SH+P6+2014-15+Witchcraft

Kailie Szewczyk Aim Witchcraft is ultimately the ritualistic practice of magical skills. This includes, but is not limited to, sorcery, superstition, necromancy, spiritualism, and magic (“Witchcraft” 1). This means that those who practice witchcraft explicitly believe in one or many of these characteristics. In other words, witchcraft was created and exists for those who are looking for an outlet to exercise their ideals and focus on the spiritual aspects of the world. Witchcraft provides these people with with a way to express their beliefs. Additionally, while the two practices have the reputation of being polar opposites, those who practice witchcraft can be compared to those who practice any form of religion. One citizen argues their opinion on this topic by stating, “Witchcraft is a religion. This is because religion is the belief in a deity and believing that it is superior and has control over certain things concerning [those who practice religion]” (BBC News 1). This same aspect can be seen through witchcraft as well. First of all, witchcraft is most commonly known as a spiritual practice. The most practiced religion in the world, Christianity is very spiritual in the sense that “higher being” consists of an entity known as the Holy Spirit. This ties into the next point because within religion, followers look up to a higher power and are given strength to live their life and do what they do through this higher being. Those who practice witchcraft often do so because they believe that a “higher power” gives them the ability to complete actions such as the typical image of spell-casting, communicating with the deceased, or even the conjuring of materialistic objects. That being said, witchcraft can be viewed as an alternative choice for those who seek the advice of a more powerful being but do not identify with any religion. Looking through a more broad lens, witchcraft can be seen as a practice for those who choose to involve themselves with the hidden spiritual aspects that life has to offer without involving themselves with religion.

Estefania Camacho Garcia Megan Nickerson Kailie Szewczyk Audience Witchcraft is a very powerful practice that has the ability to affect many. To begin with, the religious are highly affected because it is forbidden by their God to practice such ways of life. The Bible, a book that leads Christians, condemns the use of any type of witchcraft. As stated in The Holy Bible, “ Ye shall not eat anything with the blood; neither shall ye use enchantments, nor observe times. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, nor seek after __wizards__ to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God” (Lev. 19:26). Second the people who practice witchcraft are very much affected. This is simply because they are the ones who are dealing with the actions that come along with witchcraft, thus being exposed to the powers of witchcraft. That being said, the Christians will not only try to steer clear from anytype of witchcraft, but they will try to preach against it, because as Christians their duty is to spread the word of God. This could lead the two groups into conflict. The last group of people that are affected are the viewers of television including the American Public. Through shows as Bewitched, more for adults, and Casper the Friendly Ghost, for children, many are exposed to Witchcraft. One article claims, “A children’s comic book companion for Casper the Friendly Ghost from 1962-1974” (Mastin 1). Not only does witchcraft affect adults, but it affects children as well; these children now become exposed to witchcraft. This leads to conclude that witchcraft is a very influential force that acts on a very broad range of people.

Megan Nickerson Historical Speculations of witchcraft date back far into history, as the practice is referenced in religious text. The Bible condemns the practice of witchcraft in the following quote, “A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them (Leviticus 20:27)” (Linder 1). Saint Augustine of Hippo argues later, during the early 400s, that witchcraft defies possibility because only God possesses such power. His ideals about the impossible idea of witchcraft were widely accepted by the late medieval church resulting in a decline in the investigations of alleged witchcraft. Following this, further speculations were made increasing the level of sinister connotations with Satan when Pope Innocent III Cathar heretics for their “support” toward the devil. During 1273, Thomas Aquinas argued that demons exist to bring forth temptation, for instance the temptation of witchcraft and sorcery. As suspicions continued to grow, the hunt, accusations, and attempted eradication of witches boomed beginning in Europe during the 1400’s. The criteria for suspected sorcery included, “A person was caught in the act of positive or negative sorcery, A well-meaning sorcerer or healer lost their clients' or the authorities' trust, A person did nothing more than gain the enmity of their neighbours, A person was reputed to be a witch and surrounded with an aura of witch-beliefs or Occultism” (“Witchcraft” 1). This wide range of accusable traits led to the many executions and a rise in hysteria. These outbreaks of concern and hysteria of being associated with witchcraft, “...began to appear in the early 1500s. Authorities in Geneva, Switzerland burned 500 accused witches at the stake in 1515. Nine years later in Como, Italy, a spreading spiral of witchcraft charges led to as many as 1000 executions” (Linder 1). Investigations of suspected witchcraft and sorcery continued extending from Europe to the United States, leading to the Salem witch trials. Through the examination of the repeated investigations and hysteria associated with the practices of witchcraft and sorcery throughout history it is observed that great controversy lies within the concepts of dark arts and causes conflict as religious and political figures become involved.

Estefania Camacho Garcia Cultural Witchcraft, also known as a type of magic or even sorcery, has shaped society’s beliefs. As stated in “Witchcraft”, it states, “...in the West, as the work of crones who meet secretly at night, indulge in cannibalism and orgiastic rites with the Devil, and perform black magic” (Lewis 1). The reason why some people indulge in the art of witchcraft is to get rid of the evil that exists in the world. This varies as what is defined as witcraft throughout different countries and culturally. Therefore, each individual group take on different interpretations of witchcraft. These different interpretations are due to the differing perspectives with the different groups of people. Additionally, these differences can cause people to dispute about who has the correct beliefs. This could cause one side to say that witchcraft is incorrect and for the supporters of witchcraft to believe that they have the right to exercise witchcraft. This problem can be seen with Christians and the practitioners of witchcraft. The Holy Bible states, “ And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits and after wizards; and to go a whoring after him, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people” (Leviticus 20:6). Christians being the children of God are taught that they have to defend the word of God and preach it. Therefore, if a practitioner of witchcraft is carrying out their sorcery, the religious person will try to defend their faith and beliefs, because that is what they have been called to do. This could cause a disagreement and arguments; there will not be peace between the two groups. A more modern example is the chaos that is happening in Papua New Guinea. In this situation the government is speculating that witchcraft has been practiced. Therefo re, many women and children have had to escape from the villages. The progress of the situation is reported as, “They aren't able to do anything right now. Unless they are able to get something, try to get the commissioner and the people higher up to respond to this as a matter of national urgency" (ABC News 1). Not only does the disagreement between government and the witches create some friction between them, but villages and towns are being sent into chaos because of their differences. Witchcraft has been shown/promoted through television series. In the article, “Witchcraft in Popular Culture- Television”, some of the American television shows portray witchcraft through shows such as, “Bewitched, Free Spirit, Charmed, Picket Fences, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Felicity, Hex, Witches of East End” (Mastin 1). television is a modern way in which information can be passed on quickly, but now with the use of the internet, actions that people do can be spread quickly. Although, in times without such advanced technology, the ideas and some concepts, including misinformed ideas of witchcraft, were passed down through folk tales and storytelling. Witchcraft has shaped the way humans interact and the decisions they make; the outcome of these decision greatly affects modern society.

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