What is the world without a little magic?

Before you get up on your soapbox about your religion and all the other issues that jump to mind.... how about opening up your mind to the rest of the world? 
Let us look at various subjects and issues, for that is what TechnoBards do.

Magic. Do I reference parlor tricks, slight of hand, illusion, or the religions which believe in it?
In those religions even so based, what of the miracles and other instances described so vividly in various manuscripts?

What of those aspects which were once considered magic, but are nothing more than chemistry or herbology to medical science?  Sort of like when magnetic therapy, oil therapy, and herb therapy were considered "witch craft" or part of the craft. 

I will touch on all aspects I can relating to those magiks which are considered good or neutral to the lives of humanity. Any mentioned which are dark are in relation to how they may be overcome.

So open your mind and welcome to another parlor.... a parlor of knowledge which leads to a mansion of power. For what is power, other than the knowledge -- and knowing how and when to use it.

How do I view religions? Who or what do I ask for my personal magic or miracles?
I ask the energy of the universe itself for anything I would ask for and simply try to sway its energies to produce the outcome I desire. If someone asks from God, they are praying for a miracle. Why would they pray for the miracle if God already has a grand scheme and plan to the universe? Then they would be asking a divine being to change their mind on something they had already set in motion. Then again if someone tries to draw on evil power it is called spell-casting, but oddly enough ALL spell-casting is branded as evil and then it is taken one step further called magic. So suddenly everything that is magic is evil. Odd the way people just keep adding to lists of things they can't understand as bad or evil. In that same thought, I personally can not believe there is no way that we
can not influence the outcome of our futures. If I were to look at it in that light, what real purpose would there be to life? If it is all pre-programmed then I would either be saved or condemned at conception and nothing I did was my choice, so no matter what I do it was just following a script.

Anyway, we could get into a wonderful discussion of Theology and belief systems but each person walks their own road. Always remember it is your road. Never try and force someone onto your road and don't be pushed onto someone else's road. This is a leap of faith, just watch before you leap.

God speed on your journeys!