A Word to Wiccans

by Daryl E. Witmer What follows here is a brief summary of Wiccan belief. In some cases we have followed a particular point with what we believe to be a relevant excerpt from the Bible (in italics), or with a brief comment of our own. We especially welcome the response (favorable or critical) of those among our readers who are Wiccan. • The term "Wiccan" refers to one who subscribes to the pagan earth-nature religion, Wicca. Another term for Wiccan is witch. • Wicca is alternately known and referred to as "The Craft." Its roots are in pre-Christian western Europe. Wicca has evidenced something of a modern revival, especially in the United States and Great Britain. • Many contemporary Wiccans consider themselves to be part of a positive system of religious beliefs and practices that actually affirm life and would more accurately be described as "New Age" than occultish. • "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise." - 1 Cor. 3:18 • Wiccan belief holds that evil is not a separate reality, but is rather a necessary aspect of good. • "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"   -Isaiah 5:20 • The Wiccan Rede, a principle of ethics, states: "That ye harm none, do what ye will." This implies that witches do not intend to do evil, but rather to effect harmony with nature by their activities and rituals. • "We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at TV. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you - to live in peace. We are much more similar to you than you think." -Margot Adler, Wiccan priestess and author of Drawing Down the Moon, ©1979 Viking Press • "in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." -2 Corinthians 4:4 Wiccans often meet in autonomous groves, nests, or covens. Wiccan religion is polytheistic and nature-oriented. It emphasizes fertility rituals and teaches that the source of life is a Great Mother Goddess who is manifest in the triune aspects of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The Goddess has appeared throughout history as Artemis, Aphrodite, Diana, Kore, and Hecate - to name just a few of her many manifestation. "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!" -Deuteronomy 6:4 Wicca is an earth-based religion. That is, nature and Deity are regarded as essentially one and the same. "For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." -Romans 1:25 Wicca is predominately, but not exclusively, feminine. The Horned God is the male principle of Wicca. The gods and goddesses of Wicca are considered to be personifications of the universal monistic Life Force. Wicca observes eight major solar festivals (Sabbats), including Imbolg (Feb 2), Samhain (Halloween), Winter Solstice (Yule), Summer Solstice. "You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you..." -Galatians 4:10-11 Wiccans practice various forms of magic, including clairvoyance, divination, astral projection, and spells. "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord..." Deut 18:10ff Symbols and objects commonly associated with Wicca include the amulet, pentagram (see illustration), talisman, tarot, and cauldron. Wiccans regard sin and the need for salvation as archaic notions. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Certainly the love of the God of the Bible extends to any and all Wiccans who will turn to Him. SOURCES Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft, Grimassi, ©2003 Llewellyn Publications; Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, Mather & Nichols, ©1993 Zondervan; A Brief Guide to Beliefs, Edwards, ©2001 WJK Press; www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm