Witchcraft 2
Witchcraft 2It seems that in today’s society, new religions and practices are popping up all over the place. One of the oldest, yet fastest growing faiths today is witchcraft. This earth-based, nature oriented belief has been established since the thirteenth century, but it is not until recently that it has began to spread across the world. Everywhere we look we see something associated with the practice of wicca. The new movie release, Blair Witch Project, for instance, is a good example of the growing belief in spells, charms, and covens. However, there are many people who disapprove of this practice and are labeling it as a “false religion.” Christians, for example, greatly disagree with the belief of witchcraft and find it in association with the devil. Today, there is considerable debate as to whether witchcraft in today’s society is simply a harmless religion, or if it is an evil practice in league with Satan.
Before anyone can speak their opinion on the practice of witchcraft, one must know a little bit about the religion itself. There are many different definitions of witchcraft. In Webster’s Dictionary, it defines witchcraft as. The Christian definition of witchcraft is simply “devil-worship” or just plain sin. However, the secular definition is somewhere along the lines of “cool,” “trendy,” and “new.” Although these are the main meanings of the term “witch craft,” there are also some other definitions within different cultures, such as Indian medicine men, also known as witch doctors, who are believed to have magical powers that can heal the sick. Different time periods and religions also alter the meaning of witch or witchcraft.
The history of witchcraft dates back all the way to the thirteenth century. During the 13th and 14th centuries, witchcraft was considered to only be harmless magic. However, in the 16th century, witches were condemned and tortured. Later, during the 17th century, witch hunts and trials died off, along with the “witch craze.”
Witchcraft was practiced in many different regions around the world. Most experts believe it’s origination was somewhere in India or Africa, where magic was used as medicine. Later, the practice was brought over to New England with the pilgrims where it slowly began to grow within the puritan communities.
There was a diverse group of people who practiced witchcraft. Most of them were widows or women who gathered in secret covens where it was believed they worshipped Satan and sometimes sold their souls to the devil. Basically, it was people who were lonely or were considered to be outcasts. There were also Indian slaves and anti-Christians who were accused of witch craft because of their different point of views. However, sometimes, everyday people were accused because of their superstitions like “knocking on wood.” The church saw them as those who didn’t put their complete faith in God, and so therefore, were considered to be witches.
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