Wiccan Question (odd)! (rituals, tradition, beliefs, hell, atheist)

Doktormartini · #1 09-22-2006, 08:59 PM

Hello everyone! As some of you may or may not know, I am an atheist. But for awhile now I have been very heavely interested in the Wiccan religion, and have been doing lots of research on it. I have even considered becoming a pagan, but the thing is, I do not think I would be able to worship a higher power. I do not believe in a higher power!

In one of my books (yeah it's Idiots Guide to WIcca...so what it was very good), they said that there are even some Wiccans who are atheist! Is this true? If so, what do you know about it?

What can I do to be more "Wiccan", yet still be an atheist? Like for me, I believe a lot of the Wiccan beliefs, except the fact they believe in a higher power. I love and respect nature, I try my best not to harm anyone (vegetarian...YEAH!), I believe in Karma...etc.

Basically, what do you know about Atheist Wiccans!
Thank you everyone!
Blessed be!

P.S. Yes I am being serious here. I'm not trying to be an Wiccan wannabe poser.

Also, Merry Mabon to everyone!

Feathers in Hair · #2 09-22-2006, 09:08 PM

Merry Mabon!

Subsets of Paganism tend to be quite open to being of all stances on deity, whether they believe in none, one, two (Lord and Lady) or a great many. I'm sure that some of the Wiccans on the forums will be better able to answer your question as it relates specifically to their tradition, and I hope you find that which you seek.

Doktormartini · #3 09-22-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

Merry Mabon!

Subsets of Paganism tend to be quite open to being of all stances on deity, whether they believe in none, one, two (Lord and Lady) or a great many. I'm sure that some of the Wiccans on the forums will be better able to answer your question as it relates specifically to their tradition, and I hope you find that which you seek.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm kinda confused as I have a great respect for nature and kinda feel like Mother Nature, in a way, could be conisdered a goddess to me. The way in which I would worship her is not throug things like prayers and rituals, but through repect! Does that sound very stupid to any of you?

MaddLlama · #4 09-22-2006, 09:44 PM

I would suggest you look into Pantheism, it pretty much sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for (I was looking for the same thing not so long ago =) )

http://www.pantheism.net/

It is about the reverence of nature without linking it to some supernatural realm. As far as it's similarities to Wicca go beyond that, it depends on how deep your atheism runs. I know as an atheist myself, and also as one who has a strong affinity for Paganism sometimes I struggle with the idea of magic.

Doktormartini · #5 09-22-2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

I would suggest you look into Pantheism, it pretty much sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for (I was looking for the same thing not so long ago =) )

http://www.pantheism.net/

It is about the reverence of nature without linking it to some supernatural realm. As far as it's similarities to Wicca go beyond that, it depends on how deep your atheism runs. I know as an atheist myself, and also as one who has a strong affinity for Paganism sometimes I struggle with the idea of magic.

Wow that is very interesting! Going to need to read up more on that! Thanks!

Also, I really, really like the saying in your signature! Is that a saying of yours? Or, who said that? Thank you!

Draka · #6 09-22-2006, 10:16 PM

Doktor, I've honestly never heard of atheist Wiccans. Wicca is a religion that, as a general rule, believes in a "higher power". The way some of us veiw it may not be the way you think of mostly though. There is the thought that there is an interlinking "cosmic energy" of sorts that runs through everything. Linking us. It is greater than us and yet is it us at the same time. "Gods and Goddesses" are the personal manifestations of this entity as we have needed them. It takes a while to explain my beliefs and I would be happy to go more into detail with you if you are interested at all.

Now, I think it is possible to be an atheist witch. Have reverence for nature in general, keep balance, affect changes in the energy around you, work with natural remedies and cures, but not have a defined belief in any sort of god power or entity.

Feathers in Hair · #7 09-22-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doktormartini

Thanks for the reply!

I'm kinda confused as I have a great respect for nature and kinda feel like Mother Nature, in a way, could be conisdered a goddess to me. The way in which I would worship her is not throug things like prayers and rituals, but through repect! Does that sound very stupid to any of you?

No, to me, it makes perfect sense. I see respect as the building block of celebration. (Not in the 'worship' sense, more simply the 'honoring' one.)

Draka brings up some very good point about Wicca and atheism.

Draka · #8 09-22-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doktormartini

Thanks for the reply!

I'm kinda confused as I have a great respect for nature and kinda feel like Mother Nature, in a way, could be conisdered a goddess to me. The way in which I would worship her is not throug things like prayers and rituals, but through repect! Does that sound very stupid to any of you?

This doesn't sound stupid to me at all either. In fact, I wouldn't actually say that I "worship" the Divine as much as I honor and respect It. My rituals and prayers are not the "oh how great thou art" type as much as they are quiet, meditative reflections of life and nature and the glory of it all. It's when I take stock of my life and what's going on and it gives me the quiet strength to put my will towards change in my life. Ritual is when I acknowledge that I am both significant and yet insignificant at the same time. I am a part of everything, a part of the whole, and yet am only one person, responsible for my own deeds and actions.

All that and yadda yadda yadda....I drone on too long