I have discussed with mey close friends many times the existence of God. I am the only one of my group that is an atheist. I, however, no lunger have a need to argue the existence of God, people have their own beliefs and I respect that. I do not, however, understand why some religious people, especially strong Christians, object to other religions such as Wiccan. I need people’s help to understand this.
Thakns
Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
This is where it began for both the Hebrews and then the Christians. But the Christians at the Council of Ancyra (314.A.D) believed and had taught that witchcraft is merely a diabolical illusion without any basis in reality. It wasn’t till Gregory IX who founded the Inquisition in 1231. That the Inquisitors instructed him that they’re so many Witches that the church was not only fighting for its life but also for the survival of the world.
Then in 1486 two Dominicans (Inquisitors) wrote a book called Malleus Maleficarum, The Witches Hammer. It led, according to some historians, to more misery and deaths than any other book, even the Bible. It was a handbook for discovery and punishment of witches. For three centuries, it was on the bench of every judge, on the desk of every magistrate. The preface to the numerous editions of this doom-laden book was the Bull of Innocent VIII.
It would be foolish to suggest that the papacy created witchcraft. It was there before Christianity appeared, and the church never stamped it out completely. There can be no doubt, however, that the papacy had a critical role in the fresh emergence of witches. If people didn’t have their prayers answered by God, they would go to local witches. But the very fact that the papacy condemned so virulently the Witches it game them legitimacy amongst the laypeople. It was the papacy’s Inquisition that led to the increase in people searching out witches to help them when God wouldn’t.
The reason Christians object to other religions is that we believe the truth is clear; Christ, the Son of God lived, preached, died, and rose again to reconcile man to God! That through what Christ did apart from any human effort, grace(unmerited favor)was extended to all who believe, and eternal life was assured; the idea of ANY person not enjoying this wonderfull, free gift, causes us to grieve; it is this gift, found only in Jesus Christ that drives us to warn all of the deception of false religions. The proof is there for all to examine; Jesus is the only hope-for anyone!
I really don’t think most Christians who disagree with witchcraft are taking their props from the Inquisition these days, though you can find plenty of non-Christians who would say so. Most likely, a Christian opposing another religion is doing so for a combonation of two things- they think the other religion is mistaken, and are trying to correct somebody, or they believe that people who follow other religions won’t get into Heaven, so they are trying to save the person. That second is especially powerful.
i don’t want to get into some debate, but i’m sure you’ll find lots of people here (including me) who would like to see this “proof”
godsmantom… ugh… sighs… just leave that alone guys.
As a Catholic I generally disregaud wiccans, druids, whathaveyou andl eave them to their chanting in front of mirrors and farsical rituals (I’m sorry if I offended and wiccans or druids but this is what I’ve seen from friends who are probably just being teenagers rebelling and dont’ have it right anyways). Mystics and those who have claimed the ability to wield majik are generally to be brushed aside. There is no substance, just superstition, myth, and fancy looking rituals designed to suck people into the lure of mysticism.
The danger of witchcraft is when they get into the REAL stuff. I’m sure you’ve all heard of Alister Crowley (sp?). In the universe there are two sources of power greater than that of humans: God, and Satan and his daemons. I’ve studied the latter quite closely… In witchcraft to get actually results one msut borrow upon power from a source other than oneself. Of course God lends his power to the saints (miracles) but is holds out on selfish causes. One must then invoke a demon of the power of Satan which is of course very dangerous. Alister Crowley was a practicioner of such things. You all can figure out the implications for yourselves. So you see, there was a very real need to snuff out witchcraft. Fortunatly today most witches are of the benign kind who are content with thier herbs and chants (much like on Charmed and Buffy).
P.S. I’m not saying people were invoking demons all over the place during the inquisitions, but people were a lot more skiddish back then. You’ll also findthat a lot of information on the inquisitions is revisionist history. The Spanish Inquitition (the harsh one) was not even supported by the church and the punishments from the actual church supported inquisition are closer to the Monty Python Parody than anyhting else… mostly it was fees or pennance (in forms of prayer of service) and such.
I think it is funny that a religious person would say this. Quite ironic actually.
Good to see you dropping in. Take off your coat and stay for awhile. We are currently working on a new forum dedicated to debate. You would be a perfect candidate for a duel on the “validity and accuracy of the bible” or possibly just “the existence of God per Christianity”. You up for a duel?
didn’t feel like signing in for a 2 liner
Indeed I do, skeptic. Just let me dust off my Summa Theologica.
Sparky, you do need to discuss it since you are asking for help. The Holy Scriptures tell us that to worship any other God is idolatry and sin because it is in opposition to the One, True God. He is the Most High and will have no others before Him. That’s the short answer. Do you practice Wiccan, and if so, why?
Sparky, you do need to discuss it since you are asking for help. The Holy Scriptures tell us that to worship any other God is idolatry and sin because it is in opposition to the One, True God. He is the Most High and will have no others before Him. That’s the short answer. Do you practice Wiccan, and if so, why?
sparky posted that nearly 10 years ago
Yes, cuz Jesus has His arms open to all.
Mat 21:31 . . . Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Yet again out of context. 
Still makes a valid point … you sweet heart with a cherry on top …
I realize that and I wonder why no one answered him? I just found him and maybe he’ll be back around. Thanks, Captain.
[size=50]come back sparky come back[/size]
I lost a dog called Sparky. So I said those words way back when I was a kid. So who’s this Sparky dude, or dudette?
Come back Sparky so I can meet you.
Honestly apart from this thread I have no idea who Sparky is. My daughter has a Jack Russell named Sparky. I guess Selah7+ just struck a nerve.
There are a number of ways to answer this…
they think they are right, and the stake is your eternal soul and others a Wiccan might ‘infect’, so they object since it would mean more people will suffer a lot.
or
they don’t like competition
or
Wicca, for example, is more accepting of nature, the body and sexuality. These are considered dangerous or negative or at least potentially so in C, so it is seen as problematic if people engage in practices that accept these things or allow more freedom around them
or
People freak out when other people don’t think like them.
or
People are creatures of fashion. In some way the sight or knowledge of Wiccans is to the Christian, much like what suburban mothers and fathers first through when they saw teenagers dress up as punks or goths or hippies or beatniks or flappers or whatever.
or
people like to feel certain. Someone living in a different way especially if they are sure, is a challenge. Christians, like other humans, get nervous when other people think differently. Their very existence puts into question the certainty of the Christians.
These patterns are present in non-religious groups also. You can witness many of these here at the forums.