1
A)
Below is an example of pre-writing, in the form of an outline
Outline
Aristotelian Method for Argumentation
Use this outline if you are trying to say that one side of an issue has more merit than the other.
I Introduction
1. Capture the reader’s attention.
Magic and the Occult are becoming more prevalent in American society. Terms such as Ritual magic and witchcraft are no longer dirty words.
2. Explain the issue.
The definition of black-and-white magic has been the subject of debate for centuries.
3. Show why it is controversial.
This topic is controversial because, the term black Magic has been used to demonize the field of Occult sciences, for centuries by religious Leaders who conflate magic with devil worship.
4. State the thesis.:
I believe that the definition of black magic, from the stand point of dogmatic Christian leadership, is a bastardization of the actual definition. I believe that the Anthropological view of black magic is he correct view.
II. Background
1. Topic sentence about the history of the issue. The categories of White and black Magic developed in the Medieval and Renaissance periods with the rise of Christianity as the dominant religion in Europe.
2. Provide a summary of the history of the issue in 8-10 sentences. Be sure to document any information you obtained from another source.
As Christianity began to rise in Europe as the dominant religion certain forms of magic began to be outlawed by the church. Many acts of so-called black magic started to be classified as heresy, and were starting to be seen heretical. Originally, black magic was just magic with the intention of doing harm to others, or magic done for selfish reasons. “in 1320 Pope John xxii launched a doctrinal enterprise of some import: the assimilation of black magic into the crime of heresy.” (From black magic to heresy. Isabel Iri barren, 2007, Church history vol
76 issue 1. The American Society of Church History}. So black magic became seen as something evil when it previously had not. Meanwhile, magic started being popular among intellectuals in Europe due to readily available texts of Islamic and Jewish magical texts in Spain. So, certain forms of magic were considered crimes if you were a poor folk magician, but if you were from the educated upper class, it was thought of as an intellectual endeavor. By the time of the Renaissance period. Magic and Christianity were no longer mutually exclusive. Now the magic that was considered to be black magic was any magic that didn’t serve Christianity. In the Elizabethan period, Queen Elizabeth employed a magician, Dr. John dee, in her court. Dr. John Dee is considered to be the father of European ritual magic, which would inspire the magic of the “Hermetic Order of The Golden Dawn” which formed in England in the late1800s. The golden dawn referred to their magic as ceremonial magic. The 20th century would see the rise of Alister Crowley from obscurity to infamy and would see the creation of Wicca and Chaos magic.
3. Concluding sentence. Black magic went from being simply a category of folk magic to being decried by the church as heresy and devil worship and would result in thousands of people being burned as witches
III. Lines of Argument
A. Least important reason
1. Topic sentence: Choose one concept word from the last sentence of your previous paragraph and use it again in a different way in this sentence. This sentence should introduce the least important reason that supports your thesis.
Black magic, or magic in general is perceived as evil by people who are not familiar with real magic.
2. Write a sentence using a quote from one of your sources. Embed the quote or introduce it. Do not dump it into your paragraph.
Own Davies, in the book, Magic: a very short introduction wrote “In the Greco roman period, black magic was referred to as Superrstitio” This magic was defined as consisting of alien rituals, usually harmful in intent, and linked to poisoning and Filthy Lucre. (Money obtained by ill means.)”
3. Write a sentence of commentary.
This introduces the concept of black magic as magic that has harmful intent.
4. Write a sentence of commentary. It seems that it is also linked with people,
who have low moral character, perhaps evil, but not necessarily demonic.
5. Write another sentence using a quote from one of your sources. Embed the quote or introduce it. Do not dump it into your paragraph.
Often Black magic is seen as magic done for evil or selfish reasons, black magic is “the malicious counterpart to benevolent white magic.”
6. Write a sentence of commentary.
So White magic is seen as Benevolent or holy, while black magic is seen as something, evil, or just selfish.
7. Write a sentence of commentary
.
So, one could assume that selfishness and evil were seen as synonymous
8. Write a concluding sentence.
Furthermore, black magic and white magic can be seen as two halves of the whole of magic, white magic being righteous or holy, and black magic being, selfish, malicious, of evil.
B. Second most important reason
1. Topic sentence: Choose one concept word from the last sentence of your previous paragraph and use it again in a different way in this sentence. This sentence should introduce the least important reason that supports your thesis.
Perhaps, white and black magic aren’t so much good and evil as in western religion, but opposites that Balance each other out, like the Yin and Yang of eastern religions.
