Witchcraft - a religion, just a cult or what?

Witches were persecuted in Europe since about 1350, especially after the papal bull "Summis desiderantibus affectibus" (by Pope Innozenz VIII, from 1484).

Usually witches were burnt, only those from rich families could be buried (since the relatives had the money to buy that "right").

I think these witches were of the few ones that were able to keep their secret and die of old age. It was a very secluded area in the middle of nowhere, however, i don't think it was the same way back then. There are no to many ruins in the area. Their theory is - that this was a very small settlement, where everybody knew everybody and that they were all witches.

That is a possibility. I can't think of a better way to be safe than to live within people that has no reason to be afraid of you.

That would really be a big sensation for Mediavists!
Do you know, where it will be published?

Killing / burning / attacking itches goes back to the begining of christianity. For some reason that religion associated the use of herbs , meditation, nature etc.. for healing and what not with a 'devil'. What we call witchcraft today used to be common place then. Watching how an animal reacts to you and your voice used to be a good way to get confirmation on a decision.. not now... it is considered witchcraft.
Using herbs to heal ? nope... witchcraft.
Witchcraft isnt a big secret or a huge ritual that is surrounded with newts eyes and frogs. It is simply using natural ingredience for a natural outcome. But... that is the work of the devil. >sigh<

I wanna see your paintings ray! I am willing to bet that if everything was intact at that burial sight your sister found, that it in fact wasnt a 'witch' per modern day defination, but a woman who used the old ways in her life and had to hide from the catholic church who told her it was wrong. And since all it took was someone to use the word witch on you to be killed then, she saved herself and her family by moving.
People are not allowed to kill others for religion anymore in this country thank goodness! but people like me still recieve persecution all the time. I dont think it will ever end because everyone wants to be right and make everyone else agree with them. That burial sight is a sign / memorial to people who had to endure more then we know. ( if in fact the occupant was buried due to a witch burning or died with her secrets to save her life)

Actually, it started much earlier, see Exodus 22:18, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch" :wink:

No sh*t.... >sigh<
hmm...
funny... New international version states " exodus 22:18 same verse "
Do not allow a sorceress to live.
:20 whoever sacrifices to another god other then the LORD must be destroyed.

Hmm.. witch burnings are still legal according to the bible.

> pumps shotgun < bring it on!


HAHAHAHHAHAHHA

>POW!<

that was the sound of my jaw hitting the ground...... I am reading the book of exodus right now... it is a fuggn book of spells... How to consecrate, devinate, anoint..... whoa

A witch
a six-pack,
on a wintery night,
at her place,
that's what I like to do.

do the witch with a six pack? ummm.. ouch...
hahahahahahahahah

maybe i should start a post " ask a witch "
hahaha
just dont ask for cooking recipes! Those inquiries go to Nick!
:-)

Walter - I don't really know and won't know until is out - she is really angry with me now but I'll let you know.

She - as soon as I can post them I'll let you know, I can't really post them now because they are new work and are to be exhibit next month on a collective exhibition.

dys - the witch might not like the six-pack, she might want to have something more related with her magic.


And about the Bible - I respect every bodys opinion regarding it and christianity, however, I see it as an outdated dated book of laws - a historical recollection of documents condensed in a book format. If we are to follow the laws of the bible, why don't we follow the rest of the laws that were on use back then, such as an eye for an eye, cut the hand of the thief, the Twelve Tablets or just follow the whole Corpus Juris Civilis as it was back then as well.

I agree rav. the bible is written and rewritten and edited and translated by man for thousands of years. noone knows what it originally said, or even if it was truly a text of some god. there is just no way. If you want proof of the difference in translations.. pick up 2 diffrent 'versions' of the bible and see how much the wording has changed in just he last few years.
you can never tell a story between a few people and have the story remain the same. not possible.

Actually, Islamic law follows these doctrines today

And that's why things are the way they are at this point and time.

People stock in time while the rest of the world is moving on - they will have so much problem couping with the rest of the world!

errrrr, yeap

i dont think that the part of the nation of islam that we see on TV is a good representation of the entire religion.
at least.. i HOPE not.

Well, it might not be but I don't agree with the way they treat the women and their behavior toward people with other religions. Plus, they have the scripture of their books all wrong, my mother has the Quran and there is nothing that says that you should kill others as yourself to come to a safe path to God.

Way to many people have die because of the religious prosecutions.

I soo agree. You can say the same thing with christianity also. There is no where in thebible that says people like David Koresh were right. But , yet, they exist too.
I dont know what makes murder so popuar when it has a "religious" purpose.. but it is suuuuuucccchhhh b....llsh...t

Not writing about those that misquote (happens every week in temples, churches and temples). Just leave your tithe as you leave. I am writing about law and customs based on the Koran - which btw, is also the basis for the Bible and Torah....

Remember - those tales, especially in Old Testament in common, were passed on from generation to generation receiving elaboration, misquotes and fantasy.

It is very sad to see so many people leading their lifes base on religious teachings that are thousands and thousands of years old, leaders that use as an excuse those same religious teachings to be racist, prejudice, to kill, etc. In general - to have control over society.

I am very sure that if those teachings didn't work for their own personal reasons, those teachings would have been long forgotten or ignored.

No institution or man should have the influence or power that some are enjoying.

I, for my part, don't care for any religion that doesn't respect or value women or any other living been and have no respect for people that hide behind religion after they have done all sorts of unspeakable things.