Wicca = Witchcraft, by the Christian religion, since day one.

[DRMIZER]

In Genesis, it is written that God created Heaven and Earth. It also says he created man and beast and put them in the "Garden of Eden." It is also stated that a serpent forced Adam and Eve to eat the "forbidden fruit" from "The Tree of Knowledge." There was no such being known as Satan; in fact, I don't believe it is mentioned until the New testament. The only mention of an evil being, before it receives the name 'Satan,' is in Revelations, where Job speaks of The Leviathan. Also, there has been a lot of war and violence in the name of God, the so-called 'Almighty god of love.'

Witchcraft, in most traditions, speaks of a god, Woden, and a goddess, Gaia, giving birth to the world. There is no set "holy book," Witches live by eight words, not Ten Commandments; Those eight words are: An' harm ye none, do as thou wilt. There is no being of true "evil," and they don't blame anyone for their mistakes.

Witchcraft originates in the Paleolithic era; when primitive wo/man, was finding out what was happening in the world. Excluding the discovery of fire and the wheel, the first religion was "formed." Wo/men "created" what the gods looked like, Woden has horns and scraggly hair, and Gaia is fat, and her genitals are enlarged. The reasons for these traits were simple, Woden, who was "the god of the hunt," resembled a beastly humanoid, while Gaia, who was the "goddess of fertility," showed off the pregnant, fertile role; As wo/man became more civilized the deities changed, and more were "added." Woden is now known as "The Horned One," and Gaia received the title of "The Triple Goddess," personifying the maid, mother and crone. Being a religion based on tradition, the "old ways" were never forgotten, so the rituals were still observed; Then along comes Christianity, and the religions existed peacefully together, until the "Dark Ages." Shortly after the "New Testament" was written, witches started getting pushed around. After a few years of anti-wiccan writings (the most infamous of these being the Malleus Maleficarum {the Witch Hammer} written by two German monks) and "protests," the Christian hierarchy 'decided' that witches were the minions of "Satan," and so they must conform, or be destroyed; This is shown in the following quote by Raymond Buckland.

Gradually the hysteria kindled by Kramer and Sprenger began to spread. It spread like a fire-flashing up in unexpected places; spreading quickly across the whole of Europe. For nearly three hundred years the fires of the persecutions raged. Humankind had gone mad. The inhabitants of entire villages were one or two Witches were suspected of living, were put to death with the cry: "destroy them all...the Lord will know his own! (5)

These three hundred years became known as 'The Burning Times.' It was during these years that accusations were 'ripping' through the countryside's. It was also during this time when the Salem Witch Trials took place. When the cries of Witch stopped approximately nine million people were burned at the stake, hung or tortured to death, and a good number, probably weren't even Witches. Does this sound familiar? Hitler destroyed approximately six million people, that's about three million more. Once it was over, any surviving Witches went "into the shadows," and continued practicing. A book was written by the coven leaders of the time, and passed from coven to coven. This became known as "The Book of Shadows," it was intended to keep the religion 'alive' until it was 'safe' for the religion to resurface. After a few hundred years, sometime in the nineteen-seventies, there was a re-surgence in the Wiccan religion, started by Gerald Gardner and Raymond Buckland

-Lirio the Wiccan shop owner
Being a Witch isn't as simple as it seems in the movies. You must try to get along with everyone, and not get angry; Because anger causes bad decision making, which could get someone seriously injured. We choose to always live by the Rede, An' harm ye none, do as thou wilt. We must also worry about the Three fold law, "Mind the three fold law you should, Three times bad and three times good."(Wiccan Rede) We really don't have to worry about anything in the Wiccan Rede if we don't want to, because it is just a guideline, but all Witches do. In the inner circles of the Craft, the Wiccan Rede isn't just a guideline on how you should live it is more like a code of honor. The entire Wiccan Rede is as follows:
Bide the Wiccan Laws we must,
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust
Live and let live,
Fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about,
To keep the evil sprits out.
To bind the spell every time,
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak little, listen much.
Deosil go by waxing moon,
Chanting out the Witches' Rune
Widdershins go by waning moon,
Chanting out the baneful rune.
When the lady's moon is new,
Kiss the hand to her, times two.
When the moon rides at her peak,
Then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the West,
Departed souls will have no rest.
When the wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.
Nine woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree,
Burn it not or cursed you'll be.
When the wheel begins to turn,
Let the beltane fires burn.
When the wheel turns to Yule,
Light the log and the Horned One rules.
Heed ye flower, bush and tree,
By the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone and truth you'll know.
When you have a true need,
Hearken not to other's greed.
With a fool no season spend,
Lest ye be counted as a friend.
Merry meet and merry part,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold law you should,
Three times bad and three times good.