2. Write a sentence using a quote from one of your sources. Embed the quote or introduce it. Do not dump it into your paragraph.
In his book, Modern magic, Donald Michael Kraig, refers to black magic as magic that “causes Physical or nonphysical harm to yourself as others, and is done either consciously or on consciously.”
3. Write a sentence of commentary.
So, here there is no reference to black magic as evil, but simply as magic that causes harm.
4. Write a sentence of commentary.
I tend to agree with Kraig’s definition more than the definition that include selfish magic as black magic. Who gets to decide wat is or isn’t selfish
5. Write another sentence using a quote from one of your sources. Embed the quote or introduce it. Do not dump it into your paragraph.
In the book Liber Null and Psychonaut, Peter Carroll Says that White magic “leans more toward the acquisition of wisdom and a general faith in the universe. The black form is more concerned with the acquisition of power and is reflective of faith in oneself”.
6. Write a sentence of commentary.
Although I agree with Carroll’s Definition of white magic, I believe that he is pretty presumptuous in Associating faith in oneself with black magic, as no magic is possible without faith in oneself.
7. Write a sentence of commentary.
In High magic There is no distinction between oneself and the universe, or with God, for that matter
8. Write a concluding sentence.
At this point I tend to agree with definitions of white magic but don’t agree with either, Donald Michael Kraig or Peter Carroll’s definitions of black magic.
C. Most important reason
1. Topic sentence: Choose one concept word from the last sentence of your previous paragraph and use it again in a different way in this sentence. This sentence should introduce the least important reason that supports your thesis.
White magic is often considered to be synonymous with high magic, or spiritual Theurgy, which is magic that affects inner spiritual transformation, while black magic is synonymous with low magic, which is magic that affects change in the exterior world, by mystical or spiritual means.
2. Write a sentence using a quote from one of your sources. Embed the quote or introduce it. Do not dump it into your paragraph.
Damien, Echols, in his Book: High Magic: spiritual practices that saved my life on Death Row, defines High Magic/ Theurgy as: the” process of aligning ourselves with the source of creation so we can become more like it, in other words more like God”
3. Write a sentence of commentary.
High magic, also known as Ceremonial Magic, consists of a series of rituals and energy manipulation techniques, designed to facilitate deep spiritual transformation.
4. Write a sentence of commentary.
Traditionally, ceremonial magic was taught mainly in lodges, or magical societies, that at were at one time the only resources for learning magic; In modern times with the advent of online book stores, it is no longer necessary to join a lodge, and numeral amounts of books on magic are available.
5. Write another sentence using a quote from one of your sources. Embed the quote or introduce it. Do not dump it into your paragraph.
In his book, Grimoire for the apprentice wizard, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart writes That ceremonial Magic is “based on both the Qabalah, and the Hermetica, along with Neo-Platonism, and Oriental doctrines; in its highest sense, ceremonial magic is a transcendental experience that takes the magician into Mystical realms and into communication with the higher self
.
6. Write a sentence of commentary.
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart is correct in his assessment. Hermetic Qabalah or Kabbalah, is the foundation of Ceremonial magic.
7. Write a sentence of commentary.
Hermetic Qabalah is a mixture of Jewish mysticism (Kabballah) and Hermetic Philosophy.
8. Write a concluding sentence.
If we see white magic and black magic instead as high magic and low magic, we get away from the good and evil dichotomy, which seems to soil the perception of magic.
IV. Opposing Arguments and Refutation
1. Topic sentence: Choose one concept word from the last sentence of your previous paragraph and use it again in a different way in this sentence. This sentence should introduce one of the reasons that does NOT support your thesis.
In Christianity Black magic, and often even white magic are seen as evil or against God.
2. Write a sentence using a quote from one of your sources that takes the point of view OPPOSITE to yours.
In the King James Bible in Chapter 18, verse 10, it states, “There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or daughter pass through fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter (sometimes translated as Sorcerer) or a witch”
3. In your sentence of commentary, explain why this point of view is not as valid as yours.
This point of view is Based on fear, and religious animosity, and not based on research, as my point of view.
4. Write another sentence of commentary explaining why this point of view is not valid.
It is an invalid argument because magic has nothing to do with the devil or evil; magic is simply a tool like a baseball bat, it can be used for its intended purpose, to hit a ball, or some one could beat someone with it, but we would not say that the bat was evil.
