Online Witch School Claims Wicca Fastest Growing Religion
An online witch school recently launched a public relations campaign declaring a shortage of teachers it claims comes as the result of Wicca becoming the fastest growing religion in America.
Witch School International, Inc. said in a press release that “America is on the brink of awakening and discovering its inner magic, and this is changing belief systems around the world as well. How this change occurs depends on what people believe, and more people than ever are looking at Paganism and Wicca.”
The schools co-founder, Ed Hubbard, is quoted as saying, “There is such a rapid spiritual reorientation in America occurring, that the need for thousands of Wiccan teachers over the course of the next decade will be required to meet the demand for basic teachings.”
While Witch School claims that religious experts say Wicca will become the third largest religion in the United States “early in the 21st century, behind only Christianity and Islam,” it is generally only agreed upon that the belief system is rapidly growing.
Wicca has been categorized as a loosely organized, under-the-radar religious group that is best known for its use of magic, sorcery, and engagement in witchcraft. The Christian Post previously reported that Wicca has no recognized guidebook or single book of “sacred literature” to define its practices.
According to AllAboutReligion.org, Wicca is a "neo-pagan, earth-centered religion that has its modern origins in the teaching and practice of the original English Wiccan, Gerald Gardner (1884-1964)."
However, the status for Wicca may be changing. Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tenn., recently agreed to recognize Wiccan and pagan holidays on its interfaith calendar. Also, the founders of WitchSchool.com say the site is “the first truly online school dedicated to Wiccan, Pagan, and magical thought.”
Christian Post guest columnist Dan Delzell recently wrote that Wiccans are being deceived and that true power comes from Jesus Christ. He writes that Halloween is a good time for Wiccans to repent of the sin of witchcraft.
“Halloween is a high holy day for Wiccans. They celebrate a festival of darkness in which they attempt to communicate with the dead. They call upon the ‘deities’ to help them. They believe that the ‘goddess and god’ can help them change their lives. They have direct connections to their deities through their magic,” Delzell states.
“Just imagine what would happen if some Wiccans decided to play a trick on the spirits this Halloween. They could pray this prayer to receive an incredible treat: ‘Lord Jesus, forgive me for my sin of witchcraft. Set me free from any spiritual chains I have brought on myself through the worship of false deities. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. If you are a Wiccan, you don't know this kind of spiritual power until you go through THIS door. What a treat that prayer will bring to any Wiccan who repents of the sin of witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23) and turns in faith to the Lord! (Acts 2:21),” he explains.
Delzell quoted a former Wiccan as saying, "I wanted to have power over the things that scared me. I thought that Wicca would give me that. After practicing magic for over 20 years, I never encountered any power like the power I've encountered since I have been a Christian."