Romania Legalizes Witchcraft As Profession

BUCHAREST, Romania — Romania has changed its labor laws to officially recognize witchcraft as a profession, prompting one self-described witch to threaten retaliation.

The move, which went into effect Saturday, is part of the government's drive to crack down on widespread tax evasion in a country that is in recession.

In addition to witches, astrologists, embalmers, valets and driving instructors are now considered by labor law to be working real jobs, making it harder for them to avoid income tax.

For months the measure had been debated, protested by witches and mocked by the media.

On Saturday, a witch called Bratara told Realitate.net, the website of a top TV station, that she plans to cast a spell using black pepper and yeast to create discord in the government.

Comments

[Jolimont]

09:52 AM on 01/04/2011

Well if there's room for priests and ministers of religion, why not witches and warlocks? It's all the same hocus pocus.

[donnyraindog]

08:29 AM on 01/04/2011

This is great a place for many of my ex girlfriends to become gainfully employed!

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

02:30 PM on 01/04/2011

Dude, what does that say about you :))

[John Deltuvia]

07:36 AM on 01/04/2011

I think this is a bad idea. The idea that Witchcraft is a profession, rather than a religion, is the reason Thomas Jefferson (who was very liberal for his time about freedom of religion) was opposed to Witchcraft was that he saw it in the light of an early style of consumer protection; people took money for spells, and if they didn't work, they were committing fraud.

It would be interesting to see Christian clergy as practicing "a profession" where, if prayers were said and they did not have the intended purpose, said clergy were charged with fraud. :-)

[Captain Ron]

02:38 AM on 01/04/2011

A job prospect for Christine. How nice.

[Blackorpheus]

01:16 AM on 01/04/2011

Witchcraft has blossomed in American politics. Why not Romania?

[Jeannette Lacey]

01:00 AM on 01/04/2011

So witches get taxed..do churches???

[I-am-correct]

11:42 PM on 01/03/2011

What about vampires? Or are they already legal?

[Jeannette Lacey]

01:01 AM on 01/04/2011

The are exempt under the Larry Talbot Werewolf Act of 1918

[ibwilliamsi]

11:19 PM on 01/03/2011

Since when is "O'Donnell" a Romanian name?

[Frederic]

05:58 AM on 01/04/2011

And don't forget Sarah! She believes in witches, too.

We are back in the 15th century, hooray!!!

[KaptainKen]

10:56 PM on 01/03/2011

" ... are now considered by labor law to be working real jobs, making it harder for them to avoid income tax."

On the other hand, it will make it easier to collect unemployment compensation.

[ibwilliamsi]

11:20 PM on 01/03/2011

I'm pretty sure that the gypsy witches in Romania aren't applying for unemployment. Great tunnel vision on your part, though.

[Bmori]

10:43 PM on 01/03/2011

"she plans to cast a spell using black pepper and yeast to create discord in the government." or she could be baking
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Bread/ParmPepper.htm

[falco]

09:45 PM on 01/03/2011

Why not? The bankers have been doing it for decades...

[Angel Inge]

08:18 PM on 01/03/2011

That is an odd mix, isn't it?

[Wanderland]

06:41 PM on 01/03/2011

So until this law, embalmer, driving instructor and valet WERE NOT jobs? Were they considered recreational pursuits?

[SaulBloodworth]

06:14 PM on 01/03/2011

There is a new career for Christine O'Donnell!

[Dosadi]

07:00 PM on 01/03/2011

Faved.

[Madagain]

07:10 PM on 01/03/2011

HaHaHa,HeHeHe. My first thought also.

[YellowDay]

04:50 PM on 01/03/2011

Cables: Don't trust Israel on Iran

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/12/02/wikileaks_israel_on_iran