5. Write another sentence using a quote from one of your sources that takes the point of view OPPOSITE to yours.
In his Book, Without Red Strings or Holy Water: Maimonides Mishne Torah: Norman stickman writes that Maimonides wrote, “all these things (enchantment, divination and necromancy) are false and deceitful.
6. In your sentence of commentary, explain why this point of view is not as valid as yours.
This point of view comes from a holier than though attitude, in which the commentator believes that if he disagrees with something, than it’s against God, almost as if he speaks for God.
7. Write another sentence of commentary explaining why this point of view is not valid.
This point of view is invalid because it contradicts, the sources from which the commentator claims to acquire his authority.
8. Write a concluding sentence.
The Idea of magic as either good or evil, comes from religion, and a point of view based on blindly following religion is invalid.
You may repeat this paragraph pattern again if you have more opposing arguments to refute.
V. Conclusion
1. Summarize the argument you are trying to make.
I believe that white magic, is synonymous with, ceremonial, or
high magic, and that Black magic is associated with folk or low magic, neither which is indicative of holiness or evil.
2. Write 2-3 sentences explaining the implications of your thesis. In other words, what might happen to society if it takes the point of view opposite to yours?
I believe that if society as a whole was to take a point of view opposite to mine, as it pretty much has, for quite some time, it will continue to drive a wedge between the religious and Occult communities. If these communities could come together and support each other, we could learn to get along better as a nation, and a worldwide community. Also, we might be able to accept peoples’ differences and become more loving and accepting as a species.
3. Make a strong emotional or ethical appeal in your final sentences.
I am not as different as you a I may seem I simply, see things through a slightly different lens. I don’t see things as black and white any more. In the almost 2 years in which I have been practicing ceremonial magic, on a daily basis, I am no longer ruled by fear as I once was. Magic has not made me evil, in fact, it has made me a more caring person. The occult community is growing, and we are nothing to fear. We are people who have simply found a means of taking control of our lives, something we did not find in conventional religion. People have a misconception of what occult means, because the word cult.in it. Occult simply means hidden, and we are not staying hidden anymore.
B)
This is an example of topic selection, it is also an example of pre-writing.
This is my topic proposal
Christopher Thompson
Professor Kim Amyet
English 1301
January 27 2023
My proposed topic is magic, by this I do not mean stage magic. by magic, I mean the spiritual science of creating change in yourself, and or the world around you. This paper will mainly be concerned with the categorization of white and black magic. The discourse community associated with the topic is The Sorcerers Guild Facebook group, and the Magic/Occult community in general.
I am interested in this topic because I am a ceremonial magician. I study and practice magic. I am interested in knowing everything about my art. I often am not satisfied with some of the ways magic and the occult is classified, or some of the explanations of why we
do certain rituals.
What I already know about the topic, is that some form of magic is prevalent in many of the world’s religions. I know the anthropological definition of Black and white magic. I know what pop culture thinks these categories mean. I also know that the magic community doesn’t have a consensus on the topic. What I do not know about the topic is who is right or wrong, or whether there should even be a distinction between White and black magic. I don’ know whether such categories help or hurt the magic community.
My research question is: What is the definition of white magic and black magic, and do such categories help or hurt the magical community.
The intended goal or purpose of this essay is to open a discussion with in the magical community, into the definition of the already mentioned topic, and perhaps get a better understanding of what magic actually is. The intended audience for this paper is the magic/occult community, or anyone interested in magic and the occult.
It is important because the difference between white magic and black magic is one of the most debated topics in the occult community.
I would need to fill in the audience about the fact that the idea of white and black magic began during the renaissance period. The Categories were derived largely by the church (Christianity). Any form of magic that couldn’t serve Christianity was considered black magic, From an anthropological standpoint, black magic is magic that is intended to do harm. The magical/ occult community differs on the categorization. Some agree with the anthropological standpoint. Others vary. Some claim that all magic that is from a point of selfishness is black magic, and white magic is only magic that seeks to exalt the soul (high magic or theurgy). There is even further debate on what is considered selfish. One could say there is nothing spiritual about being broke and hungry.
Not only is the topic debatable, but as previously stated ; it is a topic of much debate among the occult community. and is perhaps the most debated topic in said community. It is hotly debated because there seems to be no consensus within the community on what constitutes as black or white magic.
I selected my topic by listing the possible topics I could write about, then eliminated the ones that would least likely result in an interesting essay.
.
