there is nothing wrong with educating yourself on other religions. I have sometimes studied Islam and plan to do it more in the future as God has called me to later be a missionary in Muslim lands.
With that said, I would be very, very, VERY careful with Wicca. Be sure you are strong in your Christian faith, because it can really mess with you.
I have been very cautious about delving to deeply into the Qur'an, before I have a really, really concrete knowledge of the Bible.
I could be wrong, and I'm not trying to down you . . . but it sounds to me, from what you posted, than you may be getting into some risks. Be sure you are doing it just to be able to minister to people of other religions, and not just to find out about it and try out what another religion is like. It sounds to me, from what you said about hypocrites, that you may be trying to find reasons to gradually leave Christianity . . . even subconciously. And your username certainly didn't hinder me from coming to that conclusion.
I'm apologize if I read you wrong or underestimated your faith. I'm just trying to help, and quite frankly, to protect you. Wicca can be very dangerous. It can open the doors to all kinds of very real demonic influences. I'm not just saying this like some old conservative who is just afraid of other religions. I'm saying it because it's true.
Wicca can be very attractive because it gives people "power" and it gives them a sense of uniqueness. I don't doubt that the people who practice it are sincere, but Wicca does not provide salvation. It can only draw you away from God and fom true joy.
I also sympathize with your unhappiness about hypocrites. Just remember that there will always be hypocrites in religions, and that none of us are perfect. The Bible is very honest and does not hesitate to point out that fact. Also remember that the people Jesus' was the toughest on were the hypocrites. Hypocrisy is always a bad thing, but it doesn't make a religion untrue. There are many other reasons to believe Christianity is true. It's the only religion ever that is based on solid historial facts, archaeological and scientific evidence, and direct eyewitness reports. If you want more information on all that kind of stuff feel free to ask me.
I think the reason you will find more hypocrites in Christianity than in Wicca is this: since our society is mostly Christian, and therefore since most people are born into Christian families, this provides the chance that many people will grow up as Christians, and consider themselves Christians because of that, but will go off on their own lives and never really care about Jesus Christ, while at the same time still considering themselves believing "Christians," simply because they were brought up that way.
Wicca, on the other hand, is a religion that VERY FEW people are actually born into, at least compared to Christianity. Because of this, if someone wants to be Wicca, they have to make a conscious choice to join that religion. And if you consiously make that choice . . . chances are you are going to be serious and sincere about it. Why would someone DECIDE to be Wicca if they didn't mean it?
Again, Christianity is different because so many people can be born "Christian" and therefore still consider themselves such, but never really make a conscious choice to be serious about their faith. That's just because of our society. But there are SOOOOOOO many deeply sincere Christians out there too.
Anyway, it's fine to know what you are talking about when you minister to someone of another religion, but again, be very careful.
I have seen Christian books on the witchcraft occult before that might be good. They looked serious, honest, and informative . . . they looked pretty substantial, you know. They were more than just, "this is bad, so stay away." Although that is true, the book probably gives detailed reasons. There are also probably some former-Wicca-turned-Christian people out there who could help you, or maybe even some of them have written books. I'll research that for you. I'm sure they would know alot, and could be honest from a Christian perspective.
That's what I would recommend first. I wouldn't go out and pick up a handbook on casting spells. I doubt very seriously that it would help you learn anything useful at all. In my humble opinion, it can only cause danger. Again, I'm not trying to accuse you, but just in case: if you are trying to find reasons that say it's ok to remain a believing Christian but be a witch at the same time, it won't work. Wicca cannot offer you anything that God can't. You don't need it. It will only lead to some horrible, horrible things. The Bible is very clear on all of that. I can elaborate later if you want.
But good luck, I'll research some things for you. I respect your courage to post about this.
God Bless You
Just Really Does LOVE YOU . . . ALOT
