Okay… I have held back speaking on this topic for many years and I finally decided to say something. The topic being – Magic and it’s place in religion.. or not….
The reason I have not said anything is that I have been doing my best to understand either side of the ‘debate’ that questions if magic and magicians should be part of the religious life and/or even part of and organized religious gathering including simple (non-religious related) and fun celebrations and events. (When I say this I mean something like a church holding a neighborhood outdoor carnival rather than, for example, a special Easter service.)
The debate, of course, has two sides.
1. Magic is spoken against in religious texts and should not, therefore, be included in church or religious events etc… Some may even go as far as excluding it from their lives entirely.
2. Magic is a form of entertainment and should be avoided as much as shaking of hands as a greeting as it is harmless. Magic can be fun and even used as a method for teaching.
Without being overly long winded (and for those who know me – THAT will be magical in itself. 
) I will attempt to express my thoughts on the subject. I taught Sunday school for many years – at least 12 – and heard this debate even then. Now, as an entertainer I am occasionally asked about modifying my show so that I do not have and ‘questionable or offensive’ content in the way of magic. When I investigate deeper I often find that there is a perceptual problem as opposed to any real difficulties with what I am doing.
Let’s try understand the extremes…. When ‘religious’ people hear the word magic or mentalism, they envision occult presentations. They think black arts and the potential of opening up the door in the spiritual realm. It is thought that the magician will attempt top present things as though he or she is a true wizard, actually able to manipulate reality and potentially matter. Able to read another persons thoughts. This is likely due to the fact that some magicians present themselves as being able to do these things. They do mind reading routines, illusions and magical tricks under the guise that they can actually perform such things and that there are no slights, gimics or misdirections involved.
The facts the way I see them…… I do not believe that magic as an entertainment form has any implications other than just that – ENTERTAINMENT……… As entertainers we need to do our best to portray to our audience exactly how we want them to see us, not what we think everyone else does. I don’t care it Chris Angel is the big draw of the moment. My show is comedic and done with the unspoken understanding that I am entertaining my audience with tricks. Tricks involve me being able to fool them and I do so with fun and everyone leaves having had a good laugh and escaping from reality for awhile. Heck! Sometimes I mess them up even… so that’s even MORE funny! Bottom line – it’s a time where the audience get’s to have fun and I get to be an entertainer for them. Nothing more.
That all said – both sides of the debate should do their best to be sensitive to the people on the other side. We are all, after all, human beings and caring for one another is key no matter what your stance in this one.
