You Must Be ________ To Be ________

The same old argument. You must be this in order to be that; you must have done this in order to call yourself that. It's really tiresome, and kind of stupid if you ask me. For an umbrella term encompassing many systems who pride themselves on tolerance and not being "Abrahamic-like"...many sound exactly like them.

When I was younger, going to Catholic school, I questioned my mother..."if God is everywhere, why do we need to go to church?" My mother, being Native and holding her beliefs sacred, said to me "you don't. "Jemnaado" (sp?) is everywhere...simply go outside and there he is".

The same concept goes with Pagan religions, especially Wiccans (most directly Traditionalists). If the Gods are everywhere and call on people, why do they need certain ceremonious acts to be worshiped? I firmly believe it wasn't the Gods who determined that only certain people can worship certain Gods, or that only certain people are privileged enough to be a part of certain traditions, but PEOPLE made this up...to exclude those whom they didn't want to participate (kind of schoolyard-ish if you ask me...sort of like the "No-Homer's-Club").

The Gods choose people to honor them. They make the decision. So if someone feel the call of Hecate, but doesn't live in Greece, does this mean that they are not allowed to honor her, even though she called to them? That's the impression I get from traditionalists who seem to be able to determine who can and cannot be a "Wiccan".

Sure, I can understand how some traditionalists feel, considering their tradition has been done in a certain way for decades...but some of their acts have been leaked out...perhaps for the very reason that the Gods don't want secrets anymore, that they want those whom they call to be a part of something without the need of a group setting.

Did anyone ever stop to think that perhaps they want to commune with people one-on-one?

And what is this nonsense of "if you were truly dedicated, distance would make a difference...you would find a coven anyways"? Are these people who say this, saying that those who want to be a part of certain traditions and religions must forego their daily, mundane needs, ignore their bills and food just to pay for gas to be a part of a coven an hour away??? That's probably the sickest thing I've ever heard. More-so than "Only a Wiccan can make a Wiccan" (Or insert Witch if you like).

Traditionalists (Wicca) are probably one of the main reasons I don't want to be Wiccan. They make it distasteful and reek of Christian attitudes. Instead of claiming someone is going to hell, they're claiming someone isn't a true Wiccan because they're solitary. What is true, and who determines it? Traditionalists? I'm almost 100% sure their "tradition" has evolved since Gardner's time and isn't what he started anyways...but they can remain ignorant if they want. They can't tell me a High Priestess or High Priest years ago didn't get a power trip and make changes without other coveners' knowledge or input. Traditions change...I mean look at Christianity...it's FAR different from what it was in the beginning. Sure many might like to think it hasn't changed in over 2000 years, but that's utter bull. Wicca's no different. It's the people with their heads in their butts and fingers in their ears that make Wicca a turnoff for many. Especially this little Witchy-pooh. Sure I may borrow elements from Wicca as I learned it, but you won't see me labeling myself Wiccan, especially if there will always be those with the holier- and mightier-than-thou attitude.





Ma’iingan