Witchcraft?

Question

Why isnt witchcraft seen as a religion?

Answer 1

I really don't know. Wicca is most definitely a religion. It's funny because the people who are most anti it (mainly those following a christian faith) stole so much of it from us. The even moved the birth of Jesus forward by two months to coincide with winter solstice (Yule) which used to be one of the big celebrations. It also predates Christianity.

I think the reason is that it is very different from other religions. It's one of the few where the followers don't ram it down other peoples throats, practise hate towards any group of people and where you can worship anywhere. They don't make as much noise as other religions... like they say it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!

Also there is a God in the Wicca faith but more importantly a Goddess... I think that may be another reason... A feminine figure head doesn't bode well in religion... Every other religion deleted their strong women.

Answer 2

In general the definition of a religion is the belief in a deity. Not all people who practise witchcraft believe in a deity, and those that do believe in a deity do not believe in the same one(s). Because witchcraft is so diverse in its methodologies and beliefs, it is difficult to pin it down to a strict path. Some people might suggest that Wicca is the religion of witchcraft, but this is a misunderstanding- not all Wiccans practise witchcraft and not all witchcraft practioners are Wiccans, thus it is impractical to refer to witchcraft as a religion in its own right.

Answer 3

It is a religion, but it isn't recognized as an official religion. Witchcraft is different than Wicca whereas witchcraft only focuses on spell craft. I am Wiccan, and I have never once sacrificed a baby or called on the devil to do my dirty work. We don't do that. Don't let anybody tell you we do, because it's not true.

Answer 4

Yes, in 1985 in Virgina, it was ruled as a legally recognized religion. This applies to the USA as a whole, not just Virginia. For more information on the ruling see:
Dettmer v Landon (617 F Supp 592) the District Court of Virginia pursuant to the rule 52 (a) of the Federal Rules
Here's where I found it:
ohttp://www.atforumz.com/archive/index.php/t-170741.htmlf Civil Procedure.

Now, as for why it isn't seen as a religion, becuase this ruling isn't widely know. Wiccan's .. well, two reasons.

People tend to associate Religions with structures known as Temples. I've never seen a Wiccan temple so it's hard for some people to validate the religion.

Christian church has been burning Wiccans for years. For them to actually acknowledge that the Wiccan faith is real would be a loss in their eyes.

I hope this helps, best wishes.

Answer 5

Why isn't fantaticism seen as a religion? It may be based on a religion but corrupted. There are Wiccans and that's considered a religion but when most folks talk about "witchcraft" they are talking about black magic, perverting one's powers to do harm or to force one's will onto others. That's as far removed from the true Wiccans as the Spanish Inquisition is from true modern Catholics. We're not into the torture bit but some fantatics in the Middle Ages took it in that direction.

Answer 6

It is seen as a Religion, some people use Wicca, some say they are just Witches and some refer to Witchcraft(with a capital W) as their religion.

Answer 7

It's called Wicca. Actually, most of Wicca is taken from various parts of Celtic and Gaelic Paganism. And witchcraft itself isn't seen as a religion because it is not the main focal point of the religion. It's something that you are taught to do, but the main point is to be one with nature and be alive through the Lord and Lady.

Don't listen to Shayna, there's no devil worshipping involved. We don't even believe in Satan or Hell.

Answer 8

I see it as a belief system, or a path rather than a religion. I'm a witch, wicca is my way and i put it on medical forms as my religion because i don't like any of the other options!

remember the census a few years ago when they tried to get everyone to put Jedi? I think perhaps that might be the case, that if enuf people put it on the census then it has to be a recognised religion.

Answer 9

I read through all the replies and I'm not satisfied, so I will answer.

As someone else mentioned, the US Government recognizes Wicca legally as a religion - but your question did ask why witchcraft isn't *seen* as a religion - which is percepetion. The question may be better asked, "Why isn't witchcraft largely perceived as a religion?" or "Why isn't witchcraft perceived as a religion by a majority of people?"

Since witches are in the minority these days, and many witches, if not most, practice magic as an integral part of their religion, they have an obviously different perception - as do I.

Note: not all witches are Wiccan.

Witchcraft is literally the craft of being able to ‘bend’ or ‘shape’ change. A witch is someone who uses magic, and witchcraft has different meanings in different cultures. Even what might define someone as a witch may also be cultural. For example, someone who practices folk magic may be considered a witch, or a folk-healer or midwife depending on their cultural beliefs.

However, there are many religions and traditions that practice 'witchcraft' or magic as a part of their practice. Wicca is but one of them, and perhaps the most well known. There are other witchcraft traditions/religions who simply define themselves simply as 'Craft.'

The practice of magic is as old as the first self-aware human being. Our consciousness, and will, allows us to create change with magic. It can still be seen in cave paintings, where the hunter performed sympathetic magic by hurling a spear at a cave painting of an animal she/he was going to hunt.

I believe in science, and Quantum Physics is a new name for something the ancients, wizards, witches and even cavemen already knew. Spirituality should never be separated from science since they are in agreement - both are the search for truth, and understanding.

Unfortunately, monotheistic faiths tend to invalidate (or vilify) science and magic, and choose not to recognize the use of magic as an active form of prayer, let alone a religion. Invalidation is a tactic that works just as well for politicians, for the promoters of religious doctrine, or for anyone who else is in power.

The real truth is we all have the power to do magic.

Witches aren't just in fairy tales, and like witches, magic has always been with us. People who still follow the ways of magic and of spirit will always be here too - all things have purpose. If you want to dismiss witches, magic, nature-based, or polytheistic religions, you can, but that won't change the fact that we are still here, and always will be.

Answer 10

Wicca is not by definition, witchcraft. Wicca is a religion whereas witchcraft is a set of rituals.

For more info, check out:

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca.htm

Happy Hallows Eve!