I've been doing research for a few days; not ready to make my case on it yet.
To begin, an article Paul Robertson [youth culture specialist at YFC] wrote about it. Find it here. It may have been said, but Wicca sounds like it works very well with postmodernism. Yeah...Robertson's fourth point.
Like one Wiccan writes in her article:
Originally Posted by this Wiccan person
I think we are in a stage of development where we are poised to become a mainstream religion within the next generation. We have so much interest among high school and college age people, that soon they will be starting families and settling into jobs in the community.
I would be inclined to agree. So...just to make a pre-topic on this. Thoughts to add?
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One of my best friends is a wiccan and has been for a long time. It's not a fashion statement to him. He takes his beliefs very seriously, but respects the beliefs of others as well. He's one of the most loving, caring people I know. Pretty much all wiccans I have met have had a very calm, accepting demeanor. My friend and I have had many in depth discussions of our beliefs. I see him as a person who, like myself, is trying to make the world a better place by living life as positively as possible. We know our religions are polar opposites, but it's interesting to see the similarity of our attitude towards life.
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You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
From what I read, the real Wiccans aim at being nice and such.
We do, however, as Christians, have a very serious fundamental difference than they. Depravity and the cross is what I speak of.
Another thing I found out, is that this is a "make your own religion" kind of thing. They have nothing really concrete to go by. One Pagan male writer realized this and, in an article about pagan morality, pointed out that objective morality is impossible for them because they have nothing really objective to go by.
I'm still puzzled as to how they say the "Divinity" rests in each one of us...as it is stated to imply a natural goodness of sorts. Let me get that bit of literature...it comes from Chuck Colson's The Enduring Revolution:
He is talking about the myth of human goodness. The myth "deluding people into thinking they are always victims, never villans; always deprived, never depraved. It dismisses responsibility as the teaching of a darker age." With that introduction made:
"It was a holocaust survivor who exposed this myth most eloquently. Yehiel Dinur was a witness during the trial of Adolf Eichmann [architect of the Holocaust]. Dinur entered the courtroom and stared at the man behind the bulletproof lgass--the man who had presided over the slaughter of millions. The court was hushed as a victim confronted a butcher.
Then suddeny Dinur began to sob and collapsed to the floor. Not out of anger or bitterness. As he explained later in an interview, what struck him at that instant was a terrifying realization: "I was afraid about myself," Dinur said. "I saw that I am capable to do this. . .Exactly like he."
The reporter interviewing Dinur understood precisely. "How is it possible for a man to act as Eichmann acted?" he asked. "Was he a monster? A madman? Or was he perhaps something even more terrifying...? Was he normal?"
Yehiel Dinur, in a moment of chilling clarity, saw the skull beneath the skin. "Eichmann," he concluded, "is in all of us."
End quote. I believe, one of the biggest fundamental differences between Wicca and Christianity is how we go about "changing mankind", so to speak. I have come to believe, as I read and understand more about this world and its history, that the nature of man must die before any good--any real good can come from it. I am not talking on a subjective basis only. But an objective one. I assume there have been 'non-religious' people in the past who have made much contribution to what we see as "making the world a better place". Yet as I read more, more, and more, as I talk to more people, a depressing picture begins to paint itself. This picture is hopeless without Jesus. There is a doctrine for this, I think.
My sociology/anthropology/psychology teacher said in class, "There isn't anyone here that would do something good if it didn't benefit them." I'm sitting there, as a relatively new follower of Christ, and I wonder just how true that is--once Christ is in the picture. This is what I see, more or less:
"Some years ago, I along with other evangelists was at a lunch hosted by Billy Graham. He was narrating some of his most memorable experiences. He told a fascinating story of the time he was with the German chancellor, Konrad Adeneur. In the middle of their conversation, Adenaeur paused and asked Billy Graham this question: “Mr.Graham, do you really believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead?” Billy Graham somewhat taken aback by the question said, “Sir, if I did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I would have no gospel left to preach.” And he said Conrad Adeneur paused, walked over to the end of the room, looked out of the window, at the post-war ruins and said, “Mr. Graham, outside of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I know of no other hope for mankind.”"
While I am convinced that Wiccan disciples can find spirituality and improve their attitudes [I still hear of petty disputes however, i.e. talking behind back, name calling once a Witch leaves a coven], I believe that they are still spiritually dead. The change must come from the inside, I think. You can be an actor acting as a nice Christian guy, you might even become a pastor and expound truthfully, but in the end, if the nature has not changed...I don't think anything has. Correct me if I am wrong.
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Mostly gone after what happened with CFT. On occasionally to check up on people. Drop a line to my gmail.
The Wiccan position on divinity is actually very close to some things that have been believed by Christian churches. For instance, if memory serves, the Catholic Church teaches that each person is given grace sufficient to allow them the possibility of salvation. Quakers say there is "that of God in everyone". The Bible says that God's law is written on our hearts. All of these appear to be different ways of trying to express something important.
