days of lectures and discussion about witchcraft and the continuing persecution of mostly women and children accused of sorcery, especially in Africa and parts of Asia. Victims are often singled out by their communities and made scapegoats for disease, bad weather and other misfortunes.
Recently, allegations of child abuse have been made against some African-led churches in the UK following accusations of children being possessed by the devil and in need of exorcism.
Witchcraft is currently gaining a new and younger circle of enthusiasts, following the publication of books and films like the Harry Potter productions. The idea of magical powers continues to lure people today as powerfully as it ever did.
The Bible prohibits all involvement with the occult (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Galatians 5:20), but also enjoins Christians to seek the salvation of those entrapped by the devil (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
