Thank you for your kind words, everybody! I'm not acting any differently in this thread than I behave (or at least attempt to behave) in every other aspect of my life.

I completely understand why so much of my beliefs are difficult to understand or to come to terms with. They're so foreign and offbeat to the mainstream religious belief systems that are prominent in Western society and it can be very difficult to set aside your own beliefs for a moment to understand something from another frame of reference.

You've probably also been exposed to negative portrayals of pagans through various types of media and even if you know that it's fantasy (unlike Sabrina the Teenage Witch, I can't just point my fingers and zap! things happen!) it's still tainted your conceptions. Some mainstream religious organizations paint us out to be dirty evil heathens and sometimes that is the only viewpoint you've ever heard, or at least the only one that has ever stuck.

But I started this thread to attempt to reach out to you all. I love being a spokesperson for my religion because I know that every opportunity is a change to change somebody's opinions of me and of mine. But I'm so happy that I've been able to reach out to some of you, and thank you so much for being so open minded, receptive, and polite.

I can understand why an atheist may think that all these religions are BS, but as someone who has a belief in something, why are you going to discount the beliefs of a Wiccan?

Possibly because it isn't a Christian faith, and therefore not real. I'm not sure.. I can't remember anymore what the "rule" is as far as other faith's go. (Raised going to church.. haven't been for years and daydreamed through most of what I did attend.)

OP I would like to add my voice to those happy with how you've handled this thread. Even the snarky one asking again and again if you worship the Christian God as if there is only one.

Thanks for this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just surprised that the OP has managed to remain nice and polite for this entire thread. That doesn't happen often on DCUM. You rock OP!

+1. This is my favorite AMA.

Thank you, you two! I hope that I have been able to teach you something.

You are a great model for your religion OP! Amazed at how well you took & responded to snark and criticism. Changed my impression of Wiccans.( read Carlton)

+1

Me too.

Not OP, another Wiccan here. No one of us can speak for all Wiccans. However, it would be highly unusual in my opinion to engage in any violent act such as animal sacrifice during spells. Wiccans generally love and respect nature, we don't kill things during our prayers. Yuck.

Your question to me is like asking, "Is it true that some Catholic priests do bad things?" I'm sure there are bad and crazy priests and lay people of all religions, people who harm animals or do other evil. But that's not an inherent part of the religion.

The Wiccan's creed is" Harm none, and (otherwise), do what you will".

Thank you for this thread OP, it's very interesting! I was wondering (this may just be in the movies) do any Wiccans practice animal sacrifices during spells? So far I've enjoyed everything you've said about Wicca, but that would really bother me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just surprised that the OP has managed to remain nice and polite for this entire thread. That doesn't happen often on DCUM. You rock OP!

+1. This is my favorite AMA.

Thank you, you two! I hope that I have been able to teach you something.

You are a great model for your religion OP! Amazed at how well you took & responded to snark and criticism. Changed my impression of Wiccans.( read Carlton)

It was a subtle question to the OP as to whether or not she sees Paganism as a standalone religion in its own right, with subsets (e.g. Christianity and Presbyterians, Mormons, etc.), or merely a collective heading, paganism, given as an umbrella under which to group various subsets without implying that they were connected by common theology (i.e. the pagan religions of Druidry, Heathenism, Wicca, etc.). But thanks for the lecture? I guess?

I apologize; I didn't fully understand what you were asking.

I see the pagan religions as an umbrella, or to more fit the theme, a tree.

'Pagan' is the trunk of the tree, with each specific religion being branches coming off of it. People can adhere to numerous branches on the tree by identifying as a Pagan Druid (and perhaps having some branches from other religious trees, such as being a Pagan Druid Buddhist).

Paganism is a standalone religion as well, though, in the fact that many people are simply Pagan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not very knowledgeable about the spirituality of African tribes, but I'm now inspired to learn more about the topic to see if there are any similarities between them and Wiccan beliefs!

You say that as though "Wiccan beliefs" are standardized and codified somehow. This is especially odd as your last statement made it clear that there is no real reference material for "Wicca", unless you're a part of a particular lineage/tradition.

