Abstract
This paper discusses that witchcraft was, and perhaps still is, a reaction to, or rejection of, faith-based philosophies. The paper states that typically, the new witch, having been through a hardship prior to becoming a witch, enjoys her new supernatural powers to use against anyone she chooses to harm. The author concludes that there is ample evidence that some people in history have possessed unusual powers; but, to the skeptic, those people might not have been witches, but rather, merely mystics, shamans or medicine men (much like Native Americans' spiritual leaders).

Table of Contents
Introduction
Slaughter on a Massive Scale
15th Century Witchcraft as a Prelude?
Myths, Stereotypes, and Questions about the Veracity of Witches' Tales
The Benandanti
Witchcraft in Colonial America
Conclusion

From the Paper
"It seems not too much of a stretch to say that the Salem witch trials were among the first cases of "church VS state" litigation in the new democratic nation. And while it might be easy to cast aspersions on those long-ago and far-away witch-hunting trials " church / state confusion " the truth is, for America, religion is still pushing its weight into governmental matters. One need only observe the power of the "Christian Right" (which urges school prayer, frowns on inter-racial relationships and supports right-wing American politicians) to know that a new witch-hunt could begin at any time."

Tags:salem, hardship, benandanti, skeptic, mystic