Is Wicca a cult in disguised?

Question

...and How many steps are there in Wicca?

Answer 1

it is funny how people answer questions they know nothing about.Wicca is not a cult and it is not a religon it is a life style of positiveness,ok like they dont worship nature well some do I guess thats the great thing is that you can believe in calling god whatever you want some even believe in a mother god.and one of the basic laws of traditional wicca is to what you put out in the world both good and eveil will come bac three fold. most worship or practise alone sum in groups called covens. nature is what balences out the good and evil because it is both but what we give out is what we get back and that depends on what kid of a heart we have if we have good in our heart than we do good things lifes test is to force negative out of our hearts.

Answer 2

One man's religion is another man's cult, according to some definitions. Then again, back when I was in college, they considered a cult to be anything that advocated leaving college, so there's quite a few definitions out there. Take your pick.

If you're using the definition where it's a group of people devoted to a charismatic leader, then the answer is, in general, no. Certainly, there exists the possibility of a small group with a leader who attempts to exert control over his/her followers - but that's a function of the group, and could happen with any religion/other interest. There's nothing in the religion of Wicca itself that leads it towards a cult-like devotion to a particular leader - in fact, each group is independant, so there's no hierarchy other than the group itself. (Some traditions might have a national leadership, but that would be tradition-specific, and would not reach outside of that tradition.)

I'm not 100% certain of what you mean by "steps". There are three "levels", if you will, called degrees, that represent different amounts of experience and training.

Answer 3

Wicca is a contemporary Pagan religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of reverence of nature as a manifestation of the divine. Wicca views Deity as Goddess and God; thus it is polytheistic. It also embraces the practice of magick and reincarnation. Religious festivals are held in observance of the Full Moon and other astronomical and agricultural phenomena.

There are three degrees to most Wiccan traditions, but some Wiccans do not recognize degrees.

Initiation to the first degree is open to all Witches. However the second and third degree criteria are quite demanding, and essentially anyone who seeks and becomes 2nd or 3rd degree is responding to a deep inner calling.

Higher degrees aren't about levels of magickal prowess, power or learning, although that goes with the turf, but 2nd and 3rd degree Witches have people skills, management skills, communication and teaching skills as well as magickal skills.

Those who aren't well balanced emotionally, psychologically and socially; and who don't have the appropriate skills; wouldn't be able to successfully lead a Coven, nor would they be able to fulfill all the requirements that would be needed of them as a dedicated Mentor.

So you see, Wiccan initiation is much like achieving priesthood in Christian sects, not everyone who is Christian is a priest or bishop, and those that are have additional education and training to lead their congregation.

Answer 4

Q: Are Witchcraft or Wicca cults?
A: A cult by definition is a group of people who blindly follow one leader. As Witches, Wiccans and pagans tend to be free-thinkers, there is no one person that we consider to be THE leader. Thus we cannot be called a cult.

Answer 5

Wicca has too many different beliefs, both in method and even it deity figures, many of it's practitioners work alone. It has only a couple of tenants and pretty much it's followers do whatever they want.

Answer 6

Wiccans believe that each individual's path of spirituality is valid, and no one path is better than any other. We do not convert or recruit anyone. Proselytizing is not a practice we follow. As for being a cult, most people these days are solitary practitioners and not part of any group. Hard to be in a cult when you are by yourself.

Answer 7

I thought Wicca or whatever predates Christianity so I'd think it would be a religion more than a cult.

Answer 8

Wicca is not a cult but a legitimate religion.

Answer 9

No. It is not a cult, there is no charismatic leader, no one telling us what to think or what to do. I really dont understand what you mean by steps. Its not a program that you follow its a learning process where by you learn to use the things nature has given us to help you with your day to day living. It is a celebration of all things natural. If you wish more information go to: www. wicca.com.

Answer 10

no. there are no authority figures, nor any financial contribution obligations, nor any separation from larger society, three hallmarks of cults.

Each branch of Wicca has its own approach; there are generally no set steps except in some of the older traditions.