I heard that some pagan societies don't allow for male members or leaders.?

Question

Is this true, and if so, what's the rationale?

Thanks in advance for answering~!~

Answer 1

Which ones ??? Where ??? Perhaps your source was not credible???

Answer 2

There are all-female Pagan groups, yes. Dianic Wicca is one religion that has all-female covens, but certainly not the only (though I knew one coven that a gay male as well) They are generally rather small, however. These can be likened to all-female Priest-hoods of old, like the Vestal virgins. There are also all-male groups. Usually though these groups integrate just fine with the larger Pagan community for holidays and such. They aren't opposite-sex-hating. The rationale? Well, there are women's mysteries and there are men's mysteries. Many of our integrated groups will have women's or men's mystery weekends, sweat lodges, hunting trips, whatever. Some groups choose to focus on this more than others. Also, alot of people use Pagan religion as an excuse to act like sluts. Eliminating the opposite sex from your worship eliminates these distractions so members can focus on the Goddess and/or God without worrying about being hit on or groped. Unfortunately, we've all had these bad experiences.

I don't know of any integrated (male/female) groups that refuse males leadership roles. Most insist on a balance, that the leadership be shared by both a male and a female. My own group is like this. In many integrated groups the choice of the male leader may fall on the female leader which gives her a bit more power. Keep in mind, in Pagan society, women are sacred because they are able to bring life into the world just like the Gods. Also, our cycles mirror the cycles of Nature and every month remind us the we will all die and be reborn.

Answer 3

You may be talking about Dianic Wiccans. I'm not one hundred percent sure on this, but they believe in the Goddess and not the God. I never understood it, but hey, to each their own. Most Pagans believe in the Goddess and the God and the importance of duality. Also, many Pagan women are feminists and they may just be taking it to the extreme. They probably feel that there are already enough male religious leaders in the world and there should be more female ones. Again, I'm not entirely sure about this, but that's what I've perceived as such. Blessed be.

Answer 4

Not to allow male leaders is one thing but; NO MALE MEMBERS?? What kind of sick disgusting society would have guys sacrifice their unit? You might as well have a club that didn't allow them to join in the first place.

Answer 5

The only one that comes to mind is the Dianic tradition of Wicca, which is almost exclusively made up of female practitioners.

Answer 6

There are such things as matriarchal cultures, that have a woman as top dog! Hey lqqk at the trouble male dominated ones have I don't think women can do any worse!

http://www.total-knowledge.com/~willyblues/

Answer 7

you'll find that mainly with dianic wiccans. when you have the Goddess (or Lady) as the supreme source of everything then women will obviously need to take the leading roles.

Answer 8

And some christian religions won't allow females to lead prayer or speak in church.

What's your point? Any religion can have any kind of crazy belief and some people will still believe in it.

Answer 9

many pagan societies are led by women. women are seen as the dominant in group and worshiped for their fertility