Thanks for writing in to ask about this!

First of all, let me say that witches, Wiccans, and pagans are absolutely not interested in "recruiting" or converting anyone to our religion. We believe that all religious traditions have merit and celebrate the fact that there are so many different ones to choose from. Those who are called to the path will come when they're ready.

I have read one of the Harry Potter books and found it good fun, but it has almost nothing to do with what witches actually do. Pagans do not, in general, possess any "special powers". We certainly don't enchant flying cars or travel through our fireplaces. We simply celebrate the magic and energy inherent in Creation.

Actually, the Bible says nothing about witchcraft. The first commandment does say that you should worship no other God, but one can practice witchcraft and still worship only Christian deities. In fact, one could argue that prayer, especially when practiced by an entire congregation, is the same type of energy that is raised when a witch or a coven casts a spell. The King James version of the Bible does have a line that says "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." But if you go back to the original language, you'll see that the word itself means "poisoner." Witches are not poisoners. We have a very strong ethical baseline of harming no one, not even ourselves.

Bright blessings,

Okelle