To be clear, for those who believe that magic is not real, that is fine. It is a personal belief and opinion and just as valid as any other. Especially given that as of yet science can not give hard evidence of the existence of magic, spirits, elemental forces, angels, demons or gods. Yet people believe in these things. That is why it is faith and not science. Believing in something that cannot be conclusively proven. Faith of other people should be respected though, not ridiculed. I am not Catholic, but I respect other people who are Catholic for their beliefs and their right to believe in them. So long as they are not forcing their ways on other people. This is true for all religions, mythologies and superstitions in the world. Maybe we can't prove them right.. but on the other hand we can't prove them wrong either, usually. So having respect for what other people choose to believe is a good thing.
As far as the Romanian government allowing witch to be listed as a profession.. Why not? As mentioned, people list minister, priest or rabbi as their profession, because that's what they are. Why not witch, shaman or houngun? They should be treated the same way, and get the same sort of legal status in regards to taxation.
As far as those who call themselves witches but are really con-men? That has existed forever. It's hardly localized to such things. People have been conning other people for as long as communication has been around. Religion is a very popular way to con someone, otherwise there wouldn't be so many televangalists and they wouldn't make such disgusting amounts of money out of bilking people. I have no respect for those sorts of people regardless of what they are professing, and I am certainly glad to see such con artists be taxed heavily, at the least. Maybe you can't save someone from their own folly, but at least you can make the con men pay heavily as well.
