The "sin" of Witchcraft?
"Unfortunately, by the Bible's standards, many of the practices done by pagans dishonor Elohim. Again, I do believe this is using the Bible when and where convenient, while completely ignoring the rest."
I'm sure you would agree that we ALL do things from time to time that dishonor the Divine to some degree. A passage in the OT lists the sin of "witchcraft{" right up there with getting a tattoo and shaving or trimming a beard. The fact that most people today do not consider getting a tattoo or shaving a sin, seems to prove your statement about ignoring the parts of the Bible that are not convenient. I'm just curious ... do you feel that shaving dishonors Elohim too?
It would be very helpful if you would clarify exactly what behavior you mean when you say "many of the practices done by pagans dishonor Elohim". . In our previous posts we have already covered prophecy and fortune-telling, but quite honestly, very few of the Pagans or Wiccans I know claim to do this anyway. MOST are drawn to these paths simply because of their love for nature and animals. They have a deep respect for our Mother Earth and all living things. Like Moses, John the Baptist and Jesus, they feel closer to God on a mountain top, in the wilderness or even in the desert, and they prefer to seek divine guidance in these places. I understand and share these feelings, and I'm fairly sure it's not this love for nature that you feel dishonors the Divine.
I honestly can't think of anything significant the average Pagan or Wiccan does that Christians don't also do. When I began to follow the Wiccan path, I asked several Christians I knew to let me know if they caught me doing anything that the Bible said I shouldn't. So far, no one has identified ANY behavior in my life that is condemned by the Scriptures. You seem to feel that Wiccans and Pagans are living a sinful life. Perhaps you could clarify for me what practices we actually do that dishonors God.
I'm sure you would agree that we ALL do things from time to time that dishonor the Divine to some degree. A passage in the OT lists the sin of "witchcraft{" right up there with getting a tattoo and shaving or trimming a beard. The fact that most people today do not consider getting a tattoo or shaving a sin, seems to prove your statement about ignoring the parts of the Bible that are not convenient. I'm just curious ... do you feel that shaving dishonors Elohim too?
It would be very helpful if you would clarify exactly what behavior you mean when you say "many of the practices done by pagans dishonor Elohim". . In our previous posts we have already covered prophecy and fortune-telling, but quite honestly, very few of the Pagans or Wiccans I know claim to do this anyway. MOST are drawn to these paths simply because of their love for nature and animals. They have a deep respect for our Mother Earth and all living things. Like Moses, John the Baptist and Jesus, they feel closer to God on a mountain top, in the wilderness or even in the desert, and they prefer to seek divine guidance in these places. I understand and share these feelings, and I'm fairly sure it's not this love for nature that you feel dishonors the Divine.
I honestly can't think of anything significant the average Pagan or Wiccan does that Christians don't also do. When I began to follow the Wiccan path, I asked several Christians I knew to let me know if they caught me doing anything that the Bible said I shouldn't. So far, no one has identified ANY behavior in my life that is condemned by the Scriptures. You seem to feel that Wiccans and Pagans are living a sinful life. Perhaps you could clarify for me what practices we actually do that dishonors God.
Posted by Kardia at 2/26/2010 12:48 PM 
Categories: The Christian Witch,Your Journey Down an Ancient Path
Tags: Witchcraft and Christians beliefs
Categories: The Christian Witch,Your Journey Down an Ancient Path
Tags: Witchcraft and Christians beliefs
I feel like I've already answered this? It's the acts of practicing divination, sorcery, fortune telling, spell casting, idolotry, and astrology, which the God of the Bible detests. These actions are prohibited under the strictest of terms in the Bible. Twist it any way you want, there are HUNDREDS, if not thousands more verses in the Bible regarding this than what I quoted on your previous post. I had begun the process of going trhough my Bible to quote them all here, but decided if someone wants to know what the Bible says regarding witchcraft, they can read it themselves.
We are not under a covenant of the Jewish law found in the OT, Jesus fulfilled the law established a NEW convenant. He told us during the sermon on the Mount how we are to pray to Him. He sent Paul to teach those desiring to live in that new covenant how to live a Christian life. The OT gives us amazing insight into the charecter and nature of God and it shows us exactly why we needed a Reedemer.
"MOST are drawn to these paths simply because of their love for nature and animals. They have a deep respect for our Mother Earth and all living things. Like Moses, John the Baptist and Jesus, they feel closer to God on a mountain top, in the wilderness or even in the desert, and they prefer to seek divine guidance in these places. I understand and share these feelings, and I'm fairly sure it's not this love for nature that you feel dishonors the Divine." Are you worshipping the creation or the Creator here? I LOVE spending time in nature, that does not make me feel like I am any less of a Christian or that I desire anything other than Christianity, although it was quite the spiritual journey to get here, I have not always been a Christian.
