Witchcraft, is it evil?

[Cerridwen]

I am inspired by God every day. I don't write a book full of borrowed mythologies, political propaganda, & a few good ideas & tell people to follow it as inerrant because God told me to. I'm not making "assumptions" about the writers. Sit down & do a little research, honey. The stories don't mesh all that well together, & you can find nearly every little myth in the OT in other non- & pre-Christian sorces. I believe that the Bible is an interesting book, largely fiction, however, but with some decent (albeit creative) moral lessons within its fabric, that provides a fascinating look into the political climate of the era. My analytical mind simply won't allow me to swallow stories with only heresay behind them as gospel, & the Divine doesn't require my belief in a book-only in my heart & the relationship I have with Her.

Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*

 

[Starcrystal]

Stay Salty,
Even if that is true, that their practices aren't quite the same, that does not mean that what they are practicing is ok with God. This is because He says you shall have no other gods before Him.

3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:3

God made us in His image, and He alone sustains us. He is jealous (and rightly so) when we worship other 'gods'. He specifically says not to do it.

Do not worship any other god, for the LORD , whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 34:14

He loves us enough to send His Son Christ to die for us so that we might have eternal life.

OK, I agree God (Elohiym) in Genesis made "man" (meaning people) in "his" image. But most Christians fail to realize "God" = Elohiym which is a PLURALITY, and taken from the root word Ellowah which is feminine, not "El" which is masculine. Tie this in with the Sophia wisdom being present with God at the beginning and by her were things fashioned in creation. LORD translates from YHWH (Yahweh) which simply means the name of the one true God, that which is.

So we are to have no other gods before Yahweh Elohiym (the male & female unity of the one Creator) Does it forbid us from communion with spirit beings after recognizing Yahweh Elohiym first? No it doesn't. In fact most Biblical prophets communed with angels who brought a messsage from God. Were they condemned for this practice? Almost the entire book of Daniel stems from this sort of angelic revelation.

Jesus Christ sent to redeem the world from sin and to obtain this gift we are to receive Christ. We can do this by being born again which means born of the Spirit, or born from above. The Holy Spirit is the feminine part of Elohiym. This can be easily determined by a Hebrew & Greek word study of the relavent passages pertaining to Spirit and Wisdom (Sophia)
Another way is to treat people with love and kindness according to Matthew 25, the sheep and goats passage. Insomuch as you treated the least of the needy people with love and kindness you have done so unto Christ. This does not mean to do these good works in order to purchase or earn salvation, it means to do them from the heart, because God through the Holy Spirit places this within a person as part of their being.

I just think many in the church who hold such a limited view of theology and hold to traditions created by men (and often patriarchal ones at that) will be in for a big surprise when they meet God face to face.

 

[Rae]

People inspired by God
Funny how you can make assumptions like that about the writers with absoultly no reason only because you dont believe in the bible.

Oh, like you never make any assumptions about the Bible and approach it from a neutral stance. Please. You're biased toward the Bible and make as many assumptions about it as anyone...maybe even more because you're prejudiced in its favor.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

Exactly ~

Galatians: "witchcraft" = Greek: "pharmakeia"
Definition:
1) the use or the administering of drugs

2) poisoning

3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it

4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry

Note it is mainly associated with DRUGS. Pharmakeia is where we get our words
pharmacy and pharmecuetical. definition # 3 "sorcery and magical arts" refered
to the IDOLATRY practices and had nothing to do with Wiccan type practice.

Whoa Whoa....what do you mean by idolatry and why do you call it evil??

 

[God_of_Mercy]

It seems "honey" that most of your dislike of the bible comes from your own opinions and you know what christians think of opinions As for mthylogies from other non-christian sources, can you cite any?

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

OK, I agree God (Elohiym) in Genesis made "man" (meaning people) in "his" image. But most Christians fail to realize "God" = Elohiym which is a PLURALITY, and taken from the root word Ellowah which is feminine, not "El" which is masculine. Tie this in with the Sophia wisdom being present with God at the beginning and by her were things fashioned in creation. LORD translates from YHWH (Yahweh) which simply means the name of the one true God, that which is.

