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And I quite agree! Can you go into detail on that? The girl I mentioned having met who was a "witch" had mentioned to me that there were three kinds: white, grey and black. Put briefly: Whites are "good," blacks are "evil," and greys are inbetween. She called herself a grey - as she prefers "goodness," but enjoys the freedom of putting a "bad" spell on "bad" people - something like that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Wicca and Witchcraft have many differences. Wicca is a newer type of neopagan religion, started by Gerald Gardner in the late 1930's. It was constructed by using bits and pieces of Western European folk traditions, Eastern philosophy, Cabbalistic mysticism, and Masonic practices. Typically they worship "The god and The goddess" in varying ways, and practice "white witchcraft". Wiccans are generally quite ecclectic in their beliefs, and can be self-initiated into their religion. They follow the Wiccan Rede and the Three-Fold law. Wiccan beliefs are not secretive and are often written in various forms. Traditional Witchcraft is the practice of the native religions and cultural beliefs of Europe as they were before the advent of Christianity. Many gods and goddesses are recognized and each is complex and usually independent of others. Trad Witchcraft is heavily based in certain traditions. These traditions are very well gaurded and passed only by word of mouth, never in written form, often during initiation or rite of passage. The oaths are taken quite seriously and there are harsh consequences for those who do not keep them. In Trad. Witchcraft there is no good or evil, each individual takes responsibility for their own actions and does not follow any Rede.

Not denying that - the problem is while you are trying to show them "love" they can wreak a lot of havok. Ever hear the testimonies of missionaries and pastors trying to set up a church in a town or village under the control of a witch doctor? When I mentioned "being on your guard" it is with such I was referring to. Make sense? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world......... I agree, being on your guard is excellent advice....until motives and intent are known, however, the church should not perceive a Pagan with disdain. And, yes I have heard of the missionary and witch doctors stories. I'm not sure if this may be a case of comparing apples with oranges. Different culture and practice. Witch doctors are shamans that usually are the 'lord' of their village. They would protect their 'kingdom' per se, be doing whatever would be necessary. In other words, the presence of a church, pastor and missionary would invoke the perspective of a threat. Fight or flight behavior would kick in. The majority of Pagans do not care about the church in the US. They are on their spiritual path and you are on yours.

Wicca has it's own belief system and pratice from Traditional Witchcraft. They are not the same thing. Two completely separate beliefs and practices.

Would you explain this please? I thought they were one and the same. I agree that we as Christians do need to be set straight at times. Over the years, "the Church" has become too much of an institution. It's like the church program has become more of the focus than the people who make the church. Yes, I too have had to take time away from the institution of church. However, I do not believe throwing darts at the congregations or the fellowship of believers is the solution. But this is a side-track from the message meant to be presented by this letter, isn't it? We need to stop acting like being educated about witchcraft, Wicca, the occult, etc. is like touching the plague. We need to understand what these things are about so we can effectively minister to them - the same way we can educate ourselves about Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. Those that are into dark witchcraft and such - yes, we need to be on our guard - for they have given themselves over to evil. But your average neo-pagan, Wiccan, and such just want happiness and harmony. We need to be wise, knowledgable, discerning - and "full of grace seasoned with salt" to these people. My 2 cents. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This letter was written by someone who had been involved in traditional witchcraft , not wicca for 7 years. Wicca is a 'modernized' version of witchcraft. There is more info on my website. Also, this letter was written with the intent to openly share a human being that was involved in witchcraft experience. It may be interpreted as many things. many have received it as a rebuke, some have been brought to tears while others.....God is using this to speak to many peoples hearts in many different ways. Yes, indeed the church needs education on the various belief systems that are outside of its walls. But, I think that you made an unfair assessment about those involved in trad witchcraft. They simply want what every human being wants. Love.

Thanks everyone for your comments. This is a letter that was written by someone who was involved in witchcraft, not wicca.I am not the author. She simply wrote down her experiences as they occurred. Did you find the letter enlightning as you had the opportunity to 'walk in someone else's shoes'? Do you think that it helps us as Christians to read things like this? Thoughts?

I am a Witch. I know that many of you think that I believe what I do because of a rebellious nature, but in reality, I follow this path because I have found something real. I have committed years to developing a spirituality that I can base my life on. However, I am beginning to realize that although it is real, it is not always fulfilling. So, I have begun asking some tough questions, and I am giving this God of yours a second look. I have heard some amazing things about Him, and I have to wonder if they are true. In search of answers, I have visited your churches. I have to admit that I am puzzled by what I have found there. I have sat in the pews hoping to gain knowledge, and instead I have walked away with only more questions. In the first church I visited, I was met with shock and horror when you realized I am a Witch. Yes, I serve other entities, but what you failed to see was the fact that I was looking for your God. I did not come to your place of worship to disturb you. I came because, though you may not have been able to tell, I myself am disturbed. I have taken a great risk in entering your church, and I did not make that choice casually. I

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . . And the Master so gently said, "Wait." "Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. "My future and all to which I relate Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait? I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign, Or even a 'no' to which I can resign. "You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive. And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply." Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate, As my Master replied again, "Wait." So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?" He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . . and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run. "I could give all you seek and pleased you would be. You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me. You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint. You'd not know the power that I give to the faint. "You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair; You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there. You'd not know the joy of resting in Me When darkness and silence are all you can see. "You'd never experience the fullness of love When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove. You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. "The glow of my comfort late into the night, The faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask From an infinite God who makes what you have last. "You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee, What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee. Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true, But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you. "So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me. And though oft My answers seem terribly late, My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

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Please give this time. She has experienced abuse and there are no quick fixes. We cannot, and are not able to 'speak any words' over this that will change this. Her mind and emotions are still at the place of abuse and she will be lead out of this through care, love, prayer, forgiveness and time. There is a heart and soul that is in need of healing. He is the Physician.

Amen! I came out of satanism and work toward helping those come out of the occult. The Christian has the provisions of God through Jesus Christ to help those in witchcraft etc and need not fear the enemy. Satan is defeated Rev 12:11 Col 2:15. I have been amazed at the "teachings" of the devils powers and that Christians can be cursed etc. 'The gates of Hell shall not prevail' means that it is actually the defensive mode that the enemy takes on when the Christian is on the offensive. I could go on, but I believe that we need balance in the body of Christ concerning the works of the enemy.

This was written from my friend who recently left traditional witchcraft........... "I believed that Christianity was for weak-minded people who did not have the ability to think for themselves. I had seen a number of people who just blindly followed what other people taught them, rather than seek out answers for themselves. I couldn

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Hi, my name is Jeff Harshbarger and I thought that I would intro. I look forward to getting to know you better as I post! I posted my testimony.......

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