Which witch is which? Witches have long been a subject of fascination and fear in various cultures and societies. From the wicked witches in fairy tales to the wise and mysterious witches in folklore, they have captured our imagination for centuries. However, the term "witch" can be confusing as it is used in different contexts with varying meanings. There are several types of witches, each with their unique characteristics and practices. Firstly, we have the traditional witch or the witch of folklore. This witch is often depicted as an old woman, living on the outskirts of society, and possessing magical powers.
9 things you likely didn't know about Jehovah's Witnesses
Along with our main investigation into Jehovah's Witnesses, W5 has also prepared an interactive with exclusive footage and below, some facts about the religion that you might not know.
1. They are one of Canada's wealthiest and least transparent charities
The Jehovah’s Witnesses organization is a registered charity, which means they pay no income tax. Of the 86,000 registered charities in Canada, they rank 18th with more than $80 million in donations in 2016.
Charity Intelligence, an agency that monitors charities for Canadian donors, gives the group a D-grade because they do not provide details on how donations are spent.
“Jehovah’s Witnesses have a one star rating out of five stars. That should be a red flag to donors. That should be red flag to government.”
2. They don't believe in military service, national anthems or voting
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not stand for national anthems, salute flags, vote or serve in the military.
Followers believe their allegiance belongs to God alone, who runs an actual government in heaven.
3. They don't celebrate holidays
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate most holidays or events that honour people who aren’t Jesus. That includes birthdays, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Hallowe’en.
They also don’t celebrate religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter in the belief that these customs have pagan origins.
The organization says “Christmas is not approved by God” because there is no proof that Jesus was born on December 25th and that the symbols of Christmas, including the lights and the tree, have pagan roots.”
4. They don't accept blood transfusions
Jehovah’s Witnesses cite the Old and New Testaments as the Biblical basis for refusing transfusions. They believe it is God’s will to “abstain from blood” (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10; Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:28,29).
The organization says: “We avoid taking blood not only in obedience to God but also out of respect for him as the Giver of life.”
5. They shun those who go astray
Those who leave the religion or are kicked out are subjected to an extreme form of shunning. Parents, siblings, friends are instructed to cut all ties.
The organization defends shunning with this biblical passage: “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”
6. They limit contact with non-Jehovah's Witnesses
Followers are discouraged from having close relationships with those who are not part of the faith. People who are “worldly” are seen as bad influences or “bad associations.”
JWs are advised not to join groups or teams outside the faith and are also discouraged from higher education.
7. They believe Satan is real and he's here on Earth
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan controls the world. He uses religions, governments, commercial organizations and the media to mislead and corrupt people.
Concordia University Theological Studies’ professor, André Gagné says: “Since the governments of this world are not under God’s authority, Jehovah’s Witnesses see no reason to adhere or submit themselves to the authorities of the world, including government, the courts and police, especially when laws go against their beliefs.”
8. They believe sins require two witnesses
The subject of intense international criticism, lawsuits and a Royal Commission, the Two Witness Rule is the Jehovah Witnesses’ interpretation of scripture that, in the absence of a confession, there must be two material witnesses to a sin for them to be acted upon.
Critics say the policy protects accused pedophiles, because there are rarely witnesses to sexual abuse.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses Governing Body insist they “abhor sexual abuse,” do not protect pedophiles and educate followers on protecting children.
9. They believe the end is near. Very near
Jehovah's Witnesses believe Armageddon is imminent. The religion has previously provided a number of dates for the end the world as we know it, but now tell followers it will happen any day now.
They point to global conflicts, ISIS and natural disasters as signs that we are on the verge of the Apocalypse.
They believe Armageddon will be a brutal and bloody battle between God and human government and wicked humanity will ultimately be wiped out. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in Hell.
Related:
- W5 investigation: Sex abuse survivors allege coverup by Jehovah's Witnesses for failing to report assaults
- Interactive with candid video of abuse survivors on their experience, and a lawyer specializing in child sexual abuse lawsuits
Holidays and Observances
This guide provides information about diverse cultural celebrations and religious holidays. It includes calendars and brief descriptions of the events. This resource can assist in event planning and classroom activities.
