Of course, none of the people who they hung or drowned or burned were actually dealing with Satan, but whatever.

In looking at magic, it is necessary to understand not just the intended use, but also the source of the power involved. Most magic is derived from demonic spirits, and for that reason, one must be very careful in using it. But the ancient Masters had other sources to draw upon as well.

As a Christian, I believe that magic is the work of Satan. Even if there is such a thing as "white" or "good" magic, no one who follows the 10 Commandments should practice it because it puts other gods before the LORD & is also a form of idolatry.

So basically your saying if the source isn't evil, and the use isn't evil....it isn't evil. Do you possibly have something to back up your point of view, or is this one of those misplaced skill point subjects?

I'm not sure you can say that with absolute certainty, Evin. Surely there must have been at least a few black mages in history.

Ditto, and for the people out there who think harry potter is evil, notice that in the front it says "fiction" which means its FAKE!

How could something be evil if it doesn't exist?

But don't rule out the possibility of magic, though. Most magic is not concerned with spontaneously creating matter, and thus remains untouched by your argument. Most magic is concerned with manipulation of energy sources within matter, which wouldn't be terribly different from your telekinesis, although on a sub-material level. I have not personally observed this type of magic at work, but who knows? Just because it is beyond our current experience does not mean it could never happen.

The Salem witch-burners were just fanatical idiots. A hundred years of Puritanism will do that to you. They would have burned me as a witch, just because I'm Lutheran.

Actually, the Spanish Inquisition was more concerned with rooting out Jewish and Muslim spies (remember all the conflict Spain had with the Moors?). One article I read claimed that Ferdinand and Isabella wanted to us the Inquisition to attack Protestants. Which is odd, considering that Protestantism didn't even begin until like 40 years later.

I know, I'm just saying that since one chunk of it is malarkey, there isn't much to say about the rest.

Well, my statement on the land grabbing having a greater influence than righteous murder of "wicked" people still stands

Ok, if magic dosn't have to be evil then what's up with excorists? They have to know some tricks to get all the demons out which would possibly mean having to be satinic bible literate.

Do you believe in the Trinity? In that doctrine, the Holy Spirit is God, Jesus is God, and the Father is God.

I think he meant - there is no magic from God, only the Holy Spirit of God.

I know christianity isn't magic but excorsists have to know their enemy so if the time comes when they have to cast out an especially tough demon it would be nice if you could use a loophole of the satinic bible to get the demon out.

I know there are summoning spells avaliable so there must be the oppisit(sp?)

Meh, mabye I've been reading too many comic books