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Sept 2010 - New Charge Laid In Toronto, Ontario

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Sept 2010 - New Charge Laid In Toronto, Ontario

Postby FTP » Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:36 am

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/93396--brampton-man-arrested-for-practicing-witchcraft

Brampton Man Arrested for Practicing Witchcraft
2010/09/15 | CityNews.ca Staff


A Brampton man has been arrested for practicing witchcraft and Peel Region police believe there may be more victims.

Officers allege the suspect defrauded people inside his own home. He allegedly offered services in exchange for money, and police believe he’s been in business for over a year.

"No, it’s obviously not common," Sgt. Zahir Shah said in a phone interview.

"We’re taking this case seriously, because it’s fraud. This gentleman claims he has the ability to practice witchcraft and as a result he’s able to help solve people’s problems and he’s taken advantage of people’s trust," he added.

The problem isn't the religion - it's the fraud.

"If you want to believe in witchcraft and be a Wiccan, that’s your business. But when you abuse people’s trust, we get involved," Shah said.


Yogendra Pathak, 44, has been charged with:


Fraud Under Five Thousand
Pretending to Practice Witchcraft.

If you can help, call police 905-453-2121, ext. 2133 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by visiting http://www.peelcrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “PEEL”, followed by your tip, to CRIMES (274637).
FTP
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Re: Sept 2010 - New Charge Laid In Toronto, Ontario

Postby FTP » Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:37 am

Of note here are the comments of the the article's author and Sgt. Zahir Shah, respectively:

"The problem isn't the religion - it's the fraud."
"If you want to believe in witchcraft and be a Wiccan, that’s your business. But when you abuse people’s trust, we get involved"

The problem that I see is that witchcraft is a cultural/religious practice. Fraud is fraud. You can criminalize fraud, but you can't criminalize culture in Canada. If someone has been guilty of commiting fraud, then charge and convict them of the criminal practice, don't charge them for being a witch.

I have yet to see someone convicted of pretending to practice Christianity by abusing the trust of their community with promises of healing, the love of God, or the absolution of sins as the gateway to a favoured existance after death in exchange for donations to theri church. There is a clear double standard being applied against a minority culture in Canada.
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