So we are to have no other gods before Yahweh Elohiym (the male & female unity of the one Creator) Does it forbid us from communion with spirit beings after recognizing Yahweh Elohiym first? No it doesn't. In fact most Biblical prophets communed with angels who brought a messsage from God. Were they condemned for this practice? Almost the entire book of Daniel stems from this sort of angelic revelation.

Jesus Christ sent to redeem the world from sin and to obtain this gift we are to receive Christ. We can do this by being born again which means born of the Spirit, or born from above. The Holy Spirit is the feminine part of Elohiym. This can be easily determined by a Hebrew & Greek word study of the relavent passages pertaining to Spirit and Wisdom (Sophia)
Another way is to treat people with love and kindness according to Matthew 25, the sheep and goats passage. Insomuch as you treated the least of the needy people with love and kindness you have done so unto Christ. This does not mean to do these good works in order to purchase or earn salvation, it means to do them from the heart, because God through the Holy Spirit places this within a person as part of their being.

I just think many in the church who hold such a limited view of theology and hold to traditions created by men (and often patriarchal ones at that) will be in for a big surprise when they meet God face to face.

I just found it interesting that the Tamil word to describe EVERYTHING is ELLAM. Could there be a link between the ancient peoples of south india and the ancient peoples of Israel.
Now, c'mon, i'm jus kiddin'

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

I am inspired by God every day. I don't write a book full of borrowed mythologies, political propaganda, & a few good ideas & tell people to follow it as inerrant because God told me to. I'm not making "assumptions" about the writers. Sit down & do a little research, honey. The stories don't mesh all that well together, & you can find nearly every little myth in the OT in other non- & pre-Christian sorces. I believe that the Bible is an interesting book, largely fiction, however, but with some decent (albeit creative) moral lessons within its fabric, that provides a fascinating look into the political climate of the era. My analytical mind simply won't allow me to swallow stories with only heresay behind them as gospel, & the Divine doesn't require my belief in a book-only in my heart & the relationship I have with Her.

Love & Blessings, Cerridwen*

I hope you weren't trying to answer my questions. Its good to have the patience of the goddess. JMHO.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

It seems "honey" that most of your dislike of the bible comes from your own opinions and you know what christians think of opinions As for mthylogies from other non-christian sources, can you cite any?

If the human mind did not have the ability to think, there would be no problem at all. But since it thinks, there is no stopping it. Its like the monkey which cannot sit at a single branch at one moment but keeps moving diving from branch to branch. Is it the monkey's fault to follow its nature? If so then the mind is at fault for thinking about mythological gods, satan, God, Shiva,(*25000 Hindu Gods), goddess, wiccan, Bible, Quran, etc etc. The proof for everything is the mind.

But for religions trying to make others believe, you gonna give real solid evidence.

Anyways, the monkey gotta die.

 

[Rae]

Ah. Another person added to my ignore list. Thanks for showing me that I shouldn't talk to you any more, GoM!

 

[Starcrystal]

Whoa Whoa....what do you mean by idolatry and why do you call it evil??

The Biblical definition of idolatry is that of bowing down before statues/inanimate objects and saying that these objects are created things that have no life: they cannot talk, hear, or move. It refers to the making of images which people so often end up worshipping.
Now I realize a lot of people say they only use the image to focus on the Spirit, but the sad thing is that some people will feel like they can only connect with Spirit when they bow to the image. The image (statue/idol) begins to replace the spirit. Idolatry is also when people rely on some material thing more than on God. Money becomes idolatry for many people in America. They devote their entire lives to aquiring money, hoard it, covet it, steal it, and it consumes them in many ways. Often they are not even happy with having lots of it. Money is the #1 "idol" in America.

