Welcome to Gaia! ::

Go have some tea and get away from the computer. You'll feel LOADS better.

I don't suppose you live near a Tim Hortons? /canadianess

Tim Hortons is a mass chain of coffee/tea/bakerys in Canada. Like, you could go to Nunavut and find one. And they make gooood tea.

I understand that this is a shelter, however one cannot keep being wholly ignorant. It's fine to keep an open mind, however it's not good if your brains fall out.

What I posted isn't what I believe. It is the outline of the religion itself. The info dump I posted is actually from a lineaged Wiccan herself, from the Gardenian tradition. There is also a high priestess of Alexandrian tradition who posts on Gaia and has her own guild informing people interested in being Wiccan. If people after hearing what Wicca is actually about instead of what they often read from Cunningham and other "Wiccan" (I use that term loosely. Those who claim to be Wiccan aren't. They are profiting off of the misappropriation. What's interesting about Cunningham is that in his sequel to Wicca, Living Wicca, he says that you should study and beware of those who claim Wicca. Even though he himself is a good eclectic neo-paganism writer).

For those interested there is the Amber and Jet mailing list which helps those seeking covens, and interested in Wicca (they are called Seekers for that reason) the neccessary tools and resources needed to help them on their path. They even help Seekers find covens.

The two lineaged Wiccans I mentioned are my friends, and colleagues. And more often than not, having someone take the title Wicca out of context and even the words Blessed Be, are offensive to them. You can't by rights be offended by information, but continue to offend others because you feel it's "okay". I have a problem with that.

Then I suggest getting some shipped in. (:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

It was a metaphor that seemed to fit
You think I don't know names have power, such a mighty blow to my pride.
Maybe people think that since it is a newer name, it does not carry as much social stigma as the words 'pagan' and 'witch' do most people end up using the word as a transition from one to the next most likely.
I know it was the first thing I said, but now I am not sure what I am. All I know is that most of the sources I can find with information say 'WICCA', so yes it is misleading to many people
You would have to forgive the people who don't know what you know though, since they must have a reason for wanting to change their beliefs and being harsh right out may drive people away which is something that you really shouldn't want to do.
Telling people they are wrong with out explaining the right in a nice manner (the only good criticism is constructive criticism) is wrong in the first place to me, it was what drove me away from christianity in the first place.

I know how you feel to want to correct people who are going about things in the wrong way but I have also learned that most who are the way you say are the most likely subject to change. It means they are probably not as serious about it (from experience of people saying they were wiccan then after studying more they realize that they are just pagan) That is why it may be good to leave them to their own devices until they understand what it is they really want to do.
(Forgive me for being short earlier I was stressed out due to being frustrated with my boyfriend and having to deal with children who don't know the meaning of the words 'stop running' *eye twitch*)