Church warns pagan holiday spells trouble

Published on Saturday 26 January 2008 19:47

WITCHES, heathens, druids and wiccans from across the UK are set to spend a spell in a tiny north-east community.

The Pagan Federation is planning to hold its first summer camp in Inchberry near Fochabers. The three-day event, scheduled for July, will be a celebration of the ancient religion which is based on a respect for nature.

But the gathering has met with a frosty reception from a Moray church, whose minister fears it may encourage dangerous dabbling in witchcraft.

The pagan summer camp will take place beside the Inchberry community hall between Friday, July 18 and Sunday, July 20. The event is open to "all witches, druids, shaman and other pagans of good". It will feature an "opening ritual" as well as a host of workshops and talks.

Moray resident Joanne Campbell, who is behind the event, said: "People like to sensationalise our gathering and speculate that we are up to all sorts of strange things.

"But the reality is that we really just want to get together and socialise with friends and like-minded people. There is nothing remotely sinister about it. In fact it is quite the opposite."

But Rev Graham Swanson, of Elgin Baptist Church, said: "I have grave concerns and reservations about this event taking place. As a Christian I believe the Bible warns us about dabbling in such things as witchcraft."

Last year the Pagan Federation held its Scottish conference at Edinburgh University. But the move enraged the Christian Union which accused the university of double standards after banning one its events which outlined the "dangers" of homosexuality.