巫术和法道(witchcraft and sorcery)

为了反社会的邪恶目的而以人力运用据说是超自然的力量。法道有时区别於巫术，法道只要有一定技巧者都能实行，使用符咒、咒语、药物等物，巫术则据说源出於天生的神秘力量，其手段是无形的，行法道的人称为术士。在技术发达的现代文化形态中，仍有人相信巫术，在许多无文字的社会中，对它的信仰依然是具有强大潜在力的因素。在古希腊，荷马的着作就提到巫术（参阅Circe）。古典时期最着名的女巫是传说中的美狄亚。罗马诗人贺拉斯在《讽刺诗集》中描述两个女巫。《圣经》中包含一些关於巫术的资料，最显着的例子就是国王扫罗前去求教隐多珥女巫（〈撒母耳记上〉第二十八章）。早期的基督教作家普遍认为巫术都是一种幻想和骗术。中世纪巫术令人着魔，走向异端，就成为异端裁判所的处理权力之内的事。16～17世纪搜捕巫者时，欧洲法庭往往把巫婆与术士视为同类而处以火刑。即使牺牲者的人数有种种不同的估计，在搜捕巫者期间，近四万～六万人被处死，另有许多人被严刑拷打和监禁。

English version：

witchcraft and sorcery

Use of alleged supernatural powers, usually to control people or events. Sorcery is sometimes distinguished from witchcraft in that it may be practiced by anyone with the appropriate knowledge, using charms, spells, or potions; whereas witchcraft is considered to result from inherent mystical power and to be practiced by invisible means. Modern witches, however, claim that their craft is learned, and therefore another distinction between witchcraft and sorcery is that sorcery is always used with evil intent. Both witchcraft and sorcery occur widely but are especially prevalent in close-knit communities experiencing decline or misfortune and embroiled in petty social conflict and scapegoating. In ancient Greece witchcraft was mentioned as early as Homer (see Circe). The best-known sorceress in classical times was the legendary Medea. The Roman Horace describes two witches in his Satires. The Bible contains several references to witches, notably the Witch of Endor consulted by Saul (I Sam. 28). The early Church Fathers held that witchcraft was a delusion and denounced its practice. In the Middle Ages, witchcraft was believed to involve demonic possession. It was also associated with heresy and so came within the scope of the Inquisition. In the witch-hunts of the 16th-17th century, European courts frequently regarded witches and sorcerers alike as candidates for burning. Although estimates of the number killed vary widely, it is likely that between 40,000 and 60,000 people were executed and many more were tortured and imprisoned during the witch-hunts. See also magic, Salem witch trials.