Witchcraft
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'''Witchcraft''', formally defined by [[anthropology|anthropologists]] and those who study [[religion]]s is the use of rituals and [[magic]] to accomplish some kind of ends on this earth, most often [[blessing and cursing|curses]]. In modern lay idiom, it is largely associated with various sorts of [[neopaganism|neopagans]], such as [[Lucy Cavendish]] and [[Wicca]]. In the American folk / entertainment world it is the evil wrought by women onto poor suffering men who cannot resist such temptations. | '''Witchcraft''', formally defined by [[anthropology|anthropologists]] and those who study [[religion]]s is the use of rituals and [[magic]] to accomplish some kind of ends on this earth, most often [[blessing and cursing|curses]]. In modern lay idiom, it is largely associated with various sorts of [[neopaganism|neopagans]], such as [[Lucy Cavendish]] and [[Wicca]]. In the American folk / entertainment world it is the evil wrought by women onto poor suffering men who cannot resist such temptations. | ||
| − | By definition, witches directly work upon the world though spells to do their own will. This differs from [[priest]]s, who are intercessors between a [[deity|god]] or [[polytheism|gods]] and the people. Priests pray or do rituals to ask the god to change the world. Witches also differ from herbalists in that they are invoking magic. There is no reason any particular witch cannot also be a priest or herbalist | + | By definition, witches directly work upon the world though spells to do their own will. This differs from [[priest]]s, who are intercessors between a [[deity|god]] or [[polytheism|gods]] and the people. Priests pray or do rituals to ask the god to change the world. Witches also differ from herbalists in that they are invoking magic. There is no reason any particular witch cannot also be a priest or herbalist. |
Virtually all [[religion]]s have a role that [[anthropology|anthropologists]] would call a "witch," and it almost always is a person dealing in darker or so-called "evil" or unsanctioned elements of the religion.<ref>For example, in traditional Navajo culture, the "good" user of magic is a Singer, the "bad" user of magic is a witch (regardless of gender).</ref> Historically, many religions used the concept of witch to explain diseases, untimely death, droughts, and other unexplained negative circumstances that effect an individual or society. Socially deviant people are more frequently accused of witchcraft and this works as a social control. <ref>[http://anthro.palomar.edu/religion/rel_5.htm Magic and Religion]</ref> | Virtually all [[religion]]s have a role that [[anthropology|anthropologists]] would call a "witch," and it almost always is a person dealing in darker or so-called "evil" or unsanctioned elements of the religion.<ref>For example, in traditional Navajo culture, the "good" user of magic is a Singer, the "bad" user of magic is a witch (regardless of gender).</ref> Historically, many religions used the concept of witch to explain diseases, untimely death, droughts, and other unexplained negative circumstances that effect an individual or society. Socially deviant people are more frequently accused of witchcraft and this works as a social control. <ref>[http://anthro.palomar.edu/religion/rel_5.htm Magic and Religion]</ref> | ||
Revision as of 07:16, 15 November 2012
| Can such things be? |
| The Twilight Zone |
“”In the poison'd entrails throw.— Toad, that under cold stone, Days and nights has thirty-one; Swelter'd venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!
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| —William Shakespeare[1] |
Witchcraft, formally defined by anthropologists and those who study religions is the use of rituals and magic to accomplish some kind of ends on this earth, most often curses. In modern lay idiom, it is largely associated with various sorts of neopagans, such as Lucy Cavendish and Wicca. In the American folk / entertainment world it is the evil wrought by women onto poor suffering men who cannot resist such temptations.
By definition, witches directly work upon the world though spells to do their own will. This differs from priests, who are intercessors between a god or gods and the people. Priests pray or do rituals to ask the god to change the world. Witches also differ from herbalists in that they are invoking magic. There is no reason any particular witch cannot also be a priest or herbalist.
Virtually all religions have a role that anthropologists would call a "witch," and it almost always is a person dealing in darker or so-called "evil" or unsanctioned elements of the religion.[2] Historically, many religions used the concept of witch to explain diseases, untimely death, droughts, and other unexplained negative circumstances that effect an individual or society. Socially deviant people are more frequently accused of witchcraft and this works as a social control. [3]
Contents |
Christianity and witchcraft
Christianity has often used Witchcraft to explain so-called "evil" in the world. Witchcraft was generally considered devil worship. Thomas Aquinas associated witchcraft with the corporeal enjoyments, including sex. Protestants and Roman Catholics both tortured and executed people, mostly women, accused of witchcraft. [1]
Modern western views of witches generally comes from the Christian view, where a society's undesirable women were tainted as "witches" and blamed for a community or individual's misfortunes. Simple herbalists, midwives, and the mentally ill were frequent targets of being "witches". The Black Death was largely blamed on witchcraft in the 14th Century; the Salem Witch Trials became an expedient way to eliminate political problems and blame women.
The presumption that witchcraft is (as the song goes) "alive and kicking" is encountered far less often in the 21st century, but it still exists. In Africa, large portions of the population, including homosexuals, and albinos are presumed to be witches, associates of witches, or cursed by witches. Witchcraft, and the christian fight against it, is, in fact, practiced openly in many African nations today.
There are plenty of western folk who still believe in witches, including some Roman Catholics [4] and Protestants. [5] And of course, any time a popular book with witches or wizards comes out, there are always people protesting.
The bible's view on witches
Anyone taking a literal view on the bible should take into account these quotes:
- "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." —Exodus 22:18
- "A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them." —Leviticus 20:27 (KJV)
So witches should be burned at the stake as we speak.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Douglas Linder. A Brief History of Witchcraft Persecutions before Salem. University of Missouri-Kansas City. 2005.
- ↑ For example, in traditional Navajo culture, the "good" user of magic is a Singer, the "bad" user of magic is a witch (regardless of gender).
- ↑ Magic and Religion
- ↑ Witchcraft
- ↑ All Witchcraft Is Satanic!