Postbag Special
Letters in response to the story about protests at Bridport Psychic Fayre
How scary, how dubious, we must be careful of the darker arrogant, intimidating, evil side of Christianity.
Would the Buddhists or Moslems in the area behave in this manner.
All you witches in the area lock your doors at night as there could be another ‘Witches of Salem’ repeating itself.
If it wasn’t so upsetting for the people attending the ‘Psychic Fayre’ it could be laughed at. I’ve always considered Bridport to be an open minded tolerant place – well I’ve had my eyes opened.
Well done ‘The Palace’ for putting on such a varied programme, there is something for everyone but I suppose you can’t please all the people all the time!
I thought I’d said goodbye to the rantings and preaching going on outside Brixton Station at rush hour and Saturday mornings. So this has made me quite nostalgic for that cauldron of different cultures and races. Where people have learned to live side by side with each other.
Cathy Roberts, Chideock
So – ‘Christians disrupt psychic gathering’? I see nothing in the behaviour of this fundamentalist group which calls itself The Christian Fellowship that would define them as ‘Christian’.
Extremism in any form is dangerous – in religion it is especially so. As long as this group stays in its own ‘church’ and preaches only to its own converts then no-one can complain.
Indeed, its right to do so must always be defended.
When it comes out on to the streets and disrupts and threatens others who are breaking no laws then we are on the kind of steep and slippery slope that could all too easily lead to book burning and witch hunting.
The Fellowship may believe it has a monopoly on ‘the truth’ – there are many different truths or interpretations of the truth that are just as valid as theirs.
Miles Bell, Symondsbury
I am neither a committed Christian nor am I interested in tarot readings and psychic gatherings. I am, however, appalled by the behaviour of the Christian Fellowship in relation to the psychic fayre.
Miss Hitchins and the staff of the Electric Palace have done a wonderful job in restoring the building and making it available to be used by the people of Bridport.
They appear in no way judgemental as to the usage of the venue, happy to show everything from comedy nights and rock bands to strip shows and long may it continue.
It is typical of religious intransigence for those people to condemn anything with which they do not agree.
Far from loving thy neighbours and turning the other cheek they harass and harangue those who have the temerity to express a view or ideology that differs from their own.
While those running the psychic fayre who were happy to ply their wares and beliefs behind closed doors the Fellowship frequently appears in Bucky Doo Square with their aggressive leaflet campaigns, tedious sermons and banal music.
But yes, we the people of Bridport are expected to stop, look and listen and embrace their beliefs.
But as Bob Dylan once told us in a song: ‘They must be right – They have God on their side’.
Mike Watson, Bridport
There was a time in this country where we had an ideal of ‘I may not agree with your views but I respect your right to say them’. Ultra right-wing Christian fundamentalists take note!
Free Wessex, Bridport
What a shameful state of affairs when a bunch of fanatics can disrupt a legal event such as this.
Whilst I am tempted to say that it is indicative of the steady decline of Christianity in this country that certain ‘Christians’ have to resort to such bullying tactics – I do know that there are genuine, sincere Christians out there who do not condemn other forms of spirituality out of hand, and will hopefully distance themselves from such behaviour? (perhaps even publicly, on this forum?)
As a Dorset Pagan, and proud of it, I am no doubt already a disciple of the Devil (himself purely an invention of the Christian Church) in the narrow minds of these people. Oh, one other thing, I would like to thank the Reverend Jefferis and his acolytes for bringing this event to my attention by their actions – living in Weymouth I wasn’t aware it was taking place.
I am now though, and will certainly go out of my way to attend the next one.
Weymouth Man
Salem 2 here we come! If the ‘gentleman’ who was demonstrating outside the Palace had given out flyers and told people that his church would help if people had problems after going to the psychic fayre, he would not have seemed like some religious fanatic.
Being a Christian and going to church is no guarantee of goodness.
Did he know the people at the fayre personally or should we believe that he is a bad person because we have read that some Christians and Reverends have been convicted of bad behaviour or evil doings? Bullying or intimidating people doesn’t seem a good thing to do whoever you are.
Pennyforthem, Symondsbury
Maybe they should have let all the protesters in then locked the doors, keeping both sets of nutters in there.
Simpson, Charmouth
Why must certain sections of the community make trouble for others? What has happened to live and let live? To attend a psychic fayre is not going against the Bible or religion, it’s not something to be taken 100 per cent seriously. If it helps people come to terms with the death of a loved one, or gives them hope for the future, however spurious, surely there is not lasting harm. Is it that the religious objectors are aware that they are failing in their beliefs if others seek help/comfort elsewhere? Move on and get a life!
Anne Seogalutze, Beaminster
Any one there actually care to comment on what really happened?
Well, I will, I was there, unfortunately another case of sensationalist reporting.
Do we not have our right to share our views on the street?
I think so, labelling us a bunch of fanatics is pathetic. We were merely concerned and providing an alternative, there was not, or should not have been, any bullying.
Dare I say, I respectfully started a conversation with a lady about my scepticism that is to offer healing when there is little chance of it taking effect or of long-term support and back-up to the individual is dangerous?
Many people will come seeking answers and leave further confused, hurt and disappointed.
They may think this stuff will provide the answers, it seems it won’t. We saw many people crying and upset at what they had been told or experienced.
More expensive palm readings bought a greater future.
Interestingly enough, she said: ‘We do not claim we are going to heal any one’, curious as she was charging £20 a go for faith healing. It is curious to me when Christians begin sharing their faith it is deemed unacceptable.
Not for any other group, could that be a result of an inner conviction and insecurity with in the ‘bullied’ that there is something in Jesus’ words?
A few points:
• Christians believe in freedom of choice, God invented it, he gave us free will. You have a right to practise what you want. However society works on drawing a line somewhere
• I was there and do distance myself from such behaviour. Unfortunate that the reality is there cannot be more than one truth, either there is an elephant in my cupboard, or not regardless of choice
• A psychic fayre is not against the Bible or religion read: 1 John 4:1, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Deuteronomy 18;10-13, Acts 16:16-18 followed by Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:5.
Great that this is getting people discussing Jesus again, circumstances are sad though.
Could I say that those who jumped to conclusions on what happened may have jumped to conclusions on their belief of God?
Knowthetruth
