A Northern Territory University lecturer has been stopped from teaching his students witchcraft and pagan rituals.
Christopher Dixon, 52, a lecturer at the NTU Katherine Regional Centre, wanted to teach two courses _ introduction to witchcraft and neo-pagan rituals for the Top End _ this year.
Cambridge-educated, married and the father of two teenage children, Mr Dixon is a pagan and practising ``white witch''.
His pagan name is Elfrend. His intended courses were axed by his superior in Katherine, Michael Donnelly.
But Mr Dixon, who will teach power point presentations this semester instead, said he was disappointed by the NTU's decision.
``I am disappointed that the powers that be have said no to this,'' Mr Dixon said yesterday.
He said he was given permission to teach other courses, but no explanation was given as to why he couldn't teach witchcraft.
``The other skills I teach were approved, but witchcraft hasn't for some strange and unaccountable reason.
``I think the decision to axe the courses was made locally _ Darwin wasn't involved.'' Mr Dixon said he would try to have the courses introduced at a later date.
He rejected suggestions the course could include satanic worship, sacrificing of small animals of naked dancing around bonfires.
``These are all stereotypes used in the media and are all untrue _ most of us would not dare dance naked. There are some groups that do nudity, but they are closed groups and are secret.
``We don't sacrifice anything either, because we hold all life sacred, and we are not into black magic _ we believe in doing good.''
Mr Dixon said black witches were easily recognised because they wore their pentagrams _ a five-pointed star symbol _ upside down so ``it looks like two horns at the top''