The Wiccan Rede (beliefs, pagan, faith, Commandment, Christianity)

[Crystal Red]

'An harm ye none, do what ye will'

I almost became a Wiccan before turning to Discordianism, unfortunately this was the only part of it I had any quarrels with, I, instead, believe 'do what thou wilst shall be the whole of the law'. But reading an article recently about Discordianism it mentioned the variation within Wicca, which I already knew of, it mentioned that the Wiccan Rede is often the only thing binding it together, & that some Wiccans don't even agree on that, with that new insight I thought I would ask do any of you Wiccans not agree with it? Or do you know any Wiccans that don't? & how important is the Wiccan Rede in Wicca?

At the moment I am finding myself increasingly drawn back to Wicca, though I cannot deny Discordianism after finding so much enlightenment within, & in light of this there may be a way I can still become a Wiccan while remaining a Discordian.

[Feathers in Hair]

An interesting question, Crystal Red.

I cannot speak for myself, since I'm not Wiccan, but I do know a few people who say they are Wiccan who do not follow the Rede. I'm sure there might be people who claim "But then they're not really Wiccan!" but I've always kind of thought of it as a matter of what your heart tells you.

[Crystal Red]

I thought it was odd since it seems a very pivotal belief of Wicca, I've always been very interested in Wicca, I found most of my beliefs while studying it. It's always had a huge draw for me, but the Rede always kept me from becoming a Wiccan. I know Wicca is a very flexible & individual religion, but I thought there were limits until I read that. I did consider that some of these people that don't agree with the Rede might well be 'fluffy bunny' Wiccans, but I'm not the type of person who could be one, so I would never join Wicca for the wrong reasons, I'd have to think long & hard if I decided to become a Wiccan, I think I might do some more reading on Wicca in light of this new evidence.

[Feathers in Hair]

It's funny, to me, the people who seem most happy to agree with the Rede would be the fluffy bunnies. (And it shames me to say that I am most certainly one, but of the more generalized 'pagan' variety.) They/ we like having 'harm none' in the job description, heheee!

Or maybe I'm confusing 'fluffy bunnies' with another term. *guilty look* Please stop me if I am!

From what I've read about Discordianism (most of it on the forum in your sig!) though, I can't find anything that would prevent you from bringing in whatever wisdom you find on all paths to your personal faith.

[Crystal Red]

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

It's funny, to me, the people who seem most happy to agree with the Rede would be the fluffy bunnies. (And it shames me to say that I am most certainly one, but of the more generalized 'pagan' variety.) They/ we like having 'harm none' in the job description, heheee!

Or maybe I'm confusing 'fluffy bunnies' with another term. *guilty look* Please stop me if I am!

What I am referring to as fluffy bunnies are the posers, who do it for the look, to show they are 'different' & 'interesting', people who do it for attention basically, & miss the real point of it. You are most certainly not a fluffy bunny, I really resent them because Wicca has been hit quite hard by it, Wicca is seen as a fad for rebelious teenagers, not a serious religion as it should be, so many people go 'magic...ooooooooh' & join with no understanding of it just so they can boast & attempt spells to help themselves. Being a Wiccan & not believing most of Wicca because you've thought about it & decided it isn't right for you is one thing, being a Wiccan & not believing most of Wicca because you never bothered to learn is quite another.

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

From what I've read about Discordianism (most of it on the forum in your sig!) though, I can't find anything that would prevent you from bringing in whatever wisdom you find on all paths to your personal faith.

Glad to see my forum's being used, I know Discordianism would allow me to bring in other ideas, but I would have to read more about Wicca because it is more 'formal' than Discordianism, if I was to do it I would do it right, I wouldn't want to be doing it wrong.

[Feathers in Hair]

Ahhhh, whew! I may be the 'happy, fuzzy, yay for people!" type of pagan, but I'm very happy I don't fall into the other category. (Glad to know what the term refers to, thanks!) I quite agree with you. Any time religion is seen as a fad, it's nearly always detrimental to that religion.

You sound like you have a very healthy approach to both religions.

[Mike182]

hey guys

i know this is a wiccan threa, but i used to be wiccan, but then converted to christianity - but i still like to read and learn

i love the wiccan rede, its so poetic and flowey, yet is still a set of rules like the ten commandments

is it wiccan rede set in stone? maybe, maybe not

i think certain parts of it speak absolute truth, like the threefold rule, but i think the parts about when the wind blows from the north, south, east or west is a bit "fluffy" - but feel free to disagree with me

also the "with a friend no season spend, or be counted as his friend" is a bit harsh, i like to try and be forgiving of "fools"

C_P

[niamhwitch]

The two concepts I have problems with in Wicca are the Threefold Law and the Rede. With the threefold law, I flat out do not believe in it at all. Instead I just believe in Karma/cause & effect. Since I believe we are all interconnected through Spirit, I believe that the energy we send out is the energy we send to ourselves. I do not at all believe that it comes back threefold.
As for the Rede... well it ISNT a law. "Rede" means "advise" or "suggestion". I do not see the Rede as a law... especially since I do not believe it came from deity... it is man made, not Divinly made (to me). I like the idea of the rede, because I like to have the moral structure, but it isnt clear to me. "Harm none" covers A LOT of area. I am still trying to figure out my own personal moral code, and I think it will be along the lines of "Think before you act".
My concepts may not exactly be "Wiccan", or at least not "Orthodox Wiccan"... but Wicca to me is a label. It is the religion that most closely fits my spirituality. I dont agree with every aspect of the religion, but I agree with most of it. Some people might say that I am more "Neo-Pagan" than Wiccan... but I personally disagree. I like being labeled Wiccan and it is the label that best suits me.
So I am Wiccan, yet do not necessarily follow the Rede.

[kreeden]

Originally Posted by niamhwitch

The two concepts I have problems with in Wicca are the Threefold Law and the Rede.

Interesting . Those are the two things I like about Wicca . As you say , it is a Rede , and I think it is a good advice . And the same with the Threefold Law . Both can be said differently , and often are . But no matter how they are said , I think they are very good guidelines to foolow in life . But I'm not Wiccan .

[Unedited]

Originally Posted by niamhwitch

The two concepts I have problems with in Wicca are the Threefold Law and the Rede. With the threefold law, I flat out do not believe in it at all. Instead I just believe in Karma/cause & effect. Since I believe we are all interconnected through Spirit, I believe that the energy we send out is the energy we send to ourselves. I do not at all believe that