Hour of the Witch

[jrstruthers]

Has anyone read the (recent) book by Wohlberg with this title. Just wondering what opinions (positive or negative) that folks may have to it.

[Meh_Gerbil]

Has anyone read the (recent) book by Wohlberg with this title. Just wondering what opinions (positive or negative) that folks may have to it.

I don't know anything about it, is it a Wiccan apologetic text?

[Durthorin]

I don't know anything about it, is it a Wiccan apologetic text?

No fundimentalist Christian attack piece.

[Meh_Gerbil]

No fundimentalist Christian attack piece.

Christians attacking Wiccans, I'd guess.
I'd only be interested if it were a Wiccan attacking Christians....

[Timothy Leary]

Christians attacking Wiccans, I'd guess.
I'd only be interested if it were a Wiccan attacking Christians....
Why is that?

[Durthorin]

Christians attacking Wiccans, I'd guess.
I'd only be interested if it were a Wiccan attacking Christians....

Wiccans.. Harry Potter.. etc. You know the litany

[Meh_Gerbil]

Why is that?

Because some of the stupidest things I've ever read have been written by fundamentalists. I'm a Christian, and even at that I have to admit the goofiest stuff is written by other Christians.

If I wanted a Christian perspective on Wicca I'd read a converts view, perhaps. A Wiccan's view would even be better.

[tmancour]

Because some of the stupidest things I've ever read have been written by fundamentalists.

Amen, Brother! And it ain't limited to Christians, either -- although Pat Robertson's call to assasinate the leader of Venezuala is right up there.


If I wanted a Christian perspective on Wicca I'd read a converts view, perhaps. A Wiccan's view would even be better.

A Wiccan's view of Wicca, or a Wiccan's view of Christianity? Just curious.

Arion

[Meh_Gerbil]

Amen, Brother! And it ain't limited to Christians, either -- although Pat Robertson's call to assasinate the leader of Venezuala is right up there.

A Wiccan's view of Wicca, or a Wiccan's view of Christianity? Just curious.

Arion

Either.
I already know why I'm not Wiccan -- I don't need someone else to tell me why.

I think another interesting book would be the history of witchcraft in the ANE. That would give one a clue as to what the Bible was talking about when it was prohibiting the practice.

[tmancour]

Either.
I already know why I'm not Wiccan -- I don't need someone else to tell me why.

I think another interesting book would be the history of witchcraft in the ANE. That would give one a clue as to what the Bible was talking about when it was prohibiting the practice.


That's pretty easy, actually -- Biblical "witchcraft" was the use of non-Judaic magick for the purpose of harming your rivals in some way. If you go back and look through surviving papyrii from the era, you can see that religion and magick were big business -- but there were many types of magick that were more-or-less universally condemned: well poisoning, murder-by-magick, afflicting crops and livestock, and the biggie: infanticide. Most magi of the period had a well-established clientele, and often specialized in particular types of spells. But those who went the "black magick" route were condemned in public even if they were some of the most popular in private.

Ancient magick is a fascinating study, both theurgic and thaumaturgic.

Arion

[jrstruthers]

Either.
I already know why I'm not Wiccan -- I don't need someone else to tell me why.

I think another interesting book would be the history of witchcraft in the ANE. That would give one a clue as to what the Bible was talking about when it was prohibiting the practice.

Have you read Gus DiZerga's "Christians and Pagans". Dr. Gus has a bit of a brutal writing style (painfully academic), but it is a good discussion of interfaith from the Wiccan perspective (as I recall, been a couple of years).

The second topic does sound fascinating; let me know if you find such a book. I'd love to read it. I'll also do some digging.

James

[technomage]

Christians attacking Wiccans, I'd guess.
I'd only be interested if it were a Wiccan attacking Christians....
Well, if you want I can lob a pie in your general direction ... is that close enough to qualify as an "attack?" :teeth:

[Meh_Gerbil]

Well, if you want I can lob a pie in your general direction ... is that close enough to qualify as an "attack?" :teeth:

Depends on what kind of pie it is...

[technomage]

Depends on what kind of pie it is...
:shrug: Depends on what kind of pie you like. I'm sorry, but I just don't have enough meanness to waste money on pie filling that you don't care for. Yes, I know, it's a terrible failure.

As far as Hour of the Witch, I met the author on another forum ... he seems to mean well enough, but I fear he's done far more research about Wicca from within the Christian community than the Wiccan community. The book itself at least does not engage in the hysteria of many Christian books about Wicca, but from the excerpt I've read, it's a tempest in a teapot.

At the same time, I fully support a parent's right to forbid their children to read the Harry Potter books if, in the judgement of the parents, there is objectionable material in them.

Wohlburg means well, but I fear this aprticular book is more flash than substance.

[jrstruthers]

As far as Hour of the Witch, I met the author on another forum ... he seems to mean well enough, but I fear he's done far more research about Wicca from within the Christian community than the Wiccan community. The book itself at least does not engage in the hysteria of many Christian books about Wicca, but from the excerpt I've read, it's a tempest in a teapot.

At the same time, I fully support a parent's right to forbid their children to read the Harry Potter books if, in the judgement of the parents, there is objectionable material in them.

Wohlburg means well, but I fear this aprticular book is more flash than substance.


Watched the video for this book as well as read it. Wohlberg does seem to be a very straight-up and well meaning guy. Unfortunately, the information about Wicca and the HP-Wicca link is so poorly substantiated that it makes him look like an idiot. It's too bad. His general thesis is an interesting subject (not the HP stuff..the influence of Wicca on kids stuff).

My main problem with the book is Wohlberg pandering his very poor understanding of Wiccan theology and world-view as some sort of authoritative opinion. Like you say, I don't think his research went too deeply into the Pagan community. Sort of a RAB (read a book) expert.

James

p.s> - baked a really killer rhubarb pie yesterday. Your can borrow what's left of it.