[Captain America]

Well, to me, religion is religion. But I would rather party with a Wiccan than a Baptist.

Visit MY church (www.landoverbaptist.com)

[DRMIZER]

I'm there!

[Sandy]

In studying many books on comparitive religions it becomes very clear that all where formed in tribes where more warriors they could grow the more wins they would have over other tribes.

This called for complete control over the whole tribe. The tribal leaders were forced into finding something mystical to use over their heads so they wouldn't break away from their tribes. Their food was grown by the combination of sun and water and because both came from the sky, they had their God half formed.

The question is, was this god a man or woman God? It all depended on the fertility of the women in their tribe. Making girl babies was a bad omen and many of them were left to die. Making boy babies was what the tribe depended on for their work load and defense. If women were not producing enough boy babies, a Goddess of Fertility was developed and in another tribe, the God had to have been a male to direct the boy babies into being faithful warriors.

This was of course regional and in England it became a nightmare due to the other surrounding tribes invading their lands for the products grown there. There is a wonderful book called "Sarum" that describes England from early man up to the civilized nation. The author is named Rutherford and is highly documented for facts. Another great book is "The Source" written by Michener. Most of his research was done following many of the old testament stories. It follows the tribes in the Middle East and up to the forming of Israel in 1948.

Many good books on the history of King Arthur describe many of the pagan tribes such as the Druids and even the early Christians. The women had their own religious groups and worshipped the old female gods such as Isis (borrowed from the Egyptians).

None of these tribes, who worshipped many or one God, had any concept of peace and they were simply taking away from other tribes by force. Even the early Christians became head hunters and wanted the gold taken from the invaders of other rich nations. These many Gods were developed to keep the citizens of these tribes living in fear of death and fire.

We can see this in the attitudes of many Evangelicals who still preach fire and damnation. More people are taken in by these groups and today we can see the result of these terrible tribal massacres. We are in a holy war with the Islamic zealots and this time America has a Christian zealot and we could end up killing each other.

To me neither movement is worth a dime to our civilization. What is missing from both of these movements? Rational thinking!!! To base a religion on myth, not facts, is the only possibility offered and as we have no proof of any God, anywhere, it would benefit all of us if we could get this myth out of our government and start raising our childen under rational social laws.

[DRMIZER]

Sandy,
It is impossible for me to agree with you more!

[Animal]

Originally posted by DRMIZER
In Genesis, it is written that God created Heaven and Earth. It also says he created man and beast and put them in the "Garden of Eden." It is also stated that a serpent forced Adam and Eve to eat the "forbidden fruit" from "The Tree of Knowledge." There was no such being known as Satan; in fact, I don't believe it is mentioned until the New testament. The only mention of an evil being, before it receives the name 'Satan,' is in Revelations, where Job speaks of The Leviathan.

This is so pathetic, it's comical. The author of this garbage has obviously never read a Bible. I could go down the long list of errors, but why waste my time? I'll just suggest you pick up a Bible and look it up for yourself. I must say, I think it's hilarious that the author mentions Job being in the book of 'Revelations' - It's 'the Revelation' by the way, John only had one - Job lived some 2000 years before John. Let me give you some advice. Before you cut & Paste something like this that makes you look like a total idiot, do some research. Bibles are everywhere. Heck, you can pick one up at Wal*Mart for around 8 bucks.

[Sandy]

Animal. What we are discussing here is whether the bible belongs in non-fiction or fiction. The Dr. and I agree that it goes on the fiction shelf.