This is turning very much into a pagan vs Christian discussion, which was NOT my intent. I felt you were taking The Word and twisting it into something it's not. That's the only part I have a problem with as I do feel like you are treading on Holy Ground. Like I said, if Christianity is not someone's path, that is fine, it's a free country.
As for your newest blog post. I know YOU don't see it as us worshipping different Gods and it's a matter of perspective. What I am saying is that I, and many Christians, do not see it that way. I understand the concept of what you are saying, I do. I know that your followers like to think people like me are speaking out of ignorance. Sometimes not agreeing with something doesn't make one ignorant, it simply means I disagree.
Also, the Christians I associate with DO NOT call upon angels when praying. Ever. Revelation 19:10 addresses this well. We are to worship and call apon Him alone, nobody else, not angels, not even the Catholic version of Saints, in my opinion.
When I post comments, my email address is included. I'm happy to continue this through email, but not here with your legions of followers.
As I said, I wish you the best, and thank you again.
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Isabel, first let me apologize if my earlier comments sounded like I thought you were ignorant. From the beginning, I've been impressed with your knowledge of the Bible and only meant to share that my own understanding of some passages was different from yours.
I also stand corrected in my wording about you seeking the help of angels. I understand that you don't CALL upon angels for help. I should have simply said that many Christians have reported being helped by angels. The point I was trying to make was that God, the ONE true power, seems to help us through many different messengers or extentions. I have noticed that some Christians refer to these Divine messengers or "angels" by name, in the same way that Pagans name the "lessor gods" that help them, or Native American Indians name the "spirits" that guide them. I personally don't view these as different powers ... but rather as different ways to describe the help God sends us.
You have helped me pin-point our differences and better understand the concerns you have, and for that, I am grateful. It may surprise you to know that the Bible is my all-time favorite book and I have a deep respect for the wisdom it contains. We differ only in our understanding of some of its passages, or more specifically, in the definition of a few words. I appreciate that you were open-minded enough to visit here and listen to my views, and I truly wish you peace and happiness on your personal walk with God. ((hugs))
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I think maybe it's that God does not want us to have other gods besides Him (from the first commandment)
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I believe it says no other gods before Him not besides. That means that He is the God of Gods. If you do some study of ancient texts, that has been a big thing among the ancient gods. Anu or Anna was the God of Gods, the Father of the other Gods, but he gave the godship to his son Enlil. It was stolen and then fought over. This title has always been a big deal among the gods, just look at the story of Marduk. I don't think this commandment means that the Hebrews weren't supposed to have any other gods, they just weren't supposed to hold any higher than JHVH, but Christians do that every day by holding Y'SHUA in equal, if not higher, ranking.
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The Creator, the God of Israel, the God of The Holy Bible, made all that exists, including all of the living or lifeless things, or mere ideas (i.e. any political philosophy that one lives by that is contrary to the Word of God, or any science that denies the existence of the Creator of all natural laws of science) that humans have made into "gods" - but which in fact are all merely objects created by the Creator.
Only the Creator has the power to be God; looking to anything, or anyone, else for salvation is literally a dead end. This includes anything that is deemed "more important right now" than worship and obedience to the only true God, or worshiping the true God in a manner contrary to His Word
"Other gods" have a contagious worthlessness - those who worship worthless gods become worthless in God's sight:
"Behold, you are nothing, and your work is nought; an abomination is he who chooses you." (Isaiah 41:24 RSV)
"But The Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. Thus shall you say to them: "The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens." (Jeremiah 10:10-11 RSV)
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"Only the Creator has the power to be God; looking to anything, or anyone, else for salvation is literally a dead end. This includes anything that is deemed "more important right now" than worship and obedience to the only true God, or worshiping the true God in a manner contrary to His Word"
By your own words you just stated that any Christian who prays to Jesus will not be saved because Jesus is the son of the creator & not the creator himself. In the Holy Bible Wasn't it Jesus who died to provide salvation to all who choose to believe? Since he died in this manner he is considered to be part of the "Trinity" (along with the Holy Spirit) of your "one true God", so actually your "one true God" is technically 3. If you say "The Lord's Prayer" you pray asking for protection & guidance from "The Father, The Son, & The Holy Spirit" not just to the Creator. Does that then mean that your worship is worthless now in "God's sight" since you are now praying & worshiping 2 others besides Himself?
