by Alright, a different site I go to, I'm ranting about some of the lesser intelligent members.
And to those who ask, a fluff is a word often used by pagans, to lightly call someone who claims themself to be of some form of a (generally) neopagan path, without any, or little information on that which they claim to be.
Right at the moment, the big one is those who claim to be Wiccan, or trying to. The fact is, unless you're over 18, you can't even try to, there's an exception. Your family is Wiccan, and they initiate you when you give consent to joining.
On top of that, the fact is this. Wicca is a very specific path. If you aren't initiated properly, by the proper sect, guess what, you aren't Wiccan. It was started in the 1950's by Gerald Garnder. Even the names of the deities are withheld until you've become properly initiated.
As it stands, Wicca is oathbound, meaning you don't get all the neat little secrets until you've been initiated. I'm not saying that whatever your path, it's not valid (I know some of you may complain about the validity of other faiths [I'm assuming Q and Ama are going to read this xP]), it's simply not Wicca. You need to find very specific people, who've gone through very specific training. Realize, that after so many years, you can likely become a priest/ess of this faith. Now honestly, what Christian would go to a church to hear a Sermon by a guy who claims to be Christian, but doesn't even know who Yeshua is? {Yes, I use very archaic and gnostic names for those mentioned in the Abrahamaic faiths. To those who don't know, Yeshua is a name used to refer to Jesus.} I wouldn't, I'd be insulted, and I don't even follow the faith.
Moral of my rant? People should do more reading before they go around claiming them to be something, that they, chances are, they can never be. It's insulting, it's something that can be found offensive to just about any who is knowledgeable of various faith paths. And, most likely, if you call yourself this, and you do so, you're making whatever (if you're calling yourself wiccan, it's most likely) God an Goddess very very displeased with your actions.
Woo! I feel better now ^^
*Edited it to make it less annoying to me, and to make it less detailed.
Rant~
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Yes, Ama and I often go around thumping our Bibles and when that doesn't work we burn a few crosses. That's how we roll.
Don't worry, Lunami. We'll get the third world demons out of you sometime ^-^
You don't HAVE to be initiated to follow a path of Wicca. That's like saying you HAVE to be baptised to be a Christian.
In the spoiler. Be careful, the link within and the content of my spoiler may have some material some of you may not be comfortable with hearing. If you're easily offended by more mature topics or adult language, don't read this.
Okay! Never talking about Wicca again here.
- Spoiler:
- I know this is incredibly late, however, this should prolly be said.
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/morality-and-religion/wiccan-faq-profit/t.22819829/?login_success=1277089610
This is an FAQ that is entirely on Wicca. Yes, it is long, but it's going to prove my point. Much research has been done on this. but to Sick's comment, I offer this quick reply from this FAQ.
Therefore, a Wiccan MUST be a priest or a priestess. This is incrediblyThe Priests and Priestesses who directed these festivals were called the
Wica, meaning 'The Wise Ones',
important - since Wiccans are, by definition, clergy, and therefore
initiated, you CANNOT simply declare yourself a Wiccan. You have to be
initiated as a Wiccan. There is no such thing as a 'lay Wiccan,' just
like there is no such thing as a 'lay bishop.'
Therefore, the only way one can be a 'Solitary' practitioner is if one
is initiated by the Lord/Lady - if this is the case with you, I am quite
interested to know A) how the hell you managed that and B) how you even
know that the deity you contacted was the Wiccan Lord and Lady, since
their names are oathbound.
So, to be an official Wiccan from originating Gardnerian descent, yes, you must be initiated to be a Wiccan. Anyone who isn't initiated, merely goes off of various information and misinterpretations of books and here-say. This doesn't mean what they think is wrong, but it's NOT Wicca, the technical term would be "Eclectic Neopagan", unless of course, their beliefs are completely true with another belief system already out there, such as Asatru, Kemeticism, etc... Chances of that, are slim.
Second off, Wicca is sexually oriented. This means one thing. Unless you are over the age of 18, you are forbidden to join into Wicca (if you are in the United States, as I'm not aware of the age of consent worldwide). In fact, if I do recall correctly, you actually have to perform an act of sex with a priest or priestess of the faith in order to do so.
So, to quickly summarize.
1. Wicca is an OATHBOUND faith with set rules and guidelines for following the faith. Which means, even if you knew a good bit of the stuff there, the important things are told when you're initiated.
