Wiccans, do you agree with all of the principles listed in the "13 Principles of Belief" from 1974?

Question

Are there any that you personally don't agree with or would re-word if you had the chance? Which ones? Are there any that you feel should have been added but were left out?

http://wicca.timerift.net/laws/13principals.shtml

They aren't accepted by all Wiccans so that's why I wanted to ask the question. To find out what parts people agree with and disagree with.

Answer 1

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
- Agree

2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
- Agree

3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called "supernatural," but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
- Agree

4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity - as masculine and feminine - and that this same creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
- Agree

5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds - sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc. - and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
- Agree

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and ackowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
- Agree

7. We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it - a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way.
- Agree

8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch - but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.
- Agree to a point - “Every action has an equal but opposite reaction” Keeping this in mind I try to minimize the harm that a reaction to my action my cause.

9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
- Agree

10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be " the only true right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.
- Agree

11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present, and our future.
- Agree

12. We do not accept the concept of "absolute evil" nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or "the Devil" as defined by Christian Tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another.
- Agree

13. We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
- Agree

Answer 2

It is my understanding, and I will check further into it, that most of the folks at the Council were Witches and Pagans with a few being BTW, Wiccan I have always wondered why a council made up primarily of Non-Wiccans would draft something called "13 Principles of Wiccan Belief" if they are not all Wiccan, so I'll guess I'll need to do a bit more digging. If as was stated the American Witches wanted a position that was distinctive from BTW, calling themselves Wiccan was not the wisest course, in my opinion.

Answer 3

Although I am not Wiccan, I can agree with these Principles as a good start (I am a "Hard" polytheist, so referring to God and Goddess in the singular is something that I would probably re-word)

The sections that specifically address Christianity specifically state that Christianity per se is not bad, merely the persecution of Wiccans and other Pagans.

The book referred to by a previous poster has been demonstrated to be something created as a publicity stunt and latched onto by Christian Extremists as "proof" of "Occult crimes" that never existed....

Answer 4

These principles are not universal to Wiccan practice by a long shot. You'll notice it says "Witches", not "Wiccans", which is a big clue right there. But I do agree that they are a good starting point, and generally in tune with my own beliefs.

Answer 5

I can't accept #4. I was never taught polarity between males and females. In my life all energy is neutral and it is the person directing it that gives it a negative or positive value. We are magick users, not physics majors.

As a visual to understand the idea of neutral energy. You put water on a plant to help it grow which is positive. A flood destroys all your crops, which is a negative. Water is neutral, it is just how it is used.

So which one is negative or positive. The man and the woman or the woman and the man?

I don't remember any of my family sitting on that committee, so I have a hard time being pigeonholed by these principals.

Hope this helps.

BB's

Answer 6

As a Generalised document it has its' advantage. BUT ALL generalisations have their flaws - including this one.

I've used it when tryign to help people understand my Faith, but put on the rider that I respect the authors' POV, even though I disagree slightly with some elements.

.

Answer 7

The Council of American Witches broke up after these principles were enunciated. Couldn't agree between themselves. Good example of Satan sewing discord amongst his followers. Principles 10 and 12 are anti-Christian. Why pick on Christianity? - because its truth is a major threat to wiccans [read 'From Witchcraft to Christ' by Doreen Irvine].

Answer 8

It sounds very well thought out, thumbs up.

Answer 9

Sounds good to me!

Answer 10

You can't get four wiccans/pagans/heathens to agree on what they should put on their pizza.