Below is an example of a thesis from my essay:
Religious leaders conflated magic with devil worship. I believe that the dogmatic Christian leadership’s definition has bastardized the original meaning. The definition of white magic was entirely eliminated by the church. The church claimed that demons were the source of all magic. I will prove the historical fallacy of this view.
C)
Below, In an early draft, I went off on a tangent, giving more information than needed.
).” This introduces black magic as magic that has harmful intent. It seems that this Superstitio was associated with people of low moral character, perhaps evil, but not necessarily demonic. Often black magic is perceived as magic done with evil intentions, or for selfish reasons. Black magic has been viewed as the malicious antithesis of benevolent white magic. So white magic, in this light, represents holiness, while the black represents evil magic, or magic done for selfish reasons. One could assume that selfishness is equated with evil. Furthermore, black magic and white magic can be seen as two opposite halves of the whole of magic,
Below, in my final draft, I eliminated the unnecessary information, to focus more on the topic
It seems that this Superstitio was associated with people of low moral character, perhaps evil, but not necessarily demonic. Often black magic is perceived as magic done with evil intentions, or for selfish reasons.
2
A)
Differentiating between Broad, Narrow and Focused topics
I originally selected a broad topic which was the Occult/Magic community in general. I narrowed it down to The subject of black-and-white magic. I then focused on the topic of defining Black and white magic.
B)
Below are examples of compiling information
This is some brainstorming
More Brainstorming
Here I have written pertinent info from sources
writing more info about sources.
C)
Below is an excerpt from my outline that shows the structure of my essay
I Introduction
1. Capture the reader’s attention.
Magic and the Occult are becoming more prevalent in American society. Terms such as Ritual magic and witchcraft are no longer dirty words.
2. Explain the issue.
The definition of black and white magic has been the subject of debate for centuries.
3. Show why it is controversial.
This topic is controversial because, the term black Magic has been used to demonize the field of Occult sciences, for centuries by religious Leaders who conflate magic with devil worship.
4. State the thesis.:
I believe that the definition of black magic, from the stand point of dogmatic Christian leadership, is a bastardization of the actual definition. I believe that the Anthropological view of black magic is he correct view.
Below is an example of using that structure in my Essay:
Magic and the occult are becoming more prevalent in American society and worldwide. The terms witchcraft and magic are no longer dirty words. Magic is a spiritual/occult science, not to be confused with the sleight of hand and trickery of stage magic. On Facebook, there are many groups about magic and witchcraft. I belong to a Facebook group called “The Sorcerer’s Guild.” What sets this discourse community apart from others, is that it seldom descends into bickering and name-calling, like many Facebook groups. This is due to an administrator who is very active in the group and will step in if things get out of hand. Defining white and black magic is a topic of much debate within the group and in the magic community. This debate has spanned centuries. This topic has created much controversy. The term black magic has been used to demonize the occult sciences. Religious leaders conflated magic with devil worship. I believe that the dogmatic Christian leadership’s definition has bastardized the original meaning. The definition of white magic was entirely eliminated by the church. The church claimed that demons were the source of all magic. I will prove the historical fallacy of this view. I believe that the definition of white magic is magic that unites one with the higher self (high magic), with black magic being magic that affects the material plane (low magic).
3
A)
Examples of Rhetorical Occasion
Perhaps white and black magic is not so much good and evil as in western religions, but opposites that balance each other out, as the Yin and Yang of Eastern religions. In his book,
Although I agree with Carroll’s general characterization of white magic, I believe it is very presumptuous of him to associate faith in oneself with black magic. In high magic the distinction between oneself and the universe, or God, for that matter, is nonexistent, therefore the concept of faith in oneself as being a product of black magic is preposterous.
B)
Below is an example of Audience sensitivity
If these communities could come together and support each other we could learn to get along better as a nation and as a global community. I believe that if we release the terms white and black magic from the good/evil dichotomy, we will bring down the walls that divide the Occult community, and separate it from the larger religious community, and we can all work towards a world where all people work in harmony with each other. We will be able to eliminate hate and learn to love each other. We in the Magic/Occult community just want to be accepted for who we are, not hated due to outdated stereotypes
C)
Below are examples of definitive statements
Traditionally, ceremonial magic was taught mainly in lodges, or magical secret societies, that were at one time, the only resources for learning magic. In modern times with the advent of online bookstores and the availability of numerous magical texts, it is no longer necessary to join a lodge.
In his book, Grimoire for the apprentice wizard, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart writes that ceremonial magic is “based both the Qabalah and the Hermetica, along with Neo-Platonism and oriental doctrines. In the highest sense, ceremonial magic is a transcendental experience that takes the magician into mystical realms and into communication with the higher self.”
