I'm listening to an Audible book by Susan Fair: American Witches

[Mr. Ed]

A broomstick Tour through Four Centuries: New England colonist blinded by ignorance and fear seeking scapegoats to answer for and pay for colony misfortune.

Who or what determines a witch? Does witchcraft/magic exist? Explain.

Is prayer magic?

 

[Pepper]

As I mentioned in your other thread, I lived near Salem MA for many years and was always interested in the "witches" of New England beginning when I read the play "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller in high school. Miller used the witches as a metaphor for the communist witch hunts taking place in America at the time.

I had the wonderful chances of visiting the properties and reading about the individual witches. Coincidentally --HA!-- the witches property was seized to be distributed amongst certain families. Confiscated. Imagine that. What a great reason to call my neighbor a "witch."

eta
I know this didn't answer your questions, which must wait till I finish doing laundry.

 

[Pepper]

Can you see me Mr. Ed?

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I believe it was the Aztecs, who used to rip out the beating hearts of their victims to appease the gods. This wasn't a yearly ceremonial rite, they sent thousands a month to their deaths. in their zeal. You ask who, or what determines a witch. Well, who or what determines religious belief? It comes down to what each person believes.