In the 20th century, a new attempt has been made at understanding witchcraft. Many people say that witches were in fact wise women who were hunted down by the church (mostly for their knowledge of herbs to treat certain diseases). This has led to a new movement. Some of it is known as wicca. Some of it is known as shamanism. Some feminists[source?] have also spoken about it. Some of the rites have also been used as a form of protest