eBay Bans the Sale of Spells and Magic Items 295
Starting in September bidders won't be able to snipe curses, spells, or potions on eBay anymore. The company has decided to ban the sale of magic and magic items. “EBay regularly reviews categories and updates our policies based on customer feedback,” a statement from the company read. “We are discontinuing a small number of categories within the larger metaphysical subcategory, as buyers and sellers have told us that transactions in these categories often result in issues that can be difficult to resolve.”
Re:Does this also include (Score:5, Informative)
Holy water, et alia have no form of guaranteed effect or power whatsoever. None. Any religious-affiliated individual who makes such a claim should be reported to his/her superior, if they have one, and if they don't, should probably be ignored. A magic spell that "make your partner desire you with lust & pasion.only you . spell" [ebay.com] 9sic] is, I would say, slightly more assuring of a definite effect. Which, given it won't work, is most likely the source of the problem for eBay. They don't care if you offer a blessed item that is simply "blessed", with no promise of some particular effect.
Re:Does this also include (Score:2, Informative)
From my understanding as a Roman Catholic, holy water is not "very powerful" in a physical sense. From the olde Baltimore Catechism:
Question: What is holy water?
Answer: Holy water is water blessed by the priest with solemn prayer to beg God's blessing on those who use it, and protection from the powers of darkness.
And I think that most of the other Catholic prayers etc. would follow the same idea. Mainly: we petition God, he does what he wants. (i.e. results not guaranteed) So I doubt there is quite as much trouble as from selling a hex that is purported to make your enemy's nose turn green.
Also, if you really wanted it, holy water can be obtained from pretty much any church for free. (it's harder to find during lent though). There was a big spat in the 1500's about the church selling indulgences which people thought were tickets to heaven (one of the reasons for the protestant church being founded). We don't do that anymore. In fact, I would be very suspicious of any 'imbued' religious items sold over ebay. All you need to do is take your rosary etc. to a priest to have it blessed. The pope's blessing isn't anything special aside from his position in the church hierarchy. Some people may prefer papally blessed items for sentimental reasons though.
TL;DR? can't speak for the other christian sects, but "holy" Catholic items on ebay have no guarantee and can usually be obtained more easily.
Re:Does this also include (Score:5, Informative)
Bingo. This needs to be rated up well above the other people trying to make this to be some conspiracy.
Holy Water: Ordered a vial of water, get a vial of water
Order a Spell: Receive a piece of paper saying it was cast.
Can people really not see why EBay would treat these differently?
Re:Does this also include (Score:3, Informative)
Yes, it does claim effect and power:
Wikipedia:
"holy water is water which has been sanctified by a priest or bishop for the purpose of baptism, the blessing of persons, places, and objects; or as a means of repelling evil."
Catholic church:
"In this context Catholics distinguish sacraments from ‘sacramentals’. In the strict sense, sacramentals are signs, instituted by the Church and rooted in the baptismal priesthood of all believers. They always include a prayer, often accompanied by a gesture such as the laying-on of hands, the sign of the cross or sprinkling with holy water. Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the same way as sacraments, but by the Church’s prayer they are intended to help prepare believers to receive and cooperate with God’s free gift of grace. Sacramentals include blessings of people and things. Certain blessings consecrate people to God in a special way, or reserve objects and places for sacred use. “Every baptised person is called to be ‘a blessing’, and to bless."
" A magic spell that "lets you repel evil" is, I would say, slightly more assuring of a definite effect. "
The only difference is you are more used to one then the other.