Why did in meadevil times did people think witchs were evil?

Answer 1

The Craft has many secrets and at that point in time Witches were not sharing them as we are today and people tend to fear what they do not understand. Plus people would rather believe the bad rumors that they hear with out any real proof but when you hand them the truth they expect hard evidence that what you are telling them is correct.

Answer 2

Many view witchcraft as evil because they are taught from a young age that witch means an ugly, old, hunchbacked, wart-covered, child-eating women, who cast spells and turn people into toads etc. Another reason is that people tend to fear what they don't understand, that's why scary ghost movies are almost always big hits (Recently paranormal activity). Also people associate evil with it because they associate satanism (which is a magic-practicing, extremest branch of Christianity) with witchcraft, while witchcraft was primarily used as healing or to benefit, many have convoluted idea's that its used to bring evil and harm to others

Answer 3

Mainly because of the greed of power and envy. Authorities want people under control, specially when the state and religion is closely bound. Witches have powers that most of the people does not posses. That's why, in old times Kings have kept Wizards on their courts. They were mainly astrologers who predict the future, and helped the King to make decisions.

When there is a state authority which does not approve witchcraft, it becomes a rival to the authority. The authority teaches people to believe that witchcraft is evil, so the people believe.

Answer 4

Believing in the existence of witches, now and in the past is like believing in the existence of Christians or Muslims, or Buddhists, or any other Spiritual path.

They exist, they practice their spiritual path in their own manner, why would you not believe in them?

Answer 5

Because people with special powers could use them to curse others and/or possibly even kill them.