By paNOW Staff

Séance at Moose Jaw’s Western Development Museum cancelled due to religious objections

Oct 6, 2010 | 4:55 PM

Patrick Book

CJME

Everyone from pastors to politicians to the public are weighing in after a Halloween fundraiser involving a séance planned for the Moose Jaw's Western Development Museum was after there were religious objections.

The story is making its way across Canada after News Talk Radio first brought you the story on Wednesday.

The museum had planned a “ghost walk” as well as a presentation on talking with spirits, followed by a demonstration.

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But, the museum’s board of directors called the event off after an outpouring of complaints.

The complaints were put forward by many people, including Victory Church Pastor Larry Gerow. 

“We don’t think a séance is what the people of Moose Jaw want to be associated with,” said Gerow.

Moose Jaw MLA Deb Higgins says she didn't hear a single complaint about the Halloween event, but area Sask Party MLA Warren Michelson insists the calls wouldn't stop coming into his office.

“I would say it was upwards of perhaps close to a couple of dozen,” he told CHAB radio in Moose Jaw.

“The complaints were that they didn't agree with the séance idea, but they didn't want to offend the Western Development Museum in any way.”

He says he eventually paid the museum a visit to pass along those concerns.

Gerow insists that as residents of Moose Jaw, he and others in his congregation spoke out on an issue they thought the majority of the population wouldn't be happy about.

But Pastor Doug Shepherd of Central Lutheran Church in Moose Jaw couldn't disagree more.

“Why do people live in the streets? Why do we need a food bank? How about the violence and misogyny we see on TV and in movies and in some music that we hear? How about climate change? How about the desecration of the environment? How about why can't Christians and Muslims get along? These are things that might be more practically addressed and more profitably addressed than a parlour game at the Western Development Museum.”

Callers also responded to the topic on News Talk Radio's John Gormley Live, unanimously agreeing that the museum made the wrong move by bowing to public pressure.

Western Development Museum executive director David Klatt says it's too late to organize another fundraiser in time for Halloween and is a bit disappointed.

In light of that news, the pastor and his church have organized a roast beef banquet for the museum.