Scotland's witches officially pardoned today!

[Gandalf]

In a historic event today, a Scottish Baron has officially apologised and pardoned the witches his ancestors burned at the stake over 300 years ago in the Crammond region of Scotland, one of the focal points in the Scottish witch hunts.

Over 5000 women and some men were executed during the witch hunting craze initiated by the Scottish king James vi, (later to be king of England as well). A little known fact is that Scotland, along with Salem, were the only two regions to actually burn witches. In most other areas, they were hanged in the usual manner; it is believed that Scotland's and Salems' presbetyrianism encouraged a more fanatical form of persecution than in other regions.

Scotland's present day witches and neo-pagans rejoiced at the symbolic event today, along with the decendants of those executed. The move is seen as a reflection of the growing acceptance of multi-faith communities in the country.

It isnt all rosy however as only recently the Church of Scotland (which is presbetyrian, not Anglican like the church of England) was urging people not to celebrate Halloween since it falls on a Sunday this year, or if they must then to do so on Saturday or Monday instead!

Regards,
Douglas

[mactombs]

It isnt all rosy however as only recently the Church of Scotland (which is presbetyrian, not Anglican like the church of England) was urging people not to celebrate Halloween since it falls on a Sunday this year, or if they must then to do so on Saturday or Monday instead!

That's rosier than where I live. Here, the church pretty much decides for you that it will be officially celebrated on Saturday. Same with every other holiday that falls on Sunday (except Christmas).

Also, I don't believe any witches were burned at Salem. I think they were all hung.

In Scotland there is a history of a lot of people getting burned - tax collectors, too, I've heard...

[Novice]

I would need to check my history books (been a few years since I've studied history) but I seem to remember witches being burned at the stake in Salem as well.

[magickdan]

Many of the people burned in salem weren't actually witch's.

[Parapsycho]

If you are talking about Salem, Massachusetts, then no, no one was burned there for witchcraft.
19 Were charged with the crime of practicing witchcraft, and were hanged.

1 person was pressed to death. He died before a confession could be gathered from him.

Most (if not all) of the accused were not witches at all, but devout Christians. On a side note; One was even a minister, who recited the Lord's Prayer while standing on the gallows. It was believed that witches were unable to recite the prayer. He was hung anyway, even as the townsfolk protested.

[Gandalf]

your right about salem, It seems that Scotland was the main 'burning place' as it were!

Hey its tradition!

Douglas