Originally, this word referred to a magical practitioner capable of counteracting evil magic.
Doctor is a respectful title given to magical practitioners in the African-American community and in white cultures who have been inspired by their practices.
- Doctor is not just a respectable title, but it also denotes a healer, since curses and hexes are thought to appear as physical diseases in many cultures, which are difficult to treat with traditional medicine.
- The target's body is really injected with harmful chemicals (either by magical or actual physical methods).
- The witch-doctor must eliminate these toxic elements in order to heal the patient.
Although the name "witch-doctor" has become a derogatory word for shamans and traditional healers, some contemporary magical practitioners (such as author Draja Mickaharic) accept it.
You may also want to read more about Paganism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on Religion here.