0
People in previous centuries often blamed witches for illness, drought, violent weather and any blight or disease that destroyed livestock or crops. Before the Enlightenment, everything in nature was thought to be directly controlled by God or the Devil, along with demons, angels, witches, sorcerers and countless other kindly or hostile spirits. Even after the Enlightenment, few people were educated enough to understand how nature functioned and most people maintained their ancient superstitions. It was not only easy to label a widow or single woman "witch," but very often quite profitable, since the "witch's" property could be forfeited to the local magistrate or to the Church.
In a time when "germs" are unknown, personal hygiene is some what dubious, and medical treatment so primitive as to be nearly harmful to the patient, there needed to be something or someone to point a finger at as the cause.
People of the time were heavily influenced by the organized religions. When God is responsible for all good that comes, and the Devil is responsible for all bad things that occur, magic, witchcraft and witches were common scapegoats.
In some cases people who were marginalized: the extremely poor, widows, people with physical deformities, and other "undesirables" were accused as witches as a way to get rid of them.
Illness was seen to strike with no reason and it was easy to accuse someone than to wrap your mind around the idea of teeny tiny little "germs". Even if someone was to explain germs the people of the time would think germs were just some kind of magic.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoPeople in previous centuries often blamed witches for illness, drought, violent weather and any blight or disease that destroyed livestock or crops. Before the Enlightenment, everything in nature was thought to be directly controlled by God or the Devil, along with demons, angels, witches, sorcerers and countless other kindly or hostile spirits. Even after the Enlightenment, few people were educated enough to understand how nature functioned and most people maintained their ancient superstitions. It was not only easy to label a widow or single woman "witch," but very often quite profitable, since the "witch's" property could be forfeited to the local magistrate or to the Church.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoIn a time when "germs" are unknown, personal hygiene is some what dubious, and medical treatment so primitive as to be nearly harmful to the patient, there needed to be something or someone to point a finger at as the cause.
People of the time were heavily influenced by the organized religions. When God is responsible for all good that comes, and the Devil is responsible for all bad things that occur, magic, witchcraft and witches were common scapegoats.
In some cases people who were marginalized: the extremely poor, widows, people with physical deformities, and other "undesirables" were accused as witches as a way to get rid of them.
Illness was seen to strike with no reason and it was easy to accuse someone than to wrap your mind around the idea of teeny tiny little "germs". Even if someone was to explain germs the people of the time would think germs were just some kind of magic.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why were women accused more often than men for witchcraft?
because men were considered to do wizardy and sorcery, not witchcraft.
Is witchcraft and wicca against the Catholic Religon?
No... quite the reverse is often true.
How did people prove they were not a witch or did witchcraft?
People who were accused of witchcraft were often the disabled the mentally challenged, the person who didn't get along well with others or who liked to be alone. Older single women were often accused and so were redheads. It didn't take much for someone to be accused of witchcraft and once they were they didn't have any protection.
Why is reverend hale brought to Salem village in the crucible?
In The Crucible, Reverend Hale was called to Salem during the Witch Trials. He was there to see if he could uncover any evidence of witchcraft.
Why did they kill people who were not witches?
Because at the time, the only explanation for extraordinary ideas and accomplishments was witchcraft. So people accused of witchcraft or knowing a witch would either be killed or forced to reveal the location of other witches (which they lied about because witches are fictional)
Do you believe that witchcraft can result in demonic processions?
Witchcraft involve summoning a soul to give their powers to the caster. So yes, witchcraft does result in demonic procession since the soul, often a demon, enters their body. However, the caster will often have control of the demon or fairy inside them, but the soul is still inside them so it is demonic procession.
What kind of witchcraft is there?
There are *thosuands of Witchcraft traditions. Since there are so many, it is nearly impossible for me to name them all, but I can name some of the more popular forms. I could define them, but frankly I don't have that kind of time, so it is up to you to research them: *Wicca Gypsy Witchcraft Italian Witchcraft (aka Stragheria) (I may have misspelled that, though) Gardnerian Witchcraft (from which Wicca stemmed)Alexandrian Witchcraft (which stemmed from Gardnerian Witchcraft) Seaux-Wica (I may have misspelled this, as well) Witta Shamanism Indigineous Witchcraft (Witchcraft customs used by indiginous peoples... this form technically has no proper title.) Folk Magick (Folk Witchcraft) (May be spelled alternatively as Folk Magic)Ceremonial Magick (***Ceremonial Witchcraft) (May be spelled alternatively as Ceremonial Magic) and Traditional Witchcraft to name a few. * Often times customs and traditions may overlap somewhat, so this number is a rough estimate. ** Wicca, is an Earth-based neo-pagan religion that often incorporates Traditional Witchcraft and other forms of Magic into its general framework. ***Sometimes the term Ceremonial Witchcraft/Magic(k) refers to Ceremonial customs within Traditional Witchcraft.
What is the difference between illness and disease?
The difference between disease and illness is that a disease is something that can consume your whole body and it is often things like cancer, ALS and many other things. An illness is short lived, often like a cold.
Describe reverand hale for what reason has he been called to Salem?
To determine whether Betty's illness has "unnatural" causes
What will happen to those that confess to witchcraft?
People found guilty of witchcraft, if executed, were most often hanged, by a very large margin.Very few, comparatively, were burnt at the stake, drowned or pressed to death.
How many witches are there in the UK?
There is no accurate count of how many witches there are in the UK as witchcraft is a diverse and often private practice. Additionally, not all individuals who practice witchcraft may identify openly as witches.
Why did people believe in witchcraft in Stuart England?
Its easier to explain unfortunate events, people seek an explanation and that's the easiest approach. Its a form of social control, like religion and laws.
