Wicca is dying?

[frauholla]

I scan Witchvox every so often and today I found this article http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswi&c=words&id=14905
This point of view does not match up with my own experience.  The Wiccan elders, mostly Gardnerian and a few Alexandrian, that I know say they have more than enough people seeking them out.  The problem is that many of the

Comments

[beerebutterfly]

I personally am in the exploration stage of trying to figure out whether or not Wicca is right for me. You mentioned that his statement that "he has yet to meet a 'Crafter' who does not hold some level of anti-Christian sentiment is again a perspective caused by geographical isolation and self selected internet browsing." Would you be willing to say more about your experiences with witches who don't have an anti-Christian sentiment

[frauholla]

I do not have anti-Christian sentiment. I have issues with idiots and assholes no matter what religion they practice. I have had negative encounters with people who identify as Christian, but they does not reflect upon the religion as a whole. My mother is a Christian witch, all of my siblings are Christian, and many of my friends are Christian. They are good people who follow the dictates of their religion as they perceive them.

I know of a HPS whose father is a clergyman of a Christian denomination and she helps him out at the various Christian holidays by co-hosting his holiday parties for his fellow clergy people and laity. Her father knows of her religion and it is not a big deal.

Does that answer your question?

Christianity as a religion does not appeal to me, but that is ok.

[beerebutterfly]

Thanks for responding :)! It's especially interesting/ helpful to hear that your mother is a Christian witch. It certainly answers my question - I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[jenett]

Not the original poster (with whom I agree, mind you

[ianphanes]

He wrote:
I’ve found that much of the ‘Wicca has failed’ belief comes from those Wiccans who experienced the great social and spiritual revolutions of the late sixties and seventies. At the time it must have seemed like Neopaganism would become a powerful social force by the turn of the millennium. Its failure to become so has soured the movement for some. I suppose if the only "elders" one has ever known are those who became Craft *because* they were counter-cultural and perceived the Craft as counter-cultural, it could seem that "the elders" think that the Craft is failing. But only because they have a limited perception of the Craft

[donnalee_kiss]

Some of us just don't want to be wiccan, just witches. We're eclectic due to experimenting with different spiritual paths. And speaking as someone who's seen the problems of being able to join a coven quickly and easily....I think the standard should be the old-fashioned year and a day. Too many want things entirely too easy.

Personally I'm not a joiner due to not playing nice.

[moonwolf23]

Have to agree with this. Though I don't see the need for a year and day. Time to get to know the person, sure but meh.

Nor do I feel that hierarchy, time, tradition equals harder. Or that hierarchy coven style is more useful etc.

Just because some eclectics are fools, doesn't make the rest of us(ok, some of us follow the sacred fool journey) idjits.

Personally, I don't find hierarchy to be useful. I don't do non Alpha well and I find the pomp and formality asinine. Victorian chotzkies(sp?) have their use, just not in my religious activities. Nor do I feel the need to go back to feudal society either. I enjoy my Americanisms to much.

[donnalee_kiss]

I have issues with anyone telling me absolutes. Some of us to not have an altar out on display, with an exacting criteria of what should be on it at any given time. Some of us do not want to wear formal clothing for the occasion. Some of us enjoy a little bit of naughty with our nice. And some of us really like our technology!

My dislike of christianity comes from a dislike of something with outdated, antiquated ideas telling me how to live my life in a way which doesn't work for me at all. I'm anti-christian like they're anti-women. Not saying they all are, but it's pretty much the dominant theme.

Being feminist, pro-choice, scientific and bisexual...those things are fine in pagan/wiccan circles, which have changed with the times.

[moonwolf23]

At the time, Christianity was actually very good for Women. The misogyny I believe comes from Rome, vs Judaism.

I don't believe Jesus primary message, is outdated though. Treat others like you wish to be treated, other parables that I've forgotten.