Since you believe strongly in karma and harming none, what would you do if someone came up and started attacking you. Would you run away or defend yourself by fighting back? I'm sorry if this sounds insulting, because I am just curious.
2007-02-26 13:13:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Insulting no, stupid yes. But if you really want to get down to it karma is a very complicated force. By allowing someone to beat up on you you are hurting yourself and would suffer karma. This whole karma thing is more about spirituality, and motive and intent and emotion and positive and negative energies. If someone attacked you and you smacked the crap out of them then it is not premeditated, there was no malice, no hatred so no karma really. Karma is not just a wiccan principle. It is in all major religions especially christianity. As ye sow so shall ye reap. Cast your bread upon the water and it will return to you. Jesus also said to turn the other cheek. Gandhi taught non violence. Karma is universal and transcends this existence. The bum you roll today might not come back to haunt you until a distant future life.
2007-02-26 13:23:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is what comes from not knowing enough about Wicca or the Rede.
Everyone quotes the last eight words of the Rede like parrots, most with as much understanding.
I as well as many others have spent years discussing the meaning of the Rede and what it means to be Wiccan. Being wiccan is about understanding your place in the world, what to hold and what to let go of. The Rede is about being responsible for what you do, both the good and the bad.
Wiccans do not espouse Karma, we have what is called the Law of Three-Fold return; what you do comes back to you three fold, the good and the bad, this is not the same as Karma.
So in the situation you laid out; as a Wiccan I would
1.- Try to fend off the attacker best I could without using unneeded force, trying to use reason to defuse the situation, when the opportunity presented itself, I would leave if possible.
2.- If the attacker would not listen to reason and would not back down, I would use whatever force was needed to end the situation as quickly and bloodlessly as I could, if I could, else the fight will end as the Gods will it.
Should the person get hurt or killed as a result, I as a Wiccan would make myself ready to take what ever the repercussions of my actions.
2007-02-26 22:47:01 · answer #2 · answered by Black Dragon 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would defend myself. No question.
Taking the Wiccan Rede -- "If it harm none, do what you will" -- strictly at face value is selling the Rede far short. Let's look at it this way: if a person comes up and starts attacking me, who's to say they won't do the same to someone else? Am I decreasing the overall level of harm if I stop them and possibly teach them the foolishness of engaging in such attacks (because they will meet resisance)?
And if the Law of Threefold Return -- sometimes expressed in the term "karma", although that's more strictly a Hindu concept -- does indeed operate, who's to say that my resistance is not the Law coming into effect against the attacker?
Also, in some Traditions of Wicca it is said: "Lest in thy self-defense it be, ever mind the Rule of Three..." Which implies that self-defense is certainly allowed.
I prefer a modern rework of the Rede which is becoming popular in certain quarters: "If you harm none, do what you will; if you must harm, do only what is necessary." And don't forget, a "rede" is not a commandment -- it is more like a recommendation. Wiccans are not hidebound to follow it in every single situation.
2007-02-26 21:18:20 · answer #3 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
The Wiccan Rede is not about pacifism. If someone attacks a Wiccan, and the Wiccan hands them their ***, it is clearly a case of the "Threefold Law" coming back around on the attacker.
"An it harm none, do as ye will." The "Harm none" part includes the self. Protecting oneself is acceptable. Pre-emptive strikes are not.
2007-02-26 21:27:15 · answer #4 · answered by Scott M 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Wiccan, but I found nothing in the rede that would keep someone from defending themselves. Also, its worth noting that not every Wiccan follows the rede, and of those that do many do not look at it as being like the ten commandments, but as teaching or a suggestion. Its not an unbreakable law unless the individual Wiccan has decided that it is.
2007-02-26 21:23:52 · answer #5 · answered by jennette h 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
My $0.02 - "Harm none" does not equate to "be a victim". Self-defense isn't forbidden "because it might harm someone". But consideration needs to be made for the level of threat that is present. Is it really self-defense? Or is it simple retaliation and revenge?
If someone is attacking me, and I defend myself and fight back, that's one thing. If they stop fighting and I continue to beat the tar out of them when they are no longer a threat, that's something else.
2007-02-26 21:21:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
I would attack back and with just enough force to make sure that attacker isn't going to get back up, because I fight to win. The spiritual world understands the physical need to survive. Any more questions?
2007-02-26 21:25:21 · answer #7 · answered by Hoolia 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would defend myself. Harming none means not starting it. You are permitted to finish it, however.
2007-02-26 21:26:37 · answer #8 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
im not a Wiccan but my daughter is
and today a girl came up to her ready to attack
and my daughter ended up talking to her and the girl poured her heart out lol
i always think words are very powerful
and i have done the same in the past
i do agree with the answerer below of course ... we cant always talk ourself out of things
2007-02-26 21:17:17 · answer #9 · answered by Peace 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I would say that karma is gonna kick you in the *** for mistreating people if they continue.
2007-03-01 06:52:32 · answer #10 · answered by Wiccanbynature 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