With exceptions made for initiatory traditions (which are few, and dying), most "Wicca" seems an amalgamation of appropriated beliefs, mixing shamanism, druidry, "actual witchcraft" (but only the "nice" parts), etc.

There are widely available texts, though, that many in the community read and follow. Books by Scott Cunningham, Scott Farrar, Margot Adler, Raymond Buckland, Silver Ravenwolf, Pat Telesco, Dana Eilers, etc. are all books that in broad circulation and are influential. Most Wiccans have read some or all of these. Most Wiccans also are well read in traditional mythology and traditional pagan religion and traditional folk magic.

It is an amalgamation. It is neo-paganism, not traditional paganism. Neo-pagan religion is no less valid a form of paganism than Protestant Christianity is a form of Christianity.

Lower-case paganism? Or Paganism?

It doesn't really matter, grammatically speaking, if you write Paganism or paganism, though Wicca (the name of the religion) and Wiccans (those who practice it) should be capitalized, along with Goddess and God.

It was a subtle question to the OP as to whether or not she sees Paganism as a standalone religion in its own right, with subsets (e.g. Christianity and Presbyterians, Mormons, etc.), or merely a collective heading, paganism, given as an umbrella under which to group various subsets without implying that they were connected by common theology (i.e. the pagan religions of Druidry, Heathenism, Wicca, etc.). But thanks for the lecture? I guess?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not very knowledgeable about the spirituality of African tribes, but I'm now inspired to learn more about the topic to see if there are any similarities between them and Wiccan beliefs!

You say that as though "Wiccan beliefs" are standardized and codified somehow. This is especially odd as your last statement made it clear that there is no real reference material for "Wicca", unless you're a part of a particular lineage/tradition.

With exceptions made for initiatory traditions (which are few, and dying), most "Wicca" seems an amalgamation of appropriated beliefs, mixing shamanism, druidry, "actual witchcraft" (but only the "nice" parts), etc.

There are widely available texts, though, that many in the community read and follow. Books by Scott Cunningham, Scott Farrar, Margot Adler, Raymond Buckland, Silver Ravenwolf, Pat Telesco, Dana Eilers, etc. are all books that in broad circulation and are influential. Most Wiccans have read some or all of these. Most Wiccans also are well read in traditional mythology and traditional pagan religion and traditional folk magic.

It is an amalgamation. It is neo-paganism, not traditional paganism. Neo-pagan religion is no less valid a form of paganism than Protestant Christianity is a form of Christianity.

Lower-case paganism? Or Paganism?

It doesn't really matter, grammatically speaking, if you write Paganism or paganism, though Wicca (the name of the religion) and Wiccans (those who practice it) should be capitalized, along with Goddess and God.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why, but something about the whole Wiccan/nature-lover thing feels forced and false to me. Like the people doing it are trying to be something they're not. It really does seem like some form of mental illness.

NP here. I'm not Wiccan, but I'm pagan in nature and observe the solstices. The change of season and the natural world actually exist. I can prove that what I worship exists.
I'm different than the OP in that I'm pretty agnostic. I've no clue how we arrived here and books written by men aren't going to answer that. But I've participated in many rituals and it's very much like any other display of faith. Describing a faith that literally harms no one and tolerates other faiths, even tho others they tolerate often actively make fun of or even persecute theirs, as mental instability, is really just shitty.

It may well be, but I find the "religion" very hippy and out there. I also don't believe that the people participating in the practice REALLY believe in what they claim to worship. It's like some unhealthy cult thing for mentally disturbed people and/or folks who want to appear holistic and earthy.

What exactly are you worshiping? I'm asking in sincerity. Trees, air, leaves, etc? What does this worship look like? Do you revere these things?

Like any religion Wicca is made up of all kinds of people who practice their religion with slight differences in ritual and doctrine very similar to what you might find in Christianity with Catholicism and Southern Baptists or Lutherans.

