I've received so many e-mails from teens asking if it's okay to be Wiccan and another religion. I could cut and paste all of them onto here, from Baptists, Mormons, Jews, and a bunch of other religious groups. But, to make a quick point, here are two most recent ones:
"I am having some trouble. I am thinking of becoming a Wiccan, but want to remain a Catholic. Is that possible?" - LeAnn
"I've always dreamed of magic and being a witch, and since I've found out that there are actually real Wiccans out there I've become deeply interested in the religion of Wicca. But even though I don't go to church and I'm not a religious person I still don't want to give up being Methodist and celebrating holidays like Christmas and Easter. I know there are some people who are both Christian and Jewish so is it alright for me to be Wicca and Methodist? Please Help!!!!" - Heather
If your wondering the same thing, stick around and read this page. I will no longer reply to e-mails asking this question, I'll just enclose the link to this specific page.
In my first year or two of being Wiccan a lot of people asked me how I "converted." I have always been confused by that question, because I never felt like I switched religions, but instead found the right one for myself. I didn't have the same issue that some teens have when they want to become Wiccan. I never really felt the need to be both Wiccan and Catholic (my family's religion). Perhaps that's why this question is so hard for me to relate to. I chose, one over the other. Yes, it took some deep thought, I didn't want to assume the path of Wicca only to have regrets later on. So, I looked into the path, and gradually found myself identifying with Wiccan beliefs instead of Catholic ones.
That was how I chose Wicca and because I took my time investigating the path before hand. My final decision has never wavered. I am firm in my beliefs and know this is my path. I hope by reading this page, you can figure out your path/ religious identity. Because Wiccans in general don't proselytizing (seek to covert others) the goal here is to help you ascertain what's best for you, even if that's not Wicca.
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Let's get serious. Why does Wicca interest you? Is it only for the Magick spells? Because then you are barking up the wrong tree. Magick is just a part of Wicca. Magick in itself isn't a religious system. So long as your particular religion isn't against the practice of casting spells, then you are able to become a Witch. *Please note that I said Witch and not Wiccan*
However, when it comes to being both a Wiccan and a member of another religion (the whole point of what this page is about) the lines seem to become more difficult to see, and this concept is up for individual interpretation. I have my own personal thoughts on this matter, but it tends to sway back and forth depending on the day! Let me go into detail with my internal dialog and the often debated ideas in this specific discussion within the Wiccan community.
On one hand, I believe a person should make a choice, you can't have two paths. Having both, makes things a heck more complicated. Wicca is for open minded individual and the path doesn't have restrictions on deity (although generally there is a Goddess and God) but several other faiths demand that their practitioner worship only one "supreme God." What happens to the concept of a Goddess if a path demanding a supreme God blends with Wicca ? The very point of religion is the idea or particular vision of God ... with Wicca's concept of deity being so different from other religion's many complications arise. Some manage to get around this by worshiping Mary as a Goddess figure. That's an interesting concept. There are several more problems that come about when combining two faiths, these problems stem from once again contradictions.
To State a Few Contradictions
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* Wiccan view on the after life (reincarnation) vs. the concept of heaven/hell.
* Wiccans don't believe the devil exists vs. other religions who believe Satan is real.
* Wiccans don't believe in hell, where as other religions do believe in hell and its existence.
* Wiccan rites of passage (wiccaning, handfasting etc.) vs. other religions rights of passage (christening, wedding etc.)
* Wiccans believe in a Goddess and God, where as many Christian-based beliefs say you must believe in their One True God.
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You see, it's not the fact that Wiccans are thinking "pick only one religion because I say so." It's because there are contradictions around the very most basic and fundamental beliefs. This is one side of the story.
The other argument can be made that everyone has the right to follow their heart and do what's best for themselves. If being a Baptist and Wiccan makes a person happy and they some how figure a healthy balance between the two paths than more power to them.
I hate restrictions and society is often placing people is cute little molds saying "be like this" and "do like that." This blending might be complicated, but life is complicated. So, if religion gets a little messy, than it's just another part of life, another thing we deal with (and get through).
I am going to bring up another point, not often discussed during this debate of blending religions. What is motivating you to do this exactly? Are you afraid of Wicca, so you hold on to your old religion as a comfort blanket, or is it that your family is putting so much pressure on you that your afraid to become "just Wiccan?" Maybe the question isn't "can I blend" but, "why do you want to?" I think the secret to this topic lies within those questions and ultimately those answers.
In the end, I am still as confused as everyone else, blend Wicca with another faith? Yes, no ... maybe. To each his/her own. I am staying out of it!
