Witchcraft is an abomination unto God.

[Zoii]

Too the shame of historical Christianity, many women were put to death as witches.

 

[Cearbhall]

the Salem Witch Trials are not an abnormality here; it is not some bizarre vestigial holdover from the middle ages, but representative of the shifts in thought in Western Europe, beginning just prior to the Reformation and following--in which Protestant kingdoms were among the major perpetrators of witch-hunts and executing those accused of witchcraft.

Right. But in the 21st century, isn't the Church generally back to saying that it's heretical to think that magical powers exist?

 

[Zoness]

For most of Christian history the belief in witchcraft as a real, objective power has been considered heretical because it attributes certain power to beings that aren't God--whether attributing that power to devils or fairies, it doesn't much matter; the point is that attributing to anything other than God divine power is blasphemous and heretical.

In the middle ages both Church and State fought against witchhunting. The Frankish Council of Paderborn dealt with the Christianization of the Pagan Saxons who had been conquered by the Franks, and it regarded belief in witchcraft to be a pagan belief which was condemned along with idolatry; the Council of Frankfurt, another local Frankish council declared witch-hunting a criminal offense worthy of the death penalty and reaffirmed that the superstitious belief in witchcraft was idolatrous, blasphemous, and heretical. This opinion was consistent throughout the Christian West in the middle ages, not just within the Frankish lands, but throughout Europe. Time and again the Church explicitly teaching that witches and witchcraft do not exist, and that these are nothing but a pagan superstition, making it--as stated already--idolatrous, blasphemous, and heretical.

This view only changed with the end of the medieval period and the onset of the early modern period, with the publication of the Malleus Maleficarum, one of the chief purposes of the text was to try and change Church opinion. And it is noteworthy that most witch-hunting takes place in the modern period, and largely by Protestant authorities--the Salem Witch Trials are not an abnormality here; it is not some bizarre vestigial holdover from the middle ages, but representative of the shifts in thought in Western Europe, beginning just prior to the Reformation and following--in which Protestant kingdoms were among the major perpetrators of witch-hunts and executing those accused of witchcraft.

-CryptoLutheran

Good post. I just recently finished a book on this exact subject and what you mention is the same thing that they did and one of the most surprising facts: the witch hunts were not a product of the middle ages but a product of the Reformation and Renaissance. We always treat it as something from the high middle ages but relatively speaking that era was very quiet on that front.

That really stood out to me.

 

[Ken Rank]

I figured that's what you meant but I thought I should clarify, you never know.

At any rate, this thread and the world are full of occult symbolism. You can find it just about anywhere, it hasn't caused a ton of harm until this point, it seems a minor concern to me but that's just my opinion. *shrug*

You and I have a different paradigm in regards to what may or may not be harmful. Otherwise, thanks for the kind response.

 

[awitch]

You and I have a different paradigm in regards to what may or may not be harmful. Otherwise, thanks for the kind response.

Harmful in what sense?
I've identified as a witch for many years and have never been harmed.

 

[Ken Rank]

Harmful in what sense?
I've identified as a witch for many years and have never been harmed.

The God of Israel does not desire His people to know the ways of the pagans for those ways do not honor Him, they honor other gods. I am not judging you... do as you believe you should, I am just answering according to my understanding of the bible.

 

[awitch]

The God of Israel does not desire His people to know the ways of the pagans for those ways do not honor Him, they honor other gods. I am not judging you... do as you believe you should, I am just answering according to my understanding of the bible.

Not offended, just curious.

 

[cloudyday2]

For most of Christian history the belief in witchcraft as a real, objective power has been considered heretical because it attributes certain power to beings that aren't God--whether attributing that power to devils or fairies, it doesn't much matter; the point is that attributing to anything other than God divine power is blasphemous and heretical.

As far as I know, most Christians believe in a literal Satan and literal demons - they are in the gospels. Most Christians who believe in witchcraft attribute the power to demons. Attributing "certain powers to beings that aren't God" isn't a valid justification for labeling witchcraft a superstition. Now if the Church performed scientific experiments to invalidate witchcraft's claims, then they might have a leg to stand on. They might say, "in our experiments holy water is 40% more effective than witch's brew - which doesn't even perform as well as a placebo".

A more reasonable position (IMO) would be to say: "witchcraft may or may not work, but either way it is a sin."

 

[PloverWing]

They might say, "in our experiments holy water is 40% more effective than witch's brew - which doesn't even perform as well as a placebo".

