Wiccans and other Pagans, regarding compassion...?

Question

Hello, all:

Some responders to this question,

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApcCZZb_86W4JA_CVm9JqZEjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20070930101051AAYyUUm

indicated that they do not believe that Wiccans and other Pagans have anything in our moral code that encourages us to be compassionate towards others and act to reduce suffering in the world.

What do you think of this? As a Wiccan/Pagan, IS there anything in your moral code or personal beliefs that leads you to take positive action against the suffering of others? Do you volunteer for or donate to any charities, for example?

Thank you in advance to all who take the time to respond.

Answer 1

I think some people have this impression because they are used to religions that give out orders of what you should and should not do. I do not think Wicca requires me to be compassionate. However, I do believe that it teaches compassion to be a good thing. Sort of a don't $%&^ in your own backyard. If you treat people badly, people treat you badly. And we are a product of our environment, so lessening someone else's misery benefits everyone, including ourselves. And there's the more general goal of being in harmony with our surroundings. Personally, I think doing a few good works certainly goes along with that.

There is nothing that says "thou shall not be a curmudgeon." However, there is the implication that "If you're going to be a curmudgeon, don't whine that you're unhappy."

Answer 2

Actually, I have just compiled the responses from about 40 questionnaires collected from a pagan pride day (this does not count the bible verse given from a group of young christians). One of the questions was about charities and which groups a person may support. Out of the 40, only 4 had no for a response to that particular question.

While it may be a personal thing, pagans do a lot of charity work. Only unlike those who feel like there is a need to shout about it, most pagans do it quietly and therefore almost invisibly.

Answer 3

Yes I donate time and money. However I have seen Pagan's collect money to send to a charity and have it declined because it came from Pagans. They didn't want to attention for what they were doing simply to help.

I really don't care what the others think because they have their eyes and ears closed. They chose not to believe that we have a moral code or any compassion. I'm just not in a mood to play nice today.

Answer 4

I think that you have already answered your own question. Yes, I agree that is is good to informed about other religions. What is most important right now is your time. Will the world come to an end if you don't read this book right now?? No, most likely it will not. Shelve it until after the holidays or when you want to know more about Qabbalah. You are free to read what you want when you want to unless it is for a class of course. Many blessings to you in the upcoming Yule. Blessed Be

Answer 5

I believe that compassion is in all that we do. If we agree to the simple premise that Wicca and greater Paganism as a whole is an Earth-based faith ... then we have to also endorse the preservation and protection of our great Mother and the environment which She contains.

This can be seen in the reconstructionist pagan movements, whose members use magick in their attempts to heal the Earth. This can been seen in the Pagans who protect their local old growth forests, and in the Pagans who support environmental awareness initiatives.

If we can care for the Earth and her environment ... if we can care for the whales, and dolphins, and other creatures of the sea ... if we can rescue birds from oil slicks, and homeless pets from the ravages of hurricane Katrina ... then how can we not have compassion for our fellows ... be they Wiccan, Pagan, or Christian. We certainly don't ask an animal in need what they believe before helping them ... why should we care what our fellow men and women believe?

The Christians have a parable of the good Samaritan, which is highly appropriate to this situation. I won't repeat the parable here, due to length, but many people are familiar with it. The key point I wish to emphasize is this: in the parable, the Samaritans were looked down on, even despised, by other cultures and races. In some historcal accounts (non-scriptural) there are recorded instances of people spitting on Samaritans as they passed them. Not friendly, would be an understatement. Yet in the parable, it is the Samaritan that rescues the mugging victim. It is the Samaritan that pays for the doctor, food, medicine, and lodging. It is the Samaritan who comes bac to check on the victim, and to ensure his complete recovery.

Today, the Wiccans and Pagans are looked upon as the Samaritans once were. We are barely tolerated, and in many places, we are despised by others due to our religious views. Yet in truth, out of all the Wiccans and Pagans I have known in my 27 years of practice in the craft ... I have not met a single one ... who in a similar situation, would not have helped the person in need. Our heart goes out to the Earth ... and ALL Her children!