__________________ Save me / And when you see me strut / Remind me of what left this outlaw torn I follow Christ; therefore I am To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. . I affirm the Nicene Creed.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 8:38-39
Hi there, sweetsoulsong! I was a Wiccan and High Magician for 10 years so I hope my comments are helpful to you. It seems to me, that your questions reflect a depth that Wicca in particular, cannot reach because it does not have much of a cohesive belief system . This is a relatively "new" religion, arising in the last fifty years, much of it, manufactured by two guys, Gerald Gardner and Alex Sanders. Others came after them, and "made it up" as they went along, picking and choosing what they liked, discarding other things, adding other things. (If it changes all the time, doesn't that imply a chaotic universe, one that human beings will never keep up with?)
The problem with Wicca as a whole, is that it does not answer several very basic questions in a satisfactory way:
1. If God is in everyone why is there so much evil in the world? (some will answer reincarnation and that everyone gets their chance to be "good" for God. The problem is: not all wiccans agree or "believe in" reincarnation.)
2. Divinity is defined by Wicca as being the male and female Creators of the world. How can be "Divine" if it is defined in human term, as male and female using a "earthly" analogy of "a divine union" to create the world. The sexual is implied here, if not actually taught. The problem here is : sexuality cannot be shown to exist after death or on "the other side". Even people who have experienced NDE's (near death experiences) report that while they may still have "felt" female, or male, feelings of sexuality is never reported. (As far as I am aware and have read and heard.)
This is only for starters when it comes to the basic theological problems of Wicca. In my opinion, it's basic problem is that it is manufactured by many people. It cannot be shown to be "inspired" by anything. This is where it departs from Christianity in the sense of being inspired. It would also depart from other religions that are considered "inspired" such as Islam.
It is true, that Wiccans generally seek to be "good people" and that the majority are in fact wonderful people. But they have no answer (and hence no spiritual relief) to a basic human condition: sin and the effects of sin, not only on the self, but on others.
Many of the Wiccans I have known and met, if not all of them, were converts from Christianity. They converted to Wicca for many reasons but here were some of the more common ones, in my opinion:
a. search for power and truth - Wicca offers the opportunity to control your circumstances, and your life in general. In an "out of control" world, that's very attractive. search for truth- who isn't??? We all are...
b. search for spiritual experiences: Wicca offers an opportunity to glimpse into other "realities" such as encounters with ghosts, spirits, "gods", other creatures i.e. "faeries". Offers "proof" through personal experience that these things are real and that therefore the individual is also "real" in a spiritual way. Some people are just fascinated by those things.
c. Fashion statement: someone said this above and people might laugh, but this is a very real thing. A lot of people are swayed/persuaded by what seems interesting, different and "cool". Very sad.
d. Wicca appeals to the imagination. It conjures (pun intended! ) feelings and visual pictures of the Lady Galadriel, and similar characters in literature that some people find fascinating and wish to emulate. In my opinion, this can lead to some very real psychological problems as it says that you can "create your reality". If a person becomes so entrenched in that, they become non-functional in a "real" life. Don't laugh, because I've seen that happen and have seen people end up in some serious counseling sessions with professionals.
Another problem with Wicca is that it is very frank and straightforward about the fact that it offers no relief from spiritual suffering. It does not claim to "save", or to offer any sort of "comfort" in a spiritual sense, other than to tell you to "do your ritual and get close to your gods" and that if you do that, everything will work out. This isn't very meaningful when people are seeking real comfort to life's harshest problems. it says that your gods are whoever you say they are, and in that sense, they cannot "love" becuase they can only offer what I, the practitioner, have "given" them in attributes. Even if they are "historical" such as "Macha", a crone goddess from Ireland, I cannot really "know" her, unless I "create" her in my mind. I can do all the research there is, but I cannot "know" her. Such a creation cannot love you.
Anyway, these are just some general thoughts in response to what you posted and I hope they're helpful. I hope I didn't go way off track for you ....
Suzannah, that was very informative, thanks! Um...but I have a question though. You said "Wicca is very straightforward about it not offering relief from spiritual suffering and does not offer spiritual comfort..." and most people who decide to be part of a particular faith/path, what have you, are looking for comfort, for someone to love them spiritually. But then if they know they aren't getting that love/comfort in Wicca, then what's the point? Do they just have these Goddesses and such to help them feel in control?? I don't get it. (And I'm not trying to offend anyone)
__________________ "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful deeds. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with the LORD's glory. Amen and amen." Psalm 73:18-19
me 2. 
) feelings and visual pictures of the Lady Galadriel, and similar characters in literature that some people find fascinating and wish to emulate. In my opinion, this can lead to some very real psychological problems as it says that you can "create your reality". If a person becomes so entrenched in that, they become non-functional in a "real" life. Don't laugh, because I've seen that happen and have seen people end up in some serious counseling sessions with professionals. 
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