The persecution of people, mainly women, isn’t something that just happened centuries ago in Europe or in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 and 1693. It’s still happening today In Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Tanzania, Gambia, India, Uganda, New Guinea, and probably elsewhere.
This is one of my hot-button issues and it makes me see red especially when Christians are doing it, often outside the law, and today it came to mind because it’s part of the plot of the novel The Witches of New York (Ami McKay) that I just finished re-reading.
Over the years, the organized Christian church has characterized witches as Satan worshippers. The flaw behind this slander is that Satan is a Christian belief, not a concern of witches who (generally) don’t believe in him. In modern times in the U.S., hate groups still think witches believe in Satan. But then, if they wanted to, they could since we have freedom of religion, not freedom to practice what Christianity says is okay.
I generally like witches because they practice folk magic, know how to use plants for healing, and–like conjure women–often have strong Christian beliefs as well. They also use various methods for looking into the future and protecting themselves from negative people.
I’m not a witch (traditional) of a Wiccan (man-made alternative to true witchcraft) or a conjure doctor. I know enough about them to know neither set of beliefs is “mere superstition.” But, I suppose if one had a choice, it’s better to be disliked for practicing superstitions than purportedly worshipping the Christian devil.
I am very intuitive, use tarot cards, and believe in reincarnation (something witches don’t accept). So, I am used to being “on the outside” in terms of my spiritual beliefs and suspect strongly that is one reason I get upset when others are persecuted for beliefs that are different than the mainstream faith in the countries where they live.
Plus, as a young man, I was strongly impacted by Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and while it’s not a true factual account of Salem, it was horrifying to me then. Still is.
In Salem and elsewhere, most–if not all–of the people persecuted as witches weren’t witches and wouldn’t have a clue how to become a witch if they were tempted. They are suspected, imprisoned, and killed due to what always appears to be mass hysteria and hatred of people who are (or might be) somehow different and, therefore, probably communicate with Satan. I don’t know why this mythical entity is so greatly feared by some denominations. I grew up in a mainstream Christian church, where we seldom mentioned him.
We knew enough to know that “he” wasn’t the god of the witches. In fact, our preacher spoke out strongly against modern-day witchhunts by hate groups. He said we should leave the witches alone and all these years later, I still agree with him as much as I fear the kinds of people “The Crucible” was about.
Malcolm's Round Table 
I was initiated into witchcraft in 1972 by Alex Saunders, so I am specifically, an Alexandrian witch. I have never been sure what the difference is between a witch and a wiccan, unless you are only allowing FamTrad (Family Tradition) witches to call themselves witches.
That said, I and all the witches I know, and I know lots, believe in reincarnation.
I enjoyed the post.
Yes, witches mostly want to be left alone.
Thanks for clarifying the reincarnation belief. I saw conflicting statements about it. After I wrote the post, I worried about offending those in Wicca (which I don’t like). I appreciate your reading this post to make sure I didn’t get too many things wrong. My old friends were solitary witches/family tradition and didn’t care to follow a system that a many pieced together,
Very interesting post. I too had to study The Crucible (at ‘A’ level, just before we left school for the big wide world, or further ed). It had a profound effect on me too. Looking back, it might have been The Trigger that made me a feminist. (Obviously that was a cumulative process.)
Not to nit pick, but perhaps deserves a mention: Afghanistan has now become a frightening place for women and girls. Not least because the door to education and careers was opened, and has now been slammed shut again. You mention Saudi Arabia. Women have recently been permitted to drive there. But as (as I understand it) under Sharia Law a woman isn’t supposed to leave her home, but – if she must – should always be accompanied by a male relative one wonders how much of a move MbS’s apparently generous towards liberality actually is.
I’m not surprised about Afghanistan. Sharia law imposed a lot of unfair penalties on women already. Elsewhere in the Muslim world, conditions for women are intolerable.