Now do you see why THIS form of idalatry would be evil?

PS: by the way I ahave had small statues and images in pictures in my home, but I have not worshipped them or bowed down to them. If I am praying near them I am praying to the spirit, not to a piece of stone, wood or photograph. I have only used such things to set an atmosphere, not to worship or depict a god.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

The Biblical definition of idolatry is that of bowing down before statues/inanimate objects and saying that these objects are created things that have no life: they cannot talk, hear, or move. It refers to the making of images which people so often end up worshipping.
Now I realize a lot of people say they only use the image to focus on the Spirit, but the sad thing is that some people will feel like they can only connect with Spirit when they bow to the image. The image (statue/idol) begins to replace the spirit. Idolatry is also when people rely on some material thing more than on God. Money becomes idolatry for many people in America. They devote their entire lives to aquiring money, hoard it, covet it, steal it, and it consumes them in many ways. Often they are not even happy with having lots of it. Money is the #1 "idol" in America.

Now do you see why THIS form of idalatry would be evil?

PS: by the way I ahave had small statues and images in pictures in my home, but I have not worshipped them or bowed down to them. If I am praying near them I am praying to the spirit, not to a piece of stone, wood or photograph. I have only used such things to set an atmosphere, not to worship or depict a god.

You know what, there are many people who worship an idol to just remind themselves that they don't know anything yet. There are many people who think God is an imaginary figure who is an outcrop of human mind but when the mind is put to rest the soul will realize its true nature and in that nature, it is not a creator, or a destroyer, or a wrathful god, or a jealous god, or the greatest god or the merciful god. In fact it will be in a state which the human mind can't describe in words, of which God is the closest word it could think of. Unless that state appears it will kneel down before an idol mocking itself in that process. The mind's ability to think is very very high. but the mind has another characteristic which works as a check to its wild thoughts. It is described by a beautiful English word called Conscience. The mind should compare all the jumble it thinks of with the conscience which never lies. If the conscience gives the "All clear" signal, the mind can start to believe in its latest thought. My conscience gave me "All clear" signal to kneel down before an idol. So I'm doing it. My conscience will not give me the green light to destroy something or kill something as a sacrifice or do some wierd rituals which includes mutilation of the body. So my mind will stop believing it just storing it as a file somewhere in its recesses.

Until the mind dies, it has to answer to its conscience. If it breaches conscience, it leads to all the agony according to what the mind thinks is agony.

 

[God_of_Mercy]

Ah. Another person added to my ignore list. Thanks for showing me that I shouldn't talk to you any more, GoM!

I mean i cant prove to you i dont assume things about the bible so...

 

[Jean-Luc]

I'm an ex-High Priest of a Pagan Coven myself who has since come to Christ...

Having read this thread I've found there are a lot of SAD misconceptions about... and a lot of ppl who DO know what's going on...

Unfortuneately, being brand spanking new to these forums I do not have enough posts to post a link to an external site... but I would suggest that ppl check out 'ex-Witch Ministries' and/or 'Refuge Ministries' who specialize in this area...

You will find links to their websites in the 'LINKS' Section of my own Site which you'll find in my profile.... sorry about any inconvenience that causes bouncing from page to page just to check out two links...

...but as i said - I do not have enough posts yet to post a link to an external site... yet...

 

[Dj Capron]

miychcraft is evil that is the way that satan gits in to your sole to take it.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

miychcraft is evil that is the way that satan gits in to your sole to take it.

 

[morningstar2651]

Is witchcraft evil?

To claim that witchcraft is evil is an inductive fallacy -- a hasty generalization.

Witchcraft is a very broad term. Just as Christianity has several denominations, so does Wicca.

The first question I want those who claim pagans "worship Satan" is this: Why would they worship the bad-guy of someone else's religion?

Pagans worship various Gods.

