Wicca?

[VamPyroX]

I don't mind learning some magic.

 

[Bluerobin]

Heath, you are a very closed-minded man. I am a wiccan. I do not believe in the devil at all. "He" doesn't even exist to me!! Magic is the art of transforming our own energy into something tangible. I suggest www.witchway.net as a valid pool of truth about wicca on the web. We worship a God and a Godess. Many also choose to worship other Gods and Godesses. No, we are not "evil". Our golden rule is "An it harm none, do what thou wilt". It is sacred and possibly the oldest "religion" on earth. We are more centered around spirituality than orgainized religion. It is not a fad or a novelty idea.

 

[Teresh]

Since my family and older generations were pro-Catholics but for not me. Why? I found the truths about their religion. Catholics are well-known for not sharing or teaching these prophecies and especially the prt about the true salvation and bit more of other issues. They are rather mere weak christians. I like many friends who happen to be catholics. I hope that they seek this truths. Catholics sure ain't as bad as Mormons or Wicca, etc.

Catholics are weak Christians because they actually observe the meaning of Scripture instead of citing passages that don't exist or taking passages completely out of context? Wow. I didn't know God meant for people to use Scripture to villify anyone they didn't like. Oh, wait, he didn't--He condemned them in the New Testament--Hypocrites was his word for them. You, my friend, are a hypocrite.

Wicca is close like a cult. They mix darkness and light but not know what they're doing.

Wicca is not closed at all... The fact that you're not intelligent enough to understand such a simple thing is your problem, it's not an issue for the rest of us.

So that explains as why you do not know much of these Bible prophecies. Try to read them .. it's too many of them to point as few samples but there is plenty of imformation about them and it's the best acid test you can use against and you will find it awesome.

I've read more of the Bible than you have. No conservative Christians have *ever* read more than a handful of passages in the Bible with the exception of hypocrites, who then take passages completely out of context when they have an axe to grind against whoever. I've read the Bible. Based on your views, I'll say you've probably never even read a whole chapter of any book therein. Why don't you go do that before you decide to talk about Scripture.

And I'm no ignorant bigot as you called me. It's just blunt truth I learned from the true church and Bible after years of reading. Even I acid-tested them.

You've never read the Bible, that's why you are a bigot. You're fabricating "facts" of your reading the book as it suits you. You are pretending you're knowledgable about the subject because you are an insecure individual.

Remember that all the religions are so different and do NOT share the same God and beliefs, first of all.

All religions of the world are different, but all that could be considered mainstream believe in the same God, with the exception of Buddhism. The only difference is how that God is represented. In Christianity, it is a singular figure, which is the same as in Islam and Judaism. In Wicca, God is perceived as two equal yet opposing forces. In Hinduism, God is perceived to be an infinite number of parts composing the Absolute whole. All of these religions are the same in that regard. The only difference is how

May God lead you to the Truth.

I know the Truth. God does not lead you to it, you need to find it for yourself. If you can't stand on your own feet and think for yourself rather than having other people think for you, God does not want you in His presence. God didn't give you freedom to think and feel on your own as a test to see if you would forgo it for religion. Only a God of Evil would test his followers in such a way. God gave you freedom to think and feel on your own as a challenge to grow and become more than you were before.

You don't believe in yourself, and thus God does not believe in you either. May God have mercy on your soul.

It is sacred and possibly the oldest "religion" on earth.

Wicca is one of the newest major religions on earth. Wicca was started in 1954 by Gerald Gardner. You can argue that Wicca is the synthesis of a number of older religions which died out, but the claim that Wicca itself is an old religion is simply factually incorrect.

Gardenian Wicca is actually largely based on Thelema, which was started early in the 20th century by Aleister Crowley as a synthesis of traditional Masonry, hermetic Qabbalah and traditional Gnosticism. Gardenian Wicca is still like Thelema. Other Wicca branches have changed things. Both Thelema and Wicca are relatively new religions. They do not have the 2000-year or 5000-year histories of Christianity or Judaism respectively, nor even the 1200-year history of Islam or the 6000-year history of Buddhism or the 20,000-year history of Hinduism.