If this isn't compassion ... I don't know what is. I believe that we as Wiccans and Pagans share a moralistic view of the world which includes the moral imperative to ease the suffering of others ... as able to do so ... within our abilities.

I know of Wiccans and Pagans who are volunteers in hospitals (and do so after the end of their workday at other jobs). I know Wiccans and Pagans who minister to like minded individuals in the military, on the front lines. They are considered DFGL's, not chaplains, so they have to carry a rifle and serve as an infantry man or armored cavalry, whatever, while still dispensing counsel, and comfort, and sacred ritual. I know Wiccans and Pagans who go to the trouble of being qualified as a visiting minister at prisons, even though there are almost no percentage populations of Pagans behind bars. They go there to give comfort and counsel. The teach skills for after release, so that the former inmate can be a more productive member of society. I know Wiccans and Pagans who work for, or contribute to local food banks, who work for the Fire or Police department, or who teach in the local schools ... giving of themselves to their community, even if the community despises them for their beliefs. If this is not compassion, if this is not the relief of suffering, if this is not a moral code of conduct ... then I truly do not know what one is.

Blessed Be.

Solar Indigo

Answer 6

Follow God (Επου θεω)
Obey the law (Νομω πειθου)
Worship the Gods (Θεους σεβου)
Respect your parents (Γονεις αιδου)
Be overcome by justice (Ηττω υπο δικαιου)
Know what you have learned (Γνωθι μαθων)
Perceive what you have heard (Ακουσας νοει)
Be Yourself (Σαυτον ισθι)
Intend to get married (Γαμειν μελλε)
Know your opportunity (Καιρον γνωθι)
Think as a mortal (Φρονει θνητα)
If you are a stranger act like one (Ξepsilon;νος ων ισθι)
Honor the hearth [or Hestia] (Εστιαν τιμα)
Control yourself (Αρχε σεαυτου)
Help your friends (Φιλοις βοηθει)
Control anger (Θυμου κρατει)
Exercise prudence (Φρονησιν ασκει)
Honor providence (Προνοιαν τιμα)
Do not use an oath (Ορκω μη χρω)
Love friendship (Φιλιαν αγαπα)
Cling to discipline (Παιδειας αντεχου)
Pursue honor (Δοξαν διωκε)
Long for wisdom (Σοφιαν ζηλου)
Praise the good (Καλον ευ λεγε)
Find fault with no one (Ψεγε μηδενα)
Praise virtue (Επαινει αρετην)
Practice what is just (Πραττε δικαια)
Be kind to friends (Θιλοις ευνοει)
Watch out for your enemies (Εχθρους αμυνου)
Exercise nobility of character (Ευγενειαν ασκει)
Shun evil (Κακιας απεχου)
Be impartial (Κοινος γινου)
Guard what is yours (Ιδια φυλαττε)
Shun what belongs to others (Αλλοτριων απεχου)
Listen to everyone (Ακουε παντα)
Be (religiously) silent (Ευφημος ιοθι)
Do a favor for a friend (Φιλω χαριζου)
Nothing to excess (Μηδεν αγαν)
Use time sparingly (Χρονου φειδου)
Foresee the future (Ορα το μελλον)
Despise insolence (Υβριν μισει)
Have respect for suppliants (Ικετας αιδου)
Be accommodating in everything (Παςιν αρμοζου)
Educate your sons (Υιους παιδευε)
Give what you have (Εχων χαριζου)
Fear deceit (Δολον φοβου)
Speak well of everyone (Ευλογει παντας)
Be a seeker of wisdom (Φιλοσοφος γινου)
Choose what is divine (Οσια κρινε)
Act when you know (Γνους πραττε)
Shun murder (Φονου απεχου)
Pray for things possible (Ευχου δυνατα)
Consult the wise (Σοφοις χρω)
Test the character (Ηθος δοκιμαζε)
Give back what you have received (Λαβων αποδος)
Down-look no one (Υφορω μηδενα)
Use your skill (Τεχνη χρω)
Do what you mean to do (Ο μελλεις, δος)
Honor a benefaction (Ευεργεςιας τιμα)
