Coven of witches give Catholic students magical ‘crystals’ as ‘icebreakers,’ counselor reportedly...

SFC Casey O'Mally - I apologize if you took any of what I said personnel. My explanation of agnostics and atheists was not meant for you but for others who don’t understand our Faith and are easily manipulated by others.

I also have accepted blessings from more than half a dozen religions. To me a blessing and gifts may, or may not, be the same. To me a blessing/gift is a distinction everyone must make for themselves for their own wellbeing. I try not judge others, especially those we don’t know about. I am not saying the witches were trying to convert, maybe just give discontent. We will never know what is in the heart of another, all we can do is judge them by their actions.

I felt in this article the witches later saying, “God made these [crystals]”, and then continuing the situation on by going to the news: “The witches clarified to CBS Pittsburgh that they didn’t worship the devil.”, showed intent to me. Maybe they let themselves get caught up in the media moment, I don’t know. If they did get caught up in the media, they need to be mature enough to guard themselves against those who are typically saying anything to get a rise out of someone.

On the true meaning of the crystals, I will agree to disagree with you. :)
Great discussion. Thanks

SFC (Join to see) No offense was taken, and nothing was taken personal. I just wanted to clarify because when I say I left the church most people automatically jump to atheist.

But thank you for the discussion.

I hardly ever vote anyone down and would prefer if you weren't dunned points.
You don't know what harm the crystals may cause. There is an attitude that is very prevalent today. It's called Latitudinarianism. The faith the Church of Christ has nothing in common with witchcraft. I also have some real issues with certain acts that have occurred at the Vatican during this pontificate.

CPT (Join to see) One of the most common forms of magick is prayer magick. The only difference between that and Christian prayer is the entity to whom one prays. There is almost no difference between "healing energies" and "annointing of the sick," one of the Catholic sacraments. Most of the common (admittedly secular) symbols involved with the two holiest holidays - Christmas and Easter - are rooted in Pagan tradition. The dates chosen for these holidays, in and of themselves, were chosen to usurp Pagan holidays (Yule and Ostara), not on specific biblical text. More than one Saint - later canonized for their "miracles" - was at one point or another accused of "witchcraft." Joan of Arc was even put to death for it (although the official charge was admittedly heresy, not witchcraft). There is FAR more in common between Catholicism and Wicca than either religion will openly admit.

It is a common myth that the Catholic Church believes the Pope is infallible - he is a man and is accordingly human. But Papal DECREE is considered infallible. And this Pope's actions have almost entirely followed the line of his decrees.

Finally, in regard to the harm.... There are two potential circumstances. Either the crystals have power, or they do not. If you say that the crystals have power, this is an admission that Wicca is valid and that these witches have some level of supernatural power. Which goes against church teaching, I am pretty sure. OR, Wicca is a sham, granting no one any power, and the crystals are just rocks.

Personally, I think it is rare, indeed, when an earthly object has power when the user does not believe. Meaning if the crystals had power for the witch, a non-Wiccan seeing just a pretty rock would gain neither benefit nor harm from it. At least no more than from the aesthetics of any other pretty rock. The only way that crystal is going to harm ANYONE is if the recipient puts faith into it. And true Catholics would not do so.

I know what you mean. I am Roman Catholic with my closest grandparents being Russian Orthodox. It gets confusing.

that makes two of us... somethings we will not understand on this side... we just have to have faith.