What exactly is a Wiccan?

Wicca was a philosophy which promoted oneness with the divine that exists in nature. Wicca didn't have a concept of a deity as we understand it. If they were said to worship, they worshipped nature itself. The wiccan philosophies that the early Christians encoutered has long since died out. Those who claim to be wiccans today typically don't remotely resemble anything close to wicca of the past. Contemporary wicca is a contrived religion, not based on anything but contemporary inventions.

Much of what we associate with wicca is a false association, the product of medieval-era Christian folklore. Witches fling around on broomsticks, black cats, magic wands, etc, are all things that were invented.

As a Christian, I view wicca as a false religion. However, when people say that wiccans worshipped Satan, they're incorrect. That being said, however, I think that contemporary wicca can be used by Satan, since modern wicca is based on a purposefully false premise.

 

It would probably be easier to visit the Church and School of Wicca website
www.wicca.org

I used to be very deep into Wicca and it is very hard discussing it now.

Good luck in your research on the truth.

 

JohnV, you got some things right. . .

Wicca is a modern attempt to revive ancient Paganism. It was started by Geerlad Gardner in the late 1940's in England (Gardner was involved in various occult groups and occult study). Wicca spread to the U.S. via Raymond Buckland in the early 60's. There is no such thing as "wicca of the past" as Wicca is a modern religion.

Wicca is not about oneness with the divine in nature so much as it is about harmonizing with nature (there is a slight difference). Nature is seen as the model and is seen as divine.

They do have a concept of deity -- but it is usually deities and/or the Goddess. So some Wiccans believe in many gods, some in the Goddess (who can be either symbolic, real, or within everyone, or who can actually be the Earth itself), and some in duotheism: The Goddess and her consort (the last view is the most prevalent in Wicca).

When I was an astrologer, I had many Wiccan clients, as well as other Pagan clients (there are Pagans who are not Wiccans). I also deal with them through my ministry. I've been dealing with Wicca since about 1980. Wicca and the modern religion of withcraft are often seen as the same but there are witches who do not accept Wicca and vice-versa.

There is no central doctrine or authority in Wicca but rather groups and individuals whose practices vary.

If you want to know more, see my article at
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_wicca.html

Many Wiccans and witches have emailed me and told me my article is very accurate. I've also been interviewed on radio and by publications on this topic, and spoken on it around the country.

 

One of the people who works for me is a Wiccan priest, and his wife a priestess, and head of the coven. For him, its seems, it is a tie-in to his Celtic heritage. They have organized their group into a tax-exempt "church," and he frequently refers to it as such. From what I can tell, he was raised in the Episcopal church, and was on the verge of becoming an Episcopal priest, when he decided that it was false, and that "the ancient religion" was for him. He and his wife perform outdoor weddings, complete with hooded black robes, and participate in numerous celebrations at Halloween, winter solstice, vernal equinox, and the like. While he says his group does good things for the community, he personally exhibits a fondness for retribution ("kharma") at various levels. What we might think of as "spells," he refers to as "directing energy."

 

Hi Marcia. Yes, contemporary wiccans have adopted the deity concept. Ancient wiccans did not. That is why I gave the caveat that wicca today does not necessarily resemble ancient wiccan practices. Although, there are some who call themselves wiccans that have attempted to eschew contemporary wicca in favor of the ancient religion. But that's a separate topic altogether...

 

Gardner's name is Gerald Gardner -- I had a typo.

Also, further pertinent info:
Wicca has 8 holidays in the year that are centered on the seasons and seasonal changes, such as the equinoxes and solstices. Other holidays come from Celtic paganism honoring fertility of the earth, days getting shorter, etc.

John is right about the fact they do not believe in Satan. Most of them do practice divination (tarot cards, astrology, etc.) or consult those who do. Most cast spells, but not all of them.

Wiccans are usually very nice; many of them are good in creative arts. They are usually willing to have dialogues on their beliefs so Christians should not be intimidated by them and should be willing to talk to them. Wicca has been attracting large number of teens the past several years and I've seen this a lot in my ministry.

 

You are absolutely right that Wiccans do not worship Satan.

You are also right that Satan can use it though. After my dad died, I wanted nothing to do with God and because I wanted to believe in something and be able to delve into a "religion" I chose Wicca. It really destroyed my mind and totally clouded my judgment on many things.

Praise God, I was saved out of that mess!!!

 

John, what do you mean by ancient Wicca? It has only existed since about 1950. Are you referring to ancient Paganism? Even ancient pagans had deities. I am not sure what you mean by "ancient wiccans."

 

There is an online ministry called ExWitch Ministries that has some great information about this topic: http://www.exwitch.org/

 

Doen't wiccans believe in a mother goddess, they worship the earth. Is that right, I believe I heard that from some wiccan on tv once, but it's been a while.

 

Most Wiccans believe in a goddess, but not all. They don't exactly worship the earth but they do believe it is sacred. Some identify the earth with the goddess and in that case, they are ipso facto worshiping the earth. Look at my first post on this thread where I discuss this a little more.

 

Since this is not a news item, it is being moved to the General Baptist Discussions Forum.

Lady Eagle,
Moderator

 

Hey Bill,

To be honest, I don't even think Wiccans really know for sure. Different Wiccans say different things.

 

Sounds like some christians doesn't it

 

it does, doesn't it?

 

Untangled..... of course they do... sort of like
when you gather a few dozen baptists of differant
flavors..


Bill..
I'm just a bit curious now... why did you need the
data?

Marcia.. thank you, for such informative answers.

Johnv.... just to reiterate what Marcia has said..
wicca is a newcomer.. the ancient ways were not
wicca although the wiccan paths use some of their
methods. Or what is believed to have been their
methods.


mark
<><

 

Something I thought odd....I'm an Avon lady and on their bulletin board there is a whole thread for wiccans and or pagans. I guess I shouldn't be suprised but I was. There is also a whole big thread for Christian Reps. There have been alot of arguements when some Christian's went in the wiccan thread sharing the gospel. Unfortunately some went overboard and tried to 'hit' them over the head with the bible and completely turned them off.

Rachel

 

1Cor 10
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Followers of false religions (inlucding Wicca) worship demons without realizing it. If any of their "spells" work, it's because of that.