Summary: Symbols Of Evil

Witches: Symbols of Evil or Average People? Throughout the centuries, scholars, priests, and townspeople have changed their opinions of the defining characteristics of a witch. In their pre-modern treatise Malleus Maleficarum, Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger argue their definition of a witch (Kramer and Sprenger 12). They emphasize the term “witches” to represent women involved in dark magic using evil spells and temptation to inject misery into the lives of men (Kramer and Sprenger 14). Kramer and Sprenger then continue to state that witchcraft is futile without the Devil, a witch, and the permission of God (Kramer and Sprenger 12). However, the modern article “RELIGIOUS: Witches, not what you’d expect” from Meagan Bolds defines “witches” from a whole new perspective.
Bolds downplays the importance of religion in witchcraft declaring that a person of any religion, even no religion, can be a witch (Bolds 1). On the other hand, Kramer and Sprenger insist that witchcraft is futile without the presence of religion; even more, witchcraft is a crucial, sinful part of religion (Kramer and Sprenger 12). This proves to be strange because the concept of a witch has clearly changed drastically. During the time of Malleus Maleficarum, Catholicism was the main practiced religion (Kramer and Sprenger 16). However, many religions compose the world today. Therefore, the diversity of religion over time lead to more beliefs. Thus, diversifying the definition of a witch. Furthermore, Bolds contends that magic is not controlling great power; it is, in fact, subtly manipulating energies (Bolds 2). Kramer and Sprenger agree and add that a witch is only given the power God wants her to have; thus, witches hold a spot at the bottom of a list, in regards to power, coming in just above humans (Kramer and Sprenger 2). Hence, this implies that witches are feared as powerful even though they are considered rather