Black magick is typically seen as something purely arcane, having no basis in the more standard and popular religions throughout the world. It’s seen as taboo, and common belief is that modern religions, like Christianity, would have nothing to do with something so macabre.
This is completely untrue. Not only does modern religion embrace black magick as existing, but the embodiment of the craft, hereto referred to as the Church, was once incorporated into its inner workings. What you see in the movies may not always be true, but the bizarre reality is that black magick does have roots in Christianity, however scarce they may be.
Demonology, the systematic study of Demons or beliefs about Demons, is closely associated with the theology and doctrine of the Church. The governing body of an organized religion is in control of the information that the religion proposes, namely what its congregation should and should not believe it. Just as agnostics do actually, unwittingly, acknowledge the presence of a higher power, so too does the Church admit that black magick exists through its abolishment of it.
Satanism, a common practice amongst practitioners, heavily incorporates the All as One theory. This theory simply states that all forms of magick are considered to be evil. However, this opinion is also representative of those within the confines of Christianity and the Church. Thus, by developing a means of denial through this theory, the Church has found a way to associate itself with users of black magick. While it’s obvious that the Church is not stating that it agree with the viewpoint of users, it does indicate that members of the Church have taken the time to study black magick.
Some may find that simple truth disturbing, yet the logic is sound. How could the Church deny something it didn’t fully understand? As an institution that leads millions of people in a way of life, it would undoubtedly be held responsible for understanding and engaging in a practice that it would publicly invalidate. Does this mean that members of the Church are practitioners of black magick? It does not directly indicate that assumption, but it strongly implies it.
Another correlation between the Church and users of black magick is an obvious, but heavily overlooked, aspect that is true of both sides of the argument. Spells cast are commonly associated with “magic words,” or a spoken incantation that enables power to be pushed into the spell. The recitation of these words lends a vocal encouragement to the spell. Often, the words spoken are a message sent directly to a higher power to encourage that deity or spirit to do as the user asks. This is a very common practice amongst practitioners, and oddly enough, members of the Church as well.
What is prayer but a spoken message to God? While the strict definition states that prayer to God lends you heart and mind within the contents of your message to a higher power, it does not actually exclude the casting of a spoken spell. The difference is intent, or rather, the belief of your intent. Someone praying to God doesn’t really intend to cast a spell, even though from an external viewpoint that is the exact same thing that is happening.
Prayer can be traced back to the very beginnings of the Church, and while it is not regarded as spell casting, it shares the same principles. Members of the Church, without realizing it, are by definition “casting a spell” every time they invoke God to do a work for them. This concept, while logically sound, is also quite disturbing.