2. Due to the faith being a fertility cult, one must be over the age of 18.
3. If one claims to be a Wiccan, and do not meet the requirements (such as being 18, completely willing to join, etc...) they are not. They are considered "Eclectic Neopagans." This doesn't make this faith they follow wrong, what it does make it however, is NOT Wicca.
There is a ton more, and I left a lot of it left out, but I figured I would let the thread answer everything else someone might be curious over.
Lastly, the link above mentions the beginning of the misconceptions known of Wicca today, and are sadly, what most people believe Wicca is.
Okay! Never talking about Wicca again here.
Lunami wrote:In the spoiler. Be careful, the link within and the content of my spoiler may have some material some of you may not be comfortable with hearing. If you're easily offended by more mature topics or adult language, don't read this.
- Spoiler:
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/morality-and-religion/wiccan-faq-profit/t.22819829/?login_success=1277089610
This is an FAQ that is entirely on Wicca. Yes, it is long, but it's going to prove my point. Much research has been done on this. but to Sick's comment, I offer this quick reply from this FAQ.
Therefore, a Wiccan MUST be a priest or a priestess. This is incrediblyThe Priests and Priestesses who directed these festivals were called the
Wica, meaning 'The Wise Ones',
important - since Wiccans are, by definition, clergy, and therefore
initiated, you CANNOT simply declare yourself a Wiccan. You have to be
initiated as a Wiccan. There is no such thing as a 'lay Wiccan,' just
like there is no such thing as a 'lay bishop.'
Therefore, the only way one can be a 'Solitary' practitioner is if one
is initiated by the Lord/Lady - if this is the case with you, I am quite
interested to know A) how the hell you managed that and B) how you even
know that the deity you contacted was the Wiccan Lord and Lady, since
their names are oathbound.
So, to be an official Wiccan from originating Gardnerian descent, yes, you must be initiated to be a Wiccan. Anyone who isn't initiated, merely goes off of various information and misinterpretations of books and here-say. This doesn't mean what they think is wrong, but it's NOT Wicca, the technical term would be "Eclectic Neopagan", unless of course, their beliefs are completely true with another belief system already out there, such as Asatru, Kemeticism, etc... Chances of that, are slim.
Second off, Wicca is sexually oriented. This means one thing. Unless you are over the age of 18, you are forbidden to join into Wicca (if you are in the United States, as I'm not aware of the age of consent worldwide). In fact, if I do recall correctly, you actually have to perform an act of sex with a priest or priestess of the faith in order to do so.
So, to quickly summarize.
1. Wicca is an OATHBOUND faith with set rules and guidelines for following the faith. Which means, even if you knew a good bit of the stuff there, the important things are told when you're initiated.
2. Due to the faith being a fertility cult, one must be over the age of 18.
3. If one claims to be a Wiccan, and do not meet the requirements (such as being 18, completely willing to join, etc...) they are not. They are considered "Eclectic Neopagans." This doesn't make this faith they follow wrong, what it does make it however, is NOT Wicca.
There is a ton more, and I left a lot of it left out, but I figured I would let the thread answer everything else someone might be curious over.
Lastly, the link above mentions the beginning of the misconceptions known of Wicca today, and are sadly, what most people believe Wicca is.
Okay! Never talking about Wicca again here.
I stopped reading at the sex stuff and having to be 18.
You do get that in some parts of the world you can have sex younger then 18? Right? So whats with the MUST be 18.
I suppose I'm going to have to retract the not talking about it again.... http://www.avert.org/age-of-consent.htm
I'm not certain, but I'd assume that the age 18 is required as a global requirement to escape punishment by the law. I'm contacting an authority on the subject of Wica now, so I'll edit this post later when I have a reply.
Edit:
The issue is with age, and maturity level. Granted, maturity has no basis in age. However, the prime requirements are maturity, and a base age of 18 to avoid the law.
I'm not certain, but I'd assume that the age 18 is required as a global requirement to escape punishment by the law. I'm contacting an authority on the subject of Wica now, so I'll edit this post later when I have a reply.
Edit:
There's more than just the age of consent being considered, here - also
whether someone's a 'proper person'. Proper personhood includes being a
mature adult person who takes responsibility for their own choices and
decisions, and doesn't live under someone else's authority. Some people
would't be proper people on that level even in their 20's. (Or older.)
Between wishing to outright avoid any issues with minors and the law,
and wanting mature individuals, 18+ is pretty much the standard wherever
you're looking.
The issue is with age, and maturity level. Granted, maturity has no basis in age. However, the prime requirements are maturity, and a base age of 18 to avoid the law.
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