Should you have to pay?

Question

Really, I'd like to know this answer. Should you have to pay for religious instruction. I'm talking above and beyond buying your own books and equipment.

Why am I asking? When I was first introduced to Wicca, one of the students with me asked "How much can you make teaching the Craft?".
The HP stepped back so he could see us all and said in a voice that left no room to argue.
"No ethical wiccan would ever charge someone to learn the craft, it cheapens the teacher, the student and the Craft" I have held to this belief, I'm just curious about what others think about this.

So, what do you think?

Answer 1

A lot of Wiccan teachers accept love offerings which seems like a fee. I for one do not accept money for any service that I provide. Handfastings, funerals... all I ever ask is that the people provide my transportation to and from and lodging and board if I am asked to stay over someplace. As clergy we do what we can for our people.

Brightest Blessings,

Rev. Ray

Answer 2

Depends on what's being taught. If you're dealing with a (fairly) religion-neutral skill, like, say, herbalism, and you're teaching a two-day class at your local metaphysical shop, that seems okay to charge a small fee.

Training for a religion - especially if initiation is likely to be involved - is probably best to be fee-less. If only because, once someone has plunked down the cash, they feel entitled to initiation, even if it's the teacher's evaluation that they aren't ready.

That said, if what you're doing involves a lot of time and effort, token fees aren't necessarily a horrible thing. You're using your skills, and your time and effort. If this is a person in your group/coven/knitting circle, that might be okay to not charge for. But for strangers? Probably reasonable to charge.

Answer 3

If they've gotten enough of a following that instruction becomes their full-time job, I think they ought to be able to charge for it. Authors in particular work very hard to inspire and assist the rest of us--where would we be without that "New Age/Paranormal" section in the bookstore? I have no problem with charging in this instance. Also, I don't think the HP or HPs should have to pay for all the cakes and wine, all the incense, etc.

However, as an elder of a very small coven of friends who learned together, I never charged. I wouldn't have felt at all right about it. And I would have to really evaluate what I was getting if charged for instruction elsewhere.

Answer 4

I once took a Reclaiming class where we paid on a sliding scale, within a suggested range. This seemed fair to me. On the one hand, those of you who feel that money can cheapen the faith and the teacher. And there's been way too much exploitation done in the name of religion (financial, sexual, and every other kind.)

OTOH, the instructors (who in my case had "day jobs") take extra time out of their lives to make this available to us, and the materials cost money, and you have to find a place to hold the sessions. With this in mind, I think that their idea to suggest a sliding scale "you decide where you slide" was ethical.

Edited to add:

HP = High Priestess or High Priest

Answer 5

I am in complete agreement Black Dragon. You take-on a student or an apprentice, but you do not charge for the eduction and instruction. It does cheapen the religion. Those that charge are more interested in money then they are the spiritual growth of those around them. In my opinion this goes for all religions.

Answer 6

I'm a Christian, but I have to agree with your leader, it cheapens the entire meaning to my belief. Our debt was paid on the cross. I don't agree with your belief as a whole, but this time I have to agree on the paying.

It is saddening to see the "profit" many publishing companies make from the "selling" of God's Word. The Holy Bible should be FREE to all who wants a copy.

They use the excuse it cost "money" to publish the Bible and other things. But, my question is: In my belief, Christ and the disciples didn't get paid in money, so why should any pastor, priest, rabbi, evangelist, reverend, etc get a penny for spreading the gospel of Christ?

To me, none of the above should get money. Now if they needed food, clothing, or something along this line, that is what they should get. But getting a salary for teaching the gospel is wrong, in my humble opinion.

Answer 7

I think that's absolutely correct. My teacher doesn't charge me, though I do bring lunch for her when I have class. She's older, disabled and on a fixed income. I also contribute to the coven by sharing in buying candles, sage, incense and other consumables. I think that's fair.

Too, there are some web sites offering instruction. http://www.magicakaschool.com is one such. They are quite ethical, offering the first year instruction for free, and a low lifetime fee afterward. This is remarkable because they do have to maintain their web site, and they produce some high-quality texts.

If you find someone charging you lots of money for "authentic instruction" ... run away. I don't like teachers without integrity.

Closely tied to that are those who teach that sex is part of the instruction; that you need to do the "great rite" to be initiated. Run away from that too.

Answer 8

I agree. It should never cost someone to take religious instruction. I teach a lot of free classes and workshops. Now I know teachers who cover specific areas or topics who charge workshop fees (because the material isn't necessary religious instruction as much as it's specialized). And that never bothered me. But even when I teach specialized workshops I still don't charge because I don't think it should cost people to practice their religion or to take classes (especially in their own temple).

Answer 9

I'm a Christian who feels the Pastor has the right to be able to feed his family with a salary . Ministers/pastors who work for the congregation full time still need to be able to pay their bills and buy food and clothing ( I've also had part time Pastors who made a lot less than a full time Pastor).
I guess it depends on the HP. Is he a full time teacher, or does he have a "day job" (so to speak), that takes care of those needs? Hope this helps!

Answer 10

I completely agree, it is wholly unethical to charge money for instruction in the Craft, and it makes us all look like frauds and charlatans. If it isn't worth it to teach someone for free, then don't teach. It is not a practitioner's place to put a price on knowledge.