Be jealous of no one (Φθονει μηδενι)
Be on your guard (Φυλακη προσεχε)
Praise hope (Ελπιδα αινει)
Despise a slanderer (Διαβολην μισει)
Gain possessions justly (Δικαιως κτω)
Honor good men (Αγαθους τιμα)
Know the judge (Κριτην γνωθι)
Master wedding-feasts (Γαμους κρατει)
Recognize fortune (Τυχην νομιζε)
Flee a pledge (Εγγυην φευγε)
Speak plainly (Αμλως διαλεγου)
Associate with your peers (Ομοιοις χρω)
Govern your expenses (Δαπανων αρχου)
Be happy with what you have (Κτωμενος ηδου)
Rever a sense of shame (Αισχυνην σεβου)
Fulfill a favor (Χαριν εκτελει)
Pray for happiness (Ευτυχιαν ευχου)
Be fond of fortune (Τυχην στεργε)
Observe what you have heard (Ακουων ορα)
Work for what you can own (Εργαζου κτητα)
Despise strife (Εριν μισει)
Detest disgrace (Ονειδς εχθαιρε)
Restrain the tongue (Γλωτταν ισχε)
Keep yourself from insolence (Υβριν αμυνου)
Make just judgements (Κρινε δικαια)
Use what you have (Χρω χρημασιν)
Judge incorruptibly (Αδωροδοκητος δικαζε)
Accuse one who is present (Αιτιω παροντα)
Tell when you know (Λεγε ειδως)
Do not depend on strength (Βιας μη εχου)
Live without sorrow (Αλυπως βιου)
Live together meekly (Ομιλει πραως)
Finish the race without shrinking back (Περας επιτελει μη αποδειλιων))
Deal kindly with everyone (Φιλοφρονει πασιν)
Do not curse your sons (Υιοις μη καταρω)
Rule your wife (Γυναικος αρχε)
Benefit yourself (Σεαυτον ευ ποιει)
Be courteous (Ευπροσηγορος γινου)
Give a timely response (Αποκρινου εν καιρω)
Struggle with glory (Πονει μετ ευκλειας)
Act without repenting (Πραττε αμετανοητως)
Repent of sins (Αμαρτανων μετανοει)
Control the eye (Οφθαλμοθ κρατει)
Give a timely counsel (Βουλευου χρονω)
Act quickly (Πραττε συντομως)
Guard friendship (Φιλιαν φυλαττε)
Be grateful (Ευγνωμων γινου)
Pursue harmony (Ομονοιαν διωκε)
Keep deeply the top secret (Αρρητον κρυπτε)
Fear ruling (Το κρατουν φοβου)
Pursue what is profitable (Το συμφερον θηρω)
Accept due measure (Καιρον προσδεχου)
Do away with enmities (Εχθρας διαλυε)
Accept old age (Γηρας προσδεχου)
Do not boast in might (Επι ρωμη μη καυχω)
Exercise (religious) silence (Ευφημιαν ασκει)
Flee enmity (Απεχθειαν φευγε)
Acquire wealth justly (Πλουτει δικιως)
Do not abandon honor (Δοξαν μη λειπε)
Despise evil (Κακιαν μισει)
Venture into danger prudently (Κινδυνευε φρονιμως)
Do not tire of learning (Μανθανων μη καμνε)
Do not stop to be thrifty (Φειδομενος μη λειπε)
Admire oracles (Χρησμους θαυμαζε)
Love whom you rear (Ους τρεφεις αγαπα)
Do not oppose someone absent (Αποντι μη μαχου)
Respect the elder (Πρεσβυτερον αιδου)
Teach a youngster (Νεωτερον διδασκε)
Do not trust wealth (Πλουτω απιστει)
Respect yourself (Σεαυτον αιδου)
Do not begin to be insolent (Μη αρχε υβριζειν)
Crown your ancestors (Προγονους στεφανου)
Die for your country (Θνησκε υπερ πατριδος)
Do not be discontented by life (Τω βιω μη αχθου)
Do not make fun of the dead (Επι νεκρω μη γελα)
Share the load of the unfortunate (Ατυχουντι συναχθου)
Gratify without harming (Χαριζου αβλαβως)
Greave for no one (Μη επι παντι λυπου)
Beget rom noble routes (Εξ ευγενων γεννα)
Make promises to no one (Επαγγελου μηδενι)
Do not wrong the dead (Φθιμενους μη αδικει)
Be well off as a mortal (Ευ πασχε ως θνητος)
Do not trust fortune (Τυχη μη πιστευε)
As a child be well-behaved (Παις ων κοσμιος ισθι)
as a youth - self-disciplined (ηβων εγκρατης)
as of middle-age - just (μεσος δικαιος)
as an old man - sensible (πρεσβυτης ευλογος)
on reaching the end - without sorrow (τελευτων αλυπος)
Source: The Commandments of the Seven (the copy of Sosiades preserved by Stobaeus).

