Christian Vs Wiccan Worldview Analysis

On the other hand, in this paper the thought of a witch it is tricky where it is not acceptable to make any remark to the reflection of witchcraft, which shows various elements that provides help in the apparent proof of a witch . These affiliate the existence of the witch with devil, the conclusion with the Devil, the Sabbath, flying at night and considering a change. In 1583, Reginald Scot referred witches with the females who were “usually old”, vacillating, and dim looked at, pale, fowler, and overflowing with wrinkles, pore, grim, and superstitious"

Having converted from a pagan to a catholic I have been ridiculed by peers and called a devil worshipper. I find it funny that when people hear the words witch or magic they automatically think there is an association with the devil. At a certain point I started to feel like it was 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts the only things missing were a noose and giant cross. What’s funny is that my interest in the Salem Witch Trials is what began my obsession with all things Wiccan. Unbeknownst to my family I started practicing and I started to become addicted. Wicca was like a drug, and my escape. So naturally like any other drug if it makes you feel good you want more, so instead of it being my escape I practiced so much that it was my religion I was

What do the words Pagan and Wiccan mean? And what is the difference between them? These are questions we have all asked ourselves and been asked when starting our spiritual journey, or when we first started to be interested in magic.

Ranging from the south Alleghenies mountain range all the way down to the south of Georgia and far west of Alabama, lived the Cherokee Indians. They were a powerful detached tribe of the Iroquoian family and were commonly called Tsaragi which translates into "cave people." This tribe was very prominent in what is now called the U.S, but over time has been split up or run out of their land because of social or political encounters with the new settlers from Europe. Despite the dispersion or the split amongst this tribe, they still obtained their core religious beliefs, practices and ceremonies. Their detailed belief system, fundamental beliefs, significant meanings, and their connection to song and dance make up their religious system. The early

Witchcraft (also called witchery or spellcraft) broadly means the practice of, and belief in, magical skills and abilities that are able to be exercised by individuals and certain social groups. Witchcraft is a complex concept that varies culturally and societally; therefore, it is difficult to define with precision and cross-cultural assumptions about the meaning or significance of the term should be applied with caution. Witchcraft often occupies a religious, divinatory or medicinal role, and is often present within societies and groups whose cultural framework includes a magical world view. Although witchcraft can often share common ground with related concepts such as sorcery, the paranormal, magic, superstition,

Magic can be real to some people and fictional to others. It could be used to describe a feeling, or it could mean an action. There is a form of magic known as witchcraft. The art of witchcraft can range from simple activities like burning incense for protection to complex and eerie acts like summoning the dead. Society defines those who participate in these types of acts as witches. Witches are sometimes depicted as evil, deceiving, and grotesque hags. This is far from the truth though. First of all, not all people who participate in witchcraft are witches, and not all forms of witchcraft are evil. One specific group that is being affected by these misconceptions are Wiccans. Wicca is a recognized religion while witchcraft

Margot Adler said in her book, Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, “The first time I called myself a 'Witch' was the most magical moment of my life.” Margot’s description tells exactly how it feels for a witch to discover their identity. See, it is like taking in a new breath of air. Taking on a personal craft is not scary, but rejuvenating. Though many find witchcraft scary or evil, the craft is actually a very beautiful and spiritual practice. There are many different types of witches: some that follow gods, some that are atheistic, some are Wiccan, and some follow a mainstream religion like Christianity. Yet, all witches have one thing in common, the love of their craft. Now, after

In “The Belief Engine”, Alcock (1951) highlighted the necessity of skepticism by revealing the malfunction of brain activities when making judgments. He indicated that people automatically generate false beliefs and neglect the truthfulness of the issue. In “Occult Beliefs”, Singer and Benassi (1981) suggested that occult beliefs are indestructible; people tend to invent an explanation to satisfy their own beliefs, which relates to Alcock’s proposal of our brains acting as a “belief engine” (Alcock, 1995). The authors in both articles attempted to explain how people invent these “magical thinking” (Alcock, 1995), and why those beliefs outweigh scientific explanations.

Witches practice witchcraft which grants access to let witches have communication with the devil. Furthermore, “the culmination of the mythology of witchcraft came about from the 15th to the 18th centuries in the depiction of the witches Sabbath” (Carroll). Witchcraft is talked about and defined in the book, The Element Encyclopedia of Ghosts & Hauntings, saying, “Witchcraft is an ancient art that utilizes the powers of nature and the mind to bring out desired effect” (Cheung 539). In addition to that, witchcraft works by using certain combinations of natural elements to draw certain energies. Someone can use these energies by stimulating senses to alter states of consciousness that intensify moods and feelings (Cheung 539). No exact known

In chapter 4 of Ancestral Lines by John Barker, Barker discusses the two main guides of reasoning used by the Maisin of Papua New Guinea; Christianity and older traditional views. He describes how although both are different methods of thinking, both are used in harmony to describe the everyday occurrences encountered by the Maisin people (Barker 2008:134). Christianity, as described in the ethnography, is used wholly to motivate the Maisin intrinsically through the abolishment of fear, and to instill morals and values (Barker 2008:133-134). In times of need, Christianity was often relied on to seek solace and comfort (Barker 2008:124). For instance, the Maisin often used sacred objects (charms) that were said to protect them from sorcery;

Between 600 and 1450 religion in the Middle East changed in that of major splits and new religion emerging; however the status of women seem to remain the same. There are three major religions that had a major impact on the Middle East. Judaism is the monotheistic religion of the Jews, it originated in Canaah Israel and Palestanian territories. Christianity is another major religion that originated in the Middle East. Later on the church was split into different groups. The last major religion is Islam. Islam is the one religion that had the most affect on the region.

Wicca is a pagan nature-based, fertility-oriented religion, and although it has many roots to the “old ways” and ancient practices, Wicca as it currently stands is a fairly new religion, technically started by Gerald Gardner in the 1940s. Gardner reconstructed and reinvented ancient beliefs and practices to fit a modern age.

Wicca has less structure than most world religions. There are two deities: a goddess and a god. Many Wiccan denominations only worship the goddess, and practice witchcraft and magic. (Zhao). The religion lacks a holy book, but provides basic guidelines on life. The Rede equates to the Golden Rule in Abrahamic religions. It insists that Wiccans should not harm anyone using magic. The Three-fold Law, or the Rule of Three, gives the same idea.

This is a valid notion, nonetheless, as far as Wicca is concerned, there is probably quite a number of misconceptions about the type of magic which is performed.With many religions, it is often difficult to determine where religion ends and faith begins, or in this case magic. Magic in Wicca can be defined as “the projection of natural energies to produce needed effects”(11). Natural being the keyword in this definition, as magic is not thought of as supernatural, but rather a practice of utilizing energies which have not yet been discovered or recognized (22). Magic in Wicca is relatively versatile, with the purpose to “develop special relationships with the God and Goddess.” but also to enrich and improve the lives of practitioners while giving back to the planet. In the case of self enrichment versus ritual, “not every spell is a prayer, nor are invocations differently worded spells”(21). The most important attribute of practicing magic is that it remains positive.The book does not delve into the consequences of opposing practices, but states that the repercussions are “unimagined”. Magic which connotes negative energy is thought as the greatest of insults to the human race and the universe itself. Wiccan rituals do not always include magic and are often formed through the casting of a circle. In this space practitioners can directly connect with the God and Goddess and more efficiently strengthen their bond

Preliminary Thesis Statement: Religion is an essential constituent of any civilization with a unique spiritual pathway.