The Religion Of Wicca

p 14Family Name14 NameProfessorWicca Pr fermentiti 1rs and Pr turn of eventsicesOctober 15 , 2006Wicca and Religion The age- middle-aged Wiccan object as a Neo-Pagan pietism has been open up in the polar cultures of different countries . Its history as a confidence was established in secret for hundreds of long time in atomic number 63 patterned later ancient Egyptian ghostlike figures . Its piety provided was compiled sole(prenominal) later the 1920 s where usances evolved and later utilise to adapt with specific beliefs , rituals and recitals . close traditions remained a secret busticularly among practiti unrivaledrs who wished to conduct their sacred beliefs and rituals in sole(a) rule while separates prefer the camaraderie with a folding of choice . Without a centralise system of rules hitherto , the beliefs and institutionalises good vary among separates provided the main principles and ritual structures ar basically the same(p) establish on tradition , acquireings and publish works reverse gear to favourite criticisms , Wiccan godliness is non witchery correspond to Rountree (2004 . A few isolated individuals may utilization witchery and consider Wicca as the organized morality of choice only if the deuce do non necessarily variety show part of the whole tradition of Wicca . Wicca yet has incorporated a act of witch army personneleuver in relation to the ritual forms like form spells , herbology , prophecy and magic fit in to Guiley (1999 , she provided further that the radiation diagram is restrict to a good draw a bead on . Although it was derived from the history of witch cults during early groundbreaking Europe and has laid rump to its association with witchcraft harmonise to Salomonsen (2002 , the historical interpretation is wide criticize d . Other trust based on history stupefy f! ound an supreme happiness in associating Wicca as an evil and demonic craft do it supremely difficult to conclude whether Wicca is a religious form of witchcraft or a faith incorporating witchcraft The interview Mary Anne , of Florida is a 43 year old Wiccan religious solitary practiti starr of Irish descent immutable the conventional principles of the craft . Living in a old coarseness modern preindication until now outside the outskirts of Central Florida , one could never identify her with her belief , design and adherence to the Wiccan faith . Her cozy home was filled with country home decors and smelled of salutary rolls and afternoon tea . Her warmth was practically contagious which accomplish me wonder if she was indeed a Wiccan practitioner . I virtually regretted my earlier decision to come and see her knowing that I made an appargonnt mistake in assuming her qualifications for the interview . Although I sacrifice heard from friends that she was into the solitary employment after her economise died sextet old age ago , her m oppositely and salmagundi countenance was so reassuring that associating her with Wicca or witchcraft was kinda an impossible . Halfway through our conversation , we started discussing intimately religion and religious habituates which provided an opening for me to ask about her religious beliefs . animatedly she discussed about the principles of Wicca without verbally admitting that she was a practitioner . She expressed sen beatnts on respect for separate religions and added that man is existingly free to confide his kind belief while quoting Valiente (1973 ) provided they do not mediate nor personate pop up new(prenominal) religious denominations Mary Anne utilize to work in the public library provided has resigned quaternity long time ago . Currently she writes articles on Wicca and witchcraft for an online website at a lower place an assumed name for privacy . She claimed that her ancestors were into the practice long forrader they! came to the US to migrate . match to her , the practice was never unusual to her having gr receive with a doting set out who was a medico studying herbology along with his siblings . Animatedly she began to tattle about her idiotic watchs as a child and showed me her personal carpeted mode which I was not allowed to step inwardly . Standing in the halls , I was shown a set of communion table tools used in rituals which includes a b path or a besom , a caldron , the goblet , a hardcover Book of Shadows , a boline or a knife for neat things and m all more . The populate was well-lighted with some(prenominal) lamps that imageed like candles , and there were several unlighted candles of white , unforgiving and gold colors . I was and so told that the tools argon just plain tools that have no actual powers of their own . gibe to Mary Anne , the tools ar used for a particular purpose and while they may seem footling , it is considered rude to receive them without permission . A pentagram was frame in at the corner of the room with 3D effects . solely , the Wiccan room she showed me was a stark contrast from the rest of the accommodate We went cover to her sitting room and started talking about the popular Wiccan numeral convocations in her community . For her , there was no difficulty in locating the company of some some early(a)s only her path is unique and so ar the paths of her family members before her . check to her , the Divine is everywhere present in every being . She respects other members and practitioners scarce prefer to practice alone to maintain focus . Although she attends meetings from time to time , these be often associated with certain religious ceremonies . lie with that I was quite interested in the craft , she started talk on the value of ethics and the threefold law that what you do to others comes back to you threefold times Respect for others and their liberty is picayune in the wiccan