A CLERGYMAN has updated his guide to paganism after the popularity of the Harry Potter books has “brought the occult into the mainstream”.

Recently retired Accrington vicar Rev Kevin Logan first released his views on new age lifestyles in the book Paganism And The Occult in 1987.

But he decided to revise and re-released the book after JK Rowling’s bestsellers about the boy wizard led to a surge in interest in the subject, especially in children.

Rev Logan said: “Harry Potter in many ways leads a good, Christian life and shows that we needed a story about a saviour. This allows us ministers to use Jo Rowling’s work to introduce Jesus as the real saviour, but there have been dangers in popularising the occult.

“Harry Potter is a PR exercise for paganism. One hundred children a month are contacting pagan organisations wanting to know how to become a witch or wizard. I did a Google search for paganism and thousands of groups were inviting me to join a coven or become involved with pagan ways – it is an issue we need to be aware of.”

Rev Logan said “new age and neopaganism” is now completely mainstream and he wanted his book to take account of modern-day living. He said while alternative medicines can be beneficial, he asks people to be wary as acupuncture and zone therapy can “disturb the spirit”.

The guide also outlines how mediums, horoscopes, tarot cards and witchcraft are more popular.

He said: “In the eighties alternative lifestyles were on the fringes of society. Now they have become the norm, so I felt it was time for an update.

“I do find it astonishing that in such a technological age we are turning to the unproven pagan ways of old.

"When somebody dies, we go to a medium, despite the fact Jesus made it clear there is no link between us and those who have gone over.

"It misleads and harms people and it’s Christian ministers who pick up the pieces.”

While including alternative medicines in his list of problem areas, Rev Logan said he wants to make it clear he is not “demonising” them.

He said: “Some do an awful lot of good – but ones that affect the forces of the body must have an effect on the spirit and that must be kept in mind.”