i said that i would put my term paper on here so here it is.
Religion, what is it? Religion is a system of religious belief, often involving a code of ethics and philosophy. Any system of beliefs, practices, and ethical values (Pagan’s path). There are different religions all over the world, but there are a few major religions. By major religions I mean those that major populations have heard of. The major religions include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Witchcraft, although most don’t realize that Witchcraft is a religion and have a bit of a misconception about it they know it exists, and Buddhism, Hinduism, and more.
Christianity is the belief in God. So that means that it’s a monotheistic religion, right? Well WRONG, Christians are taught that God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the city of David most people did not know. Some wise men knew though and were guided by a special star in the sky, and an Angel appeared to a handful of shepherds and told them that the Savior was born and that they would find the baby lying in a manger. After the shepherds saw the child they ran to tell everyone, King Herod found out about Jesus when the wise men went to him asking to find the child born “king of the Jews” and so Herod, who felt threatened by the child because he himself was not full Jew, ordered that all children under the age of two years. Jesus only escaped because god told Joseph to leave the country with his family” (Bible).
I was raised in the Christian faith, my denomination was Nazarene but half of my dad’s side of the family is Catholic. I went to church growing, and I could see the difference in worship between Nazarene and Catholic, the kneeling and communions were different. In Nazarene you don’t kneel unless you want to and you don’t take communion on every Sunday, but when you do its passed out to you in little cups and you just grab a piece of bread or cracker off a tray as its passed around. My grandmother a devout Nazarene and will tell you about god to no avail, even if you don’t want to hear it, she believes that god will save and cure all and that Lucifer, the Devil, and Satan are all the same person. She does not realize, well wont listen, that Satan was actually an Egyptian God and that the name was stolen from him by the Christians. When I ask my grandmother who is god? She answers “God is truth he is eternal life.” And when asked about the Catholic denomination she says “They do believe god is the savior but worship differently“. This is true but not completely, yes they do worship differently but that is not the extent of their worship. My grandmother believes this because she doesn’t believe that praying to Mother Mary is right, because Mother Mary is not holy. That is where I think she is wrong; by God choosing Mary to bear his son he made her Holy.
Ceremonies for the denominations are different like at a Catholic wedding it’s almost like a church service in which you sit, stand and kneel. At a Baptist wedding it’s short and quick, and a Nazarene wedding is not as long as a Catholic wedding but not as short as a Baptist. Now I ask that you realize that this is from my own experience and it may be different from priest or preacher to priest or preacher. Funerals are different to but they have one commonality and that’s celebrating life whether it’s the life lived by the deceased or rejoicing in the fact that you’re alive, you rejoice in life.
Orthodox Jews believed that mans first parents fell from holiness and brought evil into the world. Since that time all men were sinful, deserving punishment from God. But God had promised to redeem man from sin.
Jesus’ reputation didn’t come until he was about 30 years old. Jesus was a teacher, a great teacher his reputation spread far and wide. Jesus taught lessons that were clear to all who were ready to learn, he taught that men are sinners, that al men break Gods law, but in his love forgives repentant sinners.
Christianity is a very hard religion to live by. There are the “Ten Commandments” which tell you how to live your life. And also your expected to live by them, but its very hard when everybody interprets right and wrong differently, you don’t know that you are interpreting the commandments the right way, they way god intended or if he intended you to interpret them in your own way. Also everybody believes that their interpretation is the proper one.
Missionaries are sent to other countries to “spread the word of God” by forcing others to change religions. Christians believe that they have a duty to god to have everybody in the world have the same religion.
The bible says that Jesus could perform miracles, he could cure leprosy, make a blind man see, raise the dead, and walk on water, and more. That’s magic though right? Well I think so.
Witchcraft, what is it? Is it part of Wicca or is Wicca part of it? Does witchcraft exist? Do witches, wizards, warlocks, sorcerers/ sorceresses, demons, and Satan exist? Are their witches in the Christian faith or in other faiths? Do Gods and Goddesses exist? Can you manipulate energy? How long has Witchcraft been around?