culture a nd religion that allows us to be freed from our own s! elfish ambitions according to Rountree (2002 . For Anne , the air , water , and the earth atomic number 18 essential for life such that she is a ve go aboutarian ineffectual to pique and kill animals even for food . Fire according to her is in her heart as her zest for life is write down for others to read and aid in the wiccan practice and religion . For her , the principles of Alexandrian Wicca or the Gardnarian wicca is important but does not have to be the ultimate guiding force into the practice if the religion allows emancipation and liberty as its shakeinal rule . Her leave japery to me was , do not be afraid , the true wiccans are not into evil practice made me see that a true religion does not impart get windings of subjugation and take onward wind to its members Two miles south of where Mary Anne lived , I encountered Sheila , a 36 year old self-professed astrology and tarot card proofreader workings part-time for a local pharmacy . My sign data revealed that Sheila belonged to the Wiccan Rede principle which is currently considered radical among conventional Wiccan groups . luckily , Sheila was at home on her day-off and was talking animatedly with a knob in her front porch . While time lag for her client to leave , I was allowed to wander nearly her domicile which was meet by huge trees making her home look grungy . After a few minutes , I was ushered in and Sheila received me graciously knowing full well about my intentions She began by explaining how their group had grown lesser over the years as the other wiccan practitioners complained on the religious internalisation of Christian and Wiccan beliefs . Sheila added that the chemical share of Wicca which includes fertility and reincarnation is incorporated in the key points of the deity of Jehovah , messiah Christ and the pleased mettle as retained from Christianity that was excessively quoted in Guiley (1999 . agree to her , the combination of two religions wh ich was traditionally at odds with one another , is ! oftentimes criticized by members of other wiccan sects . For her , there is no other matchless divinity fudge as the greatest and the master of all and that the hide out is the Goddess of common Wicca . She has equated the devoted flavor as a maidenly deity that may be regarded as the Great amaze Goddess similar to the Christian judgement . With this in mind , she showed me a picture of the Madonna and claw and claimed that the Holy Spirit is in reality embodied in the Virgin Mary Their small continuous tenseized group was initiated by the BTW or the British Traditional witchery coven . They were widely criticized according to her because numerous Wiccan practitioners consider Christianity to be incompatible with the heathen philosophy . She added that the conflux of Christian and pagan beliefs was considered a vex to the Wiccan religion since the Christian faith is phallic-dominated and an insufficient bridal of true Wiccan belief . She explained that Wicca , as a ditheistic religion may defend a masculine god and distaff goddess giving couple emphasis to the sentiments of both(prenominal) divine beings . Admittedly , she said that the headland tenets of Christian Wicca advert the status of a God which exclusively makes it different as there is no equality between the phallic and female according to Guiley (1999 In the elements of nature symbolically represented by different objects the Christian wicca cogitates in the model of crystals and stones as objects for the element earth , and seashells for the water element in Salomonsen (2002 . Sheila added that their group also worships and observes the eight sabbats of the year and the full moon on . some of the practitioners in their group may practice in solitaries but do attend gatherings and other community events but seize other rituals when they are alone . Their inauguration into a coven begins with a one-year study before the actual initiation that spins a religious dedi cation She related to her initial experience at the ! thrill of being able to stick the coven six years ago which had been a long time ambition for her . She had already ventured in yoga and Asian Buddhism before finally exploring the Christian wicca . Sheila impertinent Mary Ann does not motive to show me her altar and her wares but pointed out a small hut beside the family house as her solitary camp to prevent family members from disturbing her For Sheila , wicca should not be mistaken for witchcraft as they are merely a religion with ethical standards to live by another(prenominal) group of wiccan practitioners whose well-known(prenominal) preferences deviate from the standard healthy and love lifely issue are the animateds , lesbian bi inner and transgender people who are intimately welcome in the covens study groups , and circles . Chris is a stylist who is a acknowledged Wiccan believer and practitioner . According to him , he feels comfortable with the t apieceings of the liberal Wiccan religion that do not thro w out sunny relationships and their sexuality . For him , the equal acceptance of the Neo-pagan practice of individuals with differing sexual orientation attracted him to the Wiccan religion . Similarly Carol , a legal supporter for a law firm who joined Chris as offspring members of the wiccan community were graciously welcomed as a perspective go up to feminism and empowerment of women within a predominantly male culture in Salomonsen (2002 . Although they both believe that they belong to a traditional group , they are well aware that their group does not incorporate traditional spiritual practice . According to Carol , their religious framework descends from the Gardnerian wicca and was founded in 2004 .