Being a new religion is not necessarily a bad thing mind you, but stating that it's an old religion is simply wrong.

 

[Bluerobin]

Wicca is older than Christianity, why do you think "god" forbids magick in the bible ( not that the bible is the most accurate source of info)? What do you think people practiced before "Jesus" came? Magick is older than you know. By the way there are many traditions of Wicca. Gerald Gardiner founded his own tradition. Many wiccans choose to follow his teachings today, some do not. Wicca is a huge umbrella term describing many different faiths. I do not think it is right to put down other's beliefs systems, whether they are Christian, or Wiccan. Everyone's own faith should be respected and valued. It is hard enough to get through this world, and if having faith helps them become better people and nuture themselves them that's a good thing. If you don't believe in the bible, so what? Leave the people who do believe in it alone. Their spirituality is just as important as yours.

 

[Teresh]

Wicca is older than Christianity, why do you think "god" forbids magick in the bible ( not that the bible is the most accurate source of info)? What do you think people practiced before "Jesus" came? Magick is older than you know.

Magick has been around for a long time, Wicca is a new religion which implements that. Claiming otherwise is just *incorrect*. I don't care one whit how you *feel* about that, it's *wrong*.

By the way there are many traditions of Wicca. Gerald Gardiner founded his own tradition. Many wiccans choose to follow his teachings today, some do not. Wicca is a huge umbrella term describing many different faiths.

Wicca is a set of religious beliefs which are all very similar, much like different versions of Christianity believe mostly in the same things while still all being slightly different. It's a subset of the religions commonly called Paganism, or rather Neopaganism. Wicca is a *new* family of religions, you must understand this. There is nothing *wrong* with Wiccan religions or even the aspect of being a new religion. There is, however, a problem with people asserting the incorrect idea that Wicca is old or even the oldest religion in the world.

Saying that the existence of magick in ancient history is evidence of Wicca is incorrect--Magick is just another form of prayer. The syntax, and the symbols used and the procedure and methodogly of different religions and their prayers vary widely, but the notion that you can connect with the higher power in some way or another is common to all religions, magick in the Wiccan sense is just another way of expressing that.

I do not think it is right to put down other's beliefs systems, whether they are Christian, or Wiccan. Everyone's own faith should be respected and valued. It is hard enough to get through this world, and if having faith helps them become better people and nuture themselves them that's a good thing. If you don't believe in the bible, so what? Leave the people who do believe in it alone. Their spirituality is just as important as yours.

I do believe in the Bible. I'm not putting anyone down for their beliefs, I'm putting people down for asserting that they are right when they have not read the holy books of or attempted to understand their "religion". That is not putting down beliefs. That is simply an attack against foolish people who don't even know what they're talking about and yet want to believe that they're knowledgable about the subject. If the person in question had actually read the Bible, or even a large chunk of it, prior to making statements that don't make any sense, then I'd have no reason to be on the offensive.

I have no sympathy for people who can't think for themselves and rely on other people to tell them what to do and think all the time. If you live by that, you're just a robot.

 

[Bluerobin]

Wicca new or old?

I've actually argued with others about this before. It's really irrelevant if you or I think Wicca is old or not. Some aspects of it are very old and some are not. I agree that some spellcasting a lot like prayer, or meditation even. Different religions use different tools. Catholics use a rosary, Wiccans use herbs, candles insence and a pentacle. The most important part is the SPIRIT. I hate it when people live their life on "autopilot". The comment about tearing apart someone's faith was for everyone. We all need to be more accepting of everybody's beliefs. I agree it pisses me off when people don't really believe in what they are preaching. Maybe they are just scared inside. To really believe in something is awesome and scary. Maybe they just need to be understood.

 

[Mistyrose]

....

Sorry to be off topic here...but i am curious....are you a male or female..i would guess a male cuz of your avatar...that shows a male..it is a strange avatar anyways..cuz i dont understand that avatar..is that you? and if that is you, what are you doing, u trying to poke somebody's eyes out? lol!.....
geeeez, it is strange...it would help if you explain that avatar..............