So let’s start with the fist question and go from there. Witchcraft is a religion and Wicca is a tradition in witchcraft. A tradition is like a denomination of the faith: Wicca is to Witchcraft as Catholic is to Christianity. Wicca was created by George Gardner around 1950. Gardener established his first coven in 1951. Witchcraft has been around since before Christianity, it’s called Paganism.
Paganism has been around, in varying forms since the time of the cave man. There is archeological evidence that says that early humans honored the natural world around them. And look at what we’ve done to it today. No wonder Witchcraft is a religion on the rise, in Witchcraft you honor the world around you and since we have almost destroyed our resources we are now on the “Going Green” wave, and this wave is about preserving what is left of our resources and making new ones (Pagan’s Path).
Many traditions are based on historical evidence, others from archeological and anthropological discoveries. Some are passed down through cultural practices. But many are based on oral traditions passed down through families, communities or cultures. Most think Wiccan is the religion and witchcraft is a part of it but that is wrong. Wiccan is a tradition of Witchcraft. A tradition in Witchcraft is like a denomination in Christianity. So what is Witchcraft? Well it’s a spiritual practice, a way of life, a belief system and religion. Witchcraft is the religion that sets the foundation of belief. Traditions further define and implement the foundation of beliefs into their own perspectives of practice. Each tradition defines their own creed or rede of faith to provide guidance and principles (Pagan’s Path).
“The Craft” is an older name for Witchcraft. Some believe that “The Craft” refers to the practice of Magik. Magic and Magik are used to differentiate between Stage Magic and the channeling of energy, Magik.
There are many Traditions within the religion of Witchcraft. One of the more commonly known today is Wicca which has become one of the most popular traditions in America. It needs to be understood that Wicca is not the religion, but rather one of many denominations of the religion. There are also several categories in which the traditions fall under and they are Classical Craft, Gothic Craft, and Neo-Pagan Craft (Pagan’s Path).
Classical Craft
Ceremonial - Encompasses many traditional rituals with a basis of Egyptian Magik and often follow the ceremonies outlined in the ancient Cabalistic writings.
Strega - A tradition begun in Italy around 1353. Often associated with its founder, a woman called Aradia.
Teutonic - The Teutons have been recognized as one of the earliest and formal practioners of the craft. Their ways of practicing the Craft are also known as Nordic. Romani - Many people add Romani (which is a Germanic Gypsy practice) to this list. Others argue this gypsy traditions are based more in the tradition of Gypsy con artists than spirituality. It's an argument that is not easily discussed or resolved.
Gothic Craft
Caledoni - Of Scottish traditions, this sect is also known as Hecatine. It continues to encompass many of the festivals and celebrations of the Scots.
Celtic - A mix of Celtic/Druidic pantheon energy. This sect focuses heavily on the elements, nature and the Ancient Ones. With a great knowledge of healing and the magikal qualities of nature, including plants, animals and stones, this tradition is most commonly linked to in the Neo-Pagan sects. Aided by the little people, gnomes and fairies, Celtic magik is full of fun, mirth and mythology.
Deborean - A combination of Celtic and Native American traditions, specifically Cherokee. Focused primarily on Celtic origins. Formed in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the Carolinas and southwestern Virginia, it's a tradition born from intercultural exchanges and marriages between these two cultures.
Deborean Wicca - An American eclectic tradition which attempts to reconstruct Wicca as it was before 'The Burning Times' or the European witch craze.
Farrar - A very famous husband and wife team from England, Janet and Stewart Farrar compiled and researched many of the ancient and modern sects to pull the best parts of all into one. Many of today's modern sects are in one way or another based on these studies and compiled materials.
Hereditary - Based on family traditions passed on generation to generation, (does not included Channeling). Also called "Family Trades", it is up for debate how far back on the family tree one must go to meet the conditions of this sect. The traditions can be passed on to blood relatives or adopted offspring which have been raised within the family ceremonies and rituals. The beliefs are typically Celtic in nature, but include a smattering of many of the current and ancient structures, as well as, many home spun ones.
Pictish - Also of Scottish tradition, this sect focuses heavily on all aspects of nature. It is a solitary form of Craft.
