(^232) A Wiccan Bible
But in running away from the “authoritative manner” of the church in definition
one and the idea that anything can be “considered to be absolutely true” in definition
two, shall we throw away the principles and beliefs spoken in definition three? What
would our religion be without principles and beliefs? Would it be a religion at all if we
had no principles and beliefs?
This does not mean that a person who does not subscribe to Wiccan dogma is of
less value than one who does subscribe to Wiccan dogma. Of my love, no less worthy is
my mother for being Catholic than would she if she were Wiccan. It just means that
Wicca does in fact have principles and beliefs, but doesn’t say that too loudly if you
don’t want an argument. You see, there are scores of Wiccans who insist that the Wiccan
religions have no dogma.
The Doctrine of No Doctrine
Equally offensive to the ears of many kind Pagan folk is the word doctrine. Perhaps
more so, the word indoctrination. Oh, we don’t seem to mind the words teaching or
student, but indoctrination seems to reek of the notion that one is being brainwashed.
Indeed this battle of words continues in the Pagan community, yet it is exactly the same
argument as the Catholics and their altar and the Protestants and their table. You see,
these are simply words that mostly describe the same thing. While they most certainly
have meaning, that meaning expresses the ideas of what a thing is, not what is right or
wrong.
One of the definitions available for doctrine is “A rule or principle of law, especially
when established by precedent.” With all our talk of Wicca being a nature-based reli-
gion, one might think we would be more comfortable with accepting the law of nature.
With all of our talk of Wicca being based on ancient fertility religions, that we might be
especially comfortable with that law when established by the precedent of those an-
cient fertility religions. Wow, we do have doctrine. Is it so baneful that we would want
to teach that doctrine to those who seek it? To indoctrinate them to the ways of Wiccan
dogma? What would our religion be without this principle of law? Would it be a reli-
gion at all if we had no law?
Of course, this does not mean that a person who does not accept Wiccan doctrine
is of less value than one who does accept Wiccan doctrine. Of my love, no less worthy is
my mother not having formally accepted the law that Wicca insist be accepted.
The Religion of No Religion
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...
—The first 10 words of the First Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States of America
How could it be that a person who believes in neither dogma nor doctrine call that
which they believe (or don’t believe as the case may be) a religion? Because most of
them are rebelling against the established religions of the world and using the principle
v WB Chap 13.p65 232 7/11/2003, 5:58 PM
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