This page is written in black and white because I feel this issue is just that... black and white. I am not meaning to offend anyone... I am just trying to make a point. I am trying to clear up all the misconceptions of what a real pagan is in one breath so please bear with me.
... intentionally hurt people. This means physically, mentally, spiritually, or magickally.
... use "black magick". Wiccans don't believe in black magick for that matter, we believe that magick is neutral. This doesn't mean, however, that we use magick to cause bad things to happen.
... use illegal drugs. You don't need to be high to perform rituals or cast spells. Drugs will only make things more difficult for you and even lessen your inner power and energy.
... think you have "powers" because you are studying pagan. Let's be realistic here. Wiccans do not fly (unless they are in an airplane) and they can't change their hair color in the blink of an eye. As for psychic gifts, these really have nothing to do with Wicca.
... sacrifice animals. That's just plain disgusting. Wiccans respect all living things. Besides, the Goddess does not wish blood to be shed in her name.
... tell lies to manipulate another person. Don't try to control people by making them think you have power over them.
... call yourself a warlock (for guys). Warlock comes from ancient covens... it means "Oath-Breaker". Isn't this an insult?
... use Wicca as an excuse to take part in any kind of sexual act (this includes rape). Any kind of magick that involves sex without love is a no-no. Wicca is not some excuse to have sex, it never was. So get that idea out of your minds right now. (this doesn't mean, however, that Wiccans don't see sex as being a beautiful and sacred thing between two people who love each other)
... drink or use blood in magick. Ok, this is just sick... I'm not going to go there.
... take part in criminal activities.
... distroy or deface the symbol of another religion. Wiccans show respect for all religions. Our religion is not the only way, it is just our way.
... worship Satan. Sorry, Wiccans do not even believe in Satan.
... try to recruit people. Wiccans don't go around trying to get everyone they can to join Wicca. If someone wants to learn about Wicca, they will come to us. You came to my website in your own free will didn't you?
... think you have become a Wiccan overnight. Just because you read a book on Wicca does not mean you are automatically Wiccan. Wicca is a way of life, it is not something that can be learned with one book or in one day. I have been practicing Wicca for almost 10 years now, and there is still a LOT that I don't know.
... think you absolutely have to belong to some coven to be Wiccan. There are many solitaries out there... we perform self dedications to dedicate ourselves to Wicca. (Yes, I am a solitary.) There are Wiccans who do practice in coven settings and they are initiated. There is nothing wrong with either way of practicing... they are just different and each has its own advantages.
... attack people. This doesn't mean you can't defend yourself if you are attacked.
... brag to everyone that you are a witch. Don't just walk up to people and say "Guess what! I'm a witch!". Sorry, this is just going to get you into trouble. Also don't brag to people about your magickal knowledge and tell them you can do all of these wild things (when you probably can't)... this too will also get you into trouble. Wiccans follow the Witches' Pyramid (a creed and stucture of learning that witches follow) which states: To know, To Dare, To Will, and To Be Silent.
... charge money to help another person through magick or prayer. You should help someone who is in need because it feels good, not because you think you can make a profit from it.
... cast love spells that are directed at a certian person or persons in particular. A love spell is a form of manipulation and that is against the Wiccan Rede. Never, ever cast any spell to make someone fall in love with you or to break two people up. Wiccans do, however, work to bring love into their life... but this is not directed at any person in particular.
Wait! I thought Wicca was a free belief system. Why are you making all of these rules?
The statements listed above are not "the rules" of Wicca. They are examples of things that people who have claimed to be Wiccan, have done in the past... and said it was OK to do those things because of their religious choice. Sorry guys, but real Wiccans do not do any of those things. The examples above are all against the Wiccan Rede... the one rule that Wicca does have. Wicca is a free belief system, but that doesn't mean you can do immoral things. The free belief system lies mostly in the ritual techniques and worshiping methods.
What happens if you did something immoral? I'm not going to say that it was OK, but I believe if you learned a lesson from your mistake then you will be forgiven by the God and Goddess. If you didn't learn your lesson and you continue to do immoral things due to your false belief that Wicca is a way to get what ever you want... well then, my friend, you are not a true Wiccan.
Also, on another note, if you do immoral things that are outside of your religion... then please let it be known that you are doing these things because they are your choice. Not because you "have" to do them because you are Wiccan. That's just spreading the misconceptions more. So if you're going to be naughty, don't use Wicca as a safety net.
