The Craft

Wicca is a Neopagan Religion. Wicca became popular in the 1950's and early 1960's. This religion worships a Goddess (The Triple Goddess) and a God (Horned God). Unlike other religions, Wicca allows you to be what you choose; monotheistic, polytheistic, or atheistic. Also, what I find most interesting is-- Wicca involves the practice of magic! Wicca has several denominations within the religion--like Christianity does as well. The religion is an earth-based religion, worshipping the earth as well as the mother Goddess and father God.

In today's world there are so many different groups of Wiccans that there are also a great number of beliefs between Wiccans. After researching the religion it's come to me that Wicca is almost the "hippy" of religion. Their beliefs revolve around the world, making sure to do no harm to; yourself, others, or the earth. They do not believe in a hierarchy, but respect, and honor teachings, knowledge, and wisdom. They believe in the five main elements; Fire, Air, Earth, Wind, and Aether (Spirit). A symbol you will often see involved with Wiccan religion. Often enough, Wiccans are thought to be satanists. This is mis-led through the terms Witch, magic, witchcraft, and the Craft.

"When one defines oneself as Pagan, it means she or he follows and earth or nature religion, one that sees the divine manifest in all creation. The cycles of nature are our holy days, the earth is our temple, its plants and creatures our partners and teachers. We worship a deity that is both male and female, a mother Goddess and father God, who together created all that is, was, or will be. We respect life, cherish the free will of sentient beings, and accept the sacredness of all creation."-- Edain McCoy

The Big Three

The big three; Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. We have learned a great deal about these religions in class, and in our readings. I feel they all have something very important in common, the most important similarity. Monotheism. Each of the religions are monotheistic; all believe in one God. For each of these religions, the idea of one God is the most important part of their history! It is the germane part of the religion. At the same time, I feel this is the biggest difference between the three religions. Although all three (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) are monotheistic, their beliefs in who God actually is, are very different. For Christians, God is the messiah. He consists of; God, Jesus, and the holy trinity. All are one. In Judaism, God and ONLY God, is God. After God comes prophets. They do not believe that God is three beings at once! "Hear , O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." Islam believes there is no God but Allah. It is believed that Muhammed is not one with Allah, but a messenger of God. Each of these are the germane beliefs of each religion. Where they are the same, they are different.

The Golden Rule

"In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."(Smith 242) Ever since I was a kid, this has been a saying that I have stood by. My mother always told me, "Treat others how you would want to be treated." That to me, is exactly what The Golden Rule is. No one wants to be treated badly, so why push it upon others? No one wants their opinions and ideas to be made fun of, so why make fun of others beliefs? It's simple. There is no reason to treat others badly. If you treat them with respect, and love you will get the same in return. If you talk down to someone, or hurt them, expect the same to be done for you. I feel the Golden Rule goes along with much of the pledge my Philosophy class took at the beginning of the semester. "My classmates ideas are no less important than my own. I will respect and honor my classmates' opinions, beliefs, and choices." In this pledge not only did we agree to do our part in the classroom; homework, classwork, exams, etc, but we also agreed to treat others as we would want to be treated. To respect each others beliefs and ideas. When I googled searched this saying, I found mostly all the same type of results. Most websites I explored were sites made for religions specifically. All sites talked about the meaning of the Golden Rule, and had some tips on following it. Although there were some random sites.. like the Golden Rule BBQ and grille and the golden rule tattoo parlor. (: