ok well im catholic and my friend is wiccan! i am really inters=ested in wiccan and my friend said that he will teach it to me! is this a bad idea?
204606
There is nothing wrong with learning about other religions. This does not make you a bad Catholic, it just allows you to be informed about other beliefs so you can better understand your own. You may change your beliefs, maybe not, but it is always worthwhile to be open minded and learn about new things. At the very least it can help you understand your friend a little better. Best Wishes.\n\nP.S. as to maguirebasebal's response, this person obviously is very ignorant about the Wiccan beliefs. They do not worship Satan, many of them don't even believe in the existence of an official devil. They worship and respect nature, among other things. I am a Christian with many Wiccan friends whom I respect dearly. I have learned alot about their faith and they have learned alot about mine. I think it allowed all of us to grow as people.
510194
Wicca is a religion, and just as with any other religion you need to make the choice and do the studies on your own. Wicca is a peacful religion about honoring the spirits of Mother Earth, it is not Satanic because it is not based on Christianity and Satan is a Christian character. Wiccans do not believe in "Satan". And just to be sure I feel the need to say that you should not be using a transition to Wicca as a way to rebel.\nYou need to research and find out if Wicca is right for you. For Wiccans, spells and rituals are equal to Christian prayers.\nThis is something you need to do on your own, no one can teach you.\n\nhttp://www.wiccanglade.com/leabwi.html\nhttp://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm\nhttp://www.wicca.org/\n\nGood Luck.
117044
anyone who practices witcraft,whether it is white or black magic is an agent of darkness and worships satan. there is no neutral position,it is either you are for God or for the devil. pls RUN away from that person.Don't believe a word she says.
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Witchcraft is not a religion!  You do NOT have to be Wiccan to practice witchcraft! With that said, there are many types of magic that are forbidden in the bible, such as sorcery, trafficking in spirits, divination, poisoning, even ledger demain. However  there is one form of magic that is not taboo in the christian faith.  That type of magic is Theurgy, a type of magic in which you invoke the power of the divine and direct that power to accopmlish goals & aspirations.   A common form of theurgy is prayer, also healing circles, some pentacostal practices use a ritualized practice of theurgy which often results in strange occurances such as speaking in tounges, trance possession by the holy spirit, even siezure like activity.  This is all theurgy.  Witches use theurgy too, you dont have to "worship nature" to be a witch, you can worship or work with whom ever you want, to be honest! Including the Christian God, Jesus, Mary< the saints, pagan gods, ancestors, land deva's or land wights, what have you.  Theurgy invokes the power of the divine force,\nhowever you percive it.  If your perception of divinty is JHVH, or Jesus then you can practice theurgy and still remain a faithful christan.  You commit no sin in that aspect.  If you wish to practice other forms of magic that are taboo in the bible then confess your sins, do your penance, or simply ask God's forgiveness... He is supposedly a loving father after all... \n\nAs for the person who said "suffer not a witch to live"... You do realize that the bible was not originally penned in English? right?  It has been translated from hebrew to aramaic,  to latin, to german to english... and sometimes mis-translations occur.  The original intent of that statement was "suffer not a poisoner to live." Please try to educate yourself on your own religion before trying to force it down someones throat...
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LOL.  Wow, hon, you are on a roll!\n\nI am a Wiccan High Priestess which is a witch.  That's sort of the real thing, isn't it? \n\n1) true - it is, indeed, a religion (Wicca)\n2) you can practice witchcraft without practicing the religion --- to be more accurate you practice thaumaturgical magic which is natural rather than ritual/worship magic\n3) not evil (but I can be kinda ornery)and there are dark witches who can be very nasty\n4) the broom (we call them besoms) represents several things, not the least of which is astral travel.  They are used as a tool to sweep areas clean and are associated with the element of air.\n\nObviously, I do not have any problems with Witches.  I am a theurigical practitioner (not religious), a retired (legal in most of the USA) minister of Wicca (didn't continue because it would be inappropriate to continue since I am a secularist by faith).\n\nBy the way, the end probably isn't that close.  Of course, for a good time one must always live as if it were, right?
47902
your friend is crazy, she/he might be looking to increase member to their dwindling religious denomination. i was a practicing catholic; not anymore, i understand to a degree what you are saying. my dear if you feel enlightened by going to different churches than continue to do so. do not listen to your friend, this is exactly what I have said in the past. think for yourself and do what make you happy. think about it what's next your friend is going to say yo uare going to hell for buying the wrong brand of milk?
