I am at odds with the presence of this paragraph within the introduction of Correllian Wicca: First Degree:
“Wicca is wholly unrelated to the Book religions; Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Satanism. The Book religions are all descended from the supposedly historical bargain between Abraham and Jehovah, which is recorded in their Bible. The Book religions all share common elements; belief in a final Day of Judgment, in a jealous and vengeful God, in the basic sinfulness of humanity (called Original Sin), the superiority of the male sex, and the idea of Hell; a place of eternal torture. Most of all the Book religions believe in the infallibility of their Book, the Bible (and its related books the Talmud, the Q’uran, the Satanic Bible). Though these books were written by humans, the Book religions claim they were written by God - this is the hallmark of the Book religions. Absolutely NONE of these ideas are shared by Wicca. The Book religions have a totally separate origin from the Pagan religions, and a very different history.”
This paragraph makes me unhappy, particularly because some of this is false information. For example, those who practice Judaism reject the concept of Original Sin out right. I will elaborate later on the other points made in this paragraph that I know are wrong, even if simply out of overgeneralization, but I would first like to discuss the most pressing fault I find in this paragraph: To my understanding, it is not Wiccan to discuss these faiths in such a way.
This paragraph resonates negativity from the first description of these other (fully legitimate and beautiful) religions. The presence of “supposedly” in the sentence regarding the history of the Book Religions automatically denounces any potential legitimacy in a way that assumes superior knowledge of history- as if anyone could claim to have this.
What bothers me most is that this paragraph is in direct opposition to another lesson discussed mere paragraphs before this one:
“Wicca believes that Deity comes to each person in the way that is best understood by that person, and that this is different for different people. Wicca believes that the relationship between a person and Deity is highly individual, personal, and subjective. Not everyone will have the same understanding of Deity, because not everyone is in the same place, or able to understand from the same level or perspective. Because of this no one has a right to judge another persons relationship with Deity, because each person is different.
This is why we respect all the names and forms that have been used to honor Deity through the centuries -Deity needs them all in order to come to all people in the way they can best understand.”
Then why concentrate only on the possible negative facets of these faiths? (And one paragraph denounces four religions in one swoop!) Why make them out to appear hateful and cruel when they are nothing but systems of guidance, that share many of the same doctrines as Wicca does such as of kindness, generosity, reverence for life, etc. I talk about these things as aside from Satanism, because I do not know enough about the religion to discuss it.
But in regards to the other religions mentioned, I only care to point out this Wiccan Contradiction because it has bothered me for quite some time. I understand the years of bias and hatred that have come from practitioners of these religions- I understand that there are cultural affiliations (such as the belief in the superiority of the male sex, which I believe is cultural as opposed to sincerely engraved in the doctrine) that conflict directly with Wiccan understanding and acceptance. However, I stress that these things have come from followers of these religions (or so they call themselves, unrightfully), and it is not fair to denounce the faiths themselves for these individual actions. There are people that call themselves Wiccan who would do similar harm to others. Because religion is subject to interpretation, and all humans are unique, this is simply something that cannot be helped (and should not be, because this conflict in opinion is a byproduct of beautiful diversity that simply cannot and should not be compromised).
It simply isn’t necessary to inject the word “supposedly” and make it seem as if the history and the scripture is made up.
Because I know more about Christianity than the other religions, and because I think it likely that this contradiction has more to do with Christianity than the other Judaism and Islam, I will concentrate on that.
I know of followers of Christ who believe any number of things in contradiction to the paragraph above, and in their conviction still remain entirely in line with Christian doctrine.
They do not believe the infallibility of the Bible, because they believe that the book was divinely inspired (as opposed to “written by God”) and thus filtered through humans, who are subject to a dire amount of human error and bias (and this is neglecting the fact that it has been edited many times throughout the centuries).
Additionally, they understand that the Bible was written for a different type of people within a different period of history, so many laws and the like are not applicable anymore, such as those concerning slavery (i.e. they do not take the Bible literally). Rather, they see the work as purely allegorical, and understand that the message they receive is personal.
These friends do not believe in Original Sin. While this is common in Christian doctrine, it is not required of its practitioners, and there many different sects of Christianity that reject it outright. Mormons do not accept the concept of Original Sin, nor do most Churches spurring from the Restoration Movement which are some of the most common today. And, as I said, the Hebrews do not believe in Original Sin at all. I am uncertain as to what the Muslims teach, however.
Of course, my friends do not believe that women are inferior to men- no matter the story of Adam and Ever- otherwise we simply would not get along. They believe that men and women are undoubtedly equal in the eyes of God.
And finally, they do not believe that Hell is a place of eternal torture, and especially not of eternal damnation. They believe that Hell is a place of learning, and bypassing limitations, in order to be able to progress towards Heaven. If a murderer is trying to accept all of the things that make him who he is, and all of the things he’s done, and change, then there will be an intense amount of pain involved- this is the supposed “torture” of Hell, according to these Christian friends of mine. Furthermore, some of my Christian friends even believe in the choice to reincarnate, and have even been able to quote passages of the Bible to me that support this ideology!
My point is, it upsets me to see Wiccans so hateful of the Book religions (and Christianity especially) while begging for acceptance for themselves… I love Wicca, and the Correllian Tradition in particular. However, I heavily disagree with the presence of such a negative paragraph, especially within the introduction of the first degree lessons. This is one of the first things a seeker will see, and I believe it is misleading so far as Wicca teaches being acceptin and well informed and worldly.
I hope that I have not come off as being overly zealous. I thoroughly enjoyed everything else written in the following pages, and I intend on working through the rest of the Degree system. But this bias towards Christianity as a whole is something that I want to actively work against, and I feel it is in direct opposition for any goals of peace Wiccans might have (especially where their own faith is concerned).
Please consider what I’ve said and understand that I come from a willingness to love and open my heart to all faiths and creeds.
Thank you and Blessed Be,
Tauri St.Claire
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