From Witchcraft to Christ The journey from witchcraft to Christ is a profound transformation that has been witnessed by many individuals throughout history. It is a testimony of the power of God to change hearts and bring light into the lives of those who have been trapped in darkness. Witchcraft has roots in ancient pagan religions and is often associated with the practice of magic and sorcery. It involves the belief in and manipulation of supernatural forces for personal gain or to harm others. Those who engage in witchcraft often worship deities or spirits and may perform rituals or spells to achieve their desired outcomes. However, for some individuals, this path eventually leads them to a point of emptiness and despair.
This article was inspired by a close connection of mine who has had their career placed in jeopardy because of their unique personality and a mixture of toxic behaviors within their team. Although they have not given me permission to release details, they welcomed a piece that highlights what to do instead of what not to do and the importance of understanding neurodiversity within corporate cultures.
When you have a neurodiverse professional in a leadership position, training, awareness and culture become a critical part of creating a safe space for teams to learn and grow. In order to draw attention to the devastating consequences of witch hunts, to connect experts and to pool initiatives, the International Catholic Mission Society missio Internationales Katholisches Missionswerk missio chose this day to be World Day against Witch Hunts.
However, for some individuals, this path eventually leads them to a point of emptiness and despair. They may grow weary of seeking power and control through dark spiritual practices and realize that it only brings temporary satisfaction. At this stage, they may begin to question the validity of their beliefs and search for something greater.
10th August: World Day against Witch Hunts
10th August is a Wednesday this year – not any particularly special day, at first glance. It is the Catholic feast day of the saints Astrid, Eric, Lawrence and Tiburtius, all martyrs. Calendar events can also be found for this day: the opening of the Natural History Museum in Vienna (1889); the entry of the spacecraft Magellan into Venus’ orbit (1990); the introduction of a second football league for the 1974 football season.
The Dutch physician and feminist Aletta Jacobs also died on 10th August (1929). Her observations and experiences made her a champion of a woman’s right to herself decide on the number of children she has. “During my hospital work, I became an eyewitness to the catastrophic effects that frequent pregnancies can have on a woman’s life. In long conversations, many patients have made it clear to me that they cannot prevent further pregnancies if sexual abstinence is their only option for contraception. I have spent days looking for solutions.” For this, she was bullied, persecuted and threatened, but those same critics came to her in secret to be instructed in the methods of family planning. Calvinist priests thundered against contraception from the pulpit, but brought their wives to Jacob’s practice.
We have not yet got past the belief in witches
Roughly 100 years later, on 10th August 2020, the World Day against Witch Hunts was introduced because women in 41 countries around the globe, mostly in Africa, Oceania and Latin America, still get accused of witchcraft and are captured, tortured, and even burned and killed.
One feels as though one has been taken back to the times of the book Hammer of Witches, published in 1486 by the German Dominican, theologian and inquisitor Heinrich Kramer. For example, when it states:
“that in various ways midwife sorceresses kill the fetuses in the womb and cause miscarriages, and when they do not do this, they offer the new-borns to demons” (The Hammer of Witches, translated by Christopher Mackay, Cambridge 2009, p. 211).
Or: “… as penitent sorceresses have often related to us and to others, saying, ‘No one harms the Catholic faith more than do midwives.’ In instances where they do not kill children, they take the baby out of the room as if to do something, and raising them up in the air they offer them to the demons.” (ibid., p. 212) “For the Devil knows that such children are excluded from entering the Kingdom of Heaven because of the penalty of loss or original sin.” (ibid., p. 368)
Two years earlier, on 5th December 1484, Pope Innocent VIII had signed his papal bull on witchcraft, Summis desiderantes affectibus, to bar contraception. He opposed “many persons … [who,] by their incantations, charms, and conjurings, … cause to perish the offspring of women … and hinder men from begetting and women from conceiving, and prevent all consummation of marriage …” (Translation from George Lincoln Burr, The Witch Persecutions (1907) cited in: Alan Charles Kors and Edward Peters, Witchcraft in Europe, 400–1700: A Documentary History, 2nd ed. (Philadelphia 2001), 177–180).
The reason for declaring this day of remembrance was the martyrdom of a woman from Papua New Guinea, who, on 10th August 2012, was accused of being a “witch” by residents of her village and was tortured for days. She survived the severe mistreatment, was able to escape, and was brought to safety with the help of the Swiss nun Sister Lorena Jenal. In order to draw attention to the devastating consequences of witch hunts, to connect experts and to pool initiatives, the International Catholic Mission Society missio (Internationales Katholisches Missionswerk missio) chose this day to be World Day against Witch Hunts.
More about Aletta Jacobs can be found on the following pages on our site:
And because fascistic rhetoric is remarkably good with shorthand, it’s also suggesting that to do that would in turn actually be a witch hunt.
This search for truth often leads them to encounter the message of Christ and the teachings of Christianity. The love and forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast to the fear and manipulation associated with witchcraft. This stark contrast can draw them towards the hope and redemption found in Christ. As they continue to explore the teachings of Christ, they may find that their understanding of spirituality and the world is transformed. The concept of a personal relationship with a loving God replaces the fear of spirits and the need for supernatural manipulation. This newfound relationship offers them a sense of purpose, peace, and joy that they had never experienced through witchcraft. The journey from witchcraft to Christ is not always an easy one. It often involves facing the consequences of past actions and making difficult choices to align their lives with the teachings of Christ. However, the transformation that takes place is worth the challenges and sacrifices that may be required. In conclusion, the journey from witchcraft to Christ is a powerful testimony of the transformative power of God's love. It is a reminder that no matter how deep into darkness someone may be, there is always hope for redemption and a new life in Christ..
Reviews for "A Witch's Testimony: How Christ's Grace Transformed My Life"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I found "From Witchcraft to Christ" to be incredibly problematic and offensive. As someone who identifies as a practicing witch, I was hoping for a nuanced exploration of different belief systems and religious experiences. However, this book perpetuates harmful stereotypes about witchcraft and paints it as something evil that needs to be converted to Christianity. It completely dismisses the rich history and diverse practices within witchcraft and reduces it to something to be feared and demonized. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an objective or respectful examination of different spiritual paths.
2. Michael - 2/5 stars - I was disappointed with "From Witchcraft to Christ" as it lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of witchcraft or any other spiritual practices discussed. The author seemed to rely heavily on personal anecdotes rather than scholarly research, resulting in a biased and limited perspective. Additionally, the book seemed overly focused on promoting Christianity as the only true path, undermining the potential for genuine interfaith dialogue and understanding. Overall, I found the book to be narrow-minded and unenlightening.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "From Witchcraft to Christ" is a poorly written and heavily biased book. The author's conversion story dominates the narrative, leaving little room for an objective exploration of different belief systems. Instead of fostering understanding and respect, the book often comes across as judgmental and dismissive of anything that does not align with Christianity. The lack of research and reliance on personal experiences makes the book feel more like a conversion attempt than an educational resource. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an open-minded and informative discussion on the topic.