Why do wicca's call themselves witches?

I blame it all on Rap music!

Why do wicca's call themselves witches?

Why do negroes call themselves black? Everything has to have a name. Why does George W. Bush call himself the President of The United States?

They should call Wicca "fake mysticism for bored housewives". I mean really- does anyone here actually believe that mother Goddess Gardner hoax? If you want to learn about God I doubt Deepak Chopra or some books written by hoaxster witches wannabes are going to get you by. Of course it is fun, I won't deny that (I love reading weird books on UFOs being fallen angels and stuff like that, the books 100% hoax, but fun stuff).

Nakash that was one of the most ignorant, small minded, insulting little post I have ever read! You who do not understand anything about spirituality or you wouldnt make such a blunt statement. There is deep change going on in the world, and just because you do not understand some things doesnt mean others do not.

Source: the Wicca Bible by Ann-Marie Gallagher

wicca comes from the anglo-saxon term for 'wise'.

I believe the english form of the practitioner is called witch--just a form of language based on the anglo-saxon word and pronounciation, that has come to have several different meanings in our modern english.

Modern wicca has one main commandment that makes it easier to follow:

"An harm none, do thy will" called the Wiccan Rede

There is a wide range of ways wicca can be practiced from solitary to coven and probably others, leading to an incredibly diverse practice. The lack of a formal hierarchical priesthood recognized by all members as in Christian and other religious practices also grants extreme flexibility in the practice of the religion.

There are many websites that sell paraphenalia devoted to wicca and witchcraft but the practitioners personal need for structure, and theatricality will make them purchase all or none of these types of implements--it is all personal choice.

From what I have read in other books, the philosophy is based on the cycles of life -- birth to death, cycles of the year -- seasons, and cycles of the moon -- new moon, waxing moon, full moon, waning moon.

There is a wonderful resource called the Public Library that works really well if you find the people on the website too easily offended to answer the questions you ask. Just make sure when you read a book you understand where the author is coming from--a strict christian fundamentalist writing a book on wicca may not be the best source for an open discussion of the topic

Lone, I don't believe in "Spirituality" I believe in theological dogma given by proven prophets, not hoaxsters. I understand fully what "Spirituality" is about and I can safely say that I'm not missing a thing. Also, if my comment sounded like a parody of the Wiccan movement, maybe it's because Wicca need's no parody....

[edit on 15-3-2006 by Nakash]

Just curious as to what it takes to become a reliable prophet rather than a hoaxer? How do you make the differenciatation? How long does it take? What type of proof do you accept? Again Just curious

Just curious as to what it takes to become a reliable prophet rather than a hoaxer? How do you make the differenciatation? How long does it take? What type of proof do you accept? Again Just curious

The real ones probably don't worry about it....

That's easy sparkie, a hoaxster:

A) Introduces ideas which are inconsistent with previously known well attested theology (ie: Gardner re-wrote several scriptures to fit his own ideas in a classic case of revisionism).

B) A prophet can perform miracles at will, even if he is at odds with God (ie: even Balaam could perform miracles and talk to God though he was clearly at odds with his creator, Gardner on the other hand had his followers read his works instead of performing miracles). A hoaxster does not have this gift. Note that miracles alone are not in themselves proof, though a good one no doubt (Elijah vs the "prophets" of Baal comes to mind).

C) A Prophet is considered such without dissent. Prophets are proclaimed by others, they don't declare to be prophets.

I will illustrate how this framework fit Jesus Christ:

A) Didn't change any OT concept, merely interpreted them in a self-consistent but unusual manner to fit his messianic claim.

B) No problem here. One reason Jesus Christ was crucified was that the Pharisees thought he had demonic powers (I am absolutely not joking on this one! It's in Matthew).

C) Again no problem. 3 days before his death he was welcomed in Jerusalem, John the Baptist announced his coming, and he was widely regarded as who he claimed to be, even by the traitor Judas.

Sounds like a slim criteria to use, but if you apply it correctly you won't find problems. There are other rules (I merely gave you three of the dozens), and many exceptions though (ie: Antichrist will fit those three rules, for that he isgiven specific mention). My opinion. The deciding who is worthy of being called a prophet is an important issue, and I really suggest you check the wealth of apologetics websites available then just taking my word.