Next...human sacrifice. No. Wicca is a religion recognized by the United States government. The United States government doesn't condone human sacrifice. (at least, not to my knowledge)

I have found many of the comments in this thread to be offensive to everything I believe in. Not only that, but they are full of fallacy. Please do research and cite sources next time you write a religion off as "Satanic".

Don't get me wrong...every religion has its "Dark Side" (random Star Wars reference...I'm such a geek) and Witchcraft also has good & evil. The majority of Wiccans avoid black magic because of the "Rule of Three" which is quite similar to Job 4:8. To paraphrase Job 4:8 -- If you do evil deeds, bad things will happen to you. If you do good deeds, good things will happen to you.

I humbly request that everyone do a little research on any religion before posting their opinions on it. It saves other people the time it takes to correct your misconceptions and it prevents the spread of previously mentioned fallacies.

Thank you for reading this post & blessed be.

 

[Jean-Luc]

To claim that witchcraft is evil is an inductive fallacy -- a hasty generalization

Witchcraft is a very broad term. Just as Christianity has several denominations, so does Wicca..

Agreed... but by the same token not all witches are Wiccan... Althhough I was originally Initiated as a Wiccan I moved into other areas of Paganism before becoming a Christian...

The first question I want those who claim pagans "worship Satan" is this: Why would they worship the bad-guy of someone else's religion?

Yes... It's an all too common misconception that all too many Christians have... albeit fed by the popular media, pop culture, and (unfortuneately) from some of those in teaching positions who SHOULD know better...

It serves only to dishonour Christ and harm the effectiveness of those who are witnessing Christ's love and forgiveness to memebers of the Pagan community...

Pagans worship various Gods.

Most definitely... As do hindu's and many other non-Christian religions... but few if ANY say they are "worshipping Satan"...

Next...human sacrifice. No. Wicca is a religion recognized by the United States government. The United States government doesn't condone human sacrifice. (at least, not to my knowledge).

only in Iraq...

I have found many of the comments in this thread to be offensive to everything I believe in. Not only that, but they are full of fallacy. ...

As an ex-Pagan Christian - I could NOT agree more...

I humbly request that everyone do a little research on any religion before posting their opinions on it. It saves other people the time it takes to correct your misconceptions and it prevents the spread of previously mentioned fallacies.

Thank you for reading this post & blessed be.

Good advice...

Some places to start (The following are ALL Christian Sites...)

http://exwitch.org/cms/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=1263&page_id=101 HOW TO REACH OUT TO PAGAN FRIENDS - exWitch Ministries

http://www.onmission.com/webzine/sept_oct03/wicca.htm
WICCA: A Caution to Christian Parents... and a Challenge by William G. Wells (On Mission.com)

http://bornagainpagan.multiservers.com
BORN AGAIN PAGAN - From Pagan High Priest to Faith in Christ
(Gotta give my own site a plug *grin*)

 

[Bevlina]

miychcraft is evil that is the way that satan gits in to your sole to take it.

 

[Telrunya]

miychcraft is evil that is the way that satan gits in to your sole to take it.

Translation:

Witchcraft is evil. That is the way Satan gets into your soul to take it.

End translation.

I believe there is alot to what he says. No I don't believe witches worship Satan or that they practice human sacrifice or any other such nonsense. I do believe they have bought into Satan's lie though. They worship many gods and goddesses and use potions and spells. All things that take focus off of the evidance of God in nature. Satan often appears fair and as a being of light.

 

[Jean-Luc]

No I don't believe witches worship Satan or that they practice human sacrifice or any other such nonsense. I do believe they have bought into Satan's lie though. They worship many gods and goddesses and use potions and spells. All things that take focus off of the evidance of God in nature. Satan often appears fair and as a being of light.

Well said...

And we can ONLY reach the lost - no matter what path they follow - through consistent witness, the Gospel of Christ, demonstration of Christ-like character, and genuine love and concern.
_________________________

Yours in Christ Jesus

Jean-Luc

http://bornagainpagan.multiservers.com
http://bornagainpagan.evangel-list.com