I'm seriously considering converting, as the religion makes perfect sense to me, and answers questions i've had my entire life... but when reading the rede earlier, it dawned on me that if i become wicca, it will hurt my family... they would not understand. my immediate family is supportive, my boyfriend and close friends, but my mother and my cousin probably wouldn't understand. I know it would hurt my mother for her to think that i'm not 'fully christian' anymore... 'harm none' means not to hurt them emotionally too... I have no probelm hiding it from her, and just not telling her, but i don't want to lie to her. I'm also being pulled in different directions about Christmas, since it is one of only two times of the year that my family gets together... And it's at my house. I see Jesus as a wonderful prophet, and a great leader, but i don't feel right worshiping him when i think of becoming wiccan... What are your thoughts? and please, only serious answers... Thanks, everyone!
2007-11-06 06:25:39 · 16 answers · asked by Silver Thunderbird 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you speak of 'converting' and 'when i think of becoming wiccan... ',, might i suggest that there is no moment u 'become' a witch:) - yes yes u can have initiations etc- but really magic (or whatever you want to call it-- spirituality etc) comes from and directs the individual. labels like 'wiccan' etc are useful in some circumstances but you will soon see beyond them.
i would suggest following your OWN spiritual path- you do not need the sanction of parents, society.. just look within :)
as for xmas & Jesus.. its a wonderful time of year and yes he was/is a 'wonderful prophet'. personally i have no problems with attending xtian festivals/funerals etc.. if Paganism teaches us anything it is tolerance.. of other gods/traditions/ways of being.
2007-11-06 07:11:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think you might want to reconsider why you're thinking of becoming Wiccan. You will most definitely not be "fully Christian" if you convert. In fact, you won't be Christian at all. Wicca is a religion. It's basic beliefs are not complementary to Christianity. And you shouldn't avoid worshipping Jesus because it would be rude as a Wiccan. You shouldn't be worshipping Jesus if you think he doesn't deserve worship. Your religious definition should follow your beliefs, not the other way around. I think you need to figure out what you believe and then identify what religion best encompasses those beliefs.
Wicca does not command you to "harm none." The rule does not exist. Wicca says you can freely do anything that harms none.
Religion shouldn't stop you from visiting your family on Dec. 25. Yes, there's a Christian holiday tht day. So what? There's also a secular holiday that day. Lots and lots of non-Christians still celebrate Christmas with their family. They just don't go to church or associate the day with Jesus. There is no reason why a Wiccan should say "I'd love to see you that day, but it's a Christian holiday and I'm not CHristian, so I can't see you."
2007-11-07 06:44:57 · answer #2 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I think being true to yourself is worth having an awkward relationship with a few family members for a little while.
Obviously, it's impossible to "harm none". Luckily, the Rede doesn't really set the bar that high. The Rede more says to do what you want as long as it doesn't harm, but take care when you are delving into things that COULD harm something. Nobody's expecting you to be a peaceful little vegan who doesn't use mouthwash because it hurts the bacteria growing between your teeth. Whatever you do is always going to have negative effects on something somewhere, you have to realize that.
2007-11-06 10:42:48 · answer #3 · answered by xx. 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you are serious about following Wicca than it is the lesser harm. It would harm your family more to follow Christianity as a hypocrite than to find your own path. Additionally, you must remember that the rede also applies to you. If it is truly your path to follow Wicca then by not doing so you are harming yourself. "An it harm none" includes not allowing yourself to be harmed. Sometimes there is no way not to harm so we have to accept that and do what we can to minimize the harm by being honest about it. Also we know that when we harm there is repercussions. Wiccans know that when we harm we take the blame for it and not pass the blame to others and we do what we can to make amends for the harm instead of just asking the Divine to forgive us.
Blessed Be )O(
2007-11-06 06:52:23 · answer #4 · answered by Stephen 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You are wrong on several points First morals are part of our evolutionary history. Natural selection means that humans who get along with each other survive better. Second, the point of not murdering is that you don't want to be murdered. Treating others badly is wrong, period. The absence or presence of a higher power has nothing to do with it. Third, your whole thermodynamics rant is incomplete and really doesn't relate to anything else you said. Fourth, Christianity is not the youngest religion. Islam came 600 years later. Fifth, from an evolutionary stand point, the ulimate goal is for the entire human species to survive, not just us as individuals. Sixth, nothing in Genesis is even close to the big bang theory or evolutionary biology.
2016-05-28 03:41:23 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember the rede derives from the Thelemic "Do as thou Will shall be the whole of the Law (Love is the Law, love under Will)". In this and I believe the Wiccan version "Will" is a far deeper and more complex word than it's modern usage usually has. It involves the concept of "pure will" which entails, personal destiny and karma. So, to NOT follow your "will" - that is; to follow your true path; is a greater crime than upsetting people with a narrow world view. Also, it may well be part of their "will"(destiny) to learn and grow from you proclaiming your beliefs and you may well be inhibiting their spiritual and emotional growth by not challenging them.
Just remember- in cases like this, it is very important HOW you go about telling these people. You need to be sympathetic and understanding to the beliefs that they have. Do plenty of research first.
2007-11-07 09:34:15 · answer #6 · answered by Tirant 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What the Wiccan Rede tells us is that all actions that lead to minimal harm are acceptable actions.
It does NOT tell us to "do NO harm". A rede is not a commandment -- it is a suggestion for conduct.
Living without causing harm is simply impossible.
If you are truly being called to follow the Gods of Wicca, then the damage that not honoring Them would do to your spirit is certainly of at least equal important to any collateral damage to your family. And there's always the option of following that old adage: "To will, to know, to dare, to keep silent." Ultimately, the only person who has to know that you are Wiccan is you -- and the Gods.
2007-11-06 07:51:49 · answer #7 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you are serious about it than follow your inner guidance you don't need the counsel of others to make this decision.
Harm none is saying you have a choice on the opposite side it Say's Do what tho ult wilt. It is a path to be followed in faith and secrecy. You don't have to share it with your mother. If your partner understands then that is fine. In all respect you can still enjoy Xmas just read up on the day's of power and find out about Yule etc.
Blessed be
2007-11-07 10:30:53 · answer #8 · answered by I love BU 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
either way you go it would hurt. If you don't become wiccan, then your family is sad that you are not following what you believe, and you would be to. Whereas if you became wiccan it would hurt your family, untill they see how they can't do anything about it. I guess the goddess just wanted it to hurt, so take which ever path you feel is best, go with your gut.
Good luck
2007-11-06 07:30:16 · answer #9 · answered by ■ Jessie ■ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am Wiccan and there are certain people I don't mention it to, becuase they won't understand. As far as holidays go, celebrate them all!! Celebrate the gathering of your family. Its ok to celebrate the beliefs of others. It makes you respectful, not hypocritial. I have read heavily on the life of Jesus, and I respect many of the things he taught. Its ok to open to many things, Wicca is not a strict religion. Create your own understanding. Blessed Be!!
2007-11-07 05:59:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