What is your opinion on Wicca and paganism in today's Society?

Question

I am just curious to how it is precieved and is it acceptable to practice out in the open by todays standards of "acceptance" in our society.

Answer 1

It was acceptable as a practice 12,000 years ago, but with no particular name because humans weren't evolved enough to speak, only drawings were their means for communication. Shaman elders were respected for each tribe, and even to this day, were referred to as Witch Doctors.

When spoken language started up, so too were words and phrases to describe things, and humans' ability to improve and expand on their technique advanced. The elders of the tribe were commonly sought for spiritual guidance and healing practices. The original form of this practice was called Paganism for Europe, which eventually branched out into Celtic Druid, Wiccanism, the Romans and Greeks I don't remember the names for currently but we just call it Mythology, and, well, paganism itself.

Shamanism was the original practice or religion of the Native Americans, and in South America, you had the Aztecs and the Mayans who had their own form of spiritual magickal healing, Asia had Shintoism... and so on and so forth to Voodooism, Hinduism, Muslim, Thai Ching, Reiki practices... All of them dealt with spiritual healing, however their native practices differred, were all for the same reason.

The many practices, as it were, allowed for many different Goddesses and Gods, and for a very long time, European women were looked up to, respected, and were dominant.

Up until Constantine's time, everything was cool. Then, once upon an evening, there was a brand new form of religion that worshiped only one god, and it was a male. Anyone seen practicing magick were burned at the stake, thus the Burning Times.

I'm amazed that Paganism is still alive today, and am very grateful for its contributions to the world with their blessings and nature-respecting ways. These days, you never know what's going to turn into a political debate over whether paganism is acceptable or not, and there's too much discrimination against us pagans and other magickal practitioners.

Answer 2

Since you're asking about "acceptance in society", I'll stick to that. I think that Wicca and Paganism are pretty generally acceptable. While it can make for uncomfortable discussion at the dinner table, the reactions of most people to a person claiming to be wiccan is along the lines of "wow, that's pretty cool". You get the occasional person telling a wiccan that they're going to hell. In some backwards parts of the country, people get involved in legal battles (usually over kids) where the religion plays a part. But by and large, you don't have to worry about getting shot at, burned at the stake, or losing your job as a result of being a wiccan.

Answer 3

I personally love it, I'm a pagan, eclectic, so I don't call myself Wiccan but Wicca introduced me to a world of free spiritual thought, where you could believe in the divine and still use your mind, you could be yourself and not feel like you were living a lie. As far as is it accepted in todays society, I think it is beginning to be but it really depends on where you're at, if you are like me and live in the bible belt south you might have a harder time of it. As long as there are people out there willing to stand up for tolerance and freedom of speech and religion then I believe things are getting better for us. All we have to do is look back to see how far we've come.

Answer 4

I think the neo-pagan movement is just an anti-culture designed to "get a rise out of conservative christians". I am for that 100%, they need to be scared back into their little holes...Practising outwardly is a good thing to teach the fear based prideful religions to rethink their views,,,,,,It is gaining acceptance as a religion but my thoughts is that it is a weak belief system, being just a hodgepodge of dug up religions from the past....with translations fit to what the believer wants. On the positive it is a step up from conservativism, but in the end, I think the christian mystics, sufi muslims and tibetan buddhists, which are identical, in practice are closer to truth......

anyway so a mature person would smile at a wiccan knowing that "at least they are searching".....
A conservative would get all upset saying that they are worried about your soul, when it is actually they are worried about theirs....
Live somewhere with conservatives and you can expect some friction, live somewhere with liberals and it is accepted...

Answer 5

All the current religions including Christianity are based on intrinsically superstitious pagan beliefs deeply rooted in otherworldly, magical or supernatural powers. The Wiccan religion is as viable as any and differs only slightly from all the others in the rites and ritualistic styles of imaging prayers and performing spell work through the power of a worshiped Deity or Deities.

Answer 6

It is perceived as some what as a novelty. Although I believe that the perception has soft end. This is due in part to the Internet and media reports of it being more of a earth based religion than witchcraft as it was perceived in more ignorant times.
As all belief groups one should be careful not to worship the people who head up the group. One should still make decisions based on their feelings not the leaders they come in contact with.

Answer 7

It will eventually replace CHristianity in America
after CHristianity is finished being derrided and blamed for every problem in America.

We know people will automatically think of witches and spells and then the occult. NOt that is is correct, but it is what people will think.

Besides its basically just like every other religion anyways.

Answer 8

Society lacks pastime and society lacks attitude. many human beings toil away at shitty jobs all day, no longer scuffling with for a 2d to evaluate that some thing extra constructive could be available.

Answer 9

they keep to themselves, they don't shove their beliefs in your face all the time, so most the time you don't even know someone is Wiccan or a pagans until the subject comes up. They're just ordinary people.

Answer 10

The occult is exploding in our society right now. Just as the bible said it would: I Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the LATTER TIMES, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

Witchcraft is a pretty popular theme these days: just look at Hairy Potter!