[DRMIZER]

Originally posted by Animal
This is so pathetic, it's comical. The author of this garbage has obviously never read a Bible. I could go down the long list of errors, but why waste my time? I'll just suggest you pick up a Bible and look it up for yourself. I must say, I think it's hilarious that the author mentions Job being in the book of 'Revelations' - It's 'the Revelation' by the way, John only had one - Job lived some 2000 years before John. Let me give you some advice. Before you cut & Paste something like this that makes you look like a total idiot, do some research. Bibles are everywhere. Heck, you can pick one up at Wal*Mart for around 8 bucks.

Pathetic? I'm sorry as a "believer" that you could only provide someone who writes garbage with insults. Apologetics is NOT a strong suit for you. And, apparently you missed the title of the thread and only read the first paragraph. If you read more, you didn't comment. With the varicity of your comments on what you read, if you read the rest, you must have agreed with it.

I'm not sure you or I know EXACTLY who wrote or when various books of the bible were written. I'm fairly certain the first 4 book of the NT were written some 70+ years after the death of Christ. I'm not sure John, who "wrote" the book of John is the author of Revelations. Matter of fact, I'm quite sure he wasn't due to the times and events noted within the text and the style with which it was written. If it was the same John, he lived a very long time and he must have been insane when he wrote Revelations. Not even the scholars know precisely. We learn more as artifacts are uncovered. You have "beliefs" and so do I. Beliefs do not make you "smarter" then anyone else although by the way you write, you apparently believe you are. . . . .to the point of stating that I look like a "total idiot".

A suggestion for you. . .Perhaps you should re-read the bible you can get at WalMart for $8.00 and read the sermon on the mount. Then maybe you will become as wise as you believe yourself to be. ;) Although I am apparently NOT a biblical scholar as you, I do believe the purpose of Christ's death was that of forgiveness which you somehow overlooked in all your understanding. I thought that was the core of the book!

[Animal]

Originally posted by Sandy
Animal. What we are discussing here is whether the bible belongs in non-fiction or fiction. The Dr. and I agree that it goes on the fiction shelf.

That's fine with me. Put it right next to every other 'holy book' and religious document from any and every other religion. You might as well put the world history books there too, since the bible is historically accurate in it's dipiction of cities and rulers of the time. And don't forget to put all those books about 'Evolution' in the fiction section too, since none of it has been proven. And let's not forget that pesky US constitution, since it's based on biblical standards. While your at it, throw the rest of those books about law and justice up there too, since they're based on the constitution, which is of course, is based on biblical standards. I'm sure there's more, but I think you get the point.

[Animal]

Originally posted by DRMIZER
Pathetic? I'm sorry as a "believer" that you could only provide someone who writes garbage with insults.

Jesus called the religious leaders of His time 'a brood of vipers', 'hypocrits', 'whitewashed tombs'. I'm sure they were insulted.


... Although I am apparently NOT a biblical scholar as you, I do believe the purpose of Christ's death was that of forgiveness which you somehow overlooked in all your understanding. I thought that was the core of the book!

Where is there unforgiveness? I have nothing to forgive the author for. Everyone has a right to their opinion. I gave mine, you gave yours. Neither needs to be forgiven.

[Sandy]

Animal, are you even out of highschool yet? You sound like a very young child.

I absolutely believe in evolution and the studies of DNA are proving that we and the apes descended from even earlier forms of apes.

When my kids were attending Christian schools they were told that only the bible spoke the truth and evolution was nothing but science fiction. They left that school at the end of the semester.

The writers of the bible took historical events and built a great myth around them including the new God. The day I believe any part of Genesis is the day I go to the funny farm.

[Animal]

Originally posted by Sandy
Animal, are you even out of highschool yet? You sound like a very young child.

Your observations are lacking. I would have thought someone your age (if your profile is correct) would have passed this childish kind of behavior years ago.

I absolutely believe in evolution and the studies of DNA are proving that we and the apes descended from even earlier forms of apes.

When my kids were attending Christian schools they were told that only the bible spoke the truth and evolution was nothing but science fiction. They left that school at the end of the semester.

The writers of the bible took historical events and built a great myth around them including the new God. The day I believe any part of Genesis is the day I go to the funny farm.

There's a great lack of evidence in evolution. It seems everytime a major evolutionaty discovery is made, it is debunked within a year. No evidence exists to support evolution. The bible has stood the test of time, and will continue to do so. No one has been able to positively debunk the bible as historically and arcaeologically accurate.
You have every right to believe what you like. I have studied both sides, and have seen the inconsistencies that are at the core of evolution. I will not attempt to persuade you or anybody else to believe as I do, I would just advise people to investigate everything from all angles.

