The Witch Has Been Removed: Developers Respond to Backlash

Last week, the controversial figure of the witch was finally removed from our society. For centuries, witches have been feared and persecuted, accused of practicing dark magic and causing harm to those around them. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement advocating for the elimination of this stigma and the recognition of witches as individuals with unique beliefs and practices. The removal of the witch from our society is a significant step towards achieving equality and acceptance for all. It signifies a shift in societal attitudes and a rejection of the ignorance and prejudice that have plagued us for too long. By recognizing that witches are not inherently evil or dangerous, we can begin to dismantle the stereotypes that have been perpetuated for generations.

The law has been criticised for targeting women and cultural groups where beliefs in magic are more widespread.

The law has generally been interpreted as a provision against using the occult to perpetuate fraud, say by someone promising to cure a disease with magic. Every one who fraudulently a pretends to exercise or to use any kind of witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment or conjuration, b undertakes, for a consideration, to tell fortunes, or c pretends from his skill in or knowledge of an occult or crafty science to discover where or in what manner anything that is supposed to have been stolen or lost may be found.

By recognizing that witches are not inherently evil or dangerous, we can begin to dismantle the stereotypes that have been perpetuated for generations. It is important to note that the removal of the witch does not mean the erasure of their history or culture. Witches have a rich and diverse heritage, rooted in ancient traditions and wisdom.

Canada decriminalized fake witchcraft. But it was too late for the ‘white witch of the north’

Canada recently passed legislation that says pretending to be a witch to dupe people into paying, a seemingly unusual crime, is no longer a crime.

Critics say criminalizing witchcraft-related activities is not only archaic, but also redundant because fraud, in general, is already a crime. The witchcraft law yielded a paltry number of prosecutions, and offenses rarely resulted in convictions. So Canada voted to remove the law from the books.

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But Parliament did not take action soon enough for Tiffany Butch, who goes by the alias “the white witch of the north.”

Authorities have charged Butch, 33, of pretending to practice witchcraft over an incident that allegedly occurred in October, weeks before the law was scrapped last week.

Police in Timmins, in northeastern Ontario, described Butch as a “self-proclaimed spiritualist, medium and clairvoyant.” They say she promised to protect a client from “some form of potential danger” to her family and tried to elicit payments in return.

Butch contends that she’s not a witch, but a psychic, and that she has been one since she was 11. Her alias was merely a “cute name” her friends and family called her, she said. She said she never advertised herself as someone who practices witchcraft.

The charges against her are false, she said, and fellow psychics — her rivals — have conspired to frame her, though she declined to name anyone. She said that sometime in October, a woman came to her office in Timmins and asked for a crystal ball reading. But, Butch said, she told her that she was not in business at that time.

“I don’t believe that I even read for her,” Butch said. “I don’t believe I even provided this woman a reading.”

Before the witchcraft law was scrapped, it led to criminal charges against women accused of advertising themselves as fortune tellers and telling unsuspecting clients that they can ward off evil spirits. In October, a 32-year-old fortune teller from Milton, Ontario, was accused of swindling more than $60,000 out of one of her clients. The same month, police say, a 27-year-old woman from Toronto bilked an elderly man out of $600,000 in a “evil blessing scam.”

Those women, and Butch, were charged under Section 365 of Canada’s criminal code. It says that anyone who pretends to exercise witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment, conjuration or fortune telling, or claims to have the ability to find lost or stolen objects, has committed a crime. Punishment can be up to six months in prison, a $2,000 fine or both.

The witchcraft law was in place in Canada since the late 1800s and largely remained unchanged. It originated from a 1735 British law under which those who pretended to practice witchcraft would be subjected to a minor punishment. Previously, the British law classified witchcraft as a felony.

In 2017, lawmakers introduced expansive legislation to scrap what they consider antiquated laws. These included laws that criminalize pretending to be a witch, challenging someone to a duel, possessing comic books that depict crime and advertising a drug that claims to enhance sexual virility.

“Canadians are far better served by a criminal code that is focused on conduct that actually causes harms or risks causing harms to Canadians and our fundamental values,” Marco Mendicino, a Liberal member of the House of Commons, said during a speech last year.

The bill also amended sexual assault laws by, among other things, clarifying the definition of “consent” and creating stricter rules about admitting an alleged rape victim’s sexual history as evidence in court.

Critics of the witchcraft law say it hardly resulted in convictions because charges were usually dropped after defendants agreed to reimburse their clients, said Christine Moore, a House of Commons member from the New Democratic Party.

Peter Van Loan, a Conservative member of the House of Commons, however, opposed removing the provision, saying it protected people from those wanting to use “fraudulent witchcraft powers.”

“These things really happen in our society, even in this day and age. Does that provision, as it exists right now, cause any harm? No. Does it give the police an avenue or resource in the case of those particular unusual offenses? Yes, it does,” he said.

Police allege she convinced a man the only way to get rid of "evil spirits" in his home would be to sell it, and transfer the proceeds into her account.

By removing the negative connotations associated with the term "witch," we can create a space for dialogue and understanding, where the true essence of witchcraft can be explored and appreciated. This milestone also serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of advocating for change. The removal of the witch did not happen overnight but was the result of years of activism and education. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of those who fought tirelessly for a more inclusive and tolerant society. In conclusion, the removal of the witch from our society marks a significant moment in our history. It symbolizes a shift in attitudes and a move towards acceptance and understanding. By recognizing the humanity and value of witches, we take a step towards a more inclusive and equitable future. Let us celebrate this milestone and continue to work towards a society where every individual can be recognized and respected for who they are..

Reviews for "Out with the Old: The Witch Has Been Removed from the Game"

1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to "Witch has been removed" but was ultimately disappointed. The storyline was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. It felt like the author was just going through the motions, rather than truly engaging and intriguing the reader. I was also expecting more action and suspense from a book with such a gripping title. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster read that didn't live up to its potential.

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3. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch has been removed" as I'm a fan of the genre, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult for me to connect with them. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the pacing was slow and there were many unnecessary details that could have been trimmed down. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and unremarkable read.

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