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Original poster

Psychics to come under Consumer protection laws

67 replies

UnquietDad · 20/04/2008 15:11

story here

"A change in the law could mean mediums, psychics and healers face prosecution if they cannot justify their claims. Spiritualists are delivering a mass petition to Downing Street and complaining that a genuine religion is being discriminated against."

To be fair, they really ought to have seen that one coming.

(I was going to post this in Philosophy, Religion and Woo-Woo, but I imagine it'd get a frosty reception...)

OP posts:
sorkycake · 20/04/2008 15:14

yes I'd imagine you would need a tin hat to have posted in there

PuppyMonkey · 20/04/2008 15:15

And will all "normal" Christians have to justify their claims now too? If they can't prove we'll all go to heaven to meet Jesus etc after we die? Trades descriptions and all that?

Original poster
UnquietDad · 20/04/2008 15:18

It will be amusing if other "religions" have to be answerable in the same way.

"So, Archbishop, this eternal salvation business - any actual evidence for this?"

"Mr Icke, you say here that the Royal Family are lizards..."

OP posts:
SaintGeorge · 20/04/2008 15:23

To be fair though UQD, there are genuine concerns behind the protests. This is seen (and forseen ) by some as the thin edge of the wedge. What right do the government have to force laws like this on religions?

I despise fraudulent pyschics as much as you do, but this change in the law worries me.

Greyriverside · 20/04/2008 15:23

Oh I wish! but this won't be enforced at all I expect.

WideWebWitch · 20/04/2008 15:24

lol at they should have seen it coming.

They are mainly a load of charlatans preying on the bereaved and vulnerable.

sorkycake · 20/04/2008 15:24

I've often wondered if those who predict the end of the world are ever so slightly embarrassed when the day comes and goes with not so much as a sniff of armageddon.

Or perhaps God slept in on that day and he's got another day planned soon, just has to check his diary.

fuzzywuzzy · 20/04/2008 15:27

Isn't this more geared towards protecting people who go to psychics/mediums/healers and pay for their services.
Wouldn't have thought it would affect people who are just practicing a religion, but those who are offering a service for a fee as such....

Original poster
UnquietDad · 20/04/2008 15:29

Although religions ask for money in other means, e.g. peer pressure to put money in the plate and give tithes.

OP posts:
SaintGeorge · 20/04/2008 15:31

Tricky point though fw.

Some spiritualists (meaning those who view it specifically as their religion) do also use it as their main source of income, so would come under this law.

A vicar on the other hand, who also earns a wage from his religion, would not.

Is that fair?

policywonk · 20/04/2008 15:31

ben goldacre is interesting on this.

SaintGeorge · 20/04/2008 15:31

Did we just agree UQD?

fuzzywuzzy · 20/04/2008 15:31

Can't you pretend to be deeply in prayer when the collection box comes your way??? Also healers can be very dangerous if vulnerable people stop taking madication because they think they have been healed miraculously.

sorkycake · 20/04/2008 15:33

Does the government have some sort of plan for compensation for when you die and don't get into heaven as promised?

I can't wait until the first medium is up in court with wrong predictions, the media will have a field day!

Makingdo · 20/04/2008 15:34

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fuzzywuzzy · 20/04/2008 15:35

SG really, strangely it's never occurred to me that a medium would be doing it as a full time job... The psychic my friend visits worksi na shop in covent garden so I suppose its her bread and butter isn't it.

I don't know then, but I it is a service isn't it, unless people give you moeny on a donation level.....dunno dont want to offend anyone (couldn't bear any bad karma at the moemnt).

Makingdo · 20/04/2008 15:37

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SaintGeorge · 20/04/2008 15:48

Really MD, you see this as a good thing?

I agree with everything else you say but I really cannot say I am happy about this law.

There must be other ways of protecting those who are vulnerable, although I think the majority of people who spend a fortune on fraudsters are more daft than vulnerable anyway.

Blandmum · 20/04/2008 15:49

I think this is being grossly unfair to the Mediums.

what about the Smalls and the Large? Eh? size-ism at its worst!

Makingdo · 20/04/2008 15:50

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Makingdo · 20/04/2008 15:57

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SaintGeorge · 20/04/2008 16:05

No I don't think to say those things is right.

I don't have the answers to the problem but that doesn't mean I have to accept that the government has got it right either.

sorkycake · 20/04/2008 16:11

anyone who believes they are going to die at 34 because a psychic told them they would needs locking up for their own safety!

Makingdo · 20/04/2008 16:12

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Makingdo · 20/04/2008 16:14

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