Yes athiests can use magic, but they may have different ideas about what magic is. One idea is that magic is changing things, either natural or caused by humans.
Some Athiests are materialists, but these words do not mean the same thing. Materialists are people who believe the universe is only what science and our immediate sences have shown to exist and they dismiss ideas about metaphysics. If by spells, you mean sympathetic magic(as above so below) and affecting the world with will power alone, these fall under metaphysics.
It is a unfortunate that many people new to magic assume religion is a requirement. New age authors who erroneously say "witchcraft is an earth based religion" and similar things are in part to blame for this confusion, which misleads people new to magic into thinking following a path is compulsory.
Re: Atheist Spell Casters? By: Brysing Moderator / Adept
Post # 8 Sep 21, 2015
Not only do modern "New Age" authors mistake witchcraft for a religion! They often write of witchcraft as "magic spells".
A spell is not magic, of itself. It is a ritual attempt to make magic happen! I was taught witchcraft by a witch who had never cast a spell in her life! I have been a witch for well over seventy years; and I have never cast a spell!
To be fair, this site has a lot of religious people and we tend to focus on "paths" and spiritual experience more than magical practice. It's all about the environment; go to another place where the environment is different and you'll encounter different attitudes and leanings.
That being said, there are plenty of secular practitioners. You just have to know what to look for and you'll find what you need.
Re: Atheist Spell Casters? By: Brysing Moderator / Adept
Post # 12 Sep 21, 2015
Sorry about the spelling,AlfaDottir! Yes, of course there are many members from different religions; but the site is primarily for Magic, and The Occult. Some join just to make friends; there are other sites for that!
Brysing, I'm sorry I know we've talked about this before but you really are coming across as a complete bully again! Alfadottir was making a statement that there are many religious witches on the site which is not incorrect, and even went on to defend SoM saying there are many secular practitioners also, and you immediately attacked him with an unrelated argument!
He NEVER said that this site is religious, he was not talking to you or arguing a point you made but making a statement for the benifit of the OP, and there is absolutely NO NEED for this attitude you have!
Re: Atheist Spell Casters? By: Brysing Moderator / Adept
Post # 15 Sep 22, 2015
I certainly do not mean to be unpleasant or hostile.If I give that impression then I apologize.
But sometimes it irritates when members post about religion,Christianity, Islam,Bhuddism, on a site devoted to Pagan beliefs and magic. I have read many Profiles that say "I'm only here to make friends.". All I am saying is that there other sites for "making friends".
Many people's craft overlaps with Christian and Satanist views, and even if it irritates you, it is not your place as a moderator to question them, in fact it is your job to be discouraging any kind of disrespect. You yourself are always advocating witchcraft as a practise, not a religion, but other people have religions, and their craft is a part of that. You have to be tolerant to all viewpoints.