I had a performance scheduled at a local church. However, after passing up other offers to perform on that date, they cancel, citing the reference to "psychic demonstrations" on the main page of my site. Are people really so naive as to not know the difference between a theatrical performer and a "psychic"?

I don't understand why these people waste my time. I thought all of the "witchburning" was over!

I wouldn't include all "church folk" in your broad brushstroke, but, yes, some religious people do not like magic, or psychic tricks, or whatever.

But let's not be too hard on them. Maybe they're right, and they'll be enjoying paradise while you're "wasting your time" spending all of eternity burning in the bowels of Hell.

One more reason to collect a down payment and use a contract with a cancellation clause.

I'm a magician and it still bothers me when I see the Psychic readers scamming people for money. I agree that what we do is a performance art and not witchcraft. We are not trying to take advantage of anyone by charging for quality entertainment. I would think that the Church that was going to hire you would have had the show untill someone complained so they cancelled. I agree with starr on the contract but you might have done that without mentioning it.

A friend of mine writes a popular line of pre-school children's books. His entire series was outlawed by the state B*****t conference because ONE of the books dared to include pirates and "magic beans" in the story. I consider that an extreme reaction unworthy of rational thought...especially when the story of the Two Prince Charmings sharing their kingdoms and "Suzy Has Two Mommies" can be found in most children's libraries.

Skip

I don't know if you can equate witch burning with a canceled church show, witch burnings usually have better food. My sister in law believes David Copperfield uses demons to do his magic. I did a party once, strolling magic (or what you young'uz call street magic but in a house w/out a camera crew) and after one basic effect the hostess asked how it was done. I did the "can't tell you, it's a secret" response and she said only Satan could do what I did and booted me, with full pay, out of the place.
Steve V

Yes it is very sad that here at the dawn of the twenty-first century there are still people who believe in witches, demons and that magicians must be in league with satan.

What? You mean there's another way to do magic? I wonder if I can get my soul back if I get a good lawyer.

Hello Alan:

I've not been to your website to see, but perhaps you'll want to clarify what your "pyschic demonstrations" are all about. Maybe this groups is lumping you together with people like Miss Cleo and Uri Geller.

I think the lines between theatrical performance and reality have been blurred in recent years. Some people just don't want to have anything to do with that stuff.

Ron

I love to watch the Sunday morning church services on TV especially the faith healer with the toupee who can cure cancer, but can't grow hair.
Al

Regretable that you lost a gig.

What was their tone in conversation with you? Did it change between booking and bailing? A case of buyer's remorse? Or maybe somebody overstepped their authority or budget?

I've had a couple of religious groups request that no playing cards be used in the show. No other issues arose on those occasions.

Well, for those of you grouping witches, demons, psychics and the devil together, it's not correct, first off, witches don’t believe in the devil and most don’t go for the demons either.

Witches are actually increasing in number the Wiccan religion (we’re actually seeing a growth in “Pagan” religions in general) and as such it should be treated as any other belief system.

Now, if you really want to make a witch mad (especially a male witch) call them a warlock! The term that Bewitched used for all male witches is actually a derogatory term meaning “oath break” or someone not to be trusted (I guess some would say that about all men…)

Dave

PS: I do have some friends who pratice witchcraft and truly believe that it's real, what it is, I have no idea, but strong beliefs do make strange things happen.

Now, someone said that DC used demons in his show. Now, that's just wrong, I thought everyone knew he used Farie Folk to do most of his big illusions!

Anybody who performs for religious groups should check out Cody Fisher's "School Show Opener". It easily explains to everybody that a magician is just somebody who knows how to do a few cool things, and not someone who is in league with the devil.
Tim

Yes, they are that naive and believe that opening your mind in any fashion such as hypnosis or other psychic demonstrations, is a gateway for evil spirits to enter your mind.

These are not uneducated people either. I have met (and am friends with) professionals who think this way.

I have tried to tell them that they are wrong, but it went nowhere.

I would suggest in the future get a deposit for the time slot with wording which states that it is forefeitted if the show is canceled in less than 2 weeks prior to the show.

oliver

It's not just "church folk." Professional educators (or what some might call the Yellow-Bellied Liberal P.C. Crowd) are nearly as bad. I was scheduled to present a seminar titled "Conjuring in the Classroom" at a state teachers' convention. They later cancelled citing, "Some teachers were uncomfortable with the term 'conjuring'."

I'm uncomfortable with the term "professional educator."

Well, they're paid to educate, thus my use of the term.

Interesting what definition comes up first for conjuring:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=conjuring

I'm not surprised at all they objected to the term "pyschic demonstrations" as you can see from the examples above folks have objected to a lot tamer references than that. I've had a call from a school who booked me saying that one of the board of directors objected to magic and could I do my show with no magic it in it.

Being magicians ourselves we often get blaise about our art and forget that folks not in the know, really know very little about our art. We get annoyed when after performing a trick some people claim it's just a trick or guess at how it was done, can we also be annoyed that we actually do fool some people and they think it's real?

We also kind of bring it on ourselves with many magi wearing black, waving fire around and acting other-wordly (and even calling mind-reading tricks psychic demonstarations) is it any wonder the uninformed get the wrong impression?

George

I really don't see the point in rewording my website. How else would I word it? Are people really so ignorant that I have to state the obvious - it's not real, just a theatrical performance. Do these same people think that what occurs in a movie is real? I just hope if that's the case, they don't have the gall to breed.

I make no apology for saying that anyone who thinks like that should be committed to a mental institution.

I would say if your not a Christian then you should not perform for churches or for a church program. If you are a Christian and a true student of the Bible then you know how to represent yourself.

I was raised that way. Studied theology, too. But, some people just twist the Bible to support their own views. I find that some people who claim to be religious are just mentally lazy. They don't put any thought into what they believe. They trust too much in preachers and books, rather than making a real effort to find out what God wants.

I don't like to be told what I should believe. A healthy discussion is nice, but don't say my view is wrong when you're just parroting someone else.