They should call Wicca "fake mysticism for bored housewives". I mean really- does anyone here actually believe that mother Goddess Gardner hoax? If you want to learn about God I doubt Deepak Chopra or some books written by hoaxster witches wannabes are going to get you by. Of course it is fun, I won't deny that (I love reading weird books on UFOs being fallen angels and stuff like that, the books 100% hoax, but fun stuff).

sounds like a terminal ,FUNDAMENTAL, case of cranial rectumitus.





BTW unless you were S*** on a rock you also "were born of a woman" . Yes
there are several who believe in The Mother Goddess and Balance.

Oh yeah one other possibility exists. Your daddy could have jacked off in a flower pot and you dropped from a fruit tree.

[edit on 17-3-2006 by stalkingwolf]

Gee stalking, it's not my fault if Wicca is so ludicrous it needs no parody, I mean, can you blame these housewives for wanting something easy on the brain but not deep enough to get them serious? Wicca is simply perfect for them- the last people to practice something similar to it spent their time believing in tree fairies and licking lice off each others hair. On the other hand I don't care what you believe in, but don't give me that crap that I'm the evil challenged fundie and you the righteous free thinker , because we both know that "spirituality" is

Mod Edit: Profanity/Circumvention Of Censors – Please Review This Link.

for those who don't want to commit themselves to serious study into what constitutes religious truth. Again, I don't want to be harsh or mean, but that's my opinion, and you have your own. Good- that's what a debate is about.


[edit on 17-3-2006 by Nakash]

[edit on 21-3-2006 by Benevolent Heretic]

I would be willing to match my study of comparitive religion and beliefs with yours anytime.
Your knowledge of the practitioners of Wicca is obviously flawed.

Around here the few pagans are just asking to be hurt. Thankfully my Minister tells us not to mess with them, they are God's children and they just decide to worship Him in a different way. As long as they are good people they should not be harmed. But... This is Alabama, even if it is Yankee Alabama, so you have the religous nutjobs going on about how they worship Satan.

But if they worshipped Satan they would be Satanists, not Witches.

Also, if they are evil Satan worshipping whatever, how can they be hurt? Does no Christian ever think? Like Gee, if they are the daughter/son of Satan, how are they so easily killed? Can't they use magic to get away or stop us from burning them at the stake? But no, they don't think because the Pope/Priest tells them what to think.

The couple of the pagans I talked to are nervous jumpy people always flinching at the drop of a hat because they are so use to religous morons going after them, carving 'Satan' on their cars, throwing rocks through their windows, harrassing them.

And in the words of Huey from The Boondocks last night... "What makes his God any more fake then yours?" Something like that, think that was how he said it. As long as you are a good person, so our Minister says, you will be recieved, He will not send you to Hell because you didn't follow the right way, as long as you do the right things.

You know, I'm not in the mood for a "your momma this, your momma that"type of thread. I believe others have the right to believe in whatsoever they want, and I simply ask for the courtesy of having the same right extended to me. Aparently the "religious nutjobs" aren't the ones causing the problems, Stalking came here unprovoked to troll against someone who's beliefs he has a severe dislike for. Why? If you don't like Christianity then follow your Wicca, but don't act like a tyrant and try to tell me what I should believe in.

Originally posted by Nakash
They should call Wicca "fake mysticism for bored housewives". I mean really- does anyone here actually believe that mother Goddess Gardner hoax? If you want to learn about God I doubt Deepak Chopra or some books written by hoaxster witches wannabes are going to get you by.

I believe you were the one who was insulting other's beliefs first and saying derogitory comments about another religion not stalking

How is the above quote tollerant of another's religion?

That's not an insult. Wicca started out as an "alternative" religion which upper/ middle class women used to practice to feel "out of the mainstream" from their backgrounds, ie: Gardner and his followers. Saying that Wicca started in any other enviroment is dishonest- would you say that the "third eye" people started their whole ideology in a Tibetan monastery? Of course not. In fact, most Wiccans used to use that argument whenever Christians often called them Satanists and so forth (no, they are not Satanists). If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck, such is the case here. Perhaps I should have been kinder in my words, please take an apology.