Evangelical Wiccans?     8/24/2005
By Janice Shaw Crouse

The enchantment with pagan goddesses is moving more mainstream.

According to the Religion Journal, youth ministers in the Southern Baptist Church are concerned about the increasing number of evangelicals who are dabbling in Wicca. This influence echoes the growing popularity of Wicca among feminists (some even call themselves witches). Over the past decade, as religious feminists have become enchanted with the pagan goddesses, Wicca has moved more mainstream.

Here’s information you need to know on Wicca.

Background:

• Wicca is based in the revival of ancient pagan beliefs.
• It is sometimes organized by secret covens of witches.
• It is pantheistic and involves nature worship.
• The goddess of Wicca supposedly favors freedom for women.

Beliefs:

• Stresses moral autonomy – no one can tell you what is right or wrong; no one can tell you how to believe (no need for an “erroneous Old Religion”).
• Makes good and evil meaningless human constructs; there is no evil nor is there a benevolent supreme power.
• Permits sexual freedom –– seeks to release adherents from the “taboo” of sexual restraint and promotes sexual experimentation.
• “Promotes oneness with the divine and all that exists.”
• Tries to “reconstruct” the belief systems of “pre-Christian” traditions –– “ancient ways” are superior and “psychic connections” are powerful.
• Sees the earth and nature on par with mankind. Ecology and environmentalism are imperative.
• Spirituality affirms the “divinity in all living things.”
• Includes natural remedies and spells.
• Sees spiritual significance in the cycles of nature, lunar phases and seasons.
• Spirits include Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
• Religious freedom and diversity are preeminent. “Toleration” means “acceptance of all religions.”
• Holds the “power of three” –– that good or bad things return three-fold.
• Festivals are important, but there are no sacred texts (not people of the “book”); instead “craft” is the religion of life and nature. Innermost circles are sacred.
• The cosmos is in everyone; there is harmony in diversity.

Obviously, such beliefs could appeal to young people who are seeking independence and resisting Biblical boundaries. Wicca, thus, encourages teenage rebellion against authority figures. Wicca also appeals to those who don’t want to seem judgmental.

With its theme –– “If it harms none, do what you will” –– Wicca appeals to postmodern thinkers. But Wicca is not Biblical.

Romans 1:20-25 –– For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Janice Shaw Crouse, senior fellow of Concerned Women for America’s Beverly LaHaye Institute, has analyzed and written about spiritual feminism for more than a decade.

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