What would be your reaction if you heard that one of the adult volunteers in your church’s Sunday School was Wiccan?
2006-08-12 04:08:41 · 17 answers · asked by Pablito 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wicca is a religion, and although its adherents often identify as witches, Wicca and witchcraft are not necessarily the same thing.
Wiccans may worship a Goddess and a God, or just a Goddess; they observe the festivals of the eight Sabbats of the year and the full-moon Esbats; and they have a code of ethics that most live by. Wicca is thus generally considered to be distinct from witchcraft, which does not of itself imply any specific religious, ethical or ritual elements, and is practiced in various forms by people of many religions, as well as by some atheists.
Wicca does, however, incorporate a specific form of witchcraft, with particular ritual forms, involving the casting of spells, herbalism, divination and other forms of magic. Wiccan ethics require that magical activities are limited to good purposes only.
2006-08-12 04:15:56 · update #1
Interesting answers:
Why the question?
Well my wife is a Christian and we have two children, ages 2 and 5. I’m Neo-Pagan (pretty close to Wiccan but not completely). I attend church with my wife to support her and show my children that I can respect and encourage people a different faith.
We were having breakfast with another couple from the church and I get. “You are so good with kids. You should volunteer to help out with Sunday school. My son (6th grade) just thinks you are the coolest guy.
My admitting that I wasn’t a Christian was met with a little surprise but they came back with. “That’s okay it would be great for you to just hang out with the kids. You won’t have to teach and they really like you.”
I definitely have ambivalent feelings. I have seen, first hand, the kind of blood lettings that can go on in a church over this kind of thing.
So yea, thanks for your input.
2006-08-12 04:46:05 · update #2
Thanks to all for taking the time to answer. Many of your answers confirmed what was troubling me. The display of fear, hatred and prejudice raises a genuine concern that my wife or children would probably be penalized if my beliefs were to become known.
Thanks again for your time.
I found it interesting that many of you assumed that I, the Pagan, would be teaching as oppose to helping set up the room or cleaning up after crafts or serving milk and cookies.
2006-08-12 08:57:11 · update #3
I would talk to them and ask them more about the subject so I could better understand it. Maybe find out they have better answers than that church. I'm not stupid enough to think my view is the only right view, or my church has got it 100 percent right, or that anyone does. So I'm always open to more learning if it is not brought to me hatefully or rudely.
2006-08-12 04:18:45 · answer #1 · answered by arvecar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that I would probably have mixed feelings. For some reason, I have a hard time believing that a Wiccan would WANT to teach Sunday School at a Christian church, but that's just me. If they were, as long as they were teaching the children what they were supposed to, I guess I wouldn't be too upset.
Also, there is a huge difference between "hearing" that someone is Wiccan, and KNOWING that they are Wiccan. "Hearing" it could mean that it is just a rumour. I'm just sayin'.
2006-08-12 04:20:00 · answer #2 · answered by sarahcurlygirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surprised would be my initial reaction.
Then I would remember that just because people go to church on a regular basis doesn't mean they are really Christians.
I read some statistics that about 60% of the people that attend church on a regular basis are really Christians.
2006-08-12 04:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by Red-dog-luke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see anything wrong with you chaperoning your church's social events. I would just keep out of the religious conversations. I do think its important that if you do decide to help out that you first speak to the elders of the church.
They may tell you never to come back, but honesty is the best policy.
2006-08-12 05:20:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This type of thing really angers me. Why would a Wiccan be a Christian Sunday school teacher? Its like having a Jew being one of Hitler's henchmen. or a go-cart driver driving his cart in a nascar race. like seriously......... I love each and every person the same but you can't be everything! that is the whole idea of Christianity... Jesus loved everyone but he didn't tolerate everyone.
2006-08-12 04:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by jdub 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a christian, and some of my best friends are wiccian. If this person was going by church teachings, then leave it alone. It would be lke "what if they were jewish" Would you feel the same way. I feel as though if you judge someone then you will be judged.
2006-08-12 04:16:07 · answer #6 · answered by wheatwackerswife 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go the pastor so that he could check it out and if it was true ai am sure that they wouldno longer be allowed to teach the children. They would be welcome in the church tolearn the truth but no to teach the children. It would be done in a discreet manner and politely not mean and vengeful.
2006-08-12 04:15:14 · answer #7 · answered by wolfy1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only dedicated, practicing Christians should be teaching Christian Sunday school.
2006-08-12 04:52:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't make any judgements. If it matters that much, consult some of the others in your church or a priest, and get an inside opinion.
2006-08-12 04:15:22 · answer #9 · answered by goodgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wiccans are a joke. What would they be doing in Sunday School anyway?
2006-08-12 04:20:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