Neo-Pagan Craft
Alexandrian - Founded in the 1960s by Alex Sanders in England, this sect is loosely based on the Gardenarian beliefs. Sanders built his sect in England and called himself "King" of the Coven.
British Traditional - A mix of Celtic and Gardenarian rituals it is the most famous organization in the International Red Garters society. This sect is based on the Farrar studies of Wicca and is exceptionally structured in belief and ritual. A witch becomes part of the Coven through a training, education and degree process.
Dianic - Also called "the Feminist" movement of the craft, this sect focuses on the Goddess aspect of Witchcraft. It was first brought to major attention in 1921 by Margaret Murray and includes aspects of many Classical and Gothic traditions.
Eclectic - This is a label for the "everything else" in Witchcraft. It does not follow any particular tradition, ritual or ceremonial practices. Rather practioners focus on what "feels" best and most comfortable to them. Study and practice is than based on information gathered from books, or other practicing witches.
Faeri/ Faery Wicca - This tradition places an emphasis on the Fae (gnomes, elves, faeries, sprites, etc.), their lore, and their relation to the natural world. Many associate this tradition with an ancient fairy race called the Tuatha De Danaan, the mythological precursors to the Celtic people. It is often, but not always, associated with the Faery tradition founded by author Kisma Stepanich.
Feri Wicca - Not to be confused with Faeri Wicca. Feri Wicca is based on Victor Anderson's (1917-2001) was developed in the late 1950's and early 1960's. It is an ecstatic, rather than a fertility, tradition stemming from the teachings of Cora and Victor Anderson . Strong emphasis is placed on sensual experience and awareness, including sexual mysticism, which is not limited to heterosexual expression
Gardnerian Wicca / Wicca - Named after it's founder Gerald Gardner in England during the 1950s. Gardner wanted to ensure that the Old Religion not become extinct by all the new found knowledge and inter-mixing of beliefs. He took his cause to the media at great personal risk to bring his cause and information to a new younger audience in order to bring growth and life to the ancient traditions.
Seax-Wicca - Based on the Saxon beliefs, this sect is very closely related to the Gardnerian traditions. Without breaking his oath, founder Raymond Buckland wanted to pull the ancient rituals into modern language and acceptable ceremonies. In 1973 his dream became a reality with the organization of Seax-Wicca, bringing Witchcraft into the public as a very positive force. (Pagan’s Path)
In Witchcraft you have a book in which you write your spells potions and whatever you deem fit to write in it and it’s called a Book of Shadows also known as a Grimoire. In these books your teacher might tell you to copy down some spells and other things from their book to yours. In doing so they pass on knowledge from generation to generation.
In Witchcraft they don’t believe in heaven or hell so they cannot be Devil worshipers or Satanist, although people have the wrong idea about Satanists, they do not worship the devil they worship and Egyptian God named Satan.
There are many differences between Christianity and Witchcraft, but there are also a lot of similarities. Such as treat others the way you want to be treated which is like one of the Ten Commandments, do unto others as you want them to do unto you. In witchcraft they have a rede that says that whenever you perform a spell it will come back to you threefold whether it is good or bad you will be punished accordingly (Dingus). In Christianity you must adhere to the Ten Commandments strictly, in Witchcraft there aren't any rules like in other religions that state you will die or go to hell if you don’t adhere to the rules strictly. There is however warning that does state that whatever you do good or bad that there will be repercussions. Jesus preached that all are sinners and all break the law of God but those repentant will be forgiven, in witchcraft there is no need to repent for Karma takes care of it.
Works Cited
"Witchcraft and Paganism." The Pagan's Path ~ Education Network. Ed. Spirit Wolf. Spring 1999. Web. 5 Apr. 2010. <
www.paganspath.com/>.
The Holy Bible King James Version. Nashville/Camden/New York: Thomas Nelson, 1972. Print.
Dingus, Johnica. "What Is Witchcraft?" E-mail interview. 1 Apr. 2010.
Adam, Susie. "What Is Religion to You?" Telephone interview. 2 Apr. 2010.
Hope it helps.
