Q&A WICCA

QUESTION:

Dear Father,

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

After your response to the question about Halloween, I have a few questions about Wicca and Witchcraft. From my reading, I did not think that Wiccan's believe in Satan nor practice evil. I feel your remarks were intolerant of another faith that should be treated with the religious tolerance we would give any other faith that is dissimilar to our own.
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ANSWER:

I appreciate your comments and questions regarding Wicca and my characterization of it in the question about Halloween.

In seek an answer to your question you may wish to link to the following website and read an article written by a Wiccan as to the origins of their religion http://wiccaonline.virtualave.net/wicca/whatis.html

You are correct in stating that Wiccans do not believe in Satan. They consider themselves to be neo-pagans and followers of witchcraft. One of the tenents of their faith as found in the "Wiccan Rede" states that they may do what ever they want with their powers, but must not do harm to a person, animal, place or thing. In this regard my characterization of official "Wicca", I admit was somewhat mis-stated.

However…..just because one doesn't believe in Satan doesn't mean one can not unwittingly serve him. Satan is by nature "the Author of Lies". And the greatest of all lies is that Satan does not exist. Once one believes this lie, he or she is truly deceived and has begun to walk on a slippery slope which, without repentance ultimately leads to perdition.

Wicca and/or witchcraft is a Pagan religion - one which believes not in a personal God, but a series of Gods and Godesses. The highest principle is self, not God, in this system we are all gods and if we are illumined we can tap into these divine powers - through the use of magic and spells. The frightening thing is that these spells may very well "work." When this happens we wonder though whose power did it take place? Satan's power is very real and subtle as well. In the writings of the Fathers of the Church we often hear about holy men and women who had visions which appeared to be an angel of light, only to discover it was Satan in disguise trying to get them to fall through the sin of pride, by thinking that they were so holy that they were "Worthy" of such a vision.

It would be wise to contrast Satanists and Wiccans by admitting that in the former, there is no doubt that they are by intent and design, evil, and the latter "officially" deny the existence of evil and seek not to practice it. Halloween (Samhain) is celebrated by Satanists and Wiccan's alike - The Satanists "celebrating" in a more evil and destructive manner, and the Wiccans in a less conscious manner. Yes in theory we should be "tolerant" of other people with differing beliefs than our own. However, as Orthodox Christians, we must seek as our first and foremost obligation to worship at the Altar of Truth rather than the altar of "political correctness". We sing at every Divine Liturgy, "we have seen the True Light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the True Faith..." We must be tolerant but not relativistic in our understanding that Christ "is the Way and the Truth and the Light".

While as I stated in my original answer, steps have been taken to "Christianize" Samhain into a benign Halloween, the greater question looms, how comfortable should we be celebrating this holiday when people still celebrate this as a pagan holiday - Samhain being one of the 8 Sabbats or special "feast days" they honor throughout the year. While in the Western Church, Halloween is the Eve of "All SaintsDay " , it is not the case for our Orthodox Faith. So for us, Halloween has really no significance in the liturgical and spiritual life of the Church. There are many beautiful, holy and light bearing feasts of the Church - let us give them as much (if not more) attention than we do for Halloween. This is the BURNING question for me about HALLOWEEN.

Father Peter Paproski