Wiccan Religion...

[ButterflyWings]

After the witchcraft post I was heated so I figured I would post what WICCA IS!!!!! UGH!!

Wicca (pronounced [ˈwɪkə]) is a Neopagan religion  and a form of modern witchcraft. It is often referred to as Witchcraft or the Craft[1]  by its adherents, who are known as Wiccans or Witches. Its disputed origins lie in England in the early 20th century,[2]  though it was first popularised during the 1950s by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft", and its adherents "the Wica".[3]  From the 1960s the name of the religion was normalised to "Wicca".[4]

Wicca is typically a duotheistic religion, worshipping a Goddess and a God, who are traditionally viewed as the Triple Goddess and Horned God. These two deities are often viewed as being facets of a greater pantheistic Godhead, and as manifesting themselves as various polytheistic deities. Nonetheless, there are also other theological positions within the Craft, ranging from monotheism to atheism. Wicca also involves the ritual practice of magic, largely influenced by the ceremonial magic of previous centuries, often in conjunction with a liberal code of morality known as the Wiccan Rede, although this is not adhered to by all Witches. Another characteristic of the Craft is the celebration of seasonally based festivals known as Sabbats, of which there are usually eight in number annually.

There are various different denominations within Witchcraft, which are referred to as traditions. Some, such as Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca, follow in the initiatory lineage of Gardner; these are often collectively termed British Traditional Wicca, and many of their practitioners consider the term "Wicca" to apply only to these lineaged traditions. Others, such as Cochrane's Craft, Feri and the Dianic tradition, take primary influence from other figures and may not insist on any initiatory lineage. Some of these do not use the term "Wicca" at all, instead preferring to be referred to only as "Witchcraft", while others believe that all traditions can be considered "Wiccan

[ButterflyWings]

Morality


"Bide the Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust... Mind the Threefold Law ye should - three times bad and three times good... Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill - an it harm none, do what ye will."
Lady Gwen Thompson[41]

There exists no dogmatic moral or ethical code followed universally by Wiccans of all traditions, however a majority follow a code known as the Wiccan Rede, which states "an it harm none, do what ye will". This is usually interpreted as a declaration of the freedom to act, along with the necessity of taking responsibility for what follows from one's actions and minimising harm to oneself and others.[42] Another common element of Wiccan morality is the Law of Threefold Return which holds that whatever benevolent or malevolent actions a person performs will return to that person with triple force, or with equal force on each of the three levels of body, mind and spirit,[43] similar to the eastern idea of karma. Both the Rede and the Threefold Law were introduced into the Craft by Gerald Gardner, and subsequently adopted by the Gardnerian and other traditions.

Many Wiccans also seek to cultivate a set of eight virtues mentioned in Doreen Valiente's Charge of the Goddess,[44] these being mirth, reverence, honour, humility, strength, beauty, power and compassion. In Valiente's poem, they are ordered in pairs of complementary opposites, reflecting a dualism that is common throughout Wiccan philosophy. Some lineaged Wiccans also observe a set of Wiccan Laws, commonly called the Craft Laws or Ardanes, 30 of which exist in the Gardnerian tradition and 161 of which are in the Alexandrian tradition. Valiente, one of Gardner's original High Priestesses, argued that the first thirty of these rules were most likely invented by Gerald Gardner himself in mock-archaic language as the by-product of inner conflict within his Bricket Wood coven - [45][46] the others were later additions made by Alex Sanders during the 1960s.

[armychick09h]

i hate how people put wiccan in with witchcraft. i think they think that since it sounds alike that it is. When infact it is nothing like witchcraft. and if they took the time to actually research it they could tell how hugely different they are...

[ButterflyWings]

I agree people run with whatever they feel like when it come to this subject..And half the time they talk out there booties LMAO

[AmyTrivitt]

The Wiccan religion is one I love. I think if people would understand it better and not assume they did they could learn allot from the elders.

[mrstina08]

Whatever religion a person is in. It is  a choice. There is only one way and one GOD. His name is JESUS CHRIST. The bible say Let God be the judge. You decide. We will know in due time. Because anyreligion that exhaust is it higher that God is an abomination. Espcecially when it goes against a person will to gain power over them. God will bring justice. Let every be a liar and God be the truth. Peace be unto you.

[ElleRich]

Wicca is a great religion...have read much about it and considered being a Wiccan, but it is too rituralistic for me.  To each his own..Namaste.

[trujillo33]

Wicca doesnt sound like a bad religion. Mostly what I heard about this religion seem bad. However, I been hearing more about this from people and now I see the religion different.