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→Something I Noticed
It's impossible to add factual and verifiable content, edit phrases to make them non'''-'''problematic or correct grammar when the article is protected.[[User:NSmyth|NSmyth]] 02:32, 24 May 2007 (EDT)
It's impossible to add factual and verifiable content, edit phrases to make them non'''-'''problematic or correct grammar when the article is protected.[[User:NSmyth|NSmyth]] 02:32, 24 May 2007 (EDT)
:You have two options: Ask the locking sysop to unlock the article, or propose changes on this page so that a sysop can add the changes for you. [[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 08:49, 24 May 2007 (EDT)
:You have two options: Ask the locking sysop to unlock the article, or propose changes on this page so that a sysop can add the changes for you. [[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 08:49, 24 May 2007 (EDT)
Thankyou Phillip for giving some guidelines to use as response.
I m unsure how to make my response non problematic as the topic deals with something most often related to personal perception, making an alternative view problematic in that it may be misconstrued as argumentative.
To this end I am including a few quotes from sources I consider both informed and respected rather than simply voicing my opinion.
Witchcraft
the exercise or invocation of alleged supernatural powers to control people or events, practices typically involving sorcery or magic. Although defined differently in disparate historical and cultural contexts, witchcraft has often been seen, especially in the West, as the work of crones who meet secretly at night, indulge in cannibalism and orgiastic rites with the Devil, and perform black magic. Witchcraft thus defined exists more in the imagination of contemporaries than in any objective reality. Yet this stereotype has a long history and has constituted for many cultures a viable explanation of evil in the world. The intensity of these beliefs is best represented by the European witch-hunts of the 14th to 18th century, but witchcraft and its associated ideas are never far from the surface of popular consciousness and—sustained by folk tales—find explicit focus from time to time in popular television and films and in fiction.
(Source - Encyclopedia Britanica Online)
While this is not perhaps a definitive explanation of Witchcraft I think it makes some interesting points and raises some issues in relation to the conservapedia article (http://www.conservapedia.com/Witchcraft)
The main issue being a non factual statement in the first sentence of said article.
While Witchcraft may indeed include the use of "black Magic" it is not the same thing, nor is it necessary to practice "Black Magic" in order to practice Witchcraft.
In order to be a more factual and acturate article, may I suggest it be worded more factually thus:
"Witchcraft is the practice of magic, including Black Magic...." Magic being defined as: A concept used to describe a mode of rationality or way of thinking that looks to invisible forces to influence events, effect change in material conditions, or present the illusion of change. (Source - Encyclopedia Britanica Online)
The second issue I would raise is the use of the word Evil in the conservapedia article. To define any religious practice thusly is to make a judgement of the intention of the practitioner. Quite ok when one is sharing one's religious views, but perhaps not quite balanced when one is presuming to make a stated fact for encyclopedic use. Personally I don't believe all modern witches have malicious or evil intent when practicing magic (based on the conservapedia definition of evil: "Evil is defined as taking advantage of another person for one's own benefit." http://www.conservapedia.com/Evil)
While this may indeed be one use for magic, it is not customarily used by modern witches solely for this purpose. The Wiccan creed states: "Do as Ye Will and Harm Ye None" signifying an intention to not harm or cause harm to another person.
The next issue I would raise would be the sentence: "especially with malevolent intent"
Based on the above statement of intent from the wiccan creed, I would dare argue that this is not actually correct. Perhaps a more factual statement would be: "Witchcraft can be used with malevolent intent". Malevolent being defined as 1.having or exibiting ill will;wishing harm to others; malicious. 2.having an evil or harmful influence (source http://www.thefreedictionary.com/malevolent)
Thankyou for taking the time to share your views and to place this article, and to allow input and changes as necessary. I would like to suggest to the sysop that perhaps the article could begin with "Witchcraft as defined from a Christian (Or Judeo Christian) perspective is... then the article need not be changed as it would be factual and correct.
With Love and Pure intent,
Melodie