Answer 7

As stated in the Havomal:
1. Gifting is praiseworthy.
2. Generosity is praiseworthy.
3. Moderation is praiseworthy.
4. The maintaining of frith in all circumstances is praiseworthy.
5. Courage is praiseworthy.
6. The seeking of good over ill is praiseworthy.
7. Hospitality is praiseworthy.
8. Courtesy is praiseworthy.
9. Tolerance is praiseworthy.
10. The pursuit of wisdom and knowledge is praiseworthy.
11. The defense of freedom is praiseworthy.
12. Industriousness is praiseworthy.
13. Vigilance is praiseworthy.
14. The protection, nurturing and forbearing of kin is praiseworthy.
15. Showing respect for elders is praiseworthy.
16. Loyalty to friends and kin is praiseworthy.
17. Keeping an oath is praiseworthy.
18. Honoring the sanctity of marriage is praiseworthy.
19. Refraining from mockery is praiseworthy.
2o. Refraining from arrogance is praiseworthy.
21. Making kin, honor and justice more important than gold is praiseworthy.
22. Cleanliness is praiseworthy.
23. The maintaining of one's dignity in all situations is praiseworthy.
24. Good organization is praiseworthy.
25. Persistence is praiseworthy.
26. The rule of law is praiseworthy.
27. To try ones steel against an opponent fairly is praiseworthy.
28. Respect for the dead is praiseworthy.
29. For a man to never strike a woman is praiseworthy.
30. To not abuse one's power is praiseworthy.


Yeah we are real jerks......*instert eye roll*

Answer 8

What about the threefold law of return - whatever you send out, comes back to you times three?

I personally believe that if I do something that hurts someone else, it hurts me, too. I may not see it right away, but in my worldview, hurting others causes an erosion of the soul.

I believe that you can make amends for wrongdoing, but you can't un-do it. Example: I got a speeding ticket. I've paid the fine, so I've made the amends that the court required; but the speeding happened and it can't "unhappen." No do-overs.

Answer 9

Absolutely. The Golden Rule is a very reasonable and compassionate guideline reflected in many cultures. Also I have a strong natural sense of empathy that has never let me be as mean as I wish I was sometimes to people who hurt me.

I"m a pagan Taoist, and these things are in Taoism also:

See the world as your self.
Have faith in the way things are.
Love the world as your self;
then you can care for all things.
--Tao Te Ching

Answer 10

Some of those answers made me cringe. It's quite obvious that half the people who answered that question have never even heard of our Rede.

I can't really understand how anyone would say that they help others and we don't. I've donated more time and money than I can count to the Invisible Children organization, I've played for a benefit concert for poor families, I've donated to wildlife preservation charities, Operation Smile... you get the idea.