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Recently I listened to a series of teaching by Derek Prince on Demons and deliverance. (Yes, I still believe in the and that they are active) One thing I found interesting that he kept coming back to was witchcraft. He kept saying, if you are trying to control people, no matter what the means, or reason, you are guilty of practicing witchcraft. He shared this first in relationship to parents who use guilt and condemnation to control their children. However, he also shared that there were a lot of ministers, deacons, and elders … or their spouses that used religion and the word to control people rather than to try and deliver them. He felt that this was the worst kind of witchcraft. Interesting thought in light of what went on in TWI. Just thought I'd share this with you. Take it with as much salt as you want. He used a lot of examples to show what he meant and it seems that he made a good point.

Is not prayer an act to use supernatural means to bring about change in reality?

Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft ... says the Bible. A favorite accusation of TWI is to accuse others of rebellion, which is "as the sin of witchcraft" - said darkly and having taught us that witches should be put to death. "Watch out, then, or you become even more worthy of death!" goes the hidden agenda. At no time did I ever hear an explanation of what "witchcraft" was - there was, of course, the "junk table" at the adv class, which we were not encouraged to look at. That's some modern form of witchcraft...but what about its usage at the time? Can we guess at that? And this from a ministry that was into "use in its context." Did TWI define this term? No way! What did the context mean, then? Perhaps what was happening at the time of Moses when he challenged Pharaoh? Or the witches whom Saul sought advice from? But what did TWI mean, conjuring tricks? Another of their stock accusations was, "You are not meek enough!" Rebellion was also seen as lack of meekness. Even something as simple as suggesting a better way to do something, when one had expertise in that area yet faced with a "leader" or "coordinator" who didn't have expertise. Therefore, perhaps, witchcraft is lack of meekness...retaining one's critical thinking...one's integrity. And, thereby, refusing to submit to the overall control of TWI and its thought police. Refusing to submit to the ultimate controllers - the ultimate "witches" as defined within this thread. And here I thought that Jesus died to set us free - from the control of adversaries. Silly me.

The answer is 42. SoCrates

Witchcraft has just too many weird things about it, spooky stuff that's way too freaky for the normal person, IMO. Ceremonies are often held in dark, dimly lit locations, with all kinds of candles and special urns and mystical looking paraphernalia involved, crosses and icons all over the place. Incense burns heavily at some of these events, giving them a foggy smokey look. There's all kinds of secret practices and ceremonies too, that you can't participate in if you're not one of "them". Invocations and rituals abound, using ancient languages that are memorized and repeated slavishly by those who attend. Some of these are even held at midnight, after everyone else is normally asleep. The priests and priestesses always wear long robes and sashes and often wear caps that seem to hide their faces. Black is the color of choice and red - blood red. They all bow and kneel when one of the members of the higher orders is present, even kissing their hands or rings. Young boys, dressed in white gowns, silently assist with various details of their services after receiving special training in their practices. Although there are separate covens in nearly every town and city they all answer to a single authority in Europe where their leader lives in unmatched opulence in a palace with it's own name - "The Vatican". Leaders meet there every year to.... Oh wait. Wrong one. My mistake. The yellow jester does not play But gently pulls the strings And smiles as the puppets dance In the court of the crimson king.

This is a very interesting thought. I'll have to look this speaker up a bit.