A Wicca introduction

[Technosoul]

It it Oct. and so time to honor the anicent sects of Wicca (witchcraft) and to learn something more about our missing rib.

Here is just one tiny section of a large webpage containing information about Wicca.

http://www.unc.edu/~reddeer/index/00_basic...s.frameset.html

It is a religion devoted to peace through undersanding the grace and the beauty of Mother Nature.

Whatcha think?

[Ken Carman]

Originally posted by Technosoul, It it Oct. and so time to honor the anicent sects of Wicca (witchcraft) and to learn something more about our missing rib. Here is just one tiny section of a large webpage containing information about Wicca. http://www.unc.edu/~reddeer/index/00_basic...s.frameset.html It is a religion devoted to peace through undersanding the grace and the beauty of Mother Nature. Whatcha think?

I've been to several UU churches that have plenty of Wicca followers. It's interesting, although I think I edge a little more towards the rational aspects of UU. Yet I'm not really what they identify as a Secular Humanist either. So I find plenty of interest. Guess the final cnclusion is I walk to the beat of my own drummer, expect no one to follow, and respect the multiplicity of rythmns. It all creates the musical score that is the universe.

[Technosoul]

I would agree with your point of view Ken for that.

Anyway we have so much history that few explore because of religious fears that it might be an evil influence. But why miss out on all this interesting stuff?

Here is another one.

http://www.celticspirit.org/salmon.htm

[Iluvatar]

I know a few wiccans, and I know some VERY anti-wiccan catholics. You'd be surprised how much fundamentalism can translate into raw hate a those who are labeled "witches". I know a few people who take "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" literally.

As an agnostic atheist, I don't believe in it myself, but I find it a very interesting set of beliefs. Far too many people are far too uninformed when they condemn it.

[Autophage]

Far too many people are far too uninformed when they begin to follow it, in my experience as a highschooler in a suburban highschool with far too many individuals trying to seem different. I respect Wicca as a belief set every bit as valid as any other (and I believe that all are very valid). I just know a large number of idiots, some of whom are (or rather, claim to be) Wiccan.

[The Dunedan]

For my part, I've had mostly good experiances with Wiccans: two good friends of mine are Gardinarian. However, I've also had several very unpleasant run-ins with smarmy, superior, insulting, hateful "Fluffbunny" types.
One such person wrote a nastygram to my Ancient Ireland professor last year, calling her an "Xian hatemonger" for stating in class that the ancient Celts practiced human sacrifice...apparently history makes one a hatemonger now.

[The Dunedan]

For my part, I've had mostly good experiances with Wiccans: two good friends of mine are Gardinarian. However, I've also had several very unpleasant run-ins with smarmy, superior, insulting, hateful "Fluffbunny" types.
One such person wrote a nastygram to my Ancient Ireland professor last year, calling her an "Xian hatemonger" for stating in class that the ancient Celts practiced human sacrifice...apparently history makes one a hatemonger now.

[Mia]

Wicca is supposedly 'white', or 'good' witchery. There are no levels to worshiping Satan. You cannot be just a little pregnant.

You're either with God or Satan. There is no such thing as a 'good' witch.

A witch is a witch, and is with Satan.

Make your choice carefully. There is no going back if you go to far the wrong way.

[orgaelin]

Wicca is one of the first practices and belief system I turned to when I started getting curious about the less scientific side of life.

I learned there are elements of truth in everything, Wicca included.

What I learned from Wicca is that one can cause things to happen in accordance with your plans by casting 'spells'.

What I learned from psychology and studying the brain and mind is that there is a very specific psychological process going on when casting a spell which culminates in the person unconsciously bringing about the events by themselves without knowing it.

Same effect, different perspective.

[Inquisitor]

It it Oct. and so time to honor the anicent sects of Wicca (witchcraft) and to learn something more about our missing rib.

I agree we should learn about witchcraft, to honor them is impossible if one have actualy learned about them.

So who the witches really are? Is it mere superstition?

