Witchcraft: Real or Not?

           Witchcraft, what’s the first thing you think of when you hear that word? Most people’s first question is, is witchcraft real? Or can witchcraft even be explained? Leo Igwe, author of “A Skeptical Look at African Witchcraft and Religion”, is a non believer of witchcraft. In his article he states “of course, I am skeptical about the oft discussed powers of witches to cause death, infertility, disease, miscarriages, business failures, accidents, etc.” (Igwe 3).

Proven through much research with books and articles, Igwe has no reason to be a skeptic anymore. In the book “Witchcraft Mythologies and Persecutions, Volume 3: Demons, Spirits, Witches” by Gabor Klaniczay, Eva Pocs and Eszter Csonka-Takacs it’s been found that “numerous trials and new information about witchcraft dating as far back as 1428” (Csonka-Takacs, Klaniczay, Pocs, 16). This shows that the belief in witchcraft has been in around for centuries. Because witchcraft has so much history, it has more time and experience to show that it truly exists. Found in the documentary below, the truth about witchcraft is explored.  

 

            Igwe later goes on to say “these incidents have rational scientific naturalistic explanations that do not require the casual power of witchcraft and sorcery” (Igwe 3). Be that as it may, it doesn’t mean that witchcraft is not the cause of these incidents either. Just because Igwe says there is a logical reasoning behind these incidents, doesn’t mean that he is necessarily right. Occurrences happening from the unexplained are very common. A miracle is a prime example of this. Normally, a miracle is something extraordinary or amazing that happens unexpectedly and with no real explanation. This shows that something can happen with no logical explanation behind it.

The pentagram, shown below, is one of the most common symbols shows for witchcraft. If witchcraft wasn't real, why would this image exist? 

 

Gabor Klaniczay, Eva Pocs and Eszter Csonka-Takacs book shows that Lutheran churches had been fighting against witchcraft for decades (Csonka-Takacs, Klaniczay, Pocs 269). This shows that religions believe witchcraft is real. Also, many other religions were based around the practices of witchcraft (269), so why would religions base their beliefs based off of something that is not real?

             “Witchcraft, gender and Society in early modern Germany”, written by Jonathan Durrant, brings in a more detailed perspective on witchcraft. The book states “the witchcraft narratives produced during the investigations and trials were consequently relatively coherent and detailed” (Durrant 16). This shows that there were detailed and believable accounts of witchcraft that were recorded in the past. Because these experiences have support of their existence and detail from the account, this makes witchcraft all the more believable and real. Shown in the video below, more recent incidents of witchcraft have been captured as well.

  

According to Igwe, some of the underlying reasons people believe in witchcraft are fear, ignorance, poverty and religion. Fear was one of the most important reasons that was raised. Fear being an underlying reason might make sense, but it also supports the fact that witchcraft is real. In Durrant’s book, it spoke about witnesses of witchcraft who were too afraid to testify during trials (Durrant 18). Their fear stemmed from the fact that they believed something bad would happen to them if they spoke against a witch (18). Because people were afraid the witchcraft would work against them, they would keep their mouths shut. The belief of witchcraft, therefore, is supported by the fear from people. The fear is a major factor that keeps witchcraft alive. Shown Below is the moral system behind witchcraft. Within this statement it says that if you do harm to someone, you deserve harm back upon you. This shows that witchcraft was not ment to harm people in the first place. 

  

One of the more major countries that witchcraft is found in is Germany. In the book, “Witchcraft, Gender, and Society in Early Modern Germany” by Jonathan Durrant, shows all of the arrests made for the practice of witchcraft. It states “between 240 and 273 people were arrested from witchcraft” (Durrant 14).  This tells people that witchcraft was taken very seriously and believed in Germany. Because it is better known in some countries, it might not be as well known outside of these countries. Since witchcraft is not well known in certain places, it makes people more unaware of it and creates the disbelief in witchcraft. Shown below is an image of a 400 year old witch trial in Germany.

 

Witchcraft is always a topic of skepticism and does not always have clear explanation behind it. There will always be skeptics within the topic and questions that go unanswered. But, sometimes the public needs to realize there is not always a logically explanation behind everything. Majorly, a skeptic will use logic or an opinion which is not a solid way to support an idea. Logic does not always answer questions and some answers are not easily explained. Witchcraft is possible just like any other paranormal phenomenon in the world, you just need the right evidence and open mind to support it. 

  

 

 

Work Cited

Gabor Klaniczay, Eva Pocs and Eszter Csonka-Takacs. Witchcraft Mythologies and Persecutions.Central European University Press, 2008. Print.

Igwe, Leo. "A Skeptical Look At African Witchcraft And Religion." Skeptic 11.1 (2004): 72-74. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.

Durrant, Jonathan B. Witchcraft, Gender and Society in Early Modern Germany. Leiden: Brill, 2007. Print.