What the Bible says about Wicca/Witchcraft Interpretation of 22 English Translations of Galatians 5:19-20 Various Biblical translations render this verse as a list of "acts of the sinful nature", or "works of the flesh" and specify the following practices: 1. American Standard Version: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery"..." 2. The Answer: "being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, worshipping gods, doing witchcraft...." 3. Amplified Bible: "immorality, impurity, indecency, idolatry, sorcery..." 4. Authentic New Testament: "adultery, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery... 5. Good News Version: "immoral, filthy and indecent actions; in worship of idols and witchcraft..." 6. James Moffatt Translation: "sexual vice, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, magic..." 7. Jerusalem Bible: "fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility; idolatry and sorcery..." 8. King James Version: "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft..." 9. Living Bible: "impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons),..." 10. Modern Language Bible: "immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, magic arts,...". 11. New American Bible: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery..." 12. New American Standard Bible: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery..." 13. New Century Version: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, worshipping false gods, doing witchcraft..." 14. New International Version: "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft..." 15. New Living Translation: sexual immorality, impure thoughts. eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities..." 16. New Revised Standard Version: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery..." 17. New Testament & Psalms: An Inclusive Version: "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery..." 18. New World Translation: fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism..." 19. The Promise: Contemporary English Version: "immoral ways, impure thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft..." 20. Rheims New Testament: "fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, idolatry, witchcrafts..." 21. Revised Standard Version: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery..." 22. Revised English Bible: "fornication, indecency, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery..." The reference to adultery was not present in the earliest manuscripts. An unknown Christian forger apparently added it later. The key word of interest here is the Greek word pharmakia from which the English word "pharmacy" is derived. It refers to the practice of preparing poisonous potions to harm or kill others. In the above New Testament translations is has been called: Sorcery 10 times Witchcraft 7 times Magic, magical arts: twice Spiritism: twice Participate in demonic activities once The term sorcery is inexact because current usage includes both white (healing) and black (injurious) magic. The use of witchcraft is particularly unfortunate. For historical reasons, many Wiccans refer to their religion/craft by that name. Many are reluctant to abandon the name because it would be disrespectful to the hundreds of thousands of innocent victims tortured and killed by the Christian Church on charges of witchcraft during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. Wiccans/witches are prohibited from harming others by their Wiccan Rede. Thus, they do not engage in any form of black magic. They are restricted to "white magic" in which they use spells to bring healing. The use of the word spiritism is similarly unfortunate, because the Greek word does not seem to have any connection with the practice of contacting spirits. This term used by Spiritists who form the Universal Church of the Master. (Spiritists are called Spiritualists in the UK). They use mediums to contact the spirits of the deceased, in order to grow spiritually and intellectually. They currently have about 10,000 members in the US. The New Age practice of channelling is very similar to practices of Spiritism. We would recommend that readers of the Bible cross out the words "witchcraft" or "spiritism" and substitute "poisoning", because Galatians 5:19-20 has no connection with either of the former religions. References Used: 18 translations of the Christian Bible (Old and New Testaments) 3 translations of the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) Alexi Kondratiev "Suffer a Witch to Live", Enchanté, the Journal for the Urbane Pagan, Mabon & Vinalia (1994), P. 11-15 |