Lesson 6 ~ Religious Philosophy ~ Religious Forms

Religious Philosophy

Lesson 6 ~ Religious Forms

By:  Rev. Trent Murman

 

What religious organizational form does Wicca use?  Which is it? Perhaps a better question is, since it exhibits all of these traits, 'which of these approaches does it primarily follow?

This course gets more interesting by the week.  Even though this lesson has a lot of information to digest it certainly does open one's eyes to different cultures, sub-cultures, beliefs and cults.

 

Wicca appears to be a distinct worldview with an identifiable set of beliefs, ritual systems, and an organizational structure, albeit a loose one and certain forms of witchcraft may be practiced. Many Wiccans practice as solitaries, not in identifiable groups or "covens." 

 

A popular misconception of Wiccan religion is that it involves the worship of Satan. This is false. Wiccan religion was blamed for it. 

 

Many who practice Wiccan religion will identify themselves as witches and say that they practice witchcraft; however, Wicca and witchcraft are not synonymous.

 

I believe the structure appears to be Shamanistic faith in that it does have a centralized person which the members of the group feel has "special" powers to contact the dead and encompasses the three main ideals below:

 

neopaganism- this includes all faith groups based on attempted reconstructions of ancient or extinct religions, such as the Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Sumerian and others.

paganism - has both positive and negative meanings. This term is negative in the sense that it is used to mean "anti-Christian" and some will claim it simply to spite Christianity, the term has a positive meaning similar to or synonym with neopaganism.

witchcraft or craft - generally refers to the practical arts of casting spells, herbalism, performing magic ceremonies, and the like. This may or may not be located inside any specific or organized religious association.

 

I will have to submit to you much of this information was gotten from the internet since I needed support and current information that I did not have a view point myself.  This has certainly given me more insight as to the Wiccan religion or practices and that they are not all satanic worshipers and "bad" people that most of us previously believed. 

Go In Peace