Wiccan...... Kinda long.

[GoldieSaysMeep]

I'm sure their are shady Wiccans just as there are shady Christians.

There are sketchy people who abuse every religion.

In Salem, a year or two ago, we had a well known Wiccan who said she was going to "curse" the Salem police because they looked into her family for some sort of domestic issue. I don't remember all the details, but I do recall that the police were abosultey correct in what they were checking into and that the Wiccan woman was basically being a whiny brat.

The vast majority of Salem Wiccans spoke out AGAINST her, talking about how absolutely wrong it was to even say she was cursing a police officer she didn't agree with etc.

But that was proof there that every religion has it's wackos and that the majority in any religion who are peaceful, kind people will speak out against the crazies who use their faith for the wrong reasons.

 

[Planogirl]

Maybe I've been lucky but I've met only kind Wiccans. I think that the Wiccan religion is actually rather beautiful and I suspect that it gets the bad rap partially because it's an unknown to so many people and because of the word "witch" and the image many have of that word.

I think that this young lady sounds bright and curious and has a great Mom to help her learn about the world!

 

[Cool-Beans]

The vast majority of Salem Wiccans spoke out AGAINST her, talking about how absolutely wrong it was to even say she was cursing a police officer she didn't agree with etc.

I am not clear on this. Was it that they thought it would be wrong to curse the cop because he didn't deserve it or was it that they thought saying she would "curse" him was stupid and they didn't want to be associated with that?

 

[sha_lyn]

I am not clear on this. Was it that they thought it would be wrong to curse the cop because he didn't deserve it or was it that they thought saying she would "curse" him was stupid and they didn't want to be associated with that?

Because it would be negative/dark/"balck" magick/energy...something that true Wiccans do not practice.

It would be like a Christain praying for something bad to happen to the officer.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Wiccans (and a lot of other pagans, for that matter) believe that no matter what energy you send out into the world (be it positive or negative), it WILL return to you threefold. If you 'curse' someone, you're effectively cursing yourself as well because it will come back to bite you in the butt when you least expect it.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Karma
Its a beautiful thing

 

[sha_lyn]

Wiccans (and a lot of other pagans, for that matter) believe that no matter what energy you send out into the world (be it positive or negative), it WILL return to you threefold. If you 'curse' someone, you're effectively cursing yourself as well because it will come back to bite you in the butt when you least expect it.

not only that, but it is seen as drawing in negative energy into the physical world.

 

[Pigeon]

I work with several wiccans, and we've had interesting discussions about their religions.

While I'm not a believer, I think it is one of the most innocuous faiths around. I have no idea why people find it so threatening, other than their own particular flavor of superstition.

I would let a child of that age explore it if it interested her.

 

[sha_lyn]

I work with several wiccans, and we've had interesting discussions about their religions.

While I'm not a believer, I think it is one of the most innocuous faiths around. I have no idea why people find it so threatening, other than their own particular flavor of superstition.

I would let a child of that age explore it if it interested her.

There are many misconceptions out there about Wicca (and many pagan religions).

I've had some say it is because of the secrecy, but IMHO pagans were forced into secrecy because of fear of being persecuted by "the Church".

I also believe a lot of people think of Wicca as a new age cult because the term Wicca was coined in the 50's. they see Gardner as cult leader, when really what he did was weave a common thread between several Pagan religions, most of which have roots that predate Christianity.

 

[Pigeon]

There are many misconceptions out there about Wicca (and many pagan religions).

I've had some say it is because of the secrecy, but IMHO pagans were forced into secrecy because of fear of being persecuted by "the Church".

I also believe a lot of people think of Wicca as a new age cult because the term Wicca was coined in the 50's. they see Gardner as cult leader, when really what he did was weave a common thread between several Pagan religions, most of which have roots that predate Christianity.

I've never encountered any Wiccans who were particularly secretive. They aren't going around knocking on doors trying to convert people (a hugely positive trait in my book), but they are happy to talk about their faith if it comes up in conversation. But maybe that's because they are friends and feel comfortable.

 

[sha_lyn]

I've never encountered any Wiccans who were particularly secretive. They aren't going around knocking on doors trying to convert people (a hugely positive trait in my book), but they are happy to talk about their faith if it comes up in conversation. But maybe that's because they are friends and feel comfortable.