Welcome to the funnyfarm;)

[up2date]

First off, I think this debate can be continued without the extra personal insults. :rolleyes:

I have studied evolutionary theory for its applications in computer programming. I have to tell you, I am in awe of its power. I have created programs that evolve to solve various problems, and I am constantly amazed at its ability to simply find a way. The programs I have created and read about are minuscule compared to the evolution of life on this planet. There is significant scientific evidence to support evolution, and, to my knowledge, even most die hard Christians accept it.

[Sandy]

up2. all I did was question his age. Is that an insult? My age has been a factor in many posts and I'm not offended.

[xexon]

Sandy, The nicest thing about being my age is you no longer care what other people say or think.

Let it all hang out. You got nothing to lose.

You're free !



x

[The Man]

Originally posted by Animal
Jesus called the religious leaders of His time 'a brood of vipers', 'hypocrits', 'whitewashed tombs'. I'm sure they were insulted.




Where is there unforgiveness? I have nothing to forgive the author for. Everyone has a right to their opinion. I gave mine, you gave yours. Neither needs to be forgiven.

Animal, I disagree. DrMizer was not insulting to you and besides, I don't see where you added to the discussion. You were simply brutal in your responses. Is that what your religion teaches you?

[The Man]

Originally posted by Animal
Jesus called the religious leaders of His time 'a brood of vipers', 'hypocrits', 'whitewashed tombs'. I'm sure they were insulted.




Where is there unforgiveness? I have nothing to forgive the author for. Everyone has a right to their opinion. I gave mine, you gave yours. Neither needs to be forgiven.

Animal, I don't see you as a word magician. I don't see how your answers here apply. I think the Dr. was referring to your attitude moreso than anything.

It sure sticks out when you are a biblical literalist. The world and the information in it, including discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, sure has changed things along the way.

Incidentally, Dr. mentioned a term apologetics. Are you familiar with the term? Then you should be able to strengthen your argument with logic rather than insults.

[america]

Originally posted by Captain America
Well, to me, religion is religion. But I would rather party with a Wiccan than a Baptist.

Visit MY church (www.landoverbaptist.com)

sometimes I look gai like but that is only on the outside. :lol:

[america]

Originally posted by The Man
Animal, I don't see you as a word magician. I don't see how your answers here apply. I think the Dr. was referring to your attitude moreso than anything.

It sure sticks out when you are a biblical literalist. The world and the information in it, including discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, sure has changed things along the way.

Incidentally, Dr. mentioned a term apologetics. Are you familiar with the term? Then you should be able to strengthen your argument with logic rather than insults.


Here is the deal lucilles

Although up2date creeeped me out with his posting, I shall not change and waiver from one conspiracy to the next, I shall be true to my conspiracy until proven otherwise. I ran down the hall of postings though after reading his post:eek:

However, the idea at the tree. We are being shown that the devil, Satan, evil man, whatever name you want to call him, is able to transform his image, is tricky and is tempting, he did not FORCE adam to eat an apple. To do this he would have had to pick the apple up and force it down Adams throat. He tempted EVE who then led Adam down the wrong path.
This can be seen over and over in the bible, people leading each other down the wrong path by NOT following your own instructions that YOU read and understand YOURSELF from the bible. The bible is simple but mysterious, some people can read it forever and not get it, and then read it again and it hits you.
I am for each his own, just don't force 'your' religion on me, and all this diversity and unity is a dilution of religion.
Here is the deal. if they can make the bible fiction and label the people reading it as idiots, then they can make it a hate crime to do so. They will go through the slow lingering death courts before it gets there but that is precisely what they are up to.
again the door cracked is the door kicked open. It is odd to me that Jesus predicted this very thing happening.
I feel blessed that God gave me this gift of sight and truly do not know why me.
I think it is rude to worship what he creates, the earth and sun, yet reject him. Sort of like someone coming over to your house for a great dinner but really hates you, and leaves fast without helping with dishes, or a guy who uses a girl because she is better than nothing for the moment.
Except way worse.

