Wiccan...... Kinda long.

[sha_lyn]

To expand on God/Goddess

Some focus on mostly or entirely on Goddess but (EG correct me if I am wrong) I think most recognize "diety" as a male/female duality.

As for my actual beliefs
we recognize a trinity of sorts
the All= the "fabric of the universe so to speak. The energy that we all come from.
God and Goddess the masculine feminine aspects of the diety separate but not separate from each other. I often compare them to God the father and God the Holy Spirit, with God the Father=God and Holy spirit=Goddess. Many names are used. We usually use holiday specific Celtic names for the god and goddess, or names that relate to the need. We don't see them as separate Gods and Goddesses but a sort of short hand to connect to the need etc. sort of like praying to a patron Saint.

 

[sha_lyn]

There is a fantastic website called beliefnet.com which I highly recommend. It explores just about all major and not so major religions as well as general spirituality. Here is a list from their faiths page: http://www.beliefnet.com/index/index_10000.html?t=1002

I suggest researching Wiccan and looking into some of the other religions as well just for general information.

They also have a great questionaire called Belief-O-Matic that will assist you in determining which religion your spiritual beliefs fall under. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

I always get liberal quaker as my top one LOL. However after talking to a friend that was raised liberal quaker she said that there real are a lot of similarities in the beliefs (in the beliefs but not in how they are carried out if that makes any sense)

 

[Evil Genius]

To expand on God/Goddess

Some focus on mostly or entirely on Goddess but (EG correct me if I am wrong) I think most recognize "diety" as a male/female duality.

Yes there is all ways both halves. For some the Goddess and her consort for others as you have described.

 

[Steffi]

My DD got interested in Wicca last year.

There is a metaphysical shop near our house that offers many different classes, and Wicca for teens is one of them. Parents are encouraged to attend with their teens, and there is also a mother/daughter Wicca class.

My daughter enjoyed the classes, and like Sunday school of many other religions, got a lot of good advice about how to handle problems in life. The classes really seemed to stress being a strong and independent person with a kind and loving heart who does good in the world.

DD isn't interested in Wicca anymore, but still maintains friendships that she made while exploring the religion, and I feel certaint hat she gained a lot of personal insight from her journey. I'm glad I was able to support her through that and share her interests. It was a learning/bonding experience for us.

 

[sha_lyn]

took the beliefnet quizz again. I has probably been 2 yrs since i took it. I had slightly different results this time. If i remember correctlly my top 10 are the same but in a diferent order
1. Neo-Pagan (100%)
2. New Age (84%)
3. Sikhism (82%)
4. Unitarian Universalism (82%)
5. Liberal Quakers (79%)
6. Reform Judaism (75%)
7. Hinduism (70%)
8. Bahá'í Faith (69%)
9. Mahayana Buddhism (69%)
10. New Thought (68%)

 

[JodyLynC]

here is my Belief-O-Matic top 10:

1. Neo-Pagan (100%)
2. New Age (99%)
3. Mahayana Buddhism (98%)
4. Unitarian Universalism (98%)
5. New Thought (88%)
6. Liberal Quakers (87%)
7. Scientology (85%)
8. Taoism (83%)
9. Theravada Buddhism (83%)
10. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (79%)

Sha_lyn we're not too far off.

 

[Disney Doll]

Yeah...I went to a church that was pretty strict and my parents were really..weird about religion. My mother didn't want me to go to other churches (even with friends) because it would violate the covenant she made with God at my baptism.

Once, when we got into an argument over something, my stepdad barred me from leaving the room, held a Bible in front of him and yelled "SATAN GET BEHIND ME!" until I got so exhausted I gave up.

Well, didn't that give you a bad idea about religion?
No offense to your parents, but that was quite over the top.

I don't know any Christians who behave like that.

 

[chell]

Well, didn't that give you a bad idea about religion?
No offense to your parents, but that was quite over the top.

I don't know any Christians who behave like that.

I sure have met some. Those are the scary ones!!! Wonder if she is from the South?

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I will have to say...I have a totally different concept of Wicca now. I'm no longer afraid for her to learn about it. She hasn't brought it up again, but now, I think I may bring it up to her....in case she's just afraid of my reaction.
Thank you for all the input

 

[nephthys43]

i'm coming in on this a little late... but here goes...

i went through "the wiccan phase" at 15. i'm still in it apparently. my friend, who went into it with me, is back to being a catholic. it only took her 1 year or two.

so... 16 years later, what have i learned (besides the movie "the craft" was a big fat lie - it came out after i converted)

first, there is no devil or devil worship.
second, your god (whom you believe to be the creator and ruler of the world) is my goddess (same being, different gender).
we worship all that is created in life and nature.
we celebrate 8 holidays a year (yule is what christmas was derived from). think of spells as prayers. in church they burn incense and light candles, same here; our prayers are just a bit different.
and the main rule of wicca is "and it harm none, do what ye will". meaning we never intentionally harm another being. even if they've hurt us. we may "pray" for them to realize that they've hurt us, but we never do "black" magic.

if you have any questions, feel free to pm me. if your daughter wants to talk to me, i'll give her honest answers, like you can't fly or change your apperance like that stupid movie. can you tell i don't like it one bit.