Views of witchcraft

[Cassiopia]

I am sure this must have been discussed here before, but I'm new here and I haven't seen any recent discussion of this topic. From your personal and religious standpoint, how do you view witchcraft?
I know some Christians have "problems" with it, but equally I know quite a few practicing Christian-Witches.
I am not quite sure how witchcraft is viewed by other religions these days.

Obviously since many (but not all) Pagans practice witchcraft in some form our views are usually less critical than some other religious views may be. But even within Paganism there is a lot of debate about the morals and ethics involved in using witchcraft and there is a wide diversity of opinions.

 

[Heathen Hammer]

I view it as a tool. It can be used for harm or weal, and the ethics of either such use must be determined by the individual caster and anyone else who either is aware of or affected by it.

And to be honest, I can be quoted as having said many times, that technically speaking, a Christian praying for you to be saved after you've expressed no interest is essentially black magick

 

[Cassiopia]

And to be honest, I can be quoted as having said many times, that technically speaking, a Christian praying for you to be saved after you've expressed no interest is essentially black magick

I am sure nobody will disagree with that!

 

[Heathen Hammer]

Oh, you'd be surprised

 

[Breathe]

From your personal and religious standpoint, how do you view witchcraft?

I'm cool with it.

 

[Villager]

I am sure this must have been discussed here before, but I'm new here and I haven't seen any recent discussion of this topic. From your personal and religious standpoint, how do you view witchcraft?
I know some Christians have "problems" with it

Some people regard Christianity as a problem, anyway. Some of them become possessed by demons; though the symptoms are very rarely as explicit as is recorded in the New Testament, which does not expressly forbid divination, as the OT does. There is not too much evidence that divination is actually practised today, and if it is, it is kept well under wraps- truly occult, hidden, to most people, anyway. The devil does not like to give himself away- he 'dresses as an angel of light'. There are more dangers in his pious, respectable servants than in his 'evil', off-beat ones.

 

[Viker]

From your personal and religious standpoint, how do you view witchcraft?

What is there not to love about naked women dancing around bonfires?

 

[Cassiopia]

What is there not to love about naked women dancing around bonfires?

Don't forget the naked men.

Seriously though, there is a bit more to it than that.

 

[jarofthoughts]

I am sure this must have been discussed here before, but I'm new here and I haven't seen any recent discussion of this topic. From your personal and religious standpoint, how do you view witchcraft?
I know some Christians have "problems" with it, but equally I know quite a few practicing Christian-Witches.
I am not quite sure how witchcraft is viewed by other religions these days.

Obviously since many (but not all) Pagans practice witchcraft in some form our views are usually less critical than some other religious views may be. But even within Paganism there is a lot of debate about the morals and ethics involved in using witchcraft and there is a wide diversity of opinions.

*Shrug*
There is no reason to think that there is any such thing as 'real' magic, and I would consider people who think so to be a little silly, just like I consider people who believe in a god to be a little silly.
But, if it rocks your boat and you don't bother other people with it, knock yourself out.

 

[Cassiopia]

*Shrug*
There is no reason to think that there is any such thing as 'real' magic, and I would consider people who think so to be a little silly, just like I consider people who believe in a god to be a little silly.
But, if it rocks your boat and you don't bother other people with it, knock yourself out.

I guess there are a lot of things in life that you think are "a little silly".

I am prepared to concede that many of the things I might describe as magic may one day be explained by science. I have a lot of respect for science actually. In the meantime I don't feel silly about using the word magic for things I can't explain any other way.

 

[Breathe]

I've actually had a negative spell cast on me before.

 

[Villager]

Seriously though, there is a bit more to it than that.

It's not too likely that what goes with naked women dancing is intellectually profound, though.

 

[jarofthoughts]

I guess there are a lot of things in life that you think are "a little silly".

You would be correct.
Astrology, Crystal Healing, Auras, Souls, Ghosts, Gods, Alien Abductions, Homoeopathy, Magic, Psychics, Angels... I could be here all day but that should give you some idea.

I am prepared to concede that many of the things I might describe as magic may one day be explained by science.

Could you give me an example?

I have a lot of respect for science actually. In the meantime I don't feel silly about using the word magic for things I can't explain any other way.

Like I said, if it rocks your boat and you don't bother anyone else with it, who am I to tell you to lay it off.

 

[Cassiopia]

I am prepared to concede that many of the things I might describe as magic may one day be explained by science.

Could you give me an example?

Well there are various magical or "miraculous" forms of healing that science can't explain. Or the reverse.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

From your personal and religious standpoint, how do you view witchcraft?

I see witchcraft the term as a label created by the Abrahamic religions to associate the mystical practices of pagan religions with Satan. I see the modern practice of witchcraft as an attempt to reconnect with a religious past long denied to us.

 

[Villager]

I see witchcraft the term as a label created by the Abrahamic religions

So Abraham was severely schizoid? Or is there just one claim to Abrahamic faith that compels at least intellectual assent?

to associate the mystical practices of pagan religions with Satan.

So is that not what witchcraft is? A Satanic practice?

 

[Cassiopia]

So is that not what witchcraft is? A Satanic practice?

No, that isn't what witchcraft is.

 

[Erebus]

Well as a few people know I remain agnostic about magic affecting the world around you (I don't think we can know for certain, we can only rule some things out. I've yet to see a magician throw a fire ball for example, but I've seen spells "work" although it would be all but impossible to determine cause and effect).

My opinion is that as an absolute minimum you're using psychology, drama and imagination. For this reason I always find it a little odd that some otherwise intelligent people genuinely see no purpose to it whatsoever. Still, each to their own I guess.

 

[Villager]

No, that isn't what witchcraft is.

Then why are opinions sought, if they are only to be contradicted flatly? This isn't a quiz, with prizes, surely?

We have yet to be informed what witchcraft is, in the terms of the OP. If it is nude dancing, how is it distinct from naturism? If it is healing, how is it different from alternative medicine? If it is alleged contact with the dead, how does it differ from spiritualism?

 

[jarofthoughts]

Well there are various magical or "miraculous" forms of healing that science can't explain. Or the reverse.

Really? :sarcastic
That has a consistent and predictable effect?
Do tell!