Hermeticism is a Philosophy purportedly attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a mythical figure who was said to have been the inspiration for the Greek god Hermes, and the Egyptian god Thoth
D)
Below is My Full Essay
Rhetorical strategies in bold
Christopher Thompson
Professor Amyett
English 1301-21070
Defining White and Black Magic
Magic and the occult are becoming more prevalent in American society and worldwide. The terms witchcraft and magic are no longer dirty words. Magic is a spiritual/occult science, not to be confused with the sleight of hand and trickery of stage magic. On Facebook, there are many groups about magic and witchcraft. I belong to a Facebook group called “The Sorcerer’s Guild.” What sets this discourse community apart from others, is that it seldom descends into bickering and name-calling, like many Facebook groups. This is due to an administrator who is very active in the group and will step in if things get out of hand. Defining white and black magic is a topic of much debate within the group and in the magic community. This debate has spanned centuries. This topic has created much controversy. The term black magic has been used to demonize the occult sciences. Religious leaders conflated magic with devil worship. I believe that the dogmatic Christian leadership’s definition has bastardized the original meaning. The definition of white magic was entirely eliminated by the church. The church claimed that demons were the source of all magic. I will prove the historical fallacy of this view. I believe that the definition of white magic is magic that unites one with the higher self (high magic), with black magic being magic that affects the material plane (low magic).
The categories of white magic and black magic; as we know them, developed in Europe in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, with the rise of Christianity as the dominant religion. As Christianity ascended in Europe, certain forms of magic became outlawed by the Church. Many forms of so-called, black magic were beginning to be classified as heresy, and seen as a pact with the devil or demons, when it originally was simply seen as magic with the intent of harming others, or magic done for selfish purposes. “In 1320 as Pope John xxii launched a doctrinal enterprise of some import: the assimilation of black magic into the crime of Heresy.” (From Black Magic to Heresy. Isabel Iri Barren, 2007, Church History vol.76, issue 1. The American Society of Church History). So, now black magic came to be seen as something evil. On the other hand, magic became seen as an intellectual endeavor by the educated upper class in Europe, due to readily available Islamic and Jewish magical texts in Spain. The magic of the upper class began to be called High magic, while the folk magic of the lowly peasant class was referred to as low magic. By the time of the Renaissance, Christianity, and magic were no longer mutually exclusive. White magic was that which was seen to serve Christianity, all other magic was seen as black magic. In the Elizabethan era, Queen Elizabeth employed a court magician, Dr. John Dee. Dee became known as the father of European ritual magic and would inspire the magic of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which formed in England in the late 1800s. The Golden Dawn referred to their magic as Ceremonial magic. The 20th century would see the rise of Aleister Crowley from obscurity to infamy and would see the creation of Wicca and Chaos magic. In conclusion, the history of defining black magic is not exactly black and white, and it is difficult to concisely definition of the two. Black magic, and magic in general, are seen by people unacquainted with real magic as something evil or merely a product of fiction. Owen Davies, in the book, Magic: A Very Short Introduction, wrote that In the Greco-Roman period black magic was “referred to as Superstitio,
this magic consisted of alien rituals, usually harmful in intent, and linked to poisoning and filthy lucre (money obtained by ill means). It seems that this Superstitio was associated with people of low moral character, perhaps evil, but not necessarily demonic. Often black magic is perceived as magic done with evil intentions, or for selfish reasons. In the article, The Magic Art of Witchcraft and Black Magic, Ms Happy Baglari writes “Black Magic has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural power or magic for evil and selfish purposes.” So white magic, in this light, represents holiness, while black magic represents evil magic or magic done for selfish reasons. One could assume that selfishness is equated with evil. Furthermore, black magic and white magic can be seen as two opposite halves of the whole of magic, white magic being concerned with things of the spirit, and black magic being concerned with maliciousness and evil Perhaps white and black magic is not so much good and evil as in western religions, but opposites that balance each other out, as the Yin and Yang of Eastern religions. In his book, Modern Magick:12 Lessons in the High Magickal Arts, Donald Michael Kraig refers to black magic as magic that “causes physical or non-physical harm to yourself or others, and is done either unconsciously or consciously.” So, here, there is no reference to black magic being evil, but simply magic that causes harm. I tend to agree with Kraig’s assertion, more, than any definition of black magic that includes magic done for selfish reasons. In his book, Liber Null and Psychonaut, Peter Carroll says that white magic “Leans more towards the acquisition of wisdom and a general faith in the universe The black form is more concerned with the acquisition of power and is reflective of faith in oneself. “Although I agree with Carroll’s general characterization of white magic, I believe it is very presumptuous of him to associate faith in oneself with black magic. In high magic the distinction between oneself and the universe, or God, for that matter, is nonexistent, therefore the concept of faith in oneself as being a product
