Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

User talk:Everrest

2012-01-12T23:35:15Z

Everrest:

{{warning|sig=[[User:JamesWilson|James Wilson]] 16:04, 12 January 2012 (EST)}}

Please do not insert nonsense into pages. If you do so again, you will be banned.--[[User:JamesWilson|James Wilson]] 16:04, 12 January 2012 (EST)

Nonsense such as? --[[User:Everrest|Everrest]] 16:05, 12 January 2012 (EST)
:"fluffy bunny". This is not [[Wikipedia]]. We do not take lightly to such childish nonsense.--[[User:JamesWilson|James Wilson]] 16:06, 12 January 2012 (EST)
::It's a term used within the Pagan/Wiccan community to describe someone who isnt serious about their identification as a Pagan or Wiccan, someone who identifies for shock value without understanding what they're singing up for. It's a perfectly valid and widely used term. --[[User:Everrest|Everrest]] 16:08, 12 January 2012 (EST)
:::If that is so, feel free to reinsert the material and add a citation.--[[User:JamesWilson|James Wilson]] 16:10, 12 January 2012 (EST)
::::Done --[[User:Everrest|Everrest]] 16:14, 12 January 2012 (EST)
:::::OK, but I would find a more reputable source than UrbanDictionary. It's full of lies and vulgarities, including definitions of crude terms and unsubstantiated criticisms of President George W. Bush. Plus it's not family friendly, as per [[Conservapedia:Commandments]]. Thanks.--[[User:JamesWilson|James Wilson]] 16:17, 12 January 2012 (EST)
::::::It's common parlance, there arent really "sources" for commonly used terms. I'll look and see what I can find. --[[User:Everrest|Everrest]] 16:20, 12 January 2012 (EST)
:::::::I found something else. What do you think?--[[User:JamesWilson|James Wilson]] 16:31, 12 January 2012 (EST)
::::::::It communicates the meaning but I wanted to stay away from websites like that because they arent terribly reliable. Single-person self-published websites arent the greatest source. --[[User:Everrest|Everrest]] 18:35, 12 January 2012 (EST)

User talk:Everrest

2012-01-12T21:20:30Z

Everrest:

User talk:Everrest

2012-01-12T21:14:28Z

Everrest:

Wicca

2012-01-12T21:13:48Z

Everrest: Undo revision 953413 by JamesWilson (talk)

'''Wicca''' was created in 1954 by Gerald Gardener, based on certain ancient pre-Christian [[pagan]] ideals. Etymology: likely from Old English wicca wizard, they affirm [[witchcraft]] and magic. <ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wicca Merriam-Webster -Wicca]</ref>
It can be very difficult to come up with a universal definition of what a Wiccan is. Most Wiccans desire to live as one with nature, which could be adapted from [[Buddhism]] and other religions. Wicca calls on the practitioner to act as their own priest(ess)/shaman, interacting directly with the spirit force sometimes in the form of a horned God and Goddess. <ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_faq.htm FAQs about Wicca that people ask, Religioustolerance.org]</ref> They are inclusive, many worship nature or at least hold a deep respect for the natural world, and many promote peace or seek to live in a peaceful manner. Wiccans do not accept or worship the Judeo-Christian devil as Wicca is not a Judeo-Christian religion and as such does not acknowledge the devil. Wicca is often referred to as an "earth based" religion and many Wiccan ceremonies use earth-centric symbolism.

==Wiccan Morality==
Most Wiccans submit to two basic rules of morality; the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law. ''The Rede'' states: "And it harm none, do as you will," meaning that you may do what you like, so long as you do not offer harm to others or to yourself. The Threefold Law states that what you send out in both the mundane and magical planes will return to you, though not necessarily by three. The Rede has been criticized as license to do anything you want, however the Rede itself is a much more restricting rule than it first appears to be. Not harming anyone includes yourself, so behaviors such as unsafe sex, excessive drinking, drugs, reckless behavior, and even smoking are considered against the Rede as they harm the self.

Some Wiccans feel such a deep connection with nature that they refuse to consume animal products. Many Wiccans are vegetarian or vegan however there is no consensus among the Wiccan community and the requirement of abstaining from consuming meat is by no means universal. Virtually all Wiccans are, however, against cruelty to animals or needless destruction of a natural space, due in no small part to Wiccan beliefs.

