Depending on who you speak with, some will say that it is not possible to be a Christian Witch. Then there are those who call themselves a Christian and a Witch in the same breath, without any hesitation, labeling themselves 'Christo-Pagan'. Just based on this fact alone, I would have to say that being a Christian Witch is possible if there are those that are who are calling themselves such. But how plausible is this, really? Let's take a look at some of the 'in's and out's' of such a label.

Let's first take a look at some of the differences between Paganism/Witchcraft and Christianity:

• Christians are monotheistic, believing in one Supreme Being known as God. While Pagans, on the other hand, are polytheistic, believing in both the God and Goddess.

• Chrisitan's believe in the the ultimate adversary of God, known as the Devil or Satan. (capitalized out of respect for the Christian beliefs.) Pagans believe that both good and evil exist, but that they are two faces of the same coin. We all have the capability of both, but it is up to us individually as to which path we choose. Pagans do not believe in the Devil, nor do they believe they should lay blame elsewhere for their own wrong doings.

• Pagans believe the whole world, all within and without, is our temple used to honor and show our appreciation to the God and Goddess at any given time. Christians tend to use structures known as Churches to which they generally attend only on Sundays to worship God.

• Christians believe that Witchcraft and sorcery of any kind is evil. A Witch recognizes the ever present life energy that surrounds us at all times, and learns how to use that energy to better their lives and those around them. Hence, they use Witchcraft.

• Many Christian faiths believe that Women (beginning with Eve in particular) are the embodiment of "ulitmate sin". Pagans revere Women as equally as Men, believing that both carry necessary attributes to the continuing circle of life. The word "sin" is not used in Pagan beliefs, instead believing in karmic fate, or the The Law of Three-fold return.

• Most Christian faiths do not allow Women to join the priesthood, allowing them only to become Nuns, a position held lower than the Priest. Pagans allow both a Priest and a Priestess, each playing an equally vital role in the ritual process.

• In many cases, Pagans believe in reincarnation, and that when we leave this life, we await in Summerland to be reborn into the next. Christianity does not believe in reincarnation, but instead believes that if they live good Chrisitan lives, they will go to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God for all of eternity.

• If Christians live less than Christian lives, they believe they will go to Hell where they will live in eternal damnation for their wrong doings known as "sins". Pagans do not believe in Hell, but rather believe that we will continue to be reborn into another life until such a time that all karmic debts have been paid, all possible lessons are learned, and total enlightenment is reached.

• Christianity receives their teachings and lessons from the Holy Bible. Witches do not have a Bible, but instead create a Book of Shadows, preferring to learn their lessons from Nature, then journaling their findings within their Great Book.

• Witches, particularly Wicca, believes that truth can be found in all religions. Much of Chrisitanity believes that their religion is the only religion.

I'm sure that there are more differences, but I can not think of anymore at the moment, so we'll move on to the similarities between Witchcraft and Christianity.

• Both believe in Divine Spirituality

• Both hold rituals.

• Both use similar tools for ritual (i.e. the ritual cup, incense, candles, the alter, etc.)

• Both use prayer, chants and music in their practices

• Both share some similar holidays (i.e. Ostara/Easter, Yule/Christmas) As a matter of fact, Christianity adopted many Pagan beliefs and practices.

• Both believe in a form of existence after death.

• Both have icons representing their faiths (Pentacle/Cross)

• Both hold a triad belief (Maiden, Mother, Crone/Father, Son, and Holy Ghost)

• Both Wicca and Christianity are legally recognized religions in the U.S.

• Wiccans have the Wiccan Rede, Christians have the Ten Commandments

Again, I'm sure there are additional similarities, and given time, they will become apparent to you. For now you have an equal amount of differences to similarities. Still the question remains...judging from these difference and similarities, is it possible to be a Christian Witch?

Let me just say that my initial reaction to this question was of complete astonishment. I could not fathom how this could be possible. Having grown up a Catholic, I had become angry and disillusioned about the Catholic Church when I began learning about Witchcraft, and particulary about the Burning Times. Knowing that Chrisitianity was a driving force in the deaths of over 9 million people, I thought to myself 'why would anyone want to associate the two together?' As I calmed down, and continued with my studies, I eventually realized that it was a personal decision, as is all religion, and who was I to judge anothers beliefs. It was also about this time that one of my mentors, White, said to me "Just because you are now following a Pagan path, doesn't mean that you have to set aside everything you've ever learned." And how right she was.