Wiccan or Pagan people read this please!?
337513
One great way to find people in your area is check out witchvox.com  Also there are usually some Yahoo groups and stuff.
1139076
Hey Colleen, \n I feel I should inform you that Wicca is a religion with a great reverence for nature. It is not a teen clique you can join, and learn to do "spells and stuff". If you are really interested in Wicca as a religion, you can do a search on the internet, and get the basic idea of what Wicca is all about. If all you want to do is "cast spells", please do not even consider Wicca. It is not for you.
876225
I admit I don't know a lot about wicca, so you are getting an answer based on the hype that is out there about your religion. From what I heard it is an earth religion with some good basic values.  I have never heard of any type of wiccan sacrifice!  I have heard of different rituals but none that involve sacrifice or any type of harm.  In fact, I always thought that wicca's main focus was to live without harming anyone or anything.
242966
I've been told more times than I can count that because I am Wiccan I am worshiping Satan and going to hell.  I had a person I worked with once they found out I was Wiccan spent every time we had to deal with each other trying to convert me and tell me I was wrong and it was false.  This person went so far as to send their pastor in to talk to me and try to convert me.  It didn't work I told them bluntly I was happy with my religion.  After open circle one night several of us had a car load of what we call 'attack Christians' follow us home and sermonize us the whole way over a loud speaker from our car!  Things got so bad for us when we held open circle we had to get a restraining order because of protesters who shouted the worst things you can imagine!
1002796
I believe God and Goddess exist.  I have had experiencs with them and they have helped me get through many difficult times.  I pray to them regularly and they have helped me learn so many things.\n\nSome Wiccans see some traditions as more true than others and many do not.  There is some dissagreement in the Wiccan community over faith as there is in many religions where there are multiple denomonations.  Personally, I believe that the majority of Wiccan traditions are valid.  I have not been exposed to all traditions so I cannot say that I believe all are.  Moreover, I believe that the majority of existing religions around the world are valid as long as they are positive and lead their practitioners to do possitive things.\n\nWicca isn't really about catering to one's own desires.  In fact, most Wiccans I know have a healthy background in charity work.  Wiccans feel a responsibility to take care of others as well as nature itself.  Wicca does help me learn about myself and really forces me to take a look at who I am and how my actions affect the world around me.\n\nBecause our religion has no central authority or text, it is malleable, however, there are still certain core beliefs that a Wiccan must adhere to such as a belief in divinity, belief in the rede, belief in the three-fold law or law of return, etc.  Individual practices may vary as one person's relationship with the divine is not the same as another's.\n\nVery few modern religions are able to be wholly discredited and Wicca is no exception.  Religion is about faith.  It can't be scientifically proven true or false, it's practitioners believe in it based on their own experiences.\n\nNot all Wiccans cast spells.  Although Wicca embraces the belief in witchcraft, the practice of it is not mandatory.  I believe the results behind spells comes from God and Goddess.  I believe God and Goddess are neutral.  They are everything and everything is a part of them.  There is good and evil as explained in human terms, but there is no absolute good or evil.  Because of this, I believe there is nothing evil behing the religion or the practices themselves.  However, as is all faiths, there are a few bad apples.  \n\nRituals help establish a connection with God and Goddess.  It is basically prayer with actions.  If prayer can bring about change by way of the divine, then I believe rituals can as well.  Also, not all rituals are meant to bring about change in the world around us.  Wiccans frequently perform rituals to help facillitate change within ourselves.  We also perform rituals as a means of celebrations for holidays, special events, etc.  They are also used as simply a way of giving thanks to the divine.\n\nI hope I have answered all of your questions to your satisfaction.  If there is still somethingyou would like to know, please feel free to ask me.  Have a wonderful day.
1143952
As a Pagan, it really makes me sad to see my fellow Pagans take history out of context and ignore the parts that make our own predicessors look bad.\n\n#1. Christianity is full of Pagan concepts, much more than Jewish concepts- Virgin birth, child of a God born of a mortal woman, the trinity, all Pagan concepts. Therefore, why we feel the need to throw up an impenetrable wall, I don't friggin know!\n\n#2. Umbanda, Voodoo, and Santeria are three Christian/Pagan blends with HUGE followings that have been around since long before you were born to complain.\n\nI am not going to even address your dubious history except to point out that Pagans also killed Christians, and most of these killings were political in nature, rather than religious. \n\nThank you. Move along.