 

[Bluerobin]

Sorry to be off topic here...but i am curious....are you a male or female..i would guess a male cuz of your avatar...that shows a male..it is a strange avatar anyways..cuz i dont understand that avatar..is that you? and if that is you, what are you doing, u trying to poke somebody's eyes out? lol!.....
geeeez, it is strange...it would help if you explain that avatar..............

Who's avatar? The butt one or mine? I'm confused?

 

[VamPyroX]

Wicca is older than Christianity, why do you think "god" forbids magick in the bible ( not that the bible is the most accurate source of info)? What do you think people practiced before "Jesus" came? Magick is older than you know. By the way there are many traditions of Wicca. Gerald Gardiner founded his own tradition. Many wiccans choose to follow his teachings today, some do not. Wicca is a huge umbrella term describing many different faiths. I do not think it is right to put down other's beliefs systems, whether they are Christian, or Wiccan. Everyone's own faith should be respected and valued. It is hard enough to get through this world, and if having faith helps them become better people and nuture themselves them that's a good thing. If you don't believe in the bible, so what? Leave the people who do believe in it alone. Their spirituality is just as important as yours.

I agree with you. There are things that are proven to be older than the Bible. How do you explain that? Perhaps, Wiccan religion is something that the Christian religion has been trying to remove.

Only a TRUE religious leader will let people choose their life and talk only about themselves, not attack other religions.

 

[Bluerobin]

Thank you.

 

[Reba]

... No conservative Christians have *ever* read more than a handful of passages in the Bible with the exception of hypocrites, who then take passages completely out of context when they have an axe to grind against whoever. ...

Really? I know many, many "conservative" Christians who read the Bible daily, and read thru the entire Bible on an annual basis. You and I must know totally different groups of "Chrisitians".

 

[deafdyke]

All religions of the world are different, but all that could be considered mainstream believe in the same God, with the exception of Buddhism. The only difference is how that God is represented. In Christianity, it is a singular figure, which is the same as in Islam and Judaism. In Wicca, God is perceived as two equal yet opposing forces. In Hinduism, God is perceived to be an infinite number of parts composing the Absolute whole. All of these religions are the same in that regard. The only difference is how

exactly!!!!! A religion isn't evil just b/c it does not follow to a T, YOUR beliefs about God!
Oh, and Teresh, if Wicca isn't older then Christianity, then how come the Bible says "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live?" Wicca in and of itself is OLD!
Reba, there are SOME conservative Christians who have read the Bible extensively. However, there are also many who don't know all that much beyond the basic scriptures. Did you know, for example that the Bible says it's OK for parents to kill their children if they misbehave?

 

[jazzy]

I've actually argued with others about this before. It's really irrelevant if you or I think Wicca is old or not. Some aspects of it are very old and some are not. I agree that some spellcasting a lot like prayer, or meditation even. Different religions use different tools. Catholics use a rosary, Wiccans use herbs, candles insence and a pentacle. The most important part is the SPIRIT. I hate it when people live their life on "autopilot". The comment about tearing apart someone's faith was for everyone. We all need to be more accepting of everybody's beliefs. I agree it pisses me off when people don't really believe in what they are preaching. Maybe they are just scared inside. To really believe in something is awesome and scary. Maybe they just need to be understood.

I have been told by someone Abraham in the bible was a pagan. I believe pagan was one of the oldest religion.

 

[Mistyrose]

Who's avatar? The butt one or mine? I'm confused?

Umm are you Mookie?? If not, then butt out, lol!

 

[Reba]

I have been told by someone Abraham in the bible was a pagan. ...

No, Abraham was not a pagan. He worshipped Jehova God.

 

[Bluerobin]

Still there is a point to all this...with mythology it shows what people have people believed in even before Christianity...and Wicca is deeply rooted in Mythology...we even worship some Gods and Godesses from way back when...
Of course most Christians do not know a lot about these things because they spend their time reading the bible and studing Christianity. Their religion forbids them to practice magick. Wouldn't that cause them to have a one-sided view about Wicca?