Though your bible quotes support what you're saying they are only from the OT & are out of context. Those who use Bible quotes as support for their "only way" belief should be aware just as many Bible quotes can be used to support opposing views.
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The actual translation of the OT is, 'suffer not a poisoner to live.' it was changed by King James because he feared the english witches. Food for thought
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May I ask where you can find the actual translation...such as this one? I know there are losses in translation, as well as purposeful changes, such as this. I am searching for truth, and more knowledge. Thanks!
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It was a bit my sister came across in her studies. I'm so sorry I can't help you hon
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If there are any modern Bibles with this translation I am not aware of. them You would need Bible software that contained the scriptures in their original languages, then Greek and Hebrew lexicons to help you translate. Pharmacopoeia is actually the Greek word that was used when that original passage was translated from Hebrew to Greek. It refers to a person who dealt with poisonous herbs and the closest English translation is "poisoner". The passage was condemning individuals who used herbs or plants in a harmful way and not those who used them to help or heal.
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I'm glad someone could find it. Thanks Kardia
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hi my name is Alex i am very new to wicca and i really like it. i have a big question and is not so sure that it relates to your paragraph however i couldn't find another place that would let me comment. one of my best friends found out that i am a wiccan and she claimed to be one too. However she started telling me things that i have never heard about. for instance she said that you could only be a Wiccan if u had the wiccan soul. i was like what. anyway then she said that she needed my blood for a ritual. that was something i had never heard of either. i didn't know what she was talking about so scared i refused. then she started asking every day. although i was starting to be completely convinced that she had no clue what Wicca was there is still my doubts like she does have a wand and an Altar and she also has blessed water. so now i am completely confused. anyway i went to school one day and on the bus she tried to cut me with a shark tooth and the scary thing was that it had a blood stain on it. when i asked hoe the blood stain got there she said that she had done this before. i still refused to give her my blood and then things got really weird. she made someone come and hold my arm down then she tried to cut me. luckily i was able to get free. she is still trying to cut me and my question is, does she know what she is doing like is she really a wiccan and are there any rituals that use blood? if so what are they for. like what do they do. if you met Izzy then you would know how.........different she is. i'm a little scared. please email me back
sincerely,
Alexandria
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Greetings Alex! In my humble opinion, what makes someone a wiccan is what they believe in their heart. If you hold the same beliefs as others who follow the path, most would consider you a fellow believer. Your friend seems to hold some unusual beliefs. They sound more like a movie or TV version of wicca than real traditions. A true wiccan would not be trying to get blood from someone. ANYONE can have a wand or altar ... it doesn't mean they know how to use them. You might want to refer her to wicca.com for information about what wiccans actually believe and practice.
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i was raised in a christian family by my grandparents but at age 7 my mother gained custody of me and religon was something that she never pushed on me but simply let me make my own choices. so i simply began to drift in an out of churches trying to find where i felt i belonged. the more i went the more i realized that i did not belong in any of them. i have a hard time exspecially in this day and time beleiveing that im going to hell for some of the things they consider a sin. i got a divorce. i was told i was going to hell?? but my husband was abusive? so am i still going to hell? yep still going. ok. i get mad and sometimes i can make a sailor blush. im going to hell. but i was mad and i got over it and i didnt hurt anyone i was just letting of some steam. so your still going to hell! i tend to over indulge in some foods. but im not overweight. glutten your going to hell. geez give me a break. so i decided as long as i live my life and do the best i can to be a good person(help people who need help if i can) and try never to do anything that would cause someone else pain in any way. i dont think anyone is going to judge me as harshly as the church seems to think i deserve. live your life to its fullest and dont worry about looking over your shoulder because the people who are judgeing you have probably done alot worse in there past.
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Alexandria why have you not told an adult around you. Sounds like she needs some counseling. In all my 10+ yrs of being wiccan I have yet to come across anything that needs unwilling blood. Maybe she needs the website celtic connections to really figure out what wicca is all about. Also there is wicca and witchcraft, some stuff intermixes but there is witchcraft practices that are not part of being wicca. And it harm none so mote it be. follows all to insure the unwilling is not put upon by force anything
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What the girl who tried to cut you is doing has nothing whatsoever to do with Wicca.
It sounds to me as if she has been reading about black magic where blood letting is practised. Even so it would be part of a ritual, not done on a bus.
Please speak to a responsible adult about this. It is very wrong of the girl to try and cut you.
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