Religious Traditions

Elements of Religious Traditions

Stacy M. Thompson

REL/133

February 27, 2012

Mr. Timothy Berg

Religious Traditions

Religion is a controversial topic many would rather not discuss in any aspect because of how it is viewed among the world today. It is constantly under attack and is defined many different ways according to one’s own views or beliefs. There are many different types of religious traditions practiced throughout the world. I will describe the Wicca religious tradition and how it was organized, what it says and does that a person will follow or practice the belief of this tradition.

Wicca: Introduction

Wicca is a form of the contemporary pagan movement and is the largest of the neopagan religion. The word Wicca is a word identified as an old English word that refers to a wizard, sorcerer, or magician. The Wiccan religion is practiced among young adults and teens in North America and Europe; women are dominant in this practice. The Wiccans focus their practice on witchcraft; however, many Wiccans have their own beliefs, rituals, and practices. Although they have many different traditions, they do agree on many points of the religion.

Wicca: Beliefs

The Wiccans believe in the creation of the earth and all living things, which they consider to have some form of spirit or worth showing respect. Since the Wiccans are a diverse group, some may be seen as: monotheistic, dualistic, polytheistic, atheist or agnostic. Their main commandment is the Wiccan Rede, which states: “An (if) it harm none, do what you will” (Molloy, 2010). This simply means that they can do anything but are not to harm themselves, anything in the earth, or anyone unless it is self- defense. They also express a moral belief that punishment or reward will be brought about from their own deeds in threefold. Their belief in the afterlife is reincarnation, which means they will live on through nature, another being, or rebirth....