contents - Description: Description: Description: Description ...

The Lemegeton (Lesser Key) is known as the Book of Shadows. Black Magic comes from the 6th
and 7th Book of Moses, mistakenly alleged to have been written by Moses.
There has been a connotation of evil given to witchcraft as a whole, but it can’t be as easily
defined as that, because there are some gray areas that require an understanding. I am not
condoning any aspect of witchcraft, but I do have to be fair.
The most well-known of the witchcraft sects are the Wiccans, who represent what could be
considered White Witchcraft. I have talked to some Wiccans, and they do not fit the stereotype
that one expects to find when they meet a witch. They do not dress in all black, and in fact, do
not dress any differently than anyone else. You have probably talked to a witch, and never even
knew it.
As serious as you may be about your religion, and faith; they are just as serious about their
religion. Besides their holy days, some covens even have weekly meetings, just like a traditional
church.
Wiccans have become more open in their religion in the past few years, as they try to dispel
the myth, fear, and discrimination that surround them.
In August, 1995, our local paper had a front page article about a couple local witches, and
how their religious activities were just like anyone else’s. They have distanced themselves from
Satanism, by emphasizing that they don’t believe in Satan or demons. They have tried to separate
themselves from the dark side of the occult, by saying that it is against their religion to harm
anyone, that they’re not out there trying to get people, by putting curses on them. In fact, their
primary directive (known as the Witch’s Rede) is: “An it harm none– do what thou wilt.” This
gives them the freedom to do what they want, just as long as it doesn’t affect the rights of others,
or cause physical harm.
And indeed, Wiccans have gone out of their way to help people. Out of their yearning to
help, many enter helping professions, such as social workers, nurses, and counselors. They also
do tarot card readings, and are the driving force behind the onslaught of the psychic phone hot
lines.
Thousands have been drawn to the spiritualistic aspects of witchcraft, and it is estimated that
there could be as many as 800,000 Wiccans in this country, and since 1987, they have “grown
tremendously.” They are out there spreading their word through books in secular bookstores,
occult bookstores, classes, and pagan festivals. They are filling what they see as a void, and are
presenting a religion that is more accepting of women in leadership positions, gays, interracial
couples and unmarried couples. It is marked by solemn ritualistic ceremonies that makes one feel
like they’re part of a family; and a religion that offers real power.
We live in a time where the constitutional right of religious freedom has forced us to tolerate
and accept any religion, no matter how foreign it is to our belief system, and how contrary it is to
the Bible. But on the other hand, in a growing anti-Christian climate in this country, we are also
being allowed to exercise our faith because of those same rights. So, we have a responsibility to
treat someone else’s beliefs with respect, because they have the same rights we do. However, I
don’t have to agree with them, or like it, and I don’t have to allow this false doctrine to permeate
our society unanswered.
No matter how honorable Wiccans intentions are, as a Christian, I must abide by the tenets of
the Holy Scriptures in my assessment of their religion and practices. Do I hate them. No. In fact,
the witches that I talked to were very pleasant, very nice, and very respectful of my religious
beliefs. Which is more than I can say about some Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons that have
come knocking on my door. It is very easy to forget a very fundamental Biblical teaching, that