Okay, now you have me curious. I want to see that experiment.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Right. But in the 21st century, isn't the Church generally back to saying that it's heretical to think that magical powers exist?

I think that Christian Churches, on the whole, are still recovering and learning to find their footing here. And while Catholics and Mainline Protestants are more likely to take the position that these are superstitions, there are plenty of denominations that are likely to take the position of the OP, in particular (and perhaps especially) Charismatic and Pentecostal ones.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Cearbhall]

And while Catholics and Mainline Protestants are more likely to take the position that these are superstitions, there are plenty of denominations that are likely to take the position of the OP, in particular (and perhaps especially) Charismatic and Pentecostal ones.

Interesting. Thank you for specifying. I come from a well-educated Catholic community, so I'm only familiar with that viewpoint.

 

[ViaCrucis]

As far as I know, most Christians believe in a literal Satan and literal demons - they are in the gospels. Most Christians who believe in witchcraft attribute the power to demons. Attributing "certain powers to beings that aren't God" isn't a valid justification for labeling witchcraft a superstition. Now if the Church performed scientific experiments to invalidate witchcraft's claims, then they might have a leg to stand on. They might say, "in our experiments holy water is 40% more effective than witch's brew - which doesn't even perform as well as a placebo".

A more reasonable position (IMO) would be to say: "witchcraft may or may not work, but either way it is a sin."

I too believe in a literal devil. But I refuse to attribute to him anything that could rival God. The devil isn't a god, or an anti-god, or a lesser divinity of some sort; the devil is a creature, a fallen creature. He may convince men that they do have powers, but this is only delusion. He may say, "You will be as gods", but certainly can't deliver on the promise. He is a liar through and through.

In the Lutheran tradition the devil's chief threat is to whisper doubts in our ears, to tell us that we aren't really Christ's; to throw our sins back in our face and tell us that we can't be loved by God because we are too wretched. Luther's advice? Scare the devil away with a fart.

"Almost every night when I wake up the devil is there and wants to dispute with me. I have come to this conclusion: When the argument that the Christian is without the law and above the law doesn’t help, I instantly chase him away with a fart." - Martin Luther, Table Talk, 469

-CryptoLutheran

 

[awitch]

Luther's advice? Scare the devil away with a fart.

Can't wait to see that reboot of "The Exorcist".

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Many of the images in the OP are not even remotely related to witchcraft, ritual possession, or mediumship.
In certain parts of Asia, ritual suffering and body modification have got a long tradition, and you can find them in every religion - Christianity included.

 

[MehGuy]

Who would have thought a religion with a crucifix as its symbol would inspire such behavior.

Really though.. I wonder why many of these fine ladies and gentleman don't post here. The only one with a similar spiritual mindset who posts here is an atheist. Lol.

 

[Another Lazarus]

Who would have thought a religion with a crucifix as its symbol would inspire such behavior.

Crucifixion is the cruelty of mankind and has nothing to do with Christianity, Jesus could easily kill the people who crucified Him but He sacrificed Himself to death so that He can show people that He can defeat death with His Resurrection.

John 2:19 "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again".

 

[Another Lazarus]

Too the shame of historical Christianity, many women were put to death as witches.

To put witches to death was very wrong, human err.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

I've always wondered:

What is it about witchcraft that offends the Biblical deity so much?

Judging by the old Testament, it seems to be a pretty straightforward case of rivalry, like "worship no one but me or I'll kill you". But I've always felt that Christianity adds to this, conceiving of it as something considerably worse than just worshipping the wrong god(s).

Is it the Promethean element, i.e. trying to take control and become more than a passive agent tossed around by supernatural forces? In a theistic universe with celestial potentates, this might count as the ultimate act of rebellion. Not "THY will be done", but "MY will be done".
But of course, many contemporary prayers are just this kind of supernatural wish fulfillment, calling upon the deity to grant people THEIR will, not HIS.
Theistic authoritarianism abhors freedom. Every deviation from the potentate's will is conceived of as grave and almost inexcusable aberration, resulting in horrid punishment and ostracism. I don't quite see why people would embrace such a world view.

 

[Another Lazarus]

I've always wondered:

What is it about witchcraft that offends the Biblical deity so much?

Have you ever asked who made the earth where you are standing on now and to which you shall return after a short time above the earth.

Almighty God is very angry with witchcraft because he doesnt want us to PERISH.

We are actually just a memory to our family and friends. So better humble ourselves in front of God.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 

[dlamberth]

To put witches to death was very wrong, human err.

It was more like Human horror upon Human.