Sex and sexuality is a fluid topic for Wiccans; Wicca itself provides no mandates about sex and no rules to follow beyond the basic Rede. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals often find acceptance among Wiccans and ideas of non-traditional relationships find root much more readily among Wiccan communities. Sex before marriage is not frowned upon and sex in general is often seen as a blessing.

While Wiccans do perform magic and use spells to attempt to change the world around them, doing so for express personal gain or to harm someone else is taboo. Attempting to solve ones problems with magic and ritual before exhausting mundane means is also strongly frowned upon and a Wiccan who engages in this on a regular basis will quickly find themselves pushed out of the greater Wiccan community. Along with that, an extreme importance is placed on free-will and the ability of the individual to make his/her own choices. Anything that impinges on that is not accepted by Wiccans; including preaching religious beliefs and use of ritual magic on someone without their knowledge or consent.

A term that crops up among Wiccans (and some Pagans) is "[[fluffy bunny]]." A fluffy bunny is a Wiccan who is new to Wicca and is lacking some of the more extended understanding that time spent participating in and studying Wicca brings and as such they tend to make over-arching statements of fact for which they have no backing for, make outrageous claims of what they do, wear large amounts of jewelry to identify as Wiccan, talk at length about the Burning Times, carry their Book of Shadows openly, and complain about Wiccans being oppressed. These individuals usually have a mercifully brief shelf life as eventually they get bored of the theatrics and move on to something else or they discover more about Wicca and become more serious. Many Wiccans began their lives in Wicca this way, though most are embarrassed to admit it.

==Wiccans and Deities==
Wiccans are almost always polytheistic, with some directing their devotion towards a manifestation of divinity called the Spirit or sometimes the Godhead. Most Wiccans are duotheistic worshipping the God and Goddess with no specific other religious ideology attached. Celtic deity names and ideas are often incorporated into Wiccan practices. Nearly all Wiccans, however, subscribe to the idea of Spirit being divided into two polarities, the [[male]] and the [[female]]. <ref> Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland, page 28 </ref> The male polarity is the God, or the Green Man; the female polarity is the Goddess, whom herself is split into the three parts of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. They are also often called the Lord and Lady. They have been given so many names they have been called the Nameless Ones.<ref>Wicca a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham, page 11 </ref>

==Wiccan Holy Witch Days==
Wiccans usually celebrate the eight Sabbats, They are also referred to collectively as Wheel of the Witches Year. <ref> Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland, page 104 </ref>, and the thirteen Esbats. The Sabbats follow the solar cycle, and are as follows:

*Imbolc (Feb. 1)
*Ostara (March 21)
*[[May Day|Beltaine]] (May 1)
*Midsummer Day (June 21, sometimes called Litha)
*Lammas (Aug. 1, sometimes called Lughnasadh)
*Mabon (Sept. 21)
*[[Halloween|Samhain]] (Oct. 31)
*Yule (Dec. 21/22)
The esbats follow the lunar cycle, and are generally celebrated on the full moon.

==The Four Elements==
Wiccan worship is conducted in a [[circle]] (sometimes with a pentacle), and the participants call on the four traditionally greek elements of [[Air]], [[Fire]], [[Water]], and [[Earth]] at the respective [[cardinal]] points of [[East]], [[South]], [[West]], and [[North]]. Air and Fire are considered masculine elements, and Water and Earth are considered feminine. Air is generally represented by an athame or a [[sword]], and stands for the east, the New moon, [[spring]], the intellect, and new beginnings. Fire is represented by a wand or [[candle]], and stands for the south, [[summer]], the waxing moon, will, passion, and transformation. Water is represented by a chalice and stands for the west, the [[full moon]], emotions, cleansing, and the season of fall. Earth is represented by the pentacle or a bowl of [[salt]], and stands for [[winter]], silence, [[death]], the waning moon, and the practical matters of everyday living.

