Fun History: In 1484, two German monks, Heinrich Institoris Kramer and Jakob Sprenger wrote the Malleus Maleficarum, the Witches Hammer. This book was as a manual for the Burning Times, a period during which approximately 9 million men, women and children were tortured, burned, hung, or otherwise murdered and the accusation of Witch. Not all those who died were followers of the Old Religion – the Burning Times were a time motivated by fear, ignorance, and spite. A good way to get rid of that neighbor you couldn’t stand was to cry "Witch!" It wasn’t until 1951 that the last laws against Witchcraft in England were repealed. In 1954, Gerald Gardner became the first Witch to speak up in England. It was about the same time Witchcraft became recognized as a religion in the United States. Raymond Buckland was the first to identify himself as a Witch in the U.S. Since that time, Witchcraft has grown both publicly and privately around the world. We now enjoy the ability to have public festivals, stores, books, and classes. Witches have the same rights as Christian organizations, including church status, non-profit organization or tax-exempt status, as well as the ability to ordain their clergy to perform Handfastings (marriage) and Sainings (baptism).
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:52:20 +0000