Religion

[Neb]

I was just wondering, how many wiccans/pagans are there on IW? I used to think that we were few in number, but recently I've been bumping into a lot of wiccans/pagans.

Also, are there any muslims on IW? In all the discussions about religion and such, I've never heard anyone say that they were a muslim, even though that is understandable since there's quite a bit of hostility towards muslims these days.

[Garnet FalconDance]

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Originally posted by Neb:
I was just wondering, how many wiccans/pagans are there on IW? I used to think that we were few in number, but recently I've been bumping into a lot of wiccans/pagans.

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Neb, you may be opening a can of worms with this post!

For the record, I am pagan and a non-Wiccan witch. I do not believe in or worship Satan, nor do I participate in sacrificial rites or 'black magic'. If anyone has questions, Ask.

Having said that and stepped out of the Ironworks broom closet [img]smile.gif[/img] , I would agree with the 'bumping into a lot of wiccans/pagans' lately. (Tho to be honest it's mostly Wiccan-wanna-bes who think spellcasting sounds cool--::rolls eyes::-- and black is *the* color) I think more and more people are searching for a spiritual connection and sometimes that leads back to the nature religions rather than the mainstream ones.

[norompanlasolas]

what is a pagan/wiccan??? i dont think i ever heard of it. could somebody please explain? thanks.

[Garnet FalconDance]

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Originally posted by norompanlasolas:
what is a pagan/wiccan??? i dont think i ever heard of it. could somebody please explain? thanks.

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I'll let Neb or someone else better explain Wicca since (while I have studied it, it's not my religion).

Loosely, a pagan is someone who follows an earth-based religious/spiritual path not of the mainstream religions (Christianity, Islam or Judaism). Some include other 'big' religions in that mainstream list like Buddhism.

Paganism acknowledges the divinity found in Nature. Typically there is a balance of male and female. Satan is not revered as he is an individual originating and found in the Judeo-Christian religion. The belief in reincarnation and kharma may be present. Personal Deity may be revered and petitioned who belong to the classical pantheons of the past (Greek, Roman, Norse, Indian, etc). There are more points to the religion than that, obviously, but it is a widely diverse path so many generalisms can be made which may not apply to all. Some groups included within the term 'pagan' are (to name but a few) Wicca, Asatru, Druidism, Stregheria.

[Epona]

I'm not (only because I'm not a particularly spiritual person) but both of my parents and my brother are. (non-wiccan pagan, whatever the correct term is!). It is on the increase that's for sure.

I say any religeon which includes nekkid dancing round a fire, is a good religeon [img]smile.gif[/img]

Ohhh come on ya'lll 'twas but a joke...well not the nekkid being fun part but you know what I mean [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Neb]

quote:

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Originally posted by Garnet FalconDance:
Neb, you may be opening a can of worms with this post!

For the record, I am pagan and a non-Wiccan witch. I do not believe in or worship Satan, nor do I participate in sacrificial rites or 'black magic'. If anyone has questions, Ask.

Having said that and stepped out of the Ironworks broom closet [img]smile.gif[/img] , I would agree with the 'bumping into a lot of wiccans/pagans' lately. (Tho to be honest it's mostly Wiccan-wanna-bes who think spellcasting sounds cool--::rolls eyes::-- and black is *the* color) I think more and more people are searching for a spiritual connection and sometimes that leads back to the nature religions rather than the mainstream ones.

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I know that, religion is ALWAYS a controversial issue [img]tongue.gif[/img] , but I trust that everyone will remain civilized and I long for a good debate [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I like wicca, I choose it as my religion because it just FEELS right to me and I rather like the three-fold rede(Whatever anyone does whether good or bad is returned to them three-fold in some form or another.) and the "Do what you want as long as you harm noone" rule.

I haven't really bumped into any "Wiccan-wanna-bees", but black IS a cool colour [img]tongue.gif[/img] , don't speak badly about black [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Garnet FalconDance]

I *love* black! But in a town of 335 who are all watching becuse they are convinced that sooner or later I'll show my *true* nature as an *EVIL* witch, I tend not to give them too much fuel for the fire.

Here there are a lot of wanna-bes. They are seekers who latch onto the newest trend without wanting to do the in-depth and continual study required.

Wicca, while I did and continue to study it, just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it's the American version of fluff-bunny light and love do-goody-isms I am adverse to. (Not all American Wiccans are like that!!! I know some absolutely wonderful Wiccans.) I follow the Rede, tho not as closely perhaps as Wiccans. I do not consider witchcraft a religion as much as a way of life.

[Neb]

quote:

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Originally posted by Garnet FalconDance:
I *love* black! But in a town of 335 who are all watching becuse they are convinced that sooner or later I'll show my *true* nature as an *EVIL* witch, I tend not to give them too much fuel for the fire.

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What? You mean you're NOT an *EVIL* witch? [img]tongue.gif[/img] j/k

[Garnet FalconDance]

quote:

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Originally posted by Neb:


What? You mean you're NOT an *EVIL* witch? [img]tongue.gif[/img] j/k

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Two sayings I like:

"Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" (actually I have a tee shirt with that on it)--I say I'm very good no matter which kind of witch I choose to be.

Bitch vs. Witch--I may at times be a Bitch, but I am *always* a Witch!