==Wiccans and Ritual==
The general procedure for a Wiccan ritual is as follows:

*Cleansing of the sacred space with incense or water infused with protective herbs
*Forming of the circle
*Invoking the four quarters/elements
*Invoking the Lord and Lady
*Stating the intent of the [[ritual]]
*Drawing down of sun/moon
*Perform magical work
*Cakes and Ale
*Thank and release Deity
*Thank and release quarters
*Cleanup

This is not a hard and fast outline. The drawing down of the moon would generally only occur during an ''Esbat'' (see above), just as the drawing down of the sun would generally only occur during a ''Sabbat''. A solitary performing a ritual, or a group performing a simpler ritual may opt not to do these things, just as they may opt not to invoke the ancestors or serve the Cakes and Ale.

Information on a ritual (and other parts of a Wiccan's religious life) are often contained in a Book of Shadows. Despite the ominous sounding name, a Book of Shadows is simply a book (although it can be a box) that contains information a particular individual wants to keep close, details of rituals, holiday information, drawings, notes, and anything else a person wants to keep in it. A Book of Shadows simply contains information about a Wiccan's practices.

==Wiccans and the Use of Spells==
Wicca as a religion does make use of magic and spells in it's practices. This is often differentiated by an alternate spelling of magic as "magick". This is to differentiate between the ritual magic performed by Wiccans and Pagans from the magic of illusions and card tricks. There is no universal agreement to the use of this term, it has been pointed out in the Wiccan community that a special spelling for magic seems more like a call for attention. Some individuals use "ritual magic" to differentiate between the magic of stage and of the circle.

Magic and spells are almost always performed in a ritual setting in Wicca; it isn't something done on-the-fly or with no preparation. The exact mechanics of magic are debated among Wiccans, but the general consensus is that ritual magic either redirects certain universal energies or curries favor with the gods for a specific effect. A cornerstone of this practice is not mis-using it. Using magic or spells to directly harm another person is as close to sacrilegious as it gets in Wicca and very few Wiccans would be willing to be party to a ritual for the purpose of harming someone else.

Spells are often written custom for the event however certain "canned" spells are available. There is a booming trade among less reputable book publishers in the selling of books with dubious collections of spells that are supposed to be used to do everything from getting the user great wealth to the ability to read minds. In practice, most Wiccans ignore these books or use them as examples of what not to do.

==Wiccans and Evil Use of Curses==
Although the central tenet of Wicca is the Wiccan Rede, which forbids practitioners from dabbling in the use of malevolent hexes, a significant amount of Wiccans are able to access incantations that inflict harm upon innocents. The following is an incantation that inflicts potent harm upon the intended individual,

"ON THIS NIGHT OF THE FULL MOON,
I HEX THEE (say full name of intended) FROM THIS DAY FORTHI HEX THEE WITH (state what you curse them with)
ON THIS NIGHT, ON THIS NEW MOON
I INVOKE THYNE WILL TO BE DONE ,
TO ONLY BE UNDONE OF MINE OWN DESIRE AND WILL."[http://www.wiccantradition.org.uk/spellhex01.html]

While such materials are available to the Wiccan community, utilizing them to harm others is considered a taboo infringement on another person's free will and as such receives wide condemnation from the greater Wiccan community. Many of the curses and similar tools written up can be attributed to individuals that fall under the "fluffy bunny"<ref>http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fluffy%20bunny</ref> category.

==Wiccan Symbolism==
Wicca makes heavy use of symbols and symbolism in it's rituals and practices.

*The Athame- The athame is a dull dagger or knife used to cut bonds of energy during rituals. It is symbolic of the masculine and never used to cut physical things, as such the blade is almost always dulled deliberately. The athame is also used as a symbol for air.
*The Pentacle- The pentacle must be established as separate from a pentagram. A pentacle is a five pointed star within a circle with a single point of the star pointing up. A pentagram is the same symbol but inverted such that two points of the star are facing up. The pentacle is seen as a collection of elements; Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit, as well as a symbol of protection and identification. Many Wiccans as well as Pagans wear a pentacle. Pentacles are also considered a symbol for Earth.
*The Chalice- The chalice or cup is a feminine symbol, representing the womb of a female. The chalice and athame are often paired to represent a duality and a balance. The chalice is also a symbol for water.
*The Triquetra- The triquetra is often a symbol of a Celtic view of Wicca, consisting of several designs of different three cornered designs often inside a circle. The symbol is sometimes used to symbolize the three stages of woman (Maiden, Mother, and Crone) as well as something given to a lover, the three points promising to love, honor, and protect them. Other uses of the symbol are to represent things in triplicate, often gods or goddesses.
*Wand- The wand is used to direct energy and to draw lines using energy. The wand is considered either fire or air.
*Broom- Also referred to as a "besom", the broom is used to "sweep" away negative energies and to prepare a ritual space. It also is used in handfasting (marriage) rituals where the people to be married jump over the broom to clear themselves of negative energy.
*Candles- Candles are used as a focal point for energy and to provide light for a ritual.

