The Deal With Wicca?

Question

OK, so I'm sick and tired of this religion. The reason I'm saying this is because I'm very much involved in the occult, and as such get thrown in with this lot of self-righteous wannabe witches. I'm tired of hearing that Wicca is 'an old, pre-Christian religion.' It isn't. It was founded no earlier than 1954, so it is not 'the Old Religion.' The pentagram has nothing to do with Wicca. It's been around thousands of years before people made this up. So all you cutesy little Goth teens, please stop it. You're making pagan tradition look trendy.

Haha Sunset, you crack me up! Forsake religion and follow God!

Bluefirewitch, I do know what I'm talking about. I have studied many beliefs, including Wicca. If you read the excerpt in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, you would know most historians dismiss Gardner's claims as inaccurate fantasy. A closer look at his life reveals he wanted to create a nudist cult where he could revel in his sexual deviancy. You, my friend, are gullible.

Sorry if I'm coming off as offensive or rude, but the misinformation taken as gospel truth is getting to me.

Answer 1

I understand your frustration. What makes matters worse, Wiccan elders are stepping into the shadows to get away from the fluffies. It is a shame to see all of that maturity and experience vanish from the public pagan community. Publishers are turning out BS books trying to cash in on the trend. There are people who are genuinely seeking but it is getting to the point that there are few if any visable elders to help them. How are they supposed to know that Wicca isn't whatever you pretend it to be? Sure, there are those who are closed-minded to anything past the feel-good fluff, but I think they are in the minority. I think the majority truly want to learn. Or at least the did in the beginning or will want to after they start looking for something with depth.

I try to point people in the right direction when asked, but I wish there were more Wiccan elders to do that (I'm not a Wiccan). I try to give solid information about the history of Wicca and good references. I don't know what else to do.

Other neo-pagan religions are dealing with the same issues, only on a lesser scale. Druidry has had their fair share of wannabes. I have met "Arch Druids" who do not honor Celtic deities and one studied Celtic history so little that he thought that Moses was a druid. Again, the words "Celtic" and "Druid" sells books so there is a ton of BS out there by unethical publishers and authors trying to cash in on the "trend".

Please, ask another question. Ask for ideas on how to solve the issue. What can we do about it? How can we help?

Answer 2

I'm a Wiccan but I agree with you. I believe that Wicca as well as Paganism and Neo-Paganism in general has become a new age fad for many. I think a lot of it has to do with historically inaccurate information that's been floating around for decades even though it has been disproved. I also believe that the basic principals and beliefs of Wicca have been "watered down" so to speak. While I believe that Wicca does draw from some "Pre-Christian" religions, much of Wicca was adapted from freemasonry and the philosophies of Aleister Crowley.

I suppose that some people enjoy the romantic story of a religion surviving against all odds and simply do not wish to see the facts. I hope you'll be happy to know though that there are many people who take the time to study the religions history and move past the Wicca 101 books that seem to litter the shelves in the New Age section at Barnes & Noble.

I hope I didn't come off too angry as I probably could have ranted about this for several pages.

Answer 3

I agree Wicca is a remembered religion that started in the 50's. Unfortunately there are some people out there that feel that it is the right and true way for them and they also believe they are practicing a religion that is very old. But because they are still disillusioned and ignorant of the facts that does not make it wrong. Many Christians are ignorant of the truth and facts about their religion but yet they still cling blindly to their bible and it being the truth.

I say leave them be and let them believe what they will. Many love and practice the religion even thought they know the truth.

I no longer practice Wicca. But I have found my true calling in Vodou. I hope that you out there that are unaware of the truth about your religion will do some research and stop claiming things that are untrue. You have every right to practice as you wish but knowing the truth is the most important!

Ignorance is bliss but knowledge is far better!!!!!

Answer 4

You are right Wicca is a very recent religion started by Gerald Gardner, based on the practices of Alester Crowley, but many of our practices originated from pre-christian faiths. We use the same sacred places as the Norse, Celtics, native Americans, and Egyptians, etc... We use some of the same poems, songs, stories and festivals as the basis for our religion.

The pentagram is associated with Wicca, but by no means did we create it. It is the symbol of choice most Wiccans. The pentagram is an old protection symbol.

Many of those who are new to Wicca see all the links to the past and assume it is very ancient. And parts of it are. but the religion itself is only a half century young.

For those who are serious about our religion they are willing to learn our history. Instead of bashing the ignorant, let them know the truth, then if they are unwilling to learn, let them go on their own path, and they will eventually find themselves.

The Pagan tradition is becoming popular with not just teens, there are many adults finding their way to Wicca also. More and more people are becoming aware that there are alternatives to the Christian way of worship, and want to be reconnected with the nature around us.

Answer 5

Wicca is that everyone and everything is all connected. Meaning you are a part of the trees and they are a part of you (an easy example for people to understand). It's just a spiritual belief. Many kids now a days think that being goth means your Wicca. Not true. It's a religion just as much as any other religion. Wicca is NOT being a witch it's being spiritual and believing in a higher power (meaning GOD). Goth kids should give their heads a shake and learn what something is before calling them self it or trying to do it to be cool.

Answer 6

Read this. Even Gardner says that the roots are old. If someone is just pretending to understand and be interested in Wicca, then just screw them. You know what you believe and that you are real about it. Have faith in that. Having grown up a Christian, I have often felt similarly. So many people distort the core of Christianity making it something people hate. It's annoying as hell; but I can't change those people anymore than you can change goth teens. It may be frustrating, but it's quite easy to recognize people that are only into Wicca because they think it's cool and rebellious; and believe me... they look stupid and completely unrepresentative of true Wiccans. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca#History_of_Wicca

Answer 7

Wicca, made popular by Gerald Gardner, is loosely based on pre-christian religions so they are only a little misguided. The ones who see it as trendy or a fad will move on and those who truly live a pagan life will continue to do so. Just relax a little.

Answer 8

I have to agree... sort of. I detest all of the teenies coming to me telling me that since they get naked as often as possible and make out with other silly teenie girls they are Wiccan. It's absurd.

I myself am not Wiccan, but I have respect for people that truly are. To each thier own and all that rot. Wicca has an interesting history, short though it may be, and a very nice "message" to it. And yes, all of the 15 year old fake bisexual wannabes make it very hard on honest Pagans. But hey, one day they will grow up and realize how stupid they have been. And then they will either research actual Wiccan beliefs and practices, or move on to some other form of entertainment.

Every religion or set of beliefs has a group that makes it look foolish. Fundies make Christians look like rabid, blinded-by-ignorance morons. Suicide bombers make Islam look like a purely violent religion. But anyone that takes the time to research a religion before forming an opinion should be able to see past all the stupidity.

One bad apple... you know the rest.

Answer 9

I was into Wicca too when I was young, but when I realized it was a ripoff of Crowley I moved on to other things. Eventually I realized Christians weren't the epitome of everything evil, I returned to Christianity. When you look at the lives of famous occultists, it's not a fate anyone would want. http://usminc.org/famous.html

You are right that Wicca isn't old at all. It isn't even based on "older Pagan traditions" other than what people take from books. It's sort of like a Frankenstien religion made up of bits and pieces of other occult systems like Thelema, the Golden Dawn, Freemasonry, the Greater Key of Solomon,etc.

To answer your question, the "deal with Wicca" is people had a bad expirence with "xtians" and want to be "witches" to shock people.

Answer 10

I understand what you mean, Wicca isn't the old religion, it is merely a religion that has brought together aspects of other older faiths. I myself do follow aspects of Wicca, but I consider myself eclectic, and am personally not a fan of Gardner.

BB