(I'm Giving) Advice for those who are or thinking of converting to Wicca   Author:  15675  Category:(Religious) Created:(7/29/2004 10:04:00 AM) This post has been Viewed (915 times) Okay in the past week I've seen two different post from honest good people wanting to switch to Wicca from Christianity but were a bit confused. A lot of the same problems were in both post and even outside that I've seen this several times over. So I thought I'd make a general post either for those who are converting, those wanting to convert, or those who dabble but still have fears or aren't quite sure. These are MY beliefs but a lot are just plain fact (like how many other religions are out there :p) and I whole heartdly invite any other USMers to throw in any advice they have or if they want ask for advice here :). 1) Religion isn't a MUST. Religion is a tool to help you get where your going. Even if you dont agree with that you must agree spirituality is the most important thing whether you have a religion or not. Thus maybe a certain religion doesn't fit you but you like some of the beliefs, well why not just have your own belief system? Spirituality is a personal thing and I hate seeing people conform just because. Honestly give this one some thought. 2) Wicca isn't the ONLY path. Sure it may seem fun or exciting because a lot of mystique surronds it but Wicca isn't the only religion out there. I know where a lot (particuarly teens) of the newbies are coming from because I was raised Christian, thought bout Judiasim (since LOL at the time there was no internet couldnt find anything on it so gave up), and then found Wicca (bless the internet :p!) Honestly I really had very little clue that other religions existed even those! That's why I HIGHLY suggest looking into other religions even though you may not be half interested in converting to them. Who knows on the way you may find something that suites you better then Wicca and/or Christianity! 3) So you picked Wicca now what? Well don't rush off and convert yet. If you picked Wicca I'm really hoping you researched it (and more then just a Silver RavenWolf book.) If you didnt thats fine a lot of newbies dont but Im gonna give you the advice that will save you heartache and trouble later: RESEARCH IT (and if you have) then RESEARCH IT FURTHER! Read every book you can (take a lot with a grain of salt) and look at every site u can (again same thing.) Books Id recommend to avoid would be Silver RavenWolf (she'll confuse you later on though some may disagree), and a lot of Lleweyn authors (not all though). Some I would recommend (other USMers help here :p!) would be: Scott Cunningham (yeah I know where he was published :p LOL), Raymond Buckland, and depending what path or how advance you wanna go: Raven Grimmasi. A few things about books though: a lot of authors (even some of the good ones) are guilty of showing their way only; i.e. this is how the God and Goddess are and this is how you do things and you have no other choice. Don't believe that for a second! Wicca is VERY ecclectic and one author might follow a path then another author, don't let them tell you whats right for you. Another thing to add is a lot of the books make magick the highest priorty; its NOT! Look at the myths and the deities before you even worry about that! And one last warning on those: no book can make you a Wiccan. Sure they have their ceremonies to perform and things to teach but just reading it wont make you a Wiccan :p you gotta live it LOL! To top that off dont worry about 'Advanced Wicca' For websites I'd recommend http://paganwiccan.about.com, (and for researching ANY religions) http://about.com/religion/, and http://beliefnet.com 4)Honestly if you've made it this far you shouldnt have to worry about this but some may: what will *my former God/religion* think of all this? Well if you were Christian I wont lie they dont look kindly on leaving LOL *but* from the Wicca point of view its okay to worship Jesus too (but again Im not saying the churches condone that you'd have to talk to a Christian about that.) There is a tradition of Wicca which worships both Christian and Wiccan ways lol simply titled 'Christian-Wiccans' or vice versa. Go to http://witchvox.com for more on that. Hopefully you'll find some peace with your decisions whatever they may be but if your not then your obviously not ready to convert or maybe it just isnt the religion for you. 5) So where to begin? At the top of the list :p LOL! Asking questions is always good, maybe reading some books or sites. I have a personal favorite way but this isnt a solely serious or *must* way: try beliefnet's spirituality quiz :p! It asks you a bunch of questions then tells you how each religion would suite you (like best to worst.) I always get Neopagan followed by Unitarian LOL! I wouldnt say its something to base your whole quest on but it might help especially with what religions you might be interested in researching. Honestly knowledge is power, the more research into Wicca and other religions (including your current one) you do the better of you'll be. *********************** Okay I hope that all sounded good LOL if not then USMers feel free to help me edit it. And for the newbies reading this I hope I helped a little, as said ask any questions you want :). You can join Unsolved Mysteries and post your own mysteries or interesting stories for the world to read and respond to Click here Scroll all the way down to read replies. Show all stories by   Author:  15675 ( Click here ) Spring is coming