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a)  Nope.  100% Neo-pagan, which makes sense since I'm Wiccan.  The next closest matches were New Age and Buddhism.\nb)  I've explored all three.  I was raised Protestant.\nc)  I'm extremely happy with where I am in my life.  I would advise anyone else to look at what they truly believe - not what they have been told to believe, but what they actually think "explains things" when they look at life and how it works.  I was very unhappy until I finally let go of the fear that I would be punished if I said, thanks Jesus, but I'm going over here.  Thus far, things have been much better since I realized I was on the wrong path.  Above all, I think maintaining a balance in life helps breed happiness.
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The art you are talking about is Witchcraft, and that is not interchangeable with the religion of Wicca.\n\nWhile many Wiccans also practice Witchcraft, there are some Wiccans who don't, and many Witches who do not follow Wicca. First, you need to learn how to discern between the two.\n\nWicca is not all about casting spells and doing magick. Wicca is a spiritual path, which many choose to pave for themselves. It incorporates so much more than just the magickal elements, and you need to learn that before you even think about becoming Wiccan.\n\nIf it's just the Witchcraft you're interested in, you'll find that many will shun you for such a namby-pamby approach. Most people who are just interested in Witchcraft are only interested because they want to make someone fall in love with them, or change the weather, or curse someone. Two words: bad form. If that's all you want, there are plenty less disciplined, less honorable, and less respectable people out there who would be happy to teach you. You'll know one when you find one - trust me.\n\nIf, instead, you're interested in the Wiccan lifestyle, which takes study, discipline and devotion, I'd be more than happy to point you in the right direction. Feel free to contact me through the link in my profile. There are, of course, many other religions that incorporate magick into their discipline, but Wicca seems to be the one you would want, if any.
236110
Hi....I am a Wiccan (and have been for the past 20 years).  Wiccans do worship Mother Earth & Father Sky.  You will be able to find most Wiccan Followers volunteering in their communities by cleaning up garbage sites, volunteering in animal shelters, etc.  While your Friend apparently claims to follow the Wiccan Religion, I don't believe that he, in actuality, knows anything about the Religion.  You may want to broach the subject with your Friend by asking him to explain the Principles behind Wicca and asking him how he incorpates Wicca into his daily life.  Have a lovely rest of the day.
622156
Magic is not good or evil.  It's what you use it for.  What if God gave you as much faith as a mustard seed and you could move a mountain.  Would that be a miracle gift or magic?  And don't say it's different because it's from God.  Everything is from God and everyone has the same energy available to them as witches, magic practicioners, etc.  It's not the energy that's evil.  It's what we do with it that is good or bad.
219013
my wiccan friend's birthday
558234
most people who practice wiccan have a god or goddess that they associate with themselves but are no rules it is a personel choice-if that is the path you are thinking of taking you have to be your own boss and take responsiblity for yourself-lots of love keep the peace old hippie
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Whilst wicca appears to be a sincere and genuine spiritual concept, for your own spiritual well being, I would most strongly advise you to look for spiritual guidance from another source!\n\nIf you are looking to increase your understanding of your own spirituality and your connection to the Divine - then read the Celestine Profecies, or books by Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, etc, or look into Reiki, Shamanism, Spiritualist groups\n\nHowever God gave us free will and this is your choice\nMay God bless you and protect you on your journey!
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Welcome to Paganism my sister...\nPlease take heed in the attitudes that you will read here within the answers to your question.\n\nYou can read all that you want to and find the same answers on Paganism, Wiccan, Cunning Folk, WitchCraft and many other terms, they all agree in one thing. Freedom to believe in the path that suits YOU. I can give you many really good sources to guide you on your journey to personal spiritual journey. Be aware of sites out there however...There are many that claim to know what their talking about and don't. \nBe also prepared to have Christian and other religious sects to not agree or worse. \nIf you want any additional info from me, give me a heads up via your "additional details".\n\nBlessed Be
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Some Wiccans do not believe in the Judeo-Christian concept of a duality of good and evil. These Wiccans do not see that there is a war in the universe between a good god and a bad devil. This is something that the Bible teaches and Wicca's beliefs come from way before the Bible was ever written. Wiccans do believe in consequences however. And they believe that whatever you do is returned back to you three times as much! So if you hurt people, you are really hurting yourself; and if you are kind to people, you are really being kind to yourself. If a Wiccan ever did a "spell" to control another person, the Wiccan would face the consequence of having themselves be controlled three times as strong!
