Featured Image Credit: Twitter
Topics: US News, Harry Potter
Jake Massey
A pastor in the US held a 'witchcraft' book burning, with Harry Potter and Twilight novels among those targeted. Watch here:
Greg Locke, head pastor at Global Vision Bible Church, led the book bonfire in Tennessee on Wednesday (2 February), stating that 'witchcraft and accursed things must go'.
Hundreds gathered in the Nashville suburb of Mt. Juliet for the burning, whooping and tossing fantasy novels on the fire.
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Conspiracy theorist-touting pastor Locke - who has been banned from Twitter for sharing vaccine misinformation - said at the burning that 'a church has a religious right to burn occultic materials that they deem are a threat to their religious rights and freedoms and belief systems'.
In a post on Instagram promoting the book burning, Locke said: "We have stuff coming in from all over that we will be burning. We’re not playing games. Witchcraft and accursed things must go. In Acts 19 they brought their sorcery and demonism and BURNED IT!!
"We are well aware what we are stepping into. Bring it all. Stop allowing demonic influences into your home. I said it from the stage, and I’m saying it here….
"ANYTHING tied to the Masonic Lodge needs to be destroyed. It's a Satanic cult no matter what your Master Mason, fish frying Grandfather told you.
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"Bring all your Harry Potter stuff. Laugh all you will haters. I don't care. IT'S WITCHCRAFT 100%.
"All your 'Twilight' books and movies. That mess is full of spells, demonism, shape-shifting and occultism. Bring tarot cards, Ouija birds, healing crystals, idol statues, spell books and everything else tied to the occult. It’s got to go!!"
But while Locke thinks burning books that contain ideas he doesn't agree with is a 'right', many people compared his event to the book burnings that took place in Nazi Germany:
This is not the first time Locke has made headlines for preaching controversial views.
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The right-wing pastor was recently condemned for stating that autistic children are possessed by the devil.
He said: "I'm telling you your kid could be demonised and attacked but your doctor calls it autism... Ain't no such diagnosis in the Bible."