Question about Wicca… and witchcraft in general?

I’ve been reading about wicca for a little while now and, even though I’ve become very intrested in what I have read, there are a lot of people telling me that its devil worship. Nothing I’ve read so far so much as points to that. The few books I’ve gotten my hands on keep saying that wicca isn’t anything like that. As a matter of fact one thing I keep seeing over and over again is this: If it harm none, do what you will. They also say that using spells should be the last resort.
What I want to know is it dangerous to be doing spells without any proper training or some one to guide you? I’ve done a few spells that have worked and one or two that have backfired and caused a lot of bad things to happen. I also need to know why is it every time I ask someone in at church why it’s wrong to practice wicca, or even to just do healing, the only thing I’m told is either because its the work of the devil or because it’s against the bible and Jesus’ teaching (or something like that).

ah. see, there’s the problem with Wicca: anyone who ain’t got a clue can come into it and cause havoc. now, Wicca, i think, is sort of like Christianity with a twist. there’s no Devil in any branch of witchcraft, as devil is a thing made up by Christians.
Christians don’t have any solid views on witchcraft because the church tainted it centuries ago and banned anybody from Reading/finding out about it, so they just hide behind the “it’s the devil’s work!” theory.
you don’t have to use spells as “a last resort” though some wiccans believe so, but you DO have to know what you’re doing. when i first got into witchcraft, i jumped in with both feet and caused a bit of havoc. i like to think I’m wiser now.
to do spells, you need to understand the principle etc behind it. you need to know how the moon’s phases affect spells, you need to know about crystals, gemstones, plants and herbs and their properties and uses in spell work; you need to find out about the general history of witchcraft, what went wrong, about tarot cards, skrying, Runes and other divination thingies and how they work; the different types of witchcraft; dreams, how to interprt them and how and why they happens, you need to meditate everyday to become clear in your mind and get in touch with your power, and you need to have weekly circles. once you’ve done that, you can go on from there.
remember: witches are crafty people, we work with what we have. once you know all that, you’ll find that your spells will be much more succesful and you’ll be able to work them better, be more focused; and be able to create your own that actually WORK. it sounds long and dull, but is actually really ineresting, finding out stuff and learning more.

Christian Wicca, My Two Cents