I think it all depends on the area one lives in too. I know here is is very hard to be out of the broom closet. It also depends on where the coven meets. Most around here meet in private homes.

 

[Evil Genius]

I think it all depends on the area one lives in too. I know here is is very hard to be out of the broom closet. It also depends on where the coven meets. Most around here meet in private homes.

Broom closet!!!

And then are those of us that practice solitary.

People are becoming more open about it. Sometimes we get shunned and other folks are curious as to what it is all about. One day it just won't matter.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I have not made up my mind about Wicca stuff. I've met two people who claimed to be Wiccas. One was very flaky and the other was a complete nutcase. That doesn't mean they are all flaky (and surely aren't all nutcases), but it does mean that they couldn't be trusted to answer questions.

So, here are mine, if anyone wants to answer them.

1. Do all wiccas consider themeselves witches or just some?

2. Do the wiccas believe that their curses will actually do harm to others?

3. Do they consider themselves an actual religious order?

If so,

3a. Are there sects, with different groups believing different stuff? (I think I asked this once on the DIS and was told that different Wiccas do believe different stuff, but am not 100% sure.)

3b. Do they have someone or something (say, Mother Nature) that they actually worship?

4. Do all Wiccas dislike Christians or is this a personal thing that varies depending on the individual? (I see a lot of dislike for Christianity from people who claim to Wiccas on the DIS, but they could just be the squeaky wheels.)

5. If you could post ONE website of info on Wiccas that you feel is representative of Wiccas in general, please, would you?

 

[Evil Genius]

I have not made up my mind about Wicca stuff. I've met two people who claimed to be Wiccas. One was very flaky and the other was a complete nutcase. That doesn't mean they are all flaky (and surely aren't all nutcases), but it does mean that they couldn't be trusted to answer questions.

So, here are mine, if anyone wants to answer them.

1. Do all wiccas consider themeselves witches or just some?

2. Do the wiccas believe that their curses will actually do harm to others?

3. Do they consider themselves an actual religious order?

If so,

3a. Are there sects, with different groups believing different stuff? (I think I asked this once on the DIS and was told that different Wiccas do believe different stuff, but am not 100% sure.)

3b. Do they have someone or something (say, Mother Nature) that they actually worship?

4. Do all Wiccas dislike Christians or is this a personal thing that varies depending on the individual? (I see a lot of dislike for Christianity from people who claim to Wiccas on the DIS, but they could just be the squeaky wheels.)

5. If you could post ONE website of info on Wiccas that you feel is representative of Wiccas in general, please, would you?

1. Some Wiccans call themselves witches others just Wiccans
2.As mentioned here curses are the black arts, which is a totally different story
3. Yes and so does the US government
3a yes
3b The Goddess
4 No we don't dislike Christians. The dislike that some feel is from the constant persecution that has gone on. The "If you don't believe in "our" God then your wrong" attitude.
5 Don't know that such a website exists. There were some websites earlier in this thread. I didn't look at them but that might be a place to start.

 

[sha_lyn]

All these answers are as far as I know. No claim to be speaking for all

1. Do all wiccas consider themeselves witches or just some? witch is seen as a negative term by some

2. Do the wiccas believe that their curses will actually do harm to others?
yes
3. Do they consider themselves an actual religious order? If I am understanding your use of oder, I would say yes, although there are many solitary practitioners I think in general yes

If so,

3a. Are there sects, with different groups believing different stuff? (I think I asked this once on the DIS and was told that different Wiccas do believe different stuff, but am not 100% sure.)Yes. I made a comparrison in the past. I am not comparing beliefs at all, but I guess a hiarchy or hsitory of how the different types evolved
Gardenairan=Catholic Church
Alexanderian=Luthern
There are several other branches with some sort of leadership beyond their local leadership= protestant church organizations...IE southern Baptist, United Methodist etc

independent/ecletic covens=independent churches
solitary practitioners= Christians who worship on their own

of course the above is just generalizations.
My coven branched off of another one. That one formed when there was a disagreement with a very large coven that has several branches. So basically several left and formed an independent coven. Then due to size and location we split from that group.