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Yes! It is absolutely and entirely possible to be a Christian and a Witch.\n\nThere is much confusion over this issue, especially when it comes to the misunderstanding regarding the difference between Wicca and Witchcraft.\n\nWicca is a religion, created by Gerald Gardner, in the 1950s (or thereabouts). It is *based on* a form of Witchcraft, but one can be Wiccan without practicing the Craft, and one can be Wiccan AND practice the Craft - or one can be a Witch without being Wiccan.\n\nWitchcraft is a CRAFT. Just as a doctor can be Christian and a doctor, or a baker can be Muslim and a baker, or a Buddhist can be a Buddhist and a painter, a Christian can be a Christian and a Witch.\n\nWhat defines a Christian is simply this: that person believes in Jesus as God, and accepts Jesus as personal saviour. Nothing more, nothing less. Anything else - including the way they practice their faith - is secondary.\n\nA Witch is one who focuses energy, who does this deliberately with a specific outcome in mind, and who consciously develops this area of his/her life. People focus energy every day. Making a wish and blowing out the candles on your cake is one example. Many don't necessarily consider it as being anything significant, but when you consider its potential, it is significant. Furthermore, the act of prayer is equivalent to casting a spell. It is the focus of energy with a specific outcome in mind. I've had some Christians say, "Talking to Jesus isn't spellcasting!" Yes, it is. Take, for example, a Christian praying for healing. They are praying (focusing energy) for healing (the specific outcome) and furthermore, they're invoking a deity to do it - Jesus!\n\nI know all sorts of Witches, including Christian Witches and Atheist Witches. This is because the practice of Witchcraft does not *require* the belief in a deity. Just because there happen to be many Witches who believe in deities other than Jesus, does not mean that this is what makes a Witch. This is the same point made in the fact that the Craft is just that: a Craft. One can practice medicine an be a Christian just as one can practice Witchcraft and be a Christian.\n\nOf course one can be both a Christian and a Witch. :)\n\nThere are LOTS of resources out there for people on this path. I stronly recommend you read this article first:\n\nhttp://members.aol.com/RawnaMoon/bible.html\n\nIt addresses every instance of Witches being condemned in the Bible, and explains the original words used and their actual meanings. It is interesting to note that in some cases, the same Hebrew word has been translated into different English words.\n\nI also have a list of resources on my website that you can use. I've pooled as many links and articles together for Christian Witches (and the like) as possible in one spot for people on this path:\n\nhttp://foxygoddess.com/cwc/index.htm\n\nAlso have a look at this: Thirteen Reasons Why, if Jesus Were Here Today, He Would Be a Witch: http://foxygoddess.com/articles/jcwitch.htm \n\nAs for practices such as divination, these are not exclusive to Witchcraft and there are plenty of examples of people in the Bible using divination - with God's help and participation:\n\n* Gideon liked to "set a fleece before the Lord". (Judges 6:36-40) Gideon used this form of divination – and with God's participation.\n\n* To decide that Matthias was also an apostle, the existing disciples used divination to decide: they cast lots. (Acts 1:24-26) What's more, they prayed as they did it, and God answered their query via divination.\n\n* In Genesis, Joseph engaged in scrying. Genesis 44:5 reads: "Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing [by stealing this cup]." The cup that was stolen was the one Joseph used for divination. Indeed, this is confirmed in Genesis 44:15 which reads: "And Joseph said unto them, 'What de
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Absolutely! I am Wiccan, my mother is Roman Catholic, my dad is does not conform to any one religion but does believe in a higher power, my family-in-law-to-be is entirely LDS (Mormon), and I have friends of various Christian, Pagan, and personal faiths.\n\nI am able to talk openly and honestly with all of them, and them with me, because we do not judge each other on each other's faiths. We will often talk about it, but not to preach - to LEARN. We share views, ideas, philosophies, thoughts, etc. and help each other build faith in each other's beliefs by doing so.\n\nQuestioning your own faith, and even comparing it to others, is spiritually healthy. There are two outcomes: (1) you find flaws in your religion, and in learning about others, find one that makes more sense; (2) you are able to uphold your religion against any argument and/or skepticism and thus grow even more faithful (regardless of whether it convinces anyone else or not, and if it doesn't, it doesn't matter). Either way you are able to grow, flourish, and thrive spiritually.