There were serious scientists who dedicated their career to study witches. First name that comes to mind is Montague Summers. In the introduction to his translation of The Malleus Maleficarum (The Witch Hammer), he wrote:
" Although it may not be generally recognized, upon a close investigation it seems plain that the witches were a vast political movement, an organized society which was anti-social and anarchichal, a world-wide plot against civilization. "

Notice two definitions in the Summers's quote: anti social and anarchical. So in fact it is anti social and anarchical behaviour, coupled with denial of Christianity that really defines a witch. Whether they cause evil active ( sorcery, murder, extortion, blackmail etc. ) or passive ( propaganda of tolerance to evil ) is largely irrelevant. Are there people in todays world that fall under this definition ( anti social, anarchical, anti christian ) ? Of course. Witches, wicca, satanists, communists, greens, human rights activists, pacifists etc. What do they have in common? They all possess signs of a witch. These signs are divided into 3 groups:
1. Sexual perversions
2. Mental disorders
3. Certain physical deformities

or to say in short, they are degenerates.

Far too many people are far too uninformed when they begin to follow it, in my experience as a highschooler in a suburban highschool with far too many individuals trying to seem different. I respect Wicca as a belief set every bit as valid as any other (and I believe that all are very valid). I just know a large number of idiots, some of whom are (or rather, claim to be) Wiccan.

Simple experiment. Look carefully at those wiccan at your highschool. Look at their blood relatives ( when possible ), you will notice all these 3 groups of signs.

[castille]

I agree Inquisitor! Let us take up arms against the heretics, unbelievers, Satanists, and cult members! We will crush the mortals beneath our feet and bath in the blood of heretics! Let the world drown in blood and fire and terror, and let the pathetic mortals tremble beneath our power and glory!

[Technosoul]

Originally posted by Iluvatar, I know a few wiccans, and I know some VERY anti-wiccan catholics. You'd be surprised how much fundamentalism can translate into raw hate a those who are labeled "witches". I know a few people who take "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" literally. As an agnostic atheist, I don't believe in it myself, but I find it a very interesting set of beliefs. Far too many people are far too uninformed when they condemn it.

Belief or not we can also look at pagan knowledge for it early explorations into the field of science, plus we can look at the historical evolution of ideas and concepts that led to our modern religious perspectives.

[orgaelin]

Originally posted by Inquisitor, I agree we should learn about witchcraft, to honor them is impossible if one have actualy learned about them.

Dear Lord, I ask that you watch over the world and do your best to prevent men like Inquisitor from ever obtaining positions of power. Amen.

So who the witches really are? Is it mere superstition?

Superstition?! Most superstitions were invented by the church to cause the common folk to be fearful!

" Although it may not be generally recognized, upon a close investigation it seems plain that the witches were a vast political movement, an organized society which was anti-social and anarchichal, a world-wide plot against civilization. "

Oh COME ON!

So how come no-one except this one serious scientist is aware of there being some top-secret underground organisation of witches? If they were as dangerous as you and your buddy suggest, we'd all be dead already. But since we're not, they're not, and you're nuts.

So in fact it is anti social and anarchical behaviour, coupled with denial of Christianity that really defines a witch.

That means nearly every teenager on the planet. Great. We're doomed.

Whether they cause evil active ( sorcery, murder, extortion, blackmail etc. )

Like the Catholic popes, for example.

or passive ( propaganda of tolerance to evil )

What?

Are there people in todays world that fall under this definition ( anti social, anarchical, anti christian ) ? Of course. Witches, wicca, satanists, communists, greens, human rights activists, pacifists etc.

Ha! I think this ought to be the last time I bother responding to any of your posts. You're not healthy, and if you lived down the street for me, as God is my witness I would contact a psychiatrist to have you committed, and I would show him your posts, and I tell you with all surety you would be committed to insane assylum.

You're too far over the edge.

What do they have in common? They all possess signs of a witch. These signs are divided into 3 groups: 1. Sexual perversions

Again, like a massive number of Catholic priests.

2. Mental disorders

Which are common throughout society.

Oh... and hang on... that makes YOU a witch too!! LOL!

3. Certain physical deformities

Well, I haven't seen your face or anything so I couldn't say.

