The Influence Of Early Forms Of Paganism And Witchcraft To Catholicism
Seth Pickman
Kirk Jones
November 4th, 2013
The Influence of Early Religions:
The roots between early forms of Paganism and Witchcraft to Catholicism
When you’re kneeling in a pew at church with your head down, bowing in prayer, do you ever stop to think about how this ritual came to be? In most common catholic religions today, have you ever wondered where some of the traditions and holidays came from? Throughout the history of Catholicism up until present day, there are a lot of practices and rules set by Catholics are very rigid and narrow-minded. What some Catholics don’t know is a few of their practices and traditions are based upon some of the oldest forms of Pagan religions. Now that is a very controversial subject in the eyes of many …show more content…
Paganism is a religion that holds it’s believes in earth-centered ways, magic, and respect for the natural world. It is a religion that is considered polytheistic which is the belief in many different Gods, both those of male and female (Higginbotham). Paganism is a broad umbrella term for other religions to fall under, such that of Witchcraft or Wicca. The roots of Witchcraft date back to ancient times and are seen in many different countries and cultures all across the world. Witchcraft is very similar to Paganism because they both share the same beliefs. The contemporary form of Witchcraft is commonly known as Wicca. Wicca is a religion that was founded within spiritual roots of pre-Christian European beliefs and practices. It is a nature-based religion and the worship of deities that can be both feminine and masculine in nature. Gerald Garner, who is the founder, brought Wicca to the public’s attention in the 1950s. Those who practiced it referred to it as the Craft or the Old Religion (Grimassi, “Term: Wicca”). There are many arts within Witchcraft which include herbalism, divination, magic, ceremonial ritual, healing, potions, and spirit world contact. Throughout the history of Catholicism, during the middle Ages and the Renaissance periods, Witchcraft was viewed as evil when in reality; the true fact of its practice was distorted to keep an order within the church (Grimassi, “Term: Witchcraft”). The real truth about Witchcraft has been hidden from the public all through history because everything is kept
Kirk Jones
November 4th, 2013
The Influence of Early Religions:
The roots between early forms of Paganism and Witchcraft to Catholicism
When you’re kneeling in a pew at church with your head down, bowing in prayer, do you ever stop to think about how this ritual came to be? In most common catholic religions today, have you ever wondered where some of the traditions and holidays came from? Throughout the history of Catholicism up until present day, there are a lot of practices and rules set by Catholics are very rigid and narrow-minded. What some Catholics don’t know is a few of their practices and traditions are based upon some of the oldest forms of Pagan religions. Now that is a very controversial subject in the eyes of many …show more content…
Paganism is a religion that holds it’s believes in earth-centered ways, magic, and respect for the natural world. It is a religion that is considered polytheistic which is the belief in many different Gods, both those of male and female (Higginbotham). Paganism is a broad umbrella term for other religions to fall under, such that of Witchcraft or Wicca. The roots of Witchcraft date back to ancient times and are seen in many different countries and cultures all across the world. Witchcraft is very similar to Paganism because they both share the same beliefs. The contemporary form of Witchcraft is commonly known as Wicca. Wicca is a religion that was founded within spiritual roots of pre-Christian European beliefs and practices. It is a nature-based religion and the worship of deities that can be both feminine and masculine in nature. Gerald Garner, who is the founder, brought Wicca to the public’s attention in the 1950s. Those who practiced it referred to it as the Craft or the Old Religion (Grimassi, “Term: Wicca”). There are many arts within Witchcraft which include herbalism, divination, magic, ceremonial ritual, healing, potions, and spirit world contact. Throughout the history of Catholicism, during the middle Ages and the Renaissance periods, Witchcraft was viewed as evil when in reality; the true fact of its practice was distorted to keep an order within the church (Grimassi, “Term: Witchcraft”). The real truth about Witchcraft has been hidden from the public all through history because everything is kept