Answered by Randy Alcorn
(All names and identifying information have been changed to protect the individual)
"Witchcraft, or Wicca—an Old English word meaning female and male witches—is a form of neo-Paganism. It is officially recognized as a religion by the U.S. government. Witchcraft is also referred to as The Craft, The Craft of the Wise, or The Old Religion.
"As Craig Hawkins points out in Goddess Worship, Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism, Wicca prides itself in being a diverse movement. Though neo-pagans share certain common beliefs and practices, Wicca knows no central authority, and practitioners do not all have the same views, beliefs and practices. The movement's primary ethical principle, referred to as the 'Pagan Ethic' or 'Wiccan Rede,' is 'If it harm none, do what you want.'"*
Other helpful articles on the Web:
The Modern World of Witchcraft by Craig Hawkins
Neopaganism, Feminism, and the New Polytheism by Norman L. Geisler http://www.equip.org/site/c.muI1LaMNJrE/b.2751457/k.BD04/DO025.htm
*"Neo-Paganism: The new paganism—a nature-oriented religious movement whose followers either are nature worshippers or have a very high regard for nature. It includes the reinventing or revival of the old gods and goddesses of pre-Christian polytheistic mythologies, mystery cults, and nature religions, such as Celtic, Greek, Egyptian, Roman, or Sumerian, or the interest in existing tribal religions (e.g. Native American religions), and shamanism, or the making of new religions."
—Craig Hawkins, Goddess Worship, Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism [Zondervan, 1998]