And to think, Patrick wanted to know why I said people like you are terrifying! If he still doesn't know after reading your latest, there's no helping him either!

All the sarcasm aside, speaking with absolutely genuine honesty, Inquisitor, I really do think you need to see a doctor. I'm not trying to be nasty. Your beliefs are unhealthy, and you are a danger as much to yourself as you are to the rest of the world.

[Technosoul]

Originally posted by Autophage, Far too many people are far too uninformed when they begin to follow it, in my experience as a highschooler in a suburban highschool with far too many individuals trying to seem different. I respect Wicca as a belief set every bit as valid as any other (and I believe that all are very valid). I just know a large number of idiots, some of whom are (or rather, claim to be) Wiccan.

During the 1970s and later we had a lot of "teen cults" formulating around Ozzie Osborne (a better then you think educated person of the Mormon faith) and other rock band influences of the Doors and "the crazy world of A. Brown" and KISS. Etc. The "black sabbeth" groupies. I do not think those kids were all that informed about too much, but they grew up to produce Harry Potter and Star Wars, so "whatever"!

We must remember the stage those kids were at with hippy parents ....

http://www.hippy.com/php/article-223.html

But more importantly the writings of Alistair Crawley had created a lot of interest for people through out the 1960s and 1970s - see next link that talks about his influence on rock music ... (scroll down to heading "satanic".

http://r2rministries.com/rockmus/X0178_For...ehind_Rock.html

As the nation freaked out we also had a major mind-expaninding happening in the publication busness with of tons of new books exploring every thing historical and global relative to religions, cults, the occult, and that was way different then during the 1950s when such worldly knowledge was greatly limited in public bookstores.

A President was killed, Martin King was killed, and the bloody momentum of war shocked us with Nam and with the likes of people like Charles Manson and others dominated the news. Strange days indeed they were, the shock jocks of today are mild compared to what kids then were just becoming aware of historically ....

http://www.israelshamir.net/english/blood.htm

Technosoul.

[orgaelin]

Originally posted by Autophage I just know a large number of idiots, some of whom are (or rather, claim to be) Wiccan.

It definitely has to be said that Wicca (a word?!) is something that does attract a lot of idiots. Big idiots. They're the kind of people that get a kick out of making people feel awkward, like my brother who delights in discussing his stool with church-folk!

I met one self-professed Wiccan. He also liked to be naked almost 90% of the time. Again it was all aimed at freaking people out. Poeple like him get a kick out of it.

I guess Wicca is just something that is easy to latch onto, since there is no official membership, no mother church, no rules or obligations. You can just call yourself a Wiccan and then drag down the name of Wiccans in general.

[Mia]

Orgalaelin,

I don't know why you put your reply to me in a PM. I will answer it here, though.

First, your whole PM was a logical fallacy because you began with an assumption.

You said I can't judge Wicca without knowing anything about it.

True.

IF I knew little or nothing about it, I could not judge.

Question: How do you know my level of knowledge in Wicca?

[Samildanach]

I know next to nothing about Wicca except what I have seen in movies etc, if someone could chuck a couple of sentences down outlining the core beliefs I'd be grateful, I would go and research it normally but its not really important enough for me to put in the effort this time so I'll try to sponge off one of your brains if thats ok. :)

[castille]

To that rude "Wiccan" who sent me the PM suggesting I was criticising Wicca with my post:

Actually my post was making fun of Inquisitor. However, now that you've shown me what the attitude of Wiccan people are, I think I will start criticising Wicca as a religion for stupid people like you.

[Mia]

Originally posted by castille, To that rude "Wiccan" who sent me the PM suggesting I was criticising Wicca with my post: Actually my post was making fun of Inquisitor. However, now that you've shown me what the attitude of Wiccan people are, I think I will start criticising Wicca as a religion for stupid people like you.

As well you should. You can judge a tree by the fruit it bears.

[orgaelin]

Mia, I am afraid you are victim of a prank. My name is in fact Orgaelin, not Orgalaelin, and I have never PM'd you on here.