[/caption]Wicca is only one of a number of faiths that are collectively known as Pagans or Neo-Pagan. For the most part, in the Western World, people tend to harken back to what they think their ancestors considered religion before Christianity usurped it. Wicca does have a moral code, many follow the Wiccan Rede. The following statement is partly right:
[quote style="1"]Survey: Wicca Unknown to Majority of Americans, Christian News
In general, Wiccans embrace the concept of karma and reincarnation, and do not follow any strict code of morality.[/quote]
Many Wiccans do embrace the concepts of Karma and reincarnation and the different sources for a code of morality are far more complex than they seem at first blush. The most common rule governing moral behavior in Wicca can be found in the form of a couplet, it is short and sweet but full of meaning.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, An it harm none do what ye will.
I can see why someone might find this not very strict, but it is rather full of meaning. "Harm none" comprises only two words, but those words are packed with moral guidance. When it comes to weighing a situation using the Rede as the scale, it comes down to the individual to make a judgement call; what would cause more harm allowing a mugging to occur or stopping it, if you can? The injunction to "harm none" also refers to harming one's self, so self-destructive behaviors are waned against. Yes, the Rede is simple, but it is also deep in meaning.
Another line of guidance used among Wiccans is the Charge of the Goddess. There is one line that is particularly useful as a moral compass.
"Keep pure your highest ideal, strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside, for mine is the secret door which opens upon the door of youth."
What is morally correct in the view of these two lines is what society considers to be good and ethical. Lying, cheating, killing, stealing, and the like are universally considered immoral in most cultures with out the need for dogmatic moral law.
Sources:
The Witch Book by Raymond Buckland, pg 511 & 512
The Sources of the Charge of the Goddess by Ceisiwr Serith
Update 27 May 2011 -- In my twitter feed today, I found this little tidbit from @MorrigansWitch.
Pagan Wiccan About dot com How Do Pagans Know What's Right or Wrong? http://fb.me/CakvzKgH
This discribes the above topic much better than I ever could.
Related articles
- Atheism and Wicca: The Road Ahead (freethoughtblogs.com)
- 10 Things About Being Wiccan (witchesofthecraft.wordpress.com)
- Is The Wiccan Rede Enough? (witchesofthecraft.com)
- The Rede Does Not Say "Harm None" (witchesofthecraft.com)
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