I am a Wiccan who posted earlier in this thread. I don't share this information with anyone. I was born a witch in the Garderian tradition. I learned the craft from my grandmother and my mother and her sisters. I am not as open as OP so this is about all I will share.

I can tell you that I am not a 'hippie' and based on the Wicca stereotype many would be surprised to know my secret. I eat meat, I wear designer clothes and expensive make up, I have a mainstream stressful career in business. I do enjoy gardening but I don't flock to Burning Man festivals or smoke pot and I shave my legs.

Thank you so much for your input. It's so important to remember that Wiccans can, and do, come from all walks of life and are completely allowed to live their life in any way that makes them happy. I am sad for you that you must keep your faith a secret but understand why but am glad that you've found success and fulfillment in life that you enjoy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just surprised that the OP has managed to remain nice and polite for this entire thread. That doesn't happen often on DCUM. You rock OP!

+1. This is my favorite AMA.

Thank you, you two! I hope that I have been able to teach you something.

Anonymous wrote:I'm just surprised that the OP has managed to remain nice and polite for this entire thread. That doesn't happen often on DCUM. You rock OP!

+1. This is my favorite AMA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why, but something about the whole Wiccan/nature-lover thing feels forced and false to me. Like the people doing it are trying to be something they're not. It really does seem like some form of mental illness.

NP here. I'm not Wiccan, but I'm pagan in nature and observe the solstices. The change of season and the natural world actually exist. I can prove that what I worship exists.
I'm different than the OP in that I'm pretty agnostic. I've no clue how we arrived here and books written by men aren't going to answer that. But I've participated in many rituals and it's very much like any other display of faith. Describing a faith that literally harms no one and tolerates other faiths, even tho others they tolerate often actively make fun of or even persecute theirs, as mental instability, is really just shitty.

It may well be, but I find the "religion" very hippy and out there. I also don't believe that the people participating in the practice REALLY believe in what they claim to worship. It's like some unhealthy cult thing for mentally disturbed people and/or folks who want to appear holistic and earthy.

What exactly are you worshiping? I'm asking in sincerity. Trees, air, leaves, etc? What does this worship look like? Do you revere these things?

Like any religion Wicca is made up of all kinds of people who practice their religion with slight differences in ritual and doctrine very similar to what you might find in Christianity with Catholicism and Southern Baptists or Lutherans.

I am a Wiccan who posted earlier in this thread. I don't share this information with anyone. I was born a witch in the Garderian tradition. I learned the craft from my grandmother and my mother and her sisters. I am not as open as OP so this is about all I will share.

I can tell you that I am not a 'hippie' and based on the Wicca stereotype many would be surprised to know my secret. I eat meat, I wear designer clothes and expensive make up, I have a mainstream stressful career in business. I do enjoy gardening but I don't flock to Burning Man festivals or smoke pot and I shave my legs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm not very knowledgeable about the spirituality of African tribes, but I'm now inspired to learn more about the topic to see if there are any similarities between them and Wiccan beliefs!

You say that as though "Wiccan beliefs" are standardized and codified somehow. This is especially odd as your last statement made it clear that there is no real reference material for "Wicca", unless you're a part of a particular lineage/tradition.

With exceptions made for initiatory traditions (which are few, and dying), most "Wicca" seems an amalgamation of appropriated beliefs, mixing shamanism, druidry, "actual witchcraft" (but only the "nice" parts), etc.

There are widely available texts, though, that many in the community read and follow. Books by Scott Cunningham, Scott Farrar, Margot Adler, Raymond Buckland, Silver Ravenwolf, Pat Telesco, Dana Eilers, etc. are all books that in broad circulation and are influential. Most Wiccans have read some or all of these. Most Wiccans also are well read in traditional mythology and traditional pagan religion and traditional folk magic.

It is an amalgamation. It is neo-paganism, not traditional paganism. Neo-pagan religion is no less valid a form of paganism than Protestant Christianity is a form of Christianity.

Lower-case paganism? Or Paganism?

I'm just surprised that the OP has managed to remain nice and polite for this entire thread. That doesn't happen often on DCUM. You rock OP!