Witchcraft is it a danger

[Andyastro]

It is condemned in the Old testamnet and the new testament as the darker side of satan the darkerside of the astral ray of venus (sex) and you know what I mean. Witchcraft of course should not be practiced by those with a history of psychiatric disorder, or anyone of a unbalanced nature basically you need to be in good mental and emotional order. Unstable persons can only harm themselves with witchcraft, in the same way physically unfit people can harm themselves by activity in sport.

[Rainx]

Unstable people can harm themselves with anything, and don't need witchcraft to do it. That'd be part of the reason they're unstable. I think it'd be impossible to police whether witches are "stable" or not - who decides, and by what criteria?

In answer to your question, "is it a danger", no I don't think so - I think it can be as much as a hammer can be a danger if used the wrong way.

[Duhkha]

One does not have to be unstable to cause harm with witchcraft or otherwise. As a person with a "history" of emotional and mental problems, I take specific offense to your post. "Witchcraft" quite possibly saved my life because it gave me a system, and a structure--a way of channeling my energy and controlling it. That's something nothing else, not pills, nor therapy, nor religion could give me. It made me not feel so helpless anymore (real or imagined).

[Phoenix Blue]

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[Danustouch]

I agree with Rainx. ANYTHING can be a danger to those with mental instability, emotional or mental problems, etc. Including OTHER religious paths.

Need you be reminded, that David Koresh "Believed" himself to be serving Jehovah.

Or that Jim Jones, thought the same?

Or that many abortion clinic bombers, thought the same.

That Timothy McVeigh, thought the same.

That the Islamic Terrorists think themselves serving Allah.

Etc, Etc. Religion, of ANY type, CAN be a danger in the hands of anyone who is mentally unstable. Witchcraft is no differen't, no more dangerous, no LESS dangerous, a weopan then any other religion when put in the hands of people who are delusional, people who are paranoid, people who are sadistic, etc.

Religion, has always been one of the favorite tools that mentally insane people, or people with a personal axe to grind, have used to further their own delusions, or their own motives. Yes...Witchcraft does have it's "Nuts" in the mix. But..so does Christianity, and Islam, and many of the other world religions, and the minor cults found here and there across the globe.

Does this mean that the actions of these people, should reflect upon an entire religion? Or Religion, as a general institution? Not in my opinion.

Witchcraft, is not to blame, for a witch gone awry. Christianity, is not to blame, for a Christian gone awry, and so on, and so forth. If there is blame to be put, it is on perhaps, people who abuse their authority in one way or another. Parents who abuse their children, in the name of any God. Priests, Pastors, and Prophets who abuse their power to further their own motives, and beliefs, which may have very little spiritual validity. With a system which allows people to "fall through the cracks" and go undiagnosed, untreated, or unhampered. Etc.

The places to blame the "negativity" projected by some mentally deranged individuals, are vast. But..I strongly believe that "Religion" is not one of the places you can lay this blame. The problem, is a flaw in human nature, which raises it's little ugly head from time to time, with various triggers, in various people, of various faiths, from various backgrounds.

And one more thing, WHO is the judge of "Mental Instability"...and how can we say that EVERY mentally unstable individual has the ability to cause such major havoc?

I have deep emotional issues, and often times, mental instability. But..I'm not out leading a dangerous cult. I'm not out attacking people "magickally", and I'm not out writing a website that promotes hatred, intolerance, war, or ethnic cleansing. When I use my magick, when I study religion, when I nurture my spirituality, it is to EFFECT the PERSONAL changes which I wish to make. "Strengthen Me." "Get me out of this situation", "Let me see some justice in this matter", "Let me learn patience", "Allow me to stand up for myself" "Draw true, unconditional love, into my life", "Bring me prosperity, so that I may have the freedom, and the security, to do the things which will lead to my own happiness, and mental peace".

The prayers of an emotionally unstable person.... not so differen't than the prayers of so many who would consider themselves the paramount of mental stability.

History will continue to show us "Nutcases" who will use religion as the excuses for the most abominable actions, and thoughts. However, it is their OWN brains which manifest these. Not religion. Not ANY religion, all on its own.

[Xentor]

Witchcraft isn't as dangerous as the craft to build guns. While witchcraft may be used not only for bad but for good as well, the gun will be used for bad only. Even when the intention is good.

Witchcraft is as dangerous as the craft to build guns. In itself, the gun is not dangerous. But it might become so, when someone decides to yield it.

Witchcraft is more dangerous than the craft to build guns. Practitioners of both crafts are likely to attrackt some attention. But witches got burned.

Do I have to choose?

[Ryhla]

Witchcraft...as with anything else isn't dangerous. It only becomes dangerous when in the hands of someone who can be a danger to themselves or someone else. More often than not though, we see the call of "DANGER" when someone doesn't understand something and they fear it. To quote a line from Starwars Phantom Menace, Yoda summed it up best. "Fear is the path to the darkside. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

[Bainidhe Dub]

In reply to these previous posts, I have to say:

When a Christian does an "evil" deed.. (for example, oh murder), I've seen it said that he/she was a good Christian and no one knows what happened, except maybe that Satan made them do it.

If a Witch did such an evil, it's because the Craft made him/her do it.

What happens if a Buddist/Hindu/Islamic/Israeli, etc. does such?

So question is: Does Christianity cause people to murder? Does the Craft? Does any other religion? I believe there is nothing that actually "causes" one to murder (or do any other crime for that matter). It's simply a choice. Now whether a mental instability alters one's reason (or reality), or something else does, is a factor sometimes, but certainly it's not mental/emotional incapabilities every time, otherwise there'd be a whole lot of people claiming insanity..

There are so many outside forces in each of our lives that it would be very hard to pinpoint exactly what makes humans as a whole do things. Blaming it solely on one thing or another is like writing a research paper on your own opinions; biased and onesided.

[Xander67]

I agree with Rainx too,

I dont see any warning lable on my perscription that says, "Avoid practicing Magic while takeing this medication"

jsut says may cause drowsyness, or anxiety LOL