Is it a sin to study witchcraft, but never act on it such as casting spells?

[Anonymous]

I feel it calling me again. It’s been a few years since I dabbled in it. It’s just very fascinating. I’m not going to physically act on it or anything.

[Vevv123]

I’m not sure, but I would stay away from it. I can't recall exactly where I heard this, but simply having the knowledge about something like this might lead you to unintentionally engage with it or draw things into your life that you didn't foresee. Some knowledge can come with its own set of consequences, so it's worth being cautious about what you choose to explore. There might even be a reason as to why you’re getting curious.

Actually you should watch the movie the Skeleton Key, I get chills even thinking about it, but one of the things they mentioned about a certain kind of witchcraft when they where casting a spell on someone that never practiced it was that it only worked if they believed and this was after this person had learned about witchcraft because they convinced her she could potentially cure someone… but in the end it was meant for her... that left me traumatized… I don’t ever want to hear about it or see it or nothing. 😫

[Vevv123]

Great… it’s too late for me to be talking about this 😖

[Asker]

You’re probably right and I’ve seen skeleton key as well and it’s my favorite suspense/thriller movie.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

The idea of witchcraft being “sinful” is a whole bucket of worms I would love to open and dump on you but we’re not gonna do that today.


In short, it depends on what branch of christianity you’re in (because it’s really only christianity that has this mindset). Some regard it as a general taboo, others don’t really care. If you’re some kind of protestant, it’s very likely that your church will not approve. But honestly? Learning about it would probably benefit you. Are you specifically wanting to look into the actual rituals or are you more looking into the history of witchcraft? If the latter, I would suggest reading Maleus Maleficarum, the how-to book on witch trials that condemned and killed thousands of innocent women.

[Asker]

It’s really a little of both. The history is interesting, but the different types of spells are also intriguing.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Okay, well double-check with your church if you’re concerned how they’ll see the state of your soul

[jshm2]

Yes. Its like saying you want to study serial killers, or fraudsters, but will never act on it. Despite creeping out all the people around you to the extent they think you are acting on it.

You don't understand that proximity to something is often enough to make it appear bad enough that you are doing it. It's why a lot of cops are often as bad, or worse, as the criminals they are out catching.

There are things in this world, that corrupt a person. Witchcraft is among them.

[Staximus]

It's not a sin but don't fuck around. Don't open doors that you don't have the power to close.

[Asker]

That is true.

[7Phoenix7]

Nothing wrong with learning new things. Knowledge is power...

[Anonymous]

I don't believe in judeo-christian-islamic theory of sin, witchcraft has nothing to do with satanism.

I'm not religious, and I think you should study it.

Witchcraft is based on force of nature, energy of the Universe, and power of human mind.

[andreasderjuengere]

Well - Rinsewind had some bad experience about it.

[slatyb]

Neither sin or witchcraft are real.