How Did Wicca/witches Become Associated With Devil Worship?

Did you get some shoes yet?

 

Haha we have a comedian here!

 

That's an explanation that's also been put forward for the werewolf panic in Europe about the same time
http://www.werewolfpage.com/myths/explanations.html
http://www.recoveryfirst.org/werewolf-and-witch-hysteria-caused-by-inadvertent-consumption-of-hallucinogens/
https://prezi.com/krq4dfbh8czs/werewolves/

 

Basically, they believe that if you are not Saved, you're going to Hell when your life is done.

 

the beginning and end of it, is that some fanatics of some religions, christian and islamic mostly, less so with any other, almost no other, just want to label anything that isn't them as being anti-what they want to think their own god is. not saying there aren't any dark forces or naughty gods or near gods in other major beliefs, but the whole idea of a satan, a supposedly specifically anti-god god or godling of some sort, that pretty much belongs exclusively to that aramaic sequence of beliefs which began with their 'first man', and of which moses with its 22nd thousand yearly update, christ its 23rd and mohammid its 24th.

 

Christians are mostly responsible. They stole Pagan feast days and practices that suited them and demonized the others. The money poured in.

 

The Christian God is a jealous God, who makes a lot of demands and doesn't like competition.

 

Right. "He" shares human emotions and values.
I love it.

 

Not disputing this at all, but just to be clear... Wicca is a modern invention. The whole "all pagans are satanists" thought is still being applied to modern day pagans, including wiccans, some 2000 years later.

 

Christians debate how to interpret the Bible, but its pretty clear on this point. Jesus had a temper when it comes to money, but his father's temper is legendary. Jesus can only forgive you, if God lets him. If God was one of us, I would move immediately, because I can't afford his prices. The cost of living goes up wherever his followers go.

 

Agreed. I don't go along with all things Wiccan, but they've got the basics right. At least they're not organized! The US military recognizes them now.

 

Wicca is just an attempt to integrate tribal culture into the modern world, and their success is due in part to the more secular Christians welcoming them, but the idea they are really tribal is a joke in bad taste. Most religions, including Taoism, are essentially no different from mainstream protestant beliefs, despite their dogma being radically different, and Wicca is no different.

Seriously, if you compare liberal Muslims, Christians, Taoists, Buddhists, etc. they are all basically the same when push comes to shove and Wicca is no different. Just a little more exotic than most. Quakers and Taoists have a lot in common and enjoy each other's company. However, there is only one way to appreciate tribal life, blow up your TV and get away from the insanity. It helps if you are raised in an extended family. Even so, it requires generations for a family to really adopt it as a lifestyle, because it is radically different, starting with sharing their words and playing nice. Most tribes don't have a word for greed.

 

Wicca, from what I've researched about it, is a belief system that basically deals with loving and celebrating nature...spirituality coming from within nature. They can be pantheistic, polytheistic or monotheistic. Movies like Paranormal Activity, where covens and Wicca are discussed, and other Hollywood creations, probably created some 'lore around Wicca being considered ''satanic.''

But, even Satanists don't ''worship'' Satan, really. But, that's another thread for another time. lol

 

Most people don't even begin to comprehend what pantheism and panentheism are, in part, due to a concerted effort by militant atheists to turn atheism into a pantheistic religion in the west. Taoists tend to laugh at them, because even religious Taoist priests are often secretly agnostic, and could not care less if someone is religious or not. Personally, I will go to Hindi temples and liberal Christian churches once in awhile, just for the company. They tend to share their words and play nicer in church.

 

Wicca is a corruption of basic Paganism. I keep the "old ways".

 

the short answer was politics in the middle ages.

which is where the whole damon and devil nonsense came from in the furst place.

 

Paganism is a gathering term. Which basic form of paganism do you keep/are you into? My other question would be; how do you know your form of paganism are the old ways, but I guess you didn't put the " " around it for no reason

 

The christian concept of the devil and demons are based on pagan beliefs. They were twisted and distorted but evil and demonic stuff are not christian inventions.

 

half true, in as much as personification of evil is not uniquely christian, but otherwise neither accurate nor pertinant to the question, nor in any way a counter argument to my statement.
there is no mythical "the pagan". there was an itallian hill tribe named the pigani, but no universal non-monotheism. in gb the picts were "the people of the heath" but again no such thing as a universal "heathen". granted christianity was the culturally enforced root excuse of midevil european politics. but it was the political aspect more then any sort of spiritual one which motivated this association, including its use as an excuse for a kind of self deniable greed. one which resulted in widespread poverty and ignorance.

 

Fear of demons and witchcraft is widespread in Africa and Asia, and in pre-Christian European cultures.
Witchcraft in the Modern World | Savage Minds
http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_afri.htm
Africa - Witchcraft Across the World - Witchcraft
BBC NEWS | Africa | Is witchcraft alive in Africa?
Ancient Period - History of Witchcraft - Witchcraft
Followers of Wicca call themselves witches, but argue that they're good witches. That's an uphill battle in a world where there is widespread fear of those who are different and a long history of antipathy toward witches.