[Animal]

Originally posted by The Man
Animal, I don't see you as a word magician. I don't see how your answers here apply. I think the Dr. was referring to your attitude moreso than anything.

If my attitude was offensive, I apologize. I personally don't see how one can be offended by words on a computer screen. Do any of you respect my position? No. So why be offended?

It sure sticks out when you are a biblical literalist. The world and the information in it, including discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, sure has changed things along the way.

I can see by this remark that you have not studied the DSS, otherwise you would have known that they changed nothing. On the contrary, they re-enforced the credibility of the books it contained.

Incidentally, Dr. mentioned a term apologetics. Are you familiar with the term? Then you should be able to strengthen your argument with logic rather than insults.

Hmm... Couldn't your sarcasm be construde as insulting? Maybe to some, but don't sweat it, it doesn't insult me at all. I don't think getting into a debate on this is going to change anything. If your comfortable in your beliefs, then that's ok with me. Good day, all.

[up2date]

Originally posted by america
Although up2date creeeped me out with his posting, Just curious, how did I do that?

[america]

Originally posted by up2date
Just curious, how did I do that?

all of a sudden it seemed "we" were all just human computers, an eerie feeling.

[up2date]

Originally posted by america
all of a sudden it seemed "we" were all just human computers, an eerie feeling. Sorry, that wasn't what I was getting at. I was just pointing out that computers can replicate the concept of evolution. I can take the principals of evolution and apply them to programming to create better algorithms, that's all.

[america]

Originally posted by up2date
Sorry, that wasn't what I was getting at. I was just pointing out that computers can replicate the concept of evolution. I can take the principals of evolution and apply them to programming to create better algorithms, that's all.

no problem, it was the way I read your post and a sudden surge of a feeling that we were a creation of a mad scientist.

Probably because I know nothing of evolution or computers. You must be a patient person, computers are frustrating to me.

[Animal]

Originally posted by america
...computers are frustrating to me.

AMEN!!;)

[DRMIZER]

Originally posted by Animal
If my attitude was offensive, I apologize. I personally don't see how one can be offended by words on a computer screen.
Interesting point. Back 'at cha! I thought you were offended by the words I placed on the computer screen.

And by the way, FYI, the DSS did confirm a lot of what was previous known about scriptures but they also added to the knowledge base which was unknown before. Those were the aspects refered too.

Some see the glass half full; others, half-empty.

[Simon666]

Originally posted by Animal
It seems everytime a major evolutionaty discovery is made, it is debunked within a year. No evidence exists to support evolution. The bible has stood the test of time, and will continue to do so. No one has been able to positively debunk the bible as historically and arcaeologically accurate.

Welcome to the funnyfarm;)
That's funny indeed. Funny how so much lies and ignorance can be placed in a single post.

[DRMIZER]

Animal stated:
"It seems everytime a major evolutionaty discovery is made, it is debunked within a year. No evidence exists to support evolution. The bible has stood the test of time, and will continue to do so. No one has been able to positively debunk the bible as historically and arcaeologically accurate."

What test of time are you referring to? Are you stating that men who believed the world was flat have the wraps on religious beliefs? Interesting.

[Animal]

Originally posted by DRMIZER


What test of time are you referring to? Are you stating that men who believed the world was flat have the wraps on religious beliefs? Interesting.

Who are you referring to as believeing the earth was flat? The Bible clearly states on more than one occasion that the earth is round, which is amazing in itself. How did Moses know the Earth was round? If you can find a Bible verse stating that the earth is flat, I'd like to see it.

[Animal]

Originally posted by Simon666
That's funny indeed. Funny how so much lies and ignorance can be placed in a single post.

You're funny too, son.:rolleyes:

[Simon666]

Originally posted by Animal
Who are you referring to as believeing the earth was flat? The Bible clearly states on more than one occasion that the earth is round, which is amazing in itself. How did Moses know the Earth was round? If you can find a Bible verse stating that the earth is flat, I'd like to see it.
Please give such occasions. :rolleyes:

[america]

Originally posted by Simon666
Please give such occasions. :rolleyes:

if i don't know how many tree's are in the forest does that mean i dont know there are tree's?

[Simon666]

Worst excuse ever.