1099644
My former roommate is wiccan and she was the coolest. From the few times  ever really listened to her ramble abt wiccanism, it sounded a whole lot better than christianity. Wiccans believe in protecting the environment,not judging people and enlightening people about their religion/beliefs.She always did that and unlike the christians,didn't ram her beliefs down my throat every chance I gave her. \n\nMAYBE I SHOULD TRY IT OUT. I'M LOOKING FOR A NEW CHURCH.SOME CHRISTIANS BRING SHAME TO GOD,I INCLUDED
930079
Hello,\nI'm a Pagan. I study Wicca and Buddhism. But I don't hate Christmas, either. I'm sorry that you got so many hateful responses to this. Most true followers of Wicca practice tolerance. I still get upset when people print stories about not being able to say "Merry Christmas". This is not about the Wiccans. I belong to a group of about 30 people and we all say "Merry Christmas" to others. Among ourselves we will wish a "Happy Yule". I've never been insulted that people put up Christmas Trees, or Mistletoe. I see it as an affirmation of what I believe as well. I will say that I regard the switch to Plastic Trees a very positive thing, because I am put off by the killing of a tree for decoration, but I can deal with those that do it.\nPeople, ALL people, should be free to worship they way that they see fit. The only time that I get upset about Christian Tradition is when it is forced upon me. When Bush tries to push for laws that are Pro-Christian and Anti-Pagan (Pagan simply meaning Non-Christian) then it is bad for the country. \nAll people have the right to do what they believe is right, that is what this country was based on. Freedom of Religion. Unfortunately, too many people want to think that their way is the ONLY way, and this is just not the case. \nLove And Peace to you,\nBlessed Be,\nAnd MERRY CHRISTMAS!
1046155
I read voodoo books and been to afew of there ceremonies.  I honestly think alot of it is in there heads.  One friend of mine is into it but he said he never heard the spirits or anything that if good things happen then it is from them.
404404
I'd start out with researching some books.  Not all will be truth.  Wicca isn't all about spells, it's not a quick-fix religion.  So if you're serious about pursuing that path, avoid the spell books for now.  Also look around to see if there are any groups in your area that you could talk to.  The thing about this path, there are so many peole (like in other religions) that will tell you that their way is the RIGHT way.  That's just not the case.  But only you can determine what's right for you.
160842
Wiccans and Pagans don't believe in sin.  We prefer to take responsibility for our own wrong doings.
1031364
Wicca is about understanding metaphysics and the great powers of the universe. Wiccans believe in God and Goddess not only a female Deity also male. There are a lot of people making money from religion and spirituality, if you come across such people trying to sell you spells and religious books claiming they know how the world will end and things like that you should know it might just be a fraud. I'm Neo-Pagan so I have read up on Wicca but am still learning. I think the main purpose is to grow spiritually.
90852
I feel like someone has to represent a pagan/neo-pagan/wiccan voice, since we're so left out of the ususal discourse.  There are a lot of weird myths about witchcraft on yahoo answers that I try to answer, I like to think I'm educating people about something they may know nothing about.  Some people are looking for a path, and I would like them to know that Neo-paganism is real and open to them, even if they don't choose it.\n\nAlso, I feel really good about where I am spiritually, so I like to take advantage of that and pass a little on to others.  \n\nI also, on occasion, like to play poke the fundie.  I know it's kinda rude, but damn, there are some crazy people here, and sometimes it is fun to antagonize them and sit back and laugh.
507472
Hello, little daughter! I'm a Non-Denominational Happy Pagan Person. Be happy to answer if I can.
808657
I have much respect for those following that path.  I like their loyalty to keeping their oaths, their tolerance for other religions, the depth of their studies, and the close relationships that are built between members.  Although not the path for me, I enjoy spending time with my Wiccan friends and I always learn something new from them.
569252
A witch friend of mine once said that trying to organize a wiccan event is like trying to herd cats.\nI think most pagans are quite individualistic.  Solitary practice seems to be the way to go for most of the year, with a few celebrations thrown in when wanted.
805681
Yes, I'm also a witch- have been for 20 years now. I'm a very normal person with a very normal family and job- my religion is just another part of my life. I do cast spells, but not in a Harry Potter way. It's more to do with attempting to influence what will be. You have to have a jolly good reason for doing it- and positive intentions at heart or you've no chance of it working (and if your intention is to bring about a negative outcome then you've no business trying!). My spells have mostly been successful.  Look in the Mind, Body, Spirit section of any good bookshop (Waterstones, Borders etc) and you'll find a host of reputable books about witchcraft for beginners.