 

[Teresh]

Wouldn't that cause them to have a one-sided view about Wicca?

Nope... I know a lot of Christians who don't mind Wicca. It's not Christianity that prevents some people from understanding or at least acknowledging Wicca as a legitimate religion, it's fundamentalism that prevents it.

 

[DarrenD]

I'm surprised no one has brought up The DaVinci Code. Recommended reading, folks, if you have any passing interest in your belief system.

Nope... I know a lot of Christians who don't mind Wicca. It's not Christianity that prevents some people from understanding or at least acknowledging Wicca as a legitimate religion, it's fundamentalism that prevents it.

Fundamentalism and fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of punishment by that entity people conceptualize and calll God.

Deafdyke: the word "witch" in the Bible did not mean witch as we know it or use it now. King James's interpreters were pretty liberal with their translations and I believe the actual term referred to a healer who used herbs and stuff.

The early church adapted a lot of the pagan beliefs to lure the pagans over to christianity...and this is how the veneration of the 'saints' began. St. Paul did it himself by adapting the beliefs of a local religion, Mithraism (or was it zoroastranism?) and the dualism of light and dark in christian theology. jesus suddenly became the light of the world...Judasim itself developed from the polytheistic religions abounding in the area at the time (came over from india). JHVH was but one of those gods...Catholicism is an amalgam of paganism and what was called christianity. It only rose supreme because of its heavy, bloody fist thudding down throughout the ages.

You people who use the word SATAN and SATANISM for everything...do some research and get over it. Wicca does not use the inverted pentacle (pentagram..."circle with the star in it") as a goat's head. the points of the pentagram stand for the elements. Wicca does not acknowledge the existance of a 'satan' or devil. I suppose you believe jesus wasn't jewish?

Wicca is more of a spiritual path than anything else. Those who would work magick just for the sake of working magick are selfish and missing the point. This is why I do not like to participate any longer in covens. Like a christian church, there's too many ideas in the mix and the egos get in the way. I and those whom I hung out with did not believe in the existance of a multiplicity of gods per se; the gods personified different aspects of the one true god, the god who is experienced through the many faces (or masks, 'personas') as seen through the mythologies. Some wiccans happen to go with the Celtic group, some the Nordic, and others the Italian. It's a nature thing, and in this way we are all made in god's own image (and this is a form of pantheism, and or panentheism...god is in everything). The god and goddess are but two aspects of the same existance...but that existance is not seen as a self-conscious man-like thing that lives in a separate locale called 'heaven.' God is all around, without and within. to me that is the beautiful and spiritual part of it. Acceptance, tolerance..."love for others" is a matter of perspective.

Magick? Please. Christians churches have been working magick since day one and before christianity...it's called prayer. That is a beautiful thing, prayer, and there are so many different forms of it. Wicca embraces a lot of belief systems and practices and cannot be nailed down to a definitive credo-laden 'religion.' That is what will keep it from becoming an institutionalized religion like Islam, Judaism, or Christianity. A lot of people cannot handle that; they need someone to tell them what to believe...mainly for fear of going against what was learned in their childhood...but I digress...

I don't follow it much, now, but my belief system hasn't really changed that much. We've never sacrificed anything or anyone (even though sacrifice was clearly done 'in the old days,' and I still recommend it to anyone as a means to an end who is seeking a spiritual path. i enjoyed myself heartily while in active participation!

Hell, now if I can just find that picture of me and my kids posing with Raymond Buckland and Silver Ravenwolf...

 

[Bluerobin]

I also choose to be a solitary practiioner. I'm an eclectic wiccan, which means I believe in a great many things. I do not believe in religion. I believe in spirituality. You can also be a wiccan and not even practice magick at all.
Covens can be a good thing, but also can be a form of organized religion. Who knows anymore? I hate to get caught up in all of that so that is why I worship the God and Godess alone.

 

[Reba]

I'm surprised no one has brought up The DaVinci Code. ..

It was fully debated in a previous thread.