of black magic is preposterous. At this point, I disagree with both Kraig and Carroll’s definitions of black magic. White magic has often been seen to be synonymous with high magic, or spiritual theurgy, which is magic that brings on an inner spiritual transformation., while black magic has been seen as synonymous with low magic, or magic that affects the physical plane. Damien Echols, in his book High Magick: Spiritual Practices that Saved My Life on Death Row, defines high magic/theurgy as the “process of aligning ourselves with the source of creation so we can become more like it, in other words, more like God.” High magic, also known as ceremonial magic, consists of a series of rituals and energy manipulation techniques, designed to facilitate a deep spiritual transformation. Traditionally, ceremonial magic was taught mainly in lodges, or magical secret societies, that were at one time, the only resources for learning magic. In modern times with the advent of online bookstores and the availability of numerous magical texts, it is no longer necessary to join a lodge. In his book, Grimoire for the apprentice wizard, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart writes that ceremonial magic is “based both the Qabalah and the Hermetica, along with Neo-Platonism and oriental doctrines. In the highest sense, ceremonial magic is a transcendental experience that takes the magician into mystical realms and into communication with the higher self.” Oberon Zell-Ravenheart is correct in his assessment that Hermetic Qabalah is a combination of Jewish mysticism (Kabballah) and Hermetic philosophy. Hermeticism is a Philosophy purportedly attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a mythical figure who was said to have been the inspiration for the Greek god Hermes, and the Egyptian god Thoth. Judith Bromberg, in her article: Modern Esoteric Spirituality: World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest, writes “Hermeticism” thus refers not only to the works attributed to Hermes Trismegistus but to the whole body of literature inspired by those works, as well as other aspects of Western esotericism, such as alchemy and astrology.” If we see black magic
and white magic alternatively as high magic and low magic, we get away from the good and evil dichotomy, which seems to soil the perception of magic.
From the modern Christian viewpoint, black magic and white magic are often seen as evil or against God. In the King James Bible, chapter 18 verse 10, it states, “There shalt not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or daughter pass through fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter (often translated as sorcerer) or a witch.” Basically, it is saying that righteous men do not practice magic, which insinuates that people who do such practices are wicked or evil. This point of view is based on fear and religious animosity, and not on research, as my point of view is. This argument is invalid because magic has nothing to do with the devil or evil and is simply a tool, and tools aren’t evil. In his book Without Red Strings or Holy Water: Maimonides’ Mishne Torah, Norman Strickman writes that Maimonides wrote “All these things (enchantment, divination, necromancy) are false and deceitful.” This point of view comes from a holier than though attitude, in which the commentator believes that if he disagrees with it, it is against God. This point of view is invalid because it contradicts the sources from which the commentator claims to acquire his authority. The idea of magic as either good or evil comes from religion, and a point of view that is based on blindly following religion, and its basis is not fact-driven, which invalidates this point of view. Therefore, neither of these points of view is valid, because they do not come from study or experimentation, and are based on a religious ideology. I believe that white magic is synonymous with ceremonial or high magic, and Black magic with folk magic or low magic, neither of which may be indicative of holiness or evil. I believe that, if society was to take a point of view opposite to mine, as it pretty much has for quite some time, it will continue to drive a wedge between the religious and occult communities. If these communities could come together and support each other we could learn
to get along better as a nation and as a global community. I believe that if we release the terms white and black magic from the good/evil dichotomy, we will bring down the walls that divide the Occult community, and separate it from the larger religious community, and we can all work towards a world where all people work in harmony with each other. We will be able to eliminate hate, and learn to love each other. We in the Magic/Occult community just want to be accepted for who we are, not hated due to outdated stereo types. I believe we can achieve this by exposing the truth of what white and black magic really is, and prove that the majority of our community has good intentions. We want to simply be able to exercise our freedom of religion, like everyone else in this country, without facing ridicule, or hatred. People have this misconception of what occult means because it has the word cult in it. Occult simply means hidden, and we will not hide anymore.
Shattered Minds Magazine 