The whole "ancient pagan lineage" thing was conjectured by someone called Margaret Murray (I think), and her ideas have been thoroughly debunked. Except, of course, because her books are still in circulation, some people still choose to believe them because it fits in with their chosen belief system.
Modern Wicca has more in common with Oriental practices than Western ones, since Gerald Gardner pretty much wholesale ripped off the Ordo Templo Orientis and the Golden Dawn for the majority of his ideas. Unfortunately, there's a certain type of neo-pagan who doesn't bother to find this out. They're the reason druids carry heavy wooden staves...
Guess that's the way with much religious belief... It's surprising what people can believe against the evidence and all logic just to fit in with what they already believe :o)
I nearly did my degree in Theology, though I doubt there would have been too much about pagan belief in it :o)
Actually, Belief in Witchcraft was not considered to be heretical. What was Heretical was following Witchcraft instead of the Orthodox doctrine. If you look at Medieval Texts from the eleventh century; especially Ralph Glaber's and Ademer of Chabannes, you will see that while often heresy was associated with witchcraft. It was only heresy if you practiced it - this is because the church's interpretation of Heresy was the following a new or rival doctrine to the church
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"this is because the church's interpretation of Heresy was the following a new or rival doctrine to the church."
But if Church doctrine was, at the time, that witchcraft was not possible, then surely belief in Witchcraft and other superstitions is heresy?
I was under the belief that early Church Doctrine was the Christ's, by his death and resurrection, had won a victory over evil, and hence the ability of witchcraft (and such like) to harm Christians had been removed.
Although I may be thinking of before the eleventh century.
Reasons I want to friend you, in no particular order: sweetcyanide talks about you lots. Some mutual friends. Some mutual interests. You're hot :) I keep seeing you on LJ, Facebook and okcupid... Anyway, I'm adding you :) *waves*
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Modern Wicca has more in common with Oriental practices than Western ones, since Gerald Gardner pretty much wholesale ripped off the Ordo Templo Orientis and the Golden Dawn for the majority of his ideas. Unfortunately, there's a certain type of neo-pagan who doesn't bother to find this out. They're the reason druids carry heavy wooden staves...
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I nearly did my degree in Theology, though I doubt there would have been too much about pagan belief in it :o)
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But if Church doctrine was, at the time, that witchcraft was not possible, then surely belief in Witchcraft and other superstitions is heresy?
I was under the belief that early Church Doctrine was the Christ's, by his death and resurrection, had won a victory over evil, and hence the ability of witchcraft (and such like) to harm Christians had been removed.
Although I may be thinking of before the eleventh century.
Reply
sweetcyanide talks about you lots.
Some mutual friends.
Some mutual interests.
You're hot :)
I keep seeing you on LJ, Facebook and okcupid...
Anyway, I'm adding you :)
*waves*
Reply
You are officially added back :o)
Plus I'm hunting you down elsewhere *nods* :oP
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In recent years we have heard a lot about the peanut food allergy mainly because the reaction is usually very severe leading to anaphylactic shock.
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