==History of Wicca==
Although there are elements of Wicca which date back to ancient times (the Sabbat fire festivals, for example), it does not tie to any particular religious practice from ancient times. Most aspects of Wicca are modern and were created in the last fifty years. Wicca was first popularized in England by Gerald Gardner after the repeal of Britain's laws banning Witchcraft and Black Magic. These attitudes are still adhered to by those who follow his religion in the form in which he created it, who are known as 'Gardnerians'. Nowadays, there are many forms of Wicca, including Alexandrian, Dianic, [[Druid]]ic, Corellian, Stregha (Italian witchcraft), Faery, and many others. There are also many Solitary and Eclectic practitioners, who follow no set tradition at all but through practice create their own.

==Basis in History==
A minority of Wiccans claim their beliefs can be traced back to an ancient religion, however the mainstream Wiccans understand that Wicca, as it sits today, was a creation of the modern age. Even though the specifics of Wicca are fairly recent, many of the ideas and some of the practices and symbolism within Wicca can be traced back to religions before Christianity and sometimes before recorded history. This is why Wicca has been called a new expression of old ideas.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==
* [http://www.wicca.org Wicca Homepage]
{{Liberalism}}

[[Category:Paganism]]

User talk:Everrest

2012-01-12T21:08:53Z

Everrest:

User talk:Everrest

2012-01-12T21:05:55Z

Everrest:

Wicca

2012-01-12T21:02:22Z

Everrest: /* Wiccans and Evil Use of Curses */

'''Wicca''' was created in 1954 by Gerald Gardener, based on certain ancient pre-Christian [[pagan]] ideals. Etymology: likely from Old English wicca wizard, they affirm [[witchcraft]] and magic. <ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wicca Merriam-Webster -Wicca]</ref>
It can be very difficult to come up with a universal definition of what a Wiccan is. Most Wiccans desire to live as one with nature, which could be adapted from [[Buddhism]] and other religions. Wicca calls on the practitioner to act as their own priest(ess)/shaman, interacting directly with the spirit force sometimes in the form of a horned God and Goddess. <ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_faq.htm FAQs about Wicca that people ask, Religioustolerance.org]</ref> They are inclusive, many worship nature or at least hold a deep respect for the natural world, and many promote peace or seek to live in a peaceful manner. Wiccans do not accept or worship the Judeo-Christian devil as Wicca is not a Judeo-Christian religion and as such does not acknowledge the devil. Wicca is often referred to as an "earth based" religion and many Wiccan ceremonies use earth-centric symbolism.

==Wiccan Morality==
Most Wiccans submit to two basic rules of morality; the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law. ''The Rede'' states: "And it harm none, do as you will," meaning that you may do what you like, so long as you do not offer harm to others or to yourself. The Threefold Law states that what you send out in both the mundane and magical planes will return to you, though not necessarily by three. The Rede has been criticized as license to do anything you want, however the Rede itself is a much more restricting rule than it first appears to be. Not harming anyone includes yourself, so behaviors such as unsafe sex, excessive drinking, drugs, reckless behavior, and even smoking are considered against the Rede as they harm the self.

Some Wiccans feel such a deep connection with nature that they refuse to consume animal products. Many Wiccans are vegetarian or vegan however there is no consensus among the Wiccan community and the requirement of abstaining from consuming meat is by no means universal. Virtually all Wiccans are, however, against cruelty to animals or needless destruction of a natural space, due in no small part to Wiccan beliefs.

