THE PETITION FOR SCIENTIFIC TESTING OF MEDIUMS AND PSYCHICS BY LAW.

The following is the official version which appears on the Downing Street website.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/PsychicTesting/

This has now recieved confirmation by officials and is now live.

We petition Her Majesty’s government to initiate an accreditation scheme for Mediums, Psychics, Spiritualists, Healers and other paranormal practioners, which would determine whether a “psychic” individual truly exhibits abilities inexplicable in terms of current scientific laws

While the request for such assessment seems both outlandish and draconian, we ask to raise this petition in recognition that many psychic practitioners charge substantial sums of money for their services to an often vulnerable customer base; most notably the elderly, the bereaved and the seriously ill. It is noted that the Office of Fair Trading deems false psychic readings to be a major area of fraudulent activity – costing its victims around £140 million per annum. The need for some degree of assessment and regulation of psychics and mediums is now pressing, given that the Fraudulent Mediums Act (1951) was abolished in 2008. As a result, customers of psychic practioners are only “protected“ by “fair trading” laws, with most acts of suspected “psychic” fraud no longer considered a criminal act.

In light of the above, this petition requests the government creates a number of testing centres (ideally associated with a university psychology department and assisted by a stage magician experienced in techniques such as slight of hand, “cold reading”, etc.), capable of assessing whether an individual’s claimed “psychic” abilities are either paranormal or can be explained in mundane terms. Those “psychics” and “mediums” passing such an assessment would be issued a licence, legally permitting them to commercially offer their services as a “psychic practioner”. This document, however, should acknowledge that even apparently authentic psychic abilities are neither precise nor predictable.

Those who either fail (or refuse to sit) such an assessment should be legally prohibited from taking money through claiming to possess paranormal abilities; those breaking this condition being liable for a fine and possible charges of fraud for material gain.

We also ask Her Majesty’s Government to legally prohibit any attempt by a psychic, medium (licensed or otherwise) and/or witchcraft practioner of any tradition to use fear or intimidation to acquire or retain clients - particularly in regard to professed psychic abilities or divine favour.