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Paganism and Witchcraft

NCJ Number
125036
Journal
Detective Dated: (Spring 1990) Pages: 6-10
Author(s)
J R Dibble
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article provides information that may be helpful to investigators in understanding present-day witchcraft.
Abstract
Orthodox pagan beliefs have an important place in history; by understanding the origins of these pagan beliefs, one can better gauge just how considerably the witchcraft of yore differs from the witchcraft of the present. The persecutions against witches raged for 300 years; inhabitants of entire villages and towns where one or two witches were suspected of residing were put to death. As a result, witchcraft went "underground" and appeared to be dead by the late 17th century. Diabolical witchcraft seems to be a misuse of pagan and Wiccan beliefs. Groups today are assimilating whatever philosophies suit their particular needs. Investigators are learning to distinguish between some of the renegade factions and the more traditional groups. The experimentation and misuse of these traditional beliefs is only limited by the imagination of those who align themselves with malevolent beliefs. 3 references.

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