same(p) to the highest degr! ee traditional groups , they reject the prejudice of modern culture and religions that teach superstition and hate . For Chris and Carol , the interpretation that wicca is a religion incorporating witchcraft is a falsity My Findings Clearly the wiccan religious action that existed in different countries after the repeal of the witchcraft act originated from the pre-christian paganism practice . Guided by their own principles and standards under(a) a non-formal doctrine they have created solidarity among themselves . But without a miscellanea organization , they have suffered religious denominational separation as conflicts arise regarding their beliefs and ethics . Commonly , as constant arguments evolved , other practitioners tend to separate and convene with other groups who are obedient to their norms and standards . The agreement on the particular aspect of wiccan practice however keep ons against the wrongful persecution and notion that the wiccans practice witchcraft , sorcery and other demonic acts Wiccans also believe that there is a dread(a) posit to create a respite between masculine and fair(prenominal) gender . They worship God , and other Christian teachings and merge this with the elements of Wicca which includes respect for nature , caring about the surround , celebrating at solstices , equinoxes and harvest festivals . The conflicting beliefs about deity found in the two religions might be difficult as to the highest degree Christians regard themselves as monotheists and believe in the Holy triple , composed of the Father God , the Son Jesus , and the Holy Spirit The Wiccan belief though is under a match theistic deity structure of a Goddess and a God according to Rountree (2002 . There is no actual strain with each other as long as the Wiccan beliefs is not equated and compared with the nonprogressive Christianity Wiccan traditional covens are formed thru male-female pairs thus making an hindrance for single members . The tra ditional practice do not however make any moral judgm! ents about quirk according to Sanders (1987 . The traditional covens criticize male-male or female-female pairings that is often seen as grave , in producing a mutually productive balance and is viewed as outside the mainstream Wicca . The understandable criticisms of traditional wiccans on the radicalism to lively members practicing wicca spins around the roles of a traditional heterosexual family as related by Curottt (2005 Traditional craft says that there is impossibility in working magic for two men in a gay relationship according to Salomonsen (2002 . Though homosexuals cannot be bar from wicca , traditional values bar them from high ranks on the basis of sexual orientation . This contrast is an apparent reason for members to startle away from the pressures brought about by their own original group and join others or start a solitary practice Like other religious denominations , the wiccan practice has formed differ opinions from other members and groups . This is highly conceivable considering the group s lack of a centralised organization that commands a theological doctrine as a guideline for every practitioner . Like other religions , those who do not conform to the standard form their own sub-groups in to liberalize them from the restrictions created by their own organization . naturally , the mainstream aspect of the practice is retained as evidenced by the unify stance of Mary Anne , Sheila , Cris and Carol who vehemently denied any incorporation of evil practices and witchcraft into the wiccan religion I firm believe that the Wiccan practice as a religion depends upon a person s moral and religious convictions . Most practitioners are blessed with their practice because they are afforded the freedom to entertain their beliefs . The mere intolerance for wickedness which is liberally taught and positively interpreted in wicca as the acceptance of other individuals is an ethical basis that any religion should uphold . Most likely , the la ck of a centralized organization mandating doctrines ! of practice enables a group or an individual to freely incorporate or deviate from their belief and rituals without the wo(e) of ridicule bring forward , the lack of a centralized luggage compartment reaping the benefits acquired from religious practice prevents conflicts from escalating which often results in a major religious tumult Wicca , as a religious practice teaches acceptance , love for nature and life . We can perpetually distinguish that other religious denominations despite a tough stance against wicca have incorporated the age-old neo-pagan practices of the wiccan culture in their own beliefs . We do not have to enumerate the similarities which sure show that the wiccan practice has long evolved even before man learned to meld religion and culture into their social lives whole caboodle Cited Rountree , Kathryn . comprehend the witch and the goddess : Feminist Ritual-Makers in New Zealand . capital of the linked Kingdom : Routledge , 2004 Salomonsen , Jane . Enchanted Feminism : The Reclaiming Witches of San Francisco . London : Routledge , 2002 Valiente , Doreen . An ABC of Witchcraft aside and Present . Washington Phoenix Publishing , 1973 Guiley , Ellen . The cyclopaedia of Witches and Witchcraft . 1999 Conner , Randy. Blossom of Bone - Reclaiming the Connections between Homoeroticism and the religious . San Francisco : harper , 1993 Sanders , Alexander O . Exposition of the Wicca and Vol . 11 : Rites and Ceremonies . Ordine Della Luna , 1987 Currott , Phyllis . analogous Spirit , The Way of Wicca . Online Journal Accessed October 14 , 2006http /www .kindredspirit .co .uk /ARTICLES /4730_wicca .asp ...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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