I found wicca, if that's what you're referring to, as annoying
as most religions.
i'm not surprised - from what i know, some of the higher profile wiccan stuff is the states is full of lunatics, even more so than usual.
It's amazing how many of the advantages of religions can be had without buying into the demands.
too right.
I've not read the rest of the thread as of yet, however I'd like to point out that here in The States, any fuckwitted pinhead can read a book on the subject and then decide that they're Wiccan, and call themselves a Third Level Druid , Wizard, Witch what have you. --So yes, You are quite correct about the US being full of lunatics.
One of the things that I find annoying about many stateside Wiccans is their need to appropriate from other traditions ( IE, Chinese, Norse, African, Native American) and proclaim that they are 'Wiccan, or 'Pagan'. --If you want to use those other traditions fine, learn the cultures of those systems as well as the systems defined by those traditions.
Sorry, rant over.
i absolutely agree there, asphole. one point, though - wicca/witch/pagan isn't as formal a "spiritual path" (or whatever you want to call it) as others - it's both eclectic and flexible, in outlook and practice. my own brand takes quite a bit from druidry, some native american stuff, even some hindu and other eastern stuff, various shamanic practices, and tons of jungian psychology. the whole point with wicca is that you
can incorporate different practices into it. of course, some people take the piss - Klingon Wicca, anyone? - and i agree that one MUST show respect where it's due, and not just pay lip service to whatever culture/tradtion one borrows from: a group i worked with (not wiccan) did the Hopi Dance of Life every morning, and we made sure anyone doing it knew precisely what it meant, where it came from, and showed proper reverence (a bit of a pompous word, but you know what i mean).