Sex and sexuality is a fluid topic for Wiccans; Wicca itself provides no mandates about sex and no rules to follow beyond the basic Rede. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals often find acceptance among Wiccans and ideas of non-traditional relationships find root much more readily among Wiccan communities. Sex before marriage is not frowned upon and sex in general is often seen as a blessing.

While Wiccans do perform magic and use spells to attempt to change the world around them, doing so for express personal gain or to harm someone else is taboo. Attempting to solve ones problems with magic and ritual before exhausting mundane means is also strongly frowned upon and a Wiccan who engages in this on a regular basis will quickly find themselves pushed out of the greater Wiccan community. Along with that, an extreme importance is placed on free-will and the ability of the individual to make his/her own choices. Anything that impinges on that is not accepted by Wiccans; including preaching religious beliefs and use of ritual magic on someone without their knowledge or consent.

A term that crops up among Wiccans (and some Pagans) is "[[fluffy bunny]]." A fluffy bunny is a Wiccan who is new to Wicca and is lacking some of the more extended understanding that time spent participating in and studying Wicca brings and as such they tend to make over-arching statements of fact for which they have no backing for, make outrageous claims of what they do, wear large amounts of jewelry to identify as Wiccan, talk at length about the Burning Times, carry their Book of Shadows openly, and complain about Wiccans being oppressed. These individuals usually have a mercifully brief shelf life as eventually they get bored of the theatrics and move on to something else or they discover more about Wicca and become more serious. Many Wiccans began their lives in Wicca this way, though most are embarrassed to admit it.

==Wiccans and Deities==
Wiccans are almost always polytheistic, with some directing their devotion towards a manifestation of divinity called the Spirit or sometimes the Godhead. Most Wiccans are duotheistic worshipping the God and Goddess with no specific other religious ideology attached. Celtic deity names and ideas are often incorporated into Wiccan practices. Nearly all Wiccans, however, subscribe to the idea of Spirit being divided into two polarities, the [[male]] and the [[female]]. <ref> Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland, page 28 </ref> The male polarity is the God, or the Green Man; the female polarity is the Goddess, whom herself is split into the three parts of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. They are also often called the Lord and Lady. They have been given so many names they have been called the Nameless Ones.<ref>Wicca a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham, page 11 </ref>

==Wiccan Holy Witch Days==
Wiccans usually celebrate the eight Sabbats, They are also referred to collectively as Wheel of the Witches Year. <ref> Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland, page 104 </ref>, and the thirteen Esbats. The Sabbats follow the solar cycle, and are as follows:

*Imbolc (Feb. 1)
*Ostara (March 21)
*[[May Day|Beltaine]] (May 1)
*Midsummer Day (June 21, sometimes called Litha)
*Lammas (Aug. 1, sometimes called Lughnasadh)
*Mabon (Sept. 21)
*[[Halloween|Samhain]] (Oct. 31)
*Yule (Dec. 21/22)
The esbats follow the lunar cycle, and are generally celebrated on the full moon.

==The Four Elements==
Wiccan worship is conducted in a [[circle]] (sometimes with a pentacle), and the participants call on the four traditionally greek elements of [[Air]], [[Fire]], [[Water]], and [[Earth]] at the respective [[cardinal]] points of [[East]], [[South]], [[West]], and [[North]]. Air and Fire are considered masculine elements, and Water and Earth are considered feminine. Air is generally represented by an athame or a [[sword]], and stands for the east, the New moon, [[spring]], the intellect, and new beginnings. Fire is represented by a wand or [[candle]], and stands for the south, [[summer]], the waxing moon, will, passion, and transformation. Water is represented by a chalice and stands for the west, the [[full moon]], emotions, cleansing, and the season of fall. Earth is represented by the pentacle or a bowl of [[salt]], and stands for [[winter]], silence, [[death]], the waning moon, and the practical matters of everyday living.

==Wiccans and Ritual==
The general procedure for a Wiccan ritual is as follows:

*Cleansing of the sacred space with incense or water infused with protective herbs
*Forming of the circle
*Invoking the four quarters/elements
*Invoking the Lord and Lady
*Stating the intent of the [[ritual]]
*Drawing down of sun/moon
*Perform magical work
*Cakes and Ale
*Thank and release Deity
*Thank and release quarters
*Cleanup

This is not a hard and fast outline. The drawing down of the moon would generally only occur during an ''Esbat'' (see above), just as the drawing down of the sun would generally only occur during a ''Sabbat''. A solitary performing a ritual, or a group performing a simpler ritual may opt not to do these things, just as they may opt not to invoke the ancestors or serve the Cakes and Ale.

Information on a ritual (and other parts of a Wiccan's religious life) are often contained in a Book of Shadows. Despite the ominous sounding name, a Book of Shadows is simply a book (although it can be a box) that contains information a particular individual wants to keep close, details of rituals, holiday information, drawings, notes, and anything else a person wants to keep in it. A Book of Shadows simply contains information about a Wiccan's practices.

==Wiccans and the Use of Spells==
Wicca as a religion does make use of magic and spells in it's practices. This is often differentiated by an alternate spelling of magic as "magick". This is to differentiate between the ritual magic performed by Wiccans and Pagans from the magic of illusions and card tricks. There is no universal agreement to the use of this term, it has been pointed out in the Wiccan community that a special spelling for magic seems more like a call for attention. Some individuals use "ritual magic" to differentiate between the magic of stage and of the circle.

Magic and spells are almost always performed in a ritual setting in Wicca; it isn't something done on-the-fly or with no preparation. The exact mechanics of magic are debated among Wiccans, but the general consensus is that ritual magic either redirects certain universal energies or curries favor with the gods for a specific effect. A cornerstone of this practice is not mis-using it. Using magic or spells to directly harm another person is as close to sacrilegious as it gets in Wicca and very few Wiccans would be willing to be party to a ritual for the purpose of harming someone else.

Spells are often written custom for the event however certain "canned" spells are available. There is a booming trade among less reputable book publishers in the selling of books with dubious collections of spells that are supposed to be used to do everything from getting the user great wealth to the ability to read minds. In practice, most Wiccans ignore these books or use them as examples of what not to do.

==Wiccans and Evil Use of Curses==
Although the central tenet of Wicca is the Wiccan Rede, which forbids practitioners from dabbling in the use of malevolent hexes, a significant amount of Wiccans are able to access incantations that inflict harm upon innocents. The following is an incantation that inflicts potent harm upon the intended individual,

"ON THIS NIGHT OF THE FULL MOON,
I HEX THEE (say full name of intended) FROM THIS DAY FORTHI HEX THEE WITH (state what you curse them with)
ON THIS NIGHT, ON THIS NEW MOON
I INVOKE THYNE WILL TO BE DONE ,
TO ONLY BE UNDONE OF MINE OWN DESIRE AND WILL."[http://www.wiccantradition.org.uk/spellhex01.html]

While such materials are available to the Wiccan community, utilizing them to harm others is considered a taboo infringement on another person's free will and as such receives wide condemnation from the greater Wiccan community. Many of the curses and similar tools written up can be attributed to individuals that fall under the "fluffy bunny" category.

==Wiccan Symbolism==
Wicca makes heavy use of symbols and symbolism in it's rituals and practices.

*The Athame- The athame is a dull dagger or knife used to cut bonds of energy during rituals. It is symbolic of the masculine and never used to cut physical things, as such the blade is almost always dulled deliberately. The athame is also used as a symbol for air.
*The Pentacle- The pentacle must be established as separate from a pentagram. A pentacle is a five pointed star within a circle with a single point of the star pointing up. A pentagram is the same symbol but inverted such that two points of the star are facing up. The pentacle is seen as a collection of elements; Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit, as well as a symbol of protection and identification. Many Wiccans as well as Pagans wear a pentacle. Pentacles are also considered a symbol for Earth.
*The Chalice- The chalice or cup is a feminine symbol, representing the womb of a female. The chalice and athame are often paired to represent a duality and a balance. The chalice is also a symbol for water.
*The Triquetra- The triquetra is often a symbol of a Celtic view of Wicca, consisting of several designs of different three cornered designs often inside a circle. The symbol is sometimes used to symbolize the three stages of woman (Maiden, Mother, and Crone) as well as something given to a lover, the three points promising to love, honor, and protect them. Other uses of the symbol are to represent things in triplicate, often gods or goddesses.
*Wand- The wand is used to direct energy and to draw lines using energy. The wand is considered either fire or air.
*Broom- Also referred to as a "besom", the broom is used to "sweep" away negative energies and to prepare a ritual space. It also is used in handfasting (marriage) rituals where the people to be married jump over the broom to clear themselves of negative energy.
*Candles- Candles are used as a focal point for energy and to provide light for a ritual.

==History of Wicca==
Although there are elements of Wicca which date back to ancient times (the Sabbat fire festivals, for example), it does not tie to any particular religious practice from ancient times. Most aspects of Wicca are modern and were created in the last fifty years. Wicca was first popularized in England by Gerald Gardner after the repeal of Britain's laws banning Witchcraft and Black Magic. These attitudes are still adhered to by those who follow his religion in the form in which he created it, who are known as 'Gardnerians'. Nowadays, there are many forms of Wicca, including Alexandrian, Dianic, [[Druid]]ic, Corellian, Stregha (Italian witchcraft), Faery, and many others. There are also many Solitary and Eclectic practitioners, who follow no set tradition at all but through practice create their own.

==Basis in History==
A minority of Wiccans claim their beliefs can be traced back to an ancient religion, however the mainstream Wiccans understand that Wicca, as it sits today, was a creation of the modern age. Even though the specifics of Wicca are fairly recent, many of the ideas and some of the practices and symbolism within Wicca can be traced back to religions before Christianity and sometimes before recorded history. This is why Wicca has been called a new expression of old ideas.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External Links==
* [http://www.wicca.org Wicca Homepage]
{{Liberalism}}

[[Category:Paganism]]

Che Guevara

2012-01-12T20:51:04Z

Everrest:

[[Image:cHEgUEVARA.jpg|thumb|right|The victims of Che poster]]
'''Ernesto "Che" Guevara''' (b. June 14, 1928, executed October 9th, 1967) was a [[Marxist]] guerrilla leader, with [[Fidel Castro]], during the [[Cuban Revolution]]. He has become a cultural icon for [[liberals]], [[leftists]], [[socialists]], [[communists]], illegal aliens<ref>[http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/05/illegal-immigrants-rally-in-support-of.html Illegal Immigrants Rally For Dead Marxist Che Guevara]</ref>, and white "hipsters".<ref>[http://www.che-mart.com/WhoisChe.php Che-Mart]</ref> Despite being a freedom fighter, his image is still used as leftist propaganda which adorns millions of t-shirts and dorm room posters.

== Early Life ==
Guevara was the eldest of five children born in Rosario, [[Argentina]]. His schoolmates nicknamed him "pig" (Chancho) because he rarely bathed, and smelled bad.<ref>[http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/189688.php Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Forty Years, Still Dead] The Jawa Report, October 8, 2007</ref> He also enjoyed enjoyed killing dogs.<ref>''Exposing the Real Che Guevara: and the Useful Idiots who Idolize Him'', By Humberto Fontova</ref>.

== Cuba Revolution==
[[Image:Che Guevara por Alberto Korda.jpg|thumb|Portrait by Alberto Korda.]]
In 1955, while living as a hobo, Guevara met [[Raul Castro|Raul]] and Fidel Castro to plot the overthrow of the US-backed [[Fulgencio Batista]] government in Cuba. Their first revolutionary plan was an assault on Cuba from [[Mexico]]. During the war Castro promoted Guevara to commander status, and Guevara won the Battle of Santa Clara. This defeated Batista's forces and allowed the bearded guerrillas to march on towards [[Havana]]. On New Years Eve 1958, Batista's forces were defeated and on New Years day, Batista fled to the [[Dominican Republic]]. Castro and Guevara became Cuba's new socialist revolutionary leaders.