3b. Do they have someone or something (say, Mother Nature) that they actually worship? once again just speaking from my beliefs and training. I gave a link earlier that covers God pretty well in the 3rd paragraph http://www.ravenwoodchurch.org/beliefs.htm


4. Do all Wiccas dislike Christians or is this a personal thing that varies depending on the individual? (I see a lot of dislike for Christianity from people who claim to Wiccas on the DIS, but they could just be the squeaky wheels.)
No do not dislike. Some of my best friends and most of my family is Christian. It is the judgemental attitude we do not like. Especially the once based in nothing but ignorance...IE I was told right here on the DIS that I did in fact worship the devil but was too stupid to realize it

5. If you could post ONE website of info on Wiccas that you feel is representative of Wiccas in general, please, would you?
the site I post above Along with Witchvox which I linked to earlier. Actually Wikipedia is pretty good, especially on the Wheel of the yr and other info such as that. Wheel of the yr would be our religious holidays

 

[Cool-Beans]

1. Some Wiccans call themselves witches others just Wiccans So, do Wiccans (not "Wiccas", sorry) argue with each other about whether they are witches or not, or are the terms used interchangeably or is this based on which sect you belong to?
2.As mentioned here curses are the black arts, which is a totally different story Is there a difference between curses and "black arts"? My total experience with this is 1. Willow on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", 2. A catalog of products for witches I somehow got in the mail...capes, cauldrons, whole bit.

Do they think that placing a curse on someone has some sort of effect?
3. Yes and so does the US government The US government calling themselves a religious order is something I've not heard. Are you trying to say the Wiccans are no more religious than the US government? Or do you think there is a secret religion to the US government the rest of us don't know? Or is there a point here I'm just totally missing?

What do the Wiccans call the religion? "Wiccan"?
3a yes Does everyone know about the different sects or are there so many you can't keep track of them or what?
3b The Goddess Is "The Goddess" like God, just feminine one? Or is she the Goddess of something? What is the deal with her? What does she do and how is she worshipped?
4 No we don't dislike Christians. The dislike that some feel is from the constant persecution that has gone on. The "If you don't believe in "our" God then your wrong" attitude. That is nice to hear.
5 Don't know that such a website exists. There were some websites earlier in this thread. I didn't look at them but that might be a place to start. Well, where does one find info on this? When you started, where did you go? Assuming you weren't raised to it, a person has to begin somewhere. I'm not trying to pry into your personal life - if you had an epiphany you don't wish to share, I totally respect that. I'm just trying to figure out where to get info from someone I consider reliable.

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I appreciate it.

 

[sha_lyn]

To expand on curses/negative spells etc.
As said in an earlier post, a good description of spell is prayer with props. However I would say that spell work is more active than prayer. We ask for the ability to channel the energy into its need (once again broad generalization here). We act as an active participant in bringing about the change instead of just asking God to do so (not saying that Christians don't follow through. I'm speaking more of the general "power of prayer" sense) IE just recently I had a very powerful meditation to help heal the daughter of a friend that was in a serious accident. Instead of just praying for her to be healed, I (along with member of my coven) had a guided meditation where we sent her healing energy and visualized her being healed. In fact I felt I made a connection with her and told her it was OK to relax and let the energy heal her. I saw her during my meditation ask if it was OK to touch the energy and then I felt her relief. I believe she was trying to hang on to living so hard that she was afraid that if she "touched God/the energy/the white light etc" that is was the gateway into the afterlife. Whether is was coincidence or not, she started improving when the crystal I used in meditation was placed at the head of her bed.

 

[JodyLynC]

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

 

[Evil Genius]

.....

 

[jenrose66]

I was into Wiccan as a teen, probably 15 to 18 or 19. I'm not quite sure what got me into it, but it's a peaceful religion, I was probably not a true believer because I never gave up the concept of God, I just took what I liked about the religion. I still have several books on the subject, I liked that it was not a religion based in guilt, which I feel that Roman Catholocism can be at times...

Now once I went to college I stopped practicing and when I got married in 2004 I got married in the Catholic church and I have baptized my son. Though I consider myself more of a spiritualist.

I think the more you disapprove of your daughter the more she will insist of being a Wiccan. Just listen to what she has to say and leave her alone. You said yourself you're not very religious, plus there are a lot of good concepts in Wicca.