what is Wiccan?

Question

what exactly is it??

Answer 1

Wicca is an eclectic religious belief system centering around gods, goddesses, and nature worship. Gary Cantrell, a well known Wiccan author says Wicca is based on "harmony with nature and all aspects of the god and goddess divinity."1 Wiccan practice involves the manipulation of nature through various rituals in attempts to gain power, prestige, love, or whatever else a Wiccan wants. It uses symbols in its ceremonies and follows the calendar in reference to Wiccan festivals. Its roots are in ancient agrarian Celtic Society. It is considered Neo Pagan (based on old European and pre-Christian belief systems). Wicca does not have a structure of clergy and/or congregations. But it does have priests and priestesses which are in leadership positions within covens that have witches. The varying traditions of Wicca have different requirements for attaining the level of priest and priestess. Some of the more common varieties of Wicca are 1734, Alexandrian, Celtic, Dianic, Dicordian, Eclectic, Gardnerian, and Georgian. Wicca is even recognized as a religion in the military.
One of the most common aspects of working theology is the teaching of reincarnation and karma. The purpose of reincarnation is to learn lessons through the various lives. “This process of reincarnation is repeated for numerous lifetimes until a development of the Spirit is reached where the spirit can truly merge with the male and female balanced creator/creatrix entity. We returned to the God and to the Goddess.”2 Karma is the law of cause and effect that "does not punish nor reward. It is simply a universal law that reacts to causation until disharmony is illuminated."3
Wicca does not claim to be the only way but says that all spiritual traditions and paths are valid to those who practice them.4 It accepts "the fact that all life is sacred, including plant, animal, and human."5
Generally, Wiccans do not believe in the existence of a devil (they are not Satan worshippers). They have no orgies or public displays of sexuality in their rituals (though some Wiccan traditions practice nudity and sexuality not open to the public), no bestiality, and no blood sacrifices. They do not practice spells with the intention to harm people. They deny that there are moral absolutes, believe that nature is divine, and seek to be in harmony with the earth/nature.
Is it recognized as a religion by the government? Absolutely.

"Wicca is a bona fide religion, Mr. Barr. It has been recognized by the courts, and legal Wiccan clergy can be found in every state in the United States. We have chaplains in many American and Canadian prisons. Our guiding principle, the Wiccan Rede, admonishes us to harm none."6

Answer 2

Wiccan is a religion that holds that all of nature is divine. Loosely put, Mother Nature is god, ALL natural things on earth have a "life spirit" (trees, plants, rocks, water...) and we're all connected to all other natural things on the earth. While most Wiccans practice magic, a few neither practice magic nor identify as witches. Wiccan ethics require that magical activities be limited to good purposes only. Part of the Wiccan creed is "Do what you like so long as you harm no one", which sounds like to me an excuse not to have to answer for one's morality, or lack thereof.

Answer 3

A Wiccan is a follower of Wicca. It is a bit more politically correct then saying a witch since not all of us Wiccans are willing to use that word with all the baggage that goes along with it.

Blessed Be )O(

Answer 4

This has been very well explained by others. My note here is to the Christians who always show up to condemn us.

Are you purposely trying to alienate and radicalize the Pagans who have, in general, accepting views of Christians?

I'm an interfaith kind of person - I have friends of many religious paths, and some VERY dear friends who are Christians. Some are even clergy.

You are going a far way to changing that. Every time y'all show up on questions about my religion to condemn, or even worse, accuse me of being a Satanist, you erode my good feelings about Christians. I have to remind myself that you're not all like that. It's actually affecting my relationships with the Christian friends I have.

Is that what you are trying to accomplish? Do you WANT to make enemies out of tolerant and accepting, peaceful Pagans?

I think you ought to think about the consequences of your actions.

Answer 5

Its a religion. My friend's step mother is a wiccan witch and from what I gathered its based on nature. I could be wrong.

Answer 6

actualy there is a trinity that I belive in and that is maiden,mother, and crone. That is where christianity came up with the holy trinity, another ripoff of pagan/wiccan religions.
BB
Morgaine

Answer 7

It's pretty obvious from the answers above that Wicca has as much substance to it as Flying Spaghetti Monster worship.

Answer 8

A religion

Answer 9

Having to do with witches?

Answer 10

uh, witches...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca