Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Paganism

2009-02-01T10:26:57Z

Ofrolvi:

'''Paganism''' is a group of religions in which practitioners worship a deity, or deities, usually based on the earth or nature, and not [[Christian]], [[Muslim]], or [[Jewish]]. Paganism, from Latin paganus, literally means (as a noun) "country dweller." Alternatively, pagan is used as a pejorative to describe anyone not of a certain faith, similar to the pejorative '[[heathen]]'.

==Subdivisions==

Pagan subdivisions coined by Isaac Bonewits:
*'''Paleo-Paganism''': coined to contrast with "Neopaganism", denoting a Pagan culture that has not been disrupted by other cultures. The term applies to [[Hinduism]], [[Shinto]], pre-Migration period Germanic paganism as described by [[Tacitus]], Celtic Polytheism as described by [[Julius Caesar]], the Ancient Greek religion and religion in ancient Rome.

*'''Meso-Paganism''': Groups begun as an attempt to revive, recreate, or perpetuate what their founders believe(d) to be original Paleopagan beliefs and practices, which is, or has been, significantly influenced by monotheistic, dualistic, or nontheistic worldviews, but has been able to maintain an independence of religious practices. This group includes Native Americans and Australian Aborigine Bushmen, Viking Age Norse paganism. Other examples include: [[Freemasonry]], [[Rosicrucianism]], [[Theosophy]], [[Spiritualism]], as well as [[Sikhism]], early (pre-1970) [[Wicca]], and the many Afro-Diasporic faiths like Haitian Voudou and Santería.

*'''[[Neo-Paganism]]''': Groups begun as an attempt to revive, recreate, or perpetuate what their founders believe(d) to be original Paleopagan beliefs and practices, but consciously attempting to avoid monotheistic, dualistic, or nontheistic influences. This definition may include anything on a sliding scale from reconstructionist to [[New Age]] and non-reconstructionist groups such as Celtic reconstructionism and [[Wicca]]. Gods from ancient [[mythology]] may be worshipped in this context.

The terms may be spelled with or without hyphens after the prefixes.

== See also ==

*[[Philosophy]]
*[[Anthropology]]
*[[Religious Studies]]

[[category:Paganism]]

Talk:Paganism

2009-02-01T10:26:01Z

Ofrolvi:

{{Wikiproject Religion}}

I'm fairly certain the Rosicrucians consider themselves Christians. --[[User:BobD|BobD]] 00:47, 16 April 2007 (EDT)

Paganism is in no way any more evil than any other religion, and unless good evidence to the contrary is cited I will remove this mildly offensive accusation from this article. --[[User:Eyupdutch|Eyupdutch]] 11:26, 26 June 2007 (EDT)

:I've removed the 'evil' part, which was an overstep, and also the Wicca plug in the main paragraph. It is still discussed in its proper place further down. [[User:Learn together|Learn together]] 11:30, 26 June 2007 (EDT)

ok i replaced asatru with celtic reconstructionism because they are just more common although they dont seem to do a very good job of reconstructing anything

Wicca

2009-02-01T10:23:45Z

Ofrolvi:

'''Wicca''' was created in 1954 based on ancient [[pagan]] 'religion'. most branches practice what seems much like [[witchcraft]].
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 stolen from [[Buddhism]] and other religions. Wicca calls on the practitioner to act as their own priest/shaman, interacting directly with the spirit force or deity.

==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.

==Wiccans and Deity==
Wiccans may be either monotheistic or polytheistic; the monotheists simply directing their spells and prayers to Spirit, and the polytheists subscribing to a variety of historical pantheons, including [[Celt]]ic, [[Greek]], [[Asatru|Nordic]], [[Roman]], and even [[Chinese]], [[Japanese]], and [[Hindu|Indian]]; or some combination of the above. 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 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 pentagram), 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/[[holy water]]
*Forming of the circle
*Invoking the four quarters/elements
*Invoking the Lord and Lady)
*State intent of [[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.

==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 made 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.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Paganism]]

Talk:Wicca

2009-02-01T10:13:21Z

Ofrolvi: /* Ok this just isnt true */ new section

{{Wikiproject Religion}}

There is a lot of information in this article with no references at all. I know very little about Wicca, but if someone claims to, they should provide the information to back it up. --[[User:brewer13210|Todd]] 21 March 2007.

Being Pagan myself, I know a bit about Wicca. [[Tsengfox]]

Not to be sarcastic but I found this article strangely devoid of bias. I find that nice.--[[User:Snotbowst|Snotbowst]] 18:01, 28 February 2008 (EST)

Wicca has many different sects and groups, but has no central body or governing organization, or a holy book. Wiccans belong to small, local organizations called "covens" or practice "solitary", as they see fit. Because
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Let's take all the nonsense out of this article. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] <sup>[[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]]</sup> 13:00, 26 November 2008 (EST)

== Ok this just isnt true ==

i dont remember how i found this site and i dont like wiccans much but this wicca page is just terrible completly unsourced and just not true i dont know if this is purely a conservative christian site and you dont want me editing this article but if you dont educate people on a religion you seem to despise than the people who read it wont know what they are talking about