Wicca?

[Candy Man]

Spells? You're interested in spells?

There are supernatural forces capable of affecting probablilty and the free will of others. But none of these are in any effect human or beneficiary. Asking for their help only leads to your own manipulation.

If you wanna use spells to get 5 Grand be my guest, but you'll pay way more than that in the end.

[Hollow Bastion]

Well, given that there's a Rule of Three in Wicca, I doubt many, if any, Wiccans will practice any "black" magic.

[evil_kenshin]

Originally Posted by Hollow Bastion

Well, given that there's a Rule of Three in Wicca, I doubt many, if any, Wiccans will practice any "black" magic.

correct Wiccans as a whole do not; some Pagan religions however do. Christians tend to label everything that does not relate to their religion evil anyway.

Ironically while i can not remember what story it was exactly, one of the stories in the bible involves one of the main people in the bible visiting a seer to help with an upcoming battle or something like that, so like usual when it suits Christian's magic is ok (ironically prayer is also a form of magic yet features heavily in Christian theology)

[Candy Man]

Prayer is magic? Sounds like a book my pastor wrote.

Hate to tell you, but prayer is just talking. A conversation with God, nothing more.

[Phoenix]

How's that any different from communing with the elements :<?

[Dogenzaka]

So my friend got a book from a friend about Wicca. I was bored, so I picked it up and started reading it. It was pretty interesting, but I knew better than to believe it.

Is it wrong that I'm interested in it, even though it blatantly goes against my beliefs?

Uh, no. Religion is interesting. Like history. Like philosophy. Plain and simple as that. I used to read Greek Mythology. It was interesting. But I knew better than to believe in it.

Christians study religion all the time, as a hobby, as a profession, whatever. Apologetics too.

As long as you don't truly believe in it, there's no harm in you thinking it's interesting, I think.
That's like saying you can't watch Harry Potter. I certainly don't practice witchcraft or encourage it, so I don't see any harm in reading a fantasy novel.

So it's not odd, or somehow affecting my religion, if I read about this, and not follow it?

Just do not let it get between you and your relationship with God. Anything that distracts you from worshiping God is considered an idol.

Christians and Biblical scholars study other religions all the time, but they know better than to follow it or consider it.

Then how come people frown upon those who study such? ((Sorry if that makes no sense, just woke up. . .))

If they do, they do so wrongly. My church has a Bible College that teaches about other religions and studies them very thoroughly and teaches Apologetics. Christians study other religions to know how to differentiate theirs from others, and defend theirs.

I'd just be extremely careful around Wicca.
Don't let it become anything more than an interesting topic you study.
[/christian2christianadvice]

[Candy Man]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

How's that any different from communing with the elements :<?

The exact same difference between a conversation and talking to a rock.

[Dogenzaka]

Well, glad to see you're being open-minded about it.

He's a Christian. We're supposed to be closed-minded about following any other belief, because it's against God.

Not because of pentagrams or anythings else but merely because the Bible says not to follow the teachings of "wizards" and soforth.

But there's a difference between studying it out of sheer interest and curiosity, and FOLLOWING the practices it teaches.

Christians tend to label everything that does not relate to their religion evil anyway.

Obviously, because the Bible says to not heed the words of false prophets and those who teach against what is in the Holy Book.

Ironically while i can not remember what story it was exactly, one of the stories in the bible involves one of the main people in the bible visiting a seer to help with an upcoming battle or something like that, so like usual when it suits Christian's magic is ok (ironically prayer is also a form of magic yet features heavily in Christian theology)

I lol'd.

[Chosen Again]

Ironically while i can not remember what story it was exactly, one of the stories in the bible involves one of the main people in the bible visiting a seer to help with an upcoming battle or something like that, so like usual when it suits Christian's magic is ok (ironically prayer is also a form of magic yet features heavily in Christian theology)

Here's the deal man. You really can't say "I think somewhere in the Bible some guy visited a seer." First of all that's not providing any input whatsoever. Tell us who at the very least.

Second. Christian Magic? Lol

[evil_kenshin]

Originally Posted by The Froad

The exact same difference between a conversation and talking to a rock.

you fool ; magic & prayer are exactly the same. Communicating with the gods/godess's through magic and prayer is also talking to your God to ask for something.

Its this ignorance that makes Christians look like hypocritical idiots

[Chosen Again]

YOU FOOL!! Don't you see!?!?!?!?! It all makes so much more sense now that he insulted your intelligence!!!!

The fact is that Magic and Prayer are completely different. Prayer is nothing more than a "conversation" with any kind of higher power.

It's this ignorance that makes evil kenshins look like idiots.

[Dogenzaka]

you fool ; magic & prayer are exactly the same. Communicating with the gods/godess's through magic and prayer is also talking to your God to ask for something.

Um no.
Prayer, at least the way Christians do, is not getting down on your knees and doing tedious rituals to seek magical influence, for example.

Prayer is talking to God, and constantly having a mindset of communication with Him. Asking Him for help in need, and simply keeping communication with him mentally.
Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

It's completely different from magic.

Definition of Magic?
1. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
2.
1. The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature.
2. The charms, spells, and rituals so used.
3. The exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment.
4. A mysterious quality of enchantment: “For me the names of those men breathed the magic of the past” (Max Beerbohm).

#

The definition of Prayer?:
1. A reverent petition made to God, a god, or another object of worship.
2. The act of making a reverent petition to God, a god, or another object of worship.
# An act of communion with God, a god, or another object of worship, such as in devotion, confession, praise, or thanksgiving: One evening a week, the family would join together in prayer.
# A specially worded form used to address God, a god, or another object of worship.
# prayers A religious observance in which praying predominates: morning prayers.
#

1. A fervent request: Her prayer for rain was granted at last.
2. The thing requested: His safe arrival was their only prayer.

# The slightest chance or hope: In a storm the mountain climbers won't have a prayer.

Very different things.

[evil_kenshin]

no tell me whats the difference?

Wiccans pray to their gods/goddess's for help in something (magic ritual)
Christians pray to their god for help in something

weather u wish to accept that or not is your fault, its nothing but Christians thinking their so superior to other religions they don't want to be compared to them

[Candy Man]

I'm only gonna say this one more time.

Prayer is talking to God, not asking God for stuff. You can ask for help, but it's mostly just talking.

[bamak93]

Originally Posted by Chosen Again

Well. . . .from a Christian standpoint it is evil. Not because of pentagrams or anythings else but merely because the Bible says not to follow the teachings of "wizards" and soforth.

And yes. I am of the opinion that it is both creepy and crazy.

Just throwing this out there, if you watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer Seasons 3+, Willow is an example of a Wiccan.


The magic stuff appeals to me, but:

1. There's a part of me that calls it: "Extreme Coincidence"

2. My mother would disown me for not being Catholic. At least, that's an extreme and it's what I fear most.