==Castro's Cuba==
Guevara was appointed commander of the La Cabaña Fortress prison. He oversaw the trial and execution of many former Batista regime officials. Roberto Martin-Perez was imprisoned for 30 years in Castro's dungeon prison. Roberto says "Castro ordered mass murder ... in order to consolidate his power." Guevara, as Castro's chief executioner, relished the slaughter of defenseless men and boys.<ref>[http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=86DE50D7-E16B-42C6-B61E-035B6A1F541D Che Guevara: Mass Murderer and Coward] Frontpage Magazine, June 13, 2007</ref> Guevara became feared for his brutality and ruthlessness. During the 1961 [[Bay of Pigs]] invasion, Castro ordered Guevara to take up a command post in Western Cuba. He never saw any fighting and did not participate in the Cuban victory. However, he dropped his pistol and shot himself in the face. Guevara was the main proponent of missiles in Cuba and urged Khrushchev to nuke the United States.<ref>Hari, Johann [http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-should-che-be-an-icon-no-394336.html Should Che Be an Icon? No]</ref> In December 1964, he gave a speech before the [[United Nations|U.N. General Assembly]] mocking the [[imperialism]] of the [[USA]].

The number of executions he ordered is unknown, with conservative estimates ranging from 400 to 2,000 over his lifetime. Unfortunately, lack of records mean that the exact number will probably never be known. What is clear is that he was a violent Communist who thought nothing of killing anyone who opposed him. [http://www.amazon.com/Exposing-Real-Che-Guevara-Idolize/dp/1595230270/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8236430-6806347?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180603569&sr=1-1 (Amazon)]

{{cquote|<big>'''''“Hatred as the central element of our struggle! Hatred that is intransigent…hatred so violent that it propels a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him violent and cold- blooded killing machine...We reject any peaceful approach. Violence is inevitable. To establish Socialism rivers of blood must flow! The imperialist enemy must feel like a hunted animal wherever he moves. Thus we’ll destroy him! These hyenas are fit only for extermination. We must keep our hatred alive and fan it to paroxysm! The victory of Socialism is well worth millions of atomic victims!”''
</big> <small>-- Ernesto "Che" Guevara speaking about Americans, April 1966 Message to the Tricontinental Conference in Havana, Cuba</small>'''}}

==South America==
[[File:Guayasamin La Muerte del Che nº 2, 1978.jpg|thumb|Guayasamín, La Muerte del Che nº 2, 1978.]]
Guevara authored an insurgent booklet entitled ''Guerrilla Warfare''. <ref>[http://yaf.org/Che/?newsmax Mugshot of a Murderer] Yaf.org</ref> He left Cuba to lead a [[Communist]] guerrilla movement in [[South America]]. [[Bolivia]]n soldiers, trained, equipped and guided by U.S. Green Beret and [[CIA]] operatives,<ref>[http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB5/index.html The Death of Che Guevara: Declassified] The George Washington University</ref> hunted him down in the Bolivian jungle where he was captured. He cried out "Do not shoot! I am Che Guevara and worth more to you alive than dead." <ref>[http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB5/index.html The Death of Che Guevara: Declassified] The George Washington University</ref> However, the U.S. and Bolivia knew better. He was executed by Mario Terán 2 days later, and his hands were chopped off and put into a jar.

==Quotes==
"At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality."

"In capitalist society individuals are controlled by a pitiless law usually beyond their comprehension. The alienated human specimen is tied to society as a whole by an invisible umbilical cord: the law of value. This law acts upon all aspects of one's life, shaping its course and destiny. The difficult thing for someone not living the experience of the revolution to understand is this close dialectical unity between the individual and the mass, in which the mass, as an aggregate of individuals, is interconnected with its leaders."

==Video==
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5g24XFTbXc The Victims of Che Guevara]
* [http://video.foxnews.com/v/3982573/the-cult-of-che Glenn Beck exposes the murderous Ernesto Che Guevara image]

==Books==
*''Che Guevara and the Useful Idiots Who Idolize Him'', [[Humberto Fontova]].
*''Exposing the Real Che Guevara: The [[Liberal Media]]'s Favorite Executioner'', Humberto Fontova, Sentinel, April 2007 ISBN-10: 1595230270 [http://www.bestwebbuys.com/Exposing_the_Real_Che_Guevara-ISBN_9781595230270.html?isrc=b-search]
*[http://www.newsmax.com/fontova/che_guevara_u.s./2007/11/21/51310.html ''Che Guevara Planned Attacks Against the U.S.''] Humberto Fontova, Newsmax.com, November 21, 2007

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Guevara, Che}}
[[Category:Communist Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Terrorists]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]