[DRMIZER]

Originally posted by Animal
Who are you referring to as believeing the earth was flat? The Bible clearly states on more than one occasion that the earth is round, which is amazing in itself. How did Moses know the Earth was round? If you can find a Bible verse stating that the earth is flat, I'd like to see it. Gee, guess someone in Columbus' time should have read the good book.

[Sandy]

Animal. I remember reading in the old testament that the sun went around the earth. Is this true?

[Simon666]

I wonder how they explain how you can get 6 billion people starting from one man and one woman, and then also include the fact that the Bible only mentions Adam and Eve had two sons, one of which killed the other. Incest anyone?

[DRMIZER]

Originally posted by Simon666
I wonder how they explain how you can get 6 billion people starting from one man and one woman, and then also include the fact that the Bible only mentions Adam and Eve had two sons, one of which killed the other. Incest anyone? ANSWER
1) 6 million: Lots and lots of that "dirty" sex and,
2) Incest: that's why we have so many idiots on the earth today!

[Sandy]

Great answer Dr. I loved it!

[america]

Originally posted by DRMIZER
ANSWER
1) 6 million: Lots and lots of that "dirty" sex and,
2) Incest: that's why we have so many idiots on the earth today!

some people like to act like all christians are prude and hate sex just because they disagree with women opening their legs up for the camera and having other women ..........
or having cheap group sex,
some religions are so into the flesh, and if they can get a quick buck for it then even better,
buck actually God said "be fruitful and multiply" so he wasn't saying don't have sex, he did not like the people of the holy land engaging in filthy activity with the bodies he made them, sort of like when you ask your children to pick up their toys and take care of them.
and there are groups of people in the world that have a tiny gene pool but does not apply to christians. :lol:

[america]

Originally posted by Simon666
Worst excuse ever.


you KNOW it was a great one!

[america]

Originally posted by Simon666
I wonder how they explain how you can get 6 billion people starting from one man and one woman, and then also include the fact that the Bible only mentions Adam and Eve had two sons, one of which killed the other. Incest anyone? sometimes it sounds as if there were other people and other lands, plus don't forget you are mixing in the devils seeds.

[Simon666]

Originally posted by america
you KNOW it was a great one!
Unlike a forest, the Bible is fully documented and already researched over and over by millions of people. You don't have to count all the trees by yourself, enough people have done that for you in case of the Bible.

[Simon666]

Originally posted by america
sometimes it sounds as if there were other people and other lands, plus don't forget you are mixing in the devils seeds.
Hmmmm.... As the Old Testament clearly states that the chosen people of God are Jews and God created man after his own image (so God is a man in the Bible), does this mean asian, black and white people are devils seeds? Or they are mutations, deviations from the original, pure Jewish race? Sounds racist to me, plus, maybe you like to think of yourself as a devil's seed, but I don't. :D

[america]

Originally posted by Simon666
Unlike a forest, the Bible is fully documented and already researched over and over by millions of people. You don't have to count all the trees by yourself, enough people have done that for you in case of the Bible.

forest rangers? there are people who sit there all day and research a tree are you kidding?
and the bible people are speaking bullishiva, (i invented that word, remember my schizo? it allows me)
Jesus stated to learn the bible because if you don't know the words he says how will you know when what others are saying are wrong? He was an amazing man, I see why the Pharisee's delivered him to be killed.
They could NOT STAND it that this poor man from Nazareth out smarted them with so few words, AND they knew HE WAS GOD so they took him to the ROMANS to have them kill him, they killed before so they and them can cut the crapola that it was the Romans who killed him because they could not.
They don't word it like that, they say, 'He was killed by Roman Custom", gotta watch them they are word terrorists. :lol:

[Simon666]

Well, animal claimed that the Bible clearly stated that the earth was round on many occasions. That means he or other persons must have found many such occasions. Your excuse was pretty poor as it provided none. If he says it "clearly stated" it means he has come across such a tree already more than once or else that he is lying.

[america]

Originally posted by Simon666
Well, animal claimed that the Bible clearly stated that the earth was round on many occasions. That means he or other persons must have found many such occasions. Your excuse was pretty poor as it provided none. If he says it "clearly stated" it means he has come across such a tree already more than once or else that he is lying.

oh