Talk:Witchcraft/Draft RFC

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This is a three-part RFC on reworking the article on Witchcraft, beginning with the opening sentences.

Please reply to each of the questions about the introduction to the article in the Survey with a brief statement. Please do not reply to other editors in a Survey section. That is what the Discussion section is for.

Which of the following opening sentences, A, B, C, D, or E, should be used to introduce the article on Witchcraft?

• A: Witchcraft is the exercise of supernatural power.
• B: Witchcraft is the exercise of certain types of supernatural powers.
• C: Witchcraft is a type of magical practice.
• D: Witchcraft, as most commonly understood in both historical and present-day communities, is the use of alleged supernatural powers of magic, generally stereotyped as doing harm or evil.
• E: Witchcraft has a wide range of meanings based on historical, anthropological, religious, folkloric, and mythological contexts.

The article for witch has been merged with witchcraft. Which of the following opening sentences, X, Y, or Z, should follow the above sentence to introduce this aspect:

• X: Someone who uses witchcraft, or believes they are doing so, is a witch.
• Y: Someone who uses witchcraft, or is believed to do so, may be termed a witch.
• Z: A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft.

Which of the following additional statements should be included in the opening paragraphs:

• 0: (No additional qualifiers or definitions in lede)
• 1: Traditionally, "witchcraft" means the use of magic or supernatural powers to inflict harm or misfortune on others, and this remains the most common and widespread meaning.
• 2: Traditionally, "witchcraft" means the use of magic or supernatural powers to inflict harm or misfortune on others, and this remains the most common and widespread meaning, albeit with notable exceptions.
• 3: For much of the Christian era, this was associated with doing harm to others and the worship of Satan.
• 4: In some contexts, it may be viewed as beneficial, benign, or appropriate.