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Why would Christians believe in witches?

Viker

Häxan
I believe Satan's power is real, so anyone who worships something other than the true God has the potential to have that power control them.
They have the potential to share in that power. Satan isn't as selfish or jealous. And obviously has equal amount of authority and power. A genuine rival I might add.
 

Wildswanderer

Veteran Member
They have the potential to share in that power. Satan isn't as selfish or jealous. And obviously has equal amount of authority and power. A genuine rival I might add.
No he doesn't have anything close to equal power. He's a created being with limited power.
 

Bathos Logos

Active Member
Administration? Magick is innate to everyone. Not administered by some entity or Deity.

"Magick is the art of utilizing natural forces around us to bring about change. Magick is neutral, neither good, nor evil. The practitioner decides how they would like to focus this natural energy."

Magick is built into the Universe itself.
I don't think you need to call "using natural forces around us to bring about change" by the name "magick". I mean, sure, do what you want... but that seems to bring along with it a bit of bias toward a particular way of thinking, and is therefore superfluous and unnecessary - impractical, if you will.

If I take a broom and sweep up the dust on my floor using the natural principles of force and friction to bring about the change of my floor from dingy to clean, am I doing "magick?" Why not call it by the more neutral (and applicably descriptive) name "sweeping"?
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
I don't think you need to call "using natural forces around us to bring about change" by the name "magick". I mean, sure, do what you want... but that seems to bring along with it a bit of bias toward a particular way of thinking, and is therefore superfluous and unnecessary - impractical, if you will.

If I take a broom and sweep up the dust on my floor using the natural principles of force and friction to bring about the change of my floor from dingy to clean, am I doing "magick?" Why not call it by the more neutral (and applicably descriptive) name "sweeping"?

Good thing that's the actual definition regardless of what you think it should say.

Good day.
 

Bathos Logos

Active Member
That is Magick. To influence the self or another, through works of ones Will.

Check my signature by Dumbledore.

Edit: Is prayer pretending? Reciting mantras or affirmations pretending? What about Holy Communion? These are all magickal acts.
Again, as I replied earlier, it is unnecessary to call this "magick". Not only for the reasons I already cited (lack of necessity, impracticality, and bias), but also because "magick" is an umbrella term. Non-descriptive as to what is actually going on. A façade, in other words, and my opinion is that it is employed to make whatever act it is actually being "accomplished" seem more profound than it actually is. A cover-up, in other words, for what is likely just a cheap trick that sees its greatest efficacy when used on the gullible. In other words, something not to be proud of, but putting the term "magick" on it gives it some air of betterment or mystery.
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
Is this you actually wishing me a "good day"? Or is it you trying to end the conversation for some reason?

That was my way of saying I'm probably not returning to this conversation.

Mostly due to the fact that whether or not you actually agree with my usage of the term Magick makes no difference to my actual usage of the term.

You want to think it impractical, unnecessary, a façade or cover up, that's fine and dandy.

I'm going to continue to use this term, for as long as it allows me to spiritually/pastorally counsel friends, and acquaintances.
 

Glaurung

Denizen of Niflheim
One of the stranger, more inexplicable atrocities in our history. I never could understand why Christians would have even believed in the existence of witches. If they believe in Christianity, wouldn't that mean that they would see other religions - including the power of witchcraft and magic - as false?
It is not inconsistent for a Christian to believe that pagan and occult practices can be efficacious in their material aims. In the Christian view, Satan and his angels do have (an albeit constrained) power to act in the world.

Wouldn't their fear of witches (or anything they see as the "occult") indicate that they believe in that kind of power? If so, then is that an acknowledgement that the God they believe in is powerless to protect them from such a power, thus necessitating them taking action on their own?
Again, under the Christian belief system God permits evil to exercise a degree of influence in the world. Of course (assuming Christianity is true) all preternatural influence must be permitted by God and so a Christian in a state of grace would have little to fear. Indeed, occult practices would be more likely to hurt the practitioners themselves.
 

Bathos Logos

Active Member
That was my way of saying I'm probably not returning to this conversation.

Mostly due to the fact that whether or not you actually agree with my usage of the term Magick makes no difference to my actual usage of the term.

You want to think it impractical, unnecessary, a façade or cover up, that's fine and dandy.

I'm going to continue to use this term, for as long as it allows me to spiritually/pastorally counsel friends, and acquaintances.
Can you please describe to me the usefulness of calling it "magick"? Do you admit that there is another description you could give any given act you undertake to attempt to achieve some goal or effect?
 

Bathos Logos

Active Member
Everyone is biased *shrug*

Even you make yours clear here :)
Yes, I agree. And yes, I did, and would do so again for what I consider legitimate reasons.

Even your refusal to admit that there are words that can be used in each instance other than "magick" flies in the face of evidence you already provided. You said "prayer" is magick. That's expicitly admitting that "prayer" already has the more descriptive name "prayer", but that you would like to call it "magick". Why not use the word "prayer"? You basically refused to even admit that such words even exist and that you necessarily must call it "magick". "Prayer" is more descriptive to the ultimate act being accomplished. "Magick" is nebulous, and entirely unnecessary. It doesn't add anything of value to the proposition of the action.
 

viole

Ontological Naturalist
Premium Member
I've thought of this topic in the past, although was reminded of it when coming across this story in the news:
329 years later, last Salem 'witch' who wasn't is pardoned | AP News







One of the stranger, more inexplicable atrocities in our history. I never could understand why Christians would have even believed in the existence of witches. If they believe in Christianity, wouldn't that mean that they would see other religions - including the power of witchcraft and magic - as false?

Wouldn't their fear of witches (or anything they see as the "occult") indicate that they believe in that kind of power? If so, then is that an acknowledgement that the God they believe in is powerless to protect them from such a power, thus necessitating them taking action on their own?
If X believes in the NT, as a realistic account of things that were, or are yet to come, then I would say that the sky is the limit for what else X could potentially believe. And witches look quite ordinary when compared with the rest.

ciao

- viole
 
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