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How easily we fall into the traps of the devil? In the last year I have spoken
to Christian parents who allowed their children to attend “solstice celebrations”
that were announced as science trips to the woods. It was only after the trip
when the children were talking about chanting and dancing around a circle
that the parents questioned the field trip.
Another parent was upset that the award her child had worked so hard to earn
turned out to be a trip to the theater to see a Harry Potter film. Sadly,
that parent didn’t want her daughter to feel left out so she allowed
her to go with the other winners to see a film she didn’t approve of.
Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment,
nor observe times.
(Leviticus 19:26)
I’m very hesitant to present this lesson on the witch of Endor in a public
forum because I know there will be many people who will want to argue with
me about the issue. Yet, God included her in the writings of the Bible. We
are told to “try the spirits”…to test them to see if the spirit
is of God. I believe that the witch is mentioned to make us aware that while
Satan and his demons are able to communicate messages and fortune telling
of one type or another this are not sources of information that a Christian
should ever pursue.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of
God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know
ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come
in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ
is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist,
whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the
world.
(1 John 4:1-3)
“Information from The Wiccan/Pagan Times (Internet News Site)
Overview:
A follower of Wicca is called a Wiccan. Wicca and other neopagen religions
are currently experiencing a rapid growth in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
This is seen particularly among some teenagers, who are rejecting what they
feel is the autocracy (Absolute unlimited power of God), paternalism (God
is male), sexism (Men and women have different and not necessarily equal roles),
homophobia (The importance of the traditional man/woman family unit), and
insensitivity to the environment that forms part of some more traditional
religions. Many North Americans of European descent, who are keen to discover
their ancestral heritage, are also attracted to this religion.”
As I read through this information I noticed that like many “Christian”
faiths Wiccans have a diversity of practices and one Wiccan can not speak
for all.
“Terminology:
1. Wiccans often refer to themselves as neopagans. The term "neopagan"
includes all faith groups that are based on attempts to reconstruct ancient,
extinct religions. However, not all neopagans are Wiccans.
2. Others include Druidism, and Asatru.
3. Wiccans often refer to themselves as pagans. Unfortunately, this term has
many different meanings, some of which carry a negative connotation.
4. Some Wiccans consider Wicca and Witchcraft to be synonyms.
5. Others differentiate between Wicca, which they view to be a religion, and
Witchcraft, which they perceive to be the practice of magic. Under this definition,
Witchcraft is not a religion and thus can be performed by members of any religion.
6. Most Wiccans practice magic. However, some do not and concentrate on the
spirituality of the Wiccan religion.”
Attempts to justify one form of Wicca or witchcraft as being nice so it isn’t
wrong falls into the original question that Satan asked Eve, “Hath God
said?”
“Teenage students often confuse the imaginary type witchcraft of the
Harry Potter books with Wicca and want to learn spells that they can use to
change their environment.
Why conservative Christians may reject a Christian/Wiccan religious blend:
Most Conservative Christians reject the concept that a Wiccan can be a Christian.
Some of the problem areas are:
A. Many define a Christian quite narrowly. They include only those who have
repented of their sins, have trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and have
accepted certain core traditional Christian teachings. (i.e. the Trinity,
Incarnation, resurrection of Jesus, virgin birth, heaven, hell, sin, salvation,
original sin, the existence of Satan as a living entity, etc.) Many of these
are incompatible with Wiccan theology.
B. Many conservative Christian denominations teach that women should not be
in a position of power over a man, either in church, at work, or at home.
Such a belief is totally at variance with Wiccan beliefs who generally believe
in sexual equality.
C. Religious conservatives generally teach that homosexuality is unnatural,
abnormal, chosen, changeable, and intrinsically sinful. Most Wiccans disagree
with these beliefs, accepting the findings of human sexuality researchers
that a homosexual orientation is normal and natural for a minority of adults.
Further, an orientation not chosen and cannot be changed.
D. Many conservative Christians believe that various forms of divination are
an integral part of Wicca. Since the Bible contains passages condemning many
of the divination techniques that were in use in ancient times, they assume
that there is no room for Wiccan belief within Christianity. While it is true
that some Wiccans engage in divination, not all do.
E. Wiccans would have to abandon many traditional biblical teachings in order
to consider themselves to be Christian.
It is clear that a Wiccan cannot consider themself to be Christian without
first rejecting much of the content of the Bible and many historical Christian
beliefs. This would exclude them from the conservative Christian fold in the
same way that liberal Christians are considered to be non-Christian by many
religious conservatives.”
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