This witch is often depicted as an old woman, living on the outskirts of society, and possessing magical powers. They are believed to have a deep connection with nature and the spiritual realm. These witches may engage in spellcasting, potion-making, and divination.
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Holidays and Accommodations
As a worldwide institution, Webster University emphasizes diversity and global citizenship. When planning activities faculty, staff and students can access this LibGuide for dates of religious holidays and cultural events, as well as to learn about dietary restrictions and recommended accommodations.
The main calendar is arranged by the academic calendar year for the current and next school year. Some holidays are based on the lunar calendar--which can vary based on region and practice--and, therefor, vary from year to year.
Kosher restrictions apply : Jewish dietary guidelines which apply daily throughout the year. These restrictions include pork, shellfish (fish is allowed) and mixing meat with dairy.
Halal restrictions apply: Islamic dietary laws which apply throughout the year. These restrictions include alcohol and pork.
Occasional dietary restrictions for other religions are listed with the specific event to which they apply.
Great care has been given to assure accuracy of the dates. However, sources often differ on dates and on the spelling of the holiday. Please let us know if there are any obvious errors. Also, please let us know if there are any other dates that we should consider including.
Religious Holidays
Followers of different faiths will be marking their calendars with their respective holy days for the academic year. The University’s 15 chaplaincies and numerous student groups are among the most vibrant centers of faith on campus with faiths represented by Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Unitarian Universalism et al.
Secondly, we have the Wiccan witch. Wicca is a modern religious movement that incorporates elements of witchcraft, nature worship, and paganism. Wiccans adhere to a set of ethical guidelines and believe in the worship of a goddess and god. Their practices involve rituals, spellwork, and the celebration of nature's cycles. Thirdly, there are kitchen witches. These witches focus their magical practices on domestic activities like cooking, brewing herbal remedies, and maintaining a harmonious home. They believe that magic can be woven into everyday tasks, bringing positive energies and blessings to their households. Additionally, there are ceremonial witches or ceremonial magicians who follow a structured and ritualistic approach to magic. They may perform intricate ceremonies, use specific tools and symbols, and invoke various entities to achieve their desired outcomes. These witches often draw inspiration from ancient mystical traditions like Hermeticism and the Kabbalah. Lastly, we have hedge witches or solitary witches. These witches prefer to practice alone, usually in rural or natural settings. They are known for their deep connection with the earth and spirits, often relying on their intuition and personal experiences rather than following a specific tradition or set of rules. In conclusion, the world of witches is diverse and multifaceted. Each type of witch brings their unique beliefs, practices, and outlooks to the craft. Whether they are old crones living in the forest or modern practitioners embracing Wicca or kitchen magic, witches continue to captivate our imaginations and challenge societal norms..
Reviews for "Which Witch is Which: The Influence of Witches in Fairy Tales and Folklore"
1. Emma - 2/5 stars - I really wanted to like "Which Witch is Which" because I'm a fan of fantasy novels, but I found it to be quite disappointing. The plot was confusing and convoluted, with too many characters and subplots to keep track of. The writing style was also lackluster, lacking depth and emotion. Overall, I found it hard to be engaged in the story and ended up not finishing it.
2. Ethan - 1/5 stars - "Which Witch is Which" was a complete waste of my time. The characters were poorly developed and lacked any depth or relatability. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to become invested in the story. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself bored and uninterested. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Which Witch is Which" as I enjoy fantasy novels with magical elements. However, I found the world-building to be underwhelming and confusing. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me with more questions than answers. The plot felt disjointed, and the story lacked a clear direction. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat for me. I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Which Witch is Which" was a predictable and cliché read. The plot followed the typical tropes of a fantasy novel without offering any originality or unique twists. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity, making it hard to care about their struggles. The writing style was also uninspiring and failed to create a captivating atmosphere. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and not worth the time.