Why don't Wiccans like the idea of being prayed for?

Question

I've seen Wiccans on various forums object to being prayed for, but I don't understand why. Other religions may be the same way, and I don't mind if someone from another once chimes in. I've tried to think of how I'd feel is someone offered to cast a spell for me or something, and I still just don't get it.

No, I'm just interested in spirituality in general. I'm not especially interested in converting anyone. It was just a question I decided to ask to get a better understanding of something I've seen on forums. I've never offered to pray for a Wiccan myself. But I do know one and it would be nice to know something like this.

I wouldn't dream of having an answer here removed.

And I won't be thumbing anyone down, either unless they become abusive.

Answer 1

It depends on how it's done. I have had people give me the "I'll pray for you... since we both know you're going to hell" Condescending, arrogant... as if their prayer is going to save me in any way. It's insulting for someone to take the religious high road, look down on others, and then act as if Jesus is just waiting for them to pray so he can help others. It's annoying.

If it's done out of genuine compassion, I don't have a problem with it at all. But too often it's someone just being an asshole.

Pagan =)

Answer 2

I can't say for initiated Wiccans what thier thoughts are about it, as a Wiccanish Pagan, I am happy for any well wishers, wherever they might come from, as long as you are praying for someone to be helped in some way. If you are praying for Wiccans to convert to Christianity, that is another matter, and you will definitely not get any acceptance on that, that is no more appropriate than what you would think of if Wiccans cast a spell to turn Christians into Wiccans, that would not be looked well on either. But if a Christian wants to pray for me otherwise, I am happy for the good wishes, and if someone puts a prayer request out here, if they don't specify Christians only, then I am happy to pray for you, as well, and wish you well.... As for casting spells for you, I would never do so, without your directly requesting it, and maybe not even then.

Answer 3

Wiccans take prayer as seriously as christians do. They object because of the intent of the prayer. Let's face it, christians aren't praying for wiccans to be blessed on their path, to have a wonderful life, etc...
It's : "I'll pray for you to get saved.. I'll pray for you to see the truth" there is no good intent in that. It's saying "My way is the only way and yours is the way to destruction."

It is harmful energy being directed at the wiccan. Perhaps now you can understand why they wouldn't want someone like that praying for them.

I've known hundreds of Wiccans in my life, and not one of them has ever offered to cast a spell for a non-pagan. I'd be surprised to hear that they did this for you. (and yes, I realize you are using a hypothetical, but the point is that the offer generally isn't there- this goes to my statement that wiccans take it very seriously. Prayers are similar to spells.)

Answer 4

I've come in on this very late as my point on it has been said a few times over.. When you pray for me/us Wiccans, what is the real objective, what are you really praying for?? You see we are quite happy with the way we approach our life in general and find that people who say they have our best interests at heart, really haven't.. They are just like a recruitment officer, that's the way I feel about it.. Blessed Be .. )O(

Answer 5

Then you aren't as hidebound as some Christians.
Suppose though, your family had for centuries been tortured and burned and cursed, killed and lied about for their religion, and now, suddenly these same people were all holy and telling you how they pray for you, when you know they are really saying that they are going to pray for you to leave your religion and follow theirs?
Its awfully presumptuous the way some Christians think that because they feel and believe one way, with all their guilt and redemption and belief in an afterlife and other things that unless you have grown up with them, things that seem little more than replays of old Greco-Roman myths, that a Wiccan would be happy to have one of their ilk pray for them.
Especially given history.

Answer 6

Depends on how you say it, if you act condescending, a person is likely to reject your prayers. If you offer to pray for a Wiccan or other Pagan in a nice way, they probably won't have a problem with it.

Answer 7

Because to those who believe truly in the celtic gods of old, the invocation of the deity effectively guilty of all but destroying their people and way of life might well be seen as a threat.


I personally don't give a toss because I'm not into that whole way of thinking..... but my mother used to be in some really abstract sense.

Answer 8

No idea.

Maybe because most wiccans used to be christians and theyre aggrevated when they see or hear christian habits being placed on them?

Answer 9

typical Christian mentality. "but I believe it so you have to let me! I know that you don't and you are going to burn in hell because you don't, so you just gotta believe. You believe don't you? Hey! I'm just going to keep bugging you and whining until you believe! You just gotta! Please! See I'm saying please! I'll pray for you! That will do it! that will make you change religions and believe what I believe! See!! DON'T YOU SEE??? IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE YOU WILL GO TO HELL!!! I KNOW THAT YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN HELL BUT I DO!! AND YOU DON'T WANT YO GO TO HELL DO YOU???? AND DON'T YOU WANT TO BE LIKE ME??? PREACHING AND DONG THE LORDS WORK EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN THE LORD??? YOU MUST CONVERT YOU HEATHEN!! See, isn't that better. after constant stream of gibberish and rhetoric for a year or ten I can MAKE you believe like I do even though you don't want to."

Get the point? No one is interested in your bible bashing so go preach somewhere else to feel better...

Answer 10

Depending on how it's offered, it may seem patronizing.