Wicca: A Religion or Just Hocus Pocus?

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How Is Wicca a religion and not all just Hocus Pocus? Although some refuse to acknowledge that Wicca is a religion, it is one because it meets what we generally accept to be the major characteristics of a religion. There are groups of people who believe it is a religion, there are those who do not.

Wicca is thought to be from the old English Wicca meaning Wise One. The definition meaning a “religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of western Europe that supports the existence of supernatural power/ magic and both male and females deities who inherent in nature, and that highlights a ritual ceremony of seasonal and life.”

In 1950, Gerald Gardner publicly introduced Wicca. Its ritual and initiatory structure consists of elements from Masonic ritual and other occult and ceremonial magic systems, and regional witchcraft. At first he was originally going to name his new religion “Wica”, but and extra c was added later.

Most Wicca’s worship two deities, the Goddess and the God, or sometimes known as the Horned God. Wicca can be monotheistic, meaning that some Wiccans recognize a single supreme being, sometimes called “The All” of “The One”. Wicca can also be duotheistic meaning Wiccans often worship a female goddess sometimes known as the Lady. The male god is known often as the Lord. Wicca’s can be polytheistic, meaning Wiccans recognize the existence of many ancient Gods and Goddesses. Like for example Pan, Diana, Dionysius, Fergus, etc. Finally, Wicca can be atheistic, meaning some Wiccans view the God and Goddess as symbols, not living individuals.

Wicca’s believe that the source of good and evil rests within each person. Their rule is “if it harm none do what you will”.

Some Wicca’s join groups called co...

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...alled witches. Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede in the same way that Christians follow the Bible. Wiccans believe that each person’s path is valid and no one path is better than any one else’s path. Although some refuse to acknowledge that Wicca is a religion, it is one because it meets what we generally accept to be the major characteristics of a religion. There are groups of people who believe it is a religion, there are those who do not.

Works Cited

Smith, Diane. Wicca and Witchcraft for Dummies. Indianapolis Indiana: Wiley Publishing, Inc, 2005

Author Unknown. Blessed Be. Online Wicca Resource Center, publisher unknown date of resource creation unknown. Publication unknown. Sept. 30th 2011.

Steiger, Brad. Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained. by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. 2003

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