Traditional Witchcraft

I didn't transgress on anyone's belief.I never said anything was right or wrong. All I said was that witchcraft is not a belief, and neither is magic. As I have said many times on this site, you may believe anything you wish, but a belief does not necessarily make it true!

But Sir belief is the most important ingredient of magic. If it's not present, then no magic can work.

IndraLord, you are thinking of spells. A spell is a belief.A "request" for magic to happen; it is not magic of itself! Magic can happen because of a spell. But magic can, and does, happen without a spell. Some magic starts off as an "idea". If I mix this with that, what will happen? It is that effect that often results in "magic".

Brysing, you did say that "true" witches don't believe in spirits or demons, and I have to say I think that's a special brand of snobbery. I'm absolutely, positively, 100% completely sure that there are plenty of powerful witches that are plenty real and have a belief in, and respect for, all spiritual energies.

Eldergleam, probably what I meant to say is that not all witches believe in spirits,etc. I am saying that witchcraft, of itself,has nothing to do with spells,Gods,or anything metaphysical, So witchcraft/magic can used alongside any "belief".That's why there are Christian witches, and other "religious" witches. There are also many, like me,who are Atheist, and do not believe in anything supernatural. So when I say "true" witches, I mean those witches who keep their beliefs separate from witchcraft. Witchcraft, of itself,has no Gods or spirits.It is a "Craft".

There are some witches I have talked and meet with who do incorporate their religion or supernatural belief's in with the craft and their doing fine.
But I find it funny that it appears that to become a "true" witch...they have to follow the standards you were taught.
"Oh your welcome to be a witch but you have to follow my way". It appears that you are either bombarding their belief's with your way or you just enjoy talking smack about their's.
That reminds me of those who say you free to be what you want but if you want to be a "true witch" you have to conform to what I've been taught or what other's have said.
I personally think if it works for them...leave them be. But when they insult others or me...its time for an "eye for an eye". Just so you know...I know what Gandhi said (an eye for an eye will make the world blind). I say this...at least everyone got even.

I am somehow agree with the above,you don't have to follow someone's else footstepts in your practice and not be a *"true witch".In fact,when it comes to a practice such as witchcraft everyone have their own way,and that makes unique a conversation about it.

true witch-a silly term in my opinion,from one's perspective and invalid for a lot of practioners.

And as a final note,just because something it isn't in your area of practice it doesn't means it's invalid and the practioners aren't "true".

DrDemon, witchcraft is not "my way"; it is a natural craft.As I have tried to explain. I used a wrong word by saying "true" witch. I meant that witchcraft has nothing to do with any religious belief. Witchcraft can be practiced side by side with any religion; or no religion at all! To say that all witches believe in God and/or spirits is ridiculous. There are thousands of people who practice witchcraft/magic, all over the world, who do not believe in any God,spirits or Ghosts! The International Pagan Federation is world-wide, with hundreds of members who are Atheist; and of course many who believe in various Gods.
All I have really said is that you do not have to believe in Gods,Ghosts, or anything supernatural in order to practice withcraft.

Furthermore. Do you think that all witches cast spells? That all Wiccans cast spells? Not true! Some "modern" Wiccans may cast spells,but many do not. A few of the original Wiccans are still alive. And not all of them cast spells! Some Wiccans practice witchcraft/magic. Some don't! It is quite simple. Wicca is a religion; witchcraft is not!

Brysing, within a craft there are very many different craftspeople, and each craftperson has their own style or "way" of doing things, such as believing in spirits or not.
It DOES come across quite clearly that you look down your nose at anyone who has a supernatural style, which is going to insult a huge swipe of users on here.
Also, no-one EVER said, in the history of this thread, that all witches believe in spirits, you drew that out of thin air, or out of your misunderstanding of the term "animism", so stop arguing like somebody said it. ALSO, no one ever said that all witches cast spells! You're just creating arguments out of nowhere, now.