I need an opinion on Wicca?

Question

I just have issues with Wiccans. They come across as more holier than thou, and the Wiccan Rede itself spits in the face of nature and magic itself. The other forms of magic out there have nothing like the Rede, and the very idea that there is a rules system to magic does not make any real sense. I believe that magic, like God/Gods/It, cannot be so clearly defined. As humans I think we try too hard to place perameters on things, when the things we place parameters on are infinite! Please tell me how you can define God and magic when it is infinite. And the entire moral scope of it is flawed as well! EVERYONE with the exception of the Wiccans do not place boundries on magic, not even the Druids! Now, I will take into consideration that evil is evil, but Israel Regardie says that "magic itself is the manipulation of the will." Even Kabbahlist believe this! So where do the Wiccans get off putting parameters on magic? Considering other forms have been around so much longer, what gives?

Answer 1

The question is; given as the vast majority of people who claim to be Wicca are not actually Wicca, have you actually ever talked to someone who is Wicca?

The matter of morals and ethics in religion is that of how the follower behaves not on the moral or ethical merits of the act in which they are partaking, within Wicca the rede is a guideline at best, it is most commonly used to teach new initiates and Seekers to consider the consequences of their actions, not to restrict their actions or counter their own personal morality. To my knowledge within Wicca there is no 'good' or 'bad' but instead the ideas of morality and ethics are left to the practitioner in question to determine for themselves, doctrine simply teaches to avoid going around killing or cursing people.

The rede is not the often misquoted 'harm none' as this would indeed spit in the face of nature for the very simple fact that harm is a necessity of life, that which Wicca hold dear (not getting into the philosophical ideas on 'harm'). The rede boils down to saying that you cannot do as you please because you may harm others, the guidelines within Wicca centre around cause and effect – something I believe you will find is a boundary of physics and actuality, not of Wicca.

"[Witches] are inclined to the morality of the legendary Good King Pausol, "Do what you like so long as you harm no one". But they believe a certain law to be important, "You must not use magic for anything which will cause harm to anyone, and if, to prevent a greater wrong being done, you must discommode someone, you must do it only in a way which will abate the harm."
Gerald Gardner, The Meaning of Witchcraft, p 127 in the 1982 and 1999 printings

I would also point out here that the rede was not borne of thin air;

THE REDE IS ROOTED IN THELEMIC LAW!


The Thelemic Origins of Wicca
http://kheph777.tripod.com/art_wicca-thelema.html

The Wiccan Rede: A Historical Journey
http://www.waningmoon.com/ethics/rede.shtml

The Wiccan Rede Project
http://www.wiccanrede.dreamhost.com

Answer 2

Since I am Wiccan I have a constructive opinion related to the faith. However, Wicca isn't approximately spells. Wicca is approximately honoring the gods. It turns out like you're asking approximately witchcraft as an alternative than Wicca. There are many Wiccans who train witchcraft however that's no longer the consciousness of the faith. Many Wiccans don't train witchcraft. Wicca is a faith, witchcraft is a train. Witchcraft may also be practiced through considered one of any faith or no faith in any respect. Wicca and witchcraft aren't synonymous. Edit - when it comes to what Geezah stated - It is right that there are a few very deficient examples of Wiccans available in the market. Anyone who is going on approximately Wicca being an old faith, thinks Wicca and Witchcraft are the identical factor, or begins in approximately The Burning Times isn't a dependable supply of understanding. Anyone significantly excited about Wicca must learn Ronald Hutton's Triumph of the Moon that's an overly well supply for understanding approximately the historical past of Wicca. Unfortunately it is vitally real that many Wiccans and different Pagans throw Satanism beneath the bus after we shield ourselves in opposition to claims that we worship Satan. I've noticeable much less of that during contemporary occasions even though and I believe extra persons are fitting conscious.

Answer 3

It's not the Magic, but what a person does WITH the Magic that defines them. Anyone can BECOME anything they choose. Only a few are actually BORN into it by their BLOODLINE. It seems that the joiners use their knowledge of Magic as power in their earthly lives, because they have no true connection to the actual power. A Druid is nothing like a Wiccan. A Wizard is nothing like an Alchemist. You asked "What gives?" The answer would be. "Whatever one can take!" (How much can you handle before you move on to another level in life?). Some people "push" for more & regret doing so! Others are naturals at accepting ALL that comes their way.

Answer 4

I'm not a wiccan anymore so I can't speak for the group. However, I know the system and am friends with a number of people who are still involved in wicca. I think you are making a sweeping generalization here.

A lot of the attitude of "only do white magic" (and blah blah) that is attributed to wicca is sort of a reaction against people thinking "all witches are bad". You're right, some wiccans make too much of a point of being "good" and they need to tone it down a bit. There are know-it-all jerks in every group, ya know? That's just life.

Just so you'll know, the official Church of Satan now forbids its members to practice magic or conduct ritual geared towards magic because it's trying to change its image with the main of society. I mean: What's this world coming to? :)

You don't sound as though you are a practicing wiccan, so my advice is that you should get involved in something else that you consider to be more worthwhile and leave the wiccans alone.

Answer 5

I am not a Wiccan - but I think you're viewing it incorrectly. Wiccans aren't putting the parameters on magic - they're putting parameters on their own actions.

The Rede is a guideline - properly interpretted, with the full corrolaries, it simply states, "If no one's harmed, do as you will, if someone would get harmed, do as you must." It actually puts a lot of responsibility on the Wiccan to fully evaluate a situation and put some thought into the correct ethical response. (Mind you, not everyone meets that very well, mind you, but hey, it's a thought.)

As for the threefold law - that's just a metaphysical paraphrasing of physics, reminding folks that there's reactions to their magical acts. Again, not placing a law on the nature of magic, but a reminder to the Wiccan to act wisely, and think before they leap.

Answer 6

Wicca has been influenced by all the monotheistic religions, just because it came to be so long after them. Every new religion is influenced by those that come before it.

Specifically, Wicca has absorbed the idea of the Golden Rule, probably because it was part of the culture of its first practitioners. I mean, there are certain moral rules that people don't even think about anymore because they're so ingrained. It happens.

I don't think individual Wiccans are trying to upstage all the other neopagan movements and original pagan religions by appearing "holier-than-thou" and reinventing the limits/non-limits of magic.

They're working within their cultural morality. They believed in the Rede before they became Wiccan. Even Christians learn they're supposed to behave nicely before they learn specifically to believe that God is in Heaven and He does these certain things ... most religions are like that.

I don't think they really believe that there are limits on magic anyway, you can do whatever you want. People who believe in the Rede think that it's your imperative to think about what you do and understand that there might be consequences. Some things are wrong and some things are not. You are supposed to consider whether your actions will hurt someone, and if so, whether that's justified. I think all religions would agree on that particular point.

Answer 7

You have to have a parameter on magic. if you don't then you become evil, and misuse magic. Magic and witches have been around before time. we have to have limitations on certain things. we are human just like you. we aren't evil. but having a parameter on magic is a good thing. if u don't like wiccans or anyone of another religion than your own too bad. If you want a taste of a religion, lick a witch.

Answer 8

Hence the problem when any spirituality becomes "Religion".
True practices of the "Whatever thou doeth, returns to thee three fold", don't often feel the need to tout. Sorry that this has been your experience. Keep believing in the magic. Its ones intention and motives that one must watch.

Answer 9

Don't deal in extremes. You sound like a Catholic or a Muslim touting that your religion is better than others. People believe different things, ever think that we might ALL be wrong?