Wicca sexist?

[Robert L]

When a belief system is created by one person's interpretation, then it is important to uncover any underlying themes.

Balance is important, and I won't argue that. It's the interpretation of what makes the genders valuable that I'm taking issue with.

I guess I should have clarified a Group coming up with a belief system. Sorry.
Other then that, Totally agreed.

[luckimmortal]

Do any of the men here feel somewhat offended by the implications that a man must embrace the Goddess or his own feminine aspects in order to be sensitive, or nurturing or caring? Does it make the assumption that those are unmanly qualities, and impossible within a masculine nature... and is that an issue for you?

good question, Im new to wicca and being in a wiccan relationship(kinda). From what ive started reading about it, seems women are more than men or more valued for lack of better words (daughters over sons). Im very sensitive, almost too sensitive @ times,but at the same time i can be sexist, not that women should have this or that job etc. but when it comes to communication i feel like i should be treated like a king or authoritive figure.

However the fact that my gf is alot more advanced in magick than me i feel like a complete loser, well shes marter than me too lol.. some one mentioned men hunting? shes pretty much better at everything than me... i love her but her talent is like a slap in the face to eveything i thought about women, and she makes me feel less like a man..ehm, pretty much ever since ive met her lol

I dont mind embracing a Goddess i love that idea
someone mention "no room for women @ all in christianty"- yea that was me

[Nyxannwn]

I practice Witchcraft, not Wicca, but I base many of my practices off of Wicca..

Wicca focuses on femininity and feminine ideals, but I don't think this makes it "sexist". I believe Wicca makes up for all of the many religions that exist that are predominantly ruled by masculine energy (Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. etc. etc.), or religions that may have a pantheon of deities, but are predominantly ruled by male energy. Those religions are definitely sexist! I think Wicca is the least of anyone's concerns as far as sexism is concerned...it isn't any more sexist than any other religion. On the other hand, I'm not sure this percieved "sexism" should be viewed as a negative thing.

On the micro level: who do you relate better to when you are a young girl? Your mother or your father?

Obviously, most women relate better to their mother. Having a religion that totes feminism so much only makes it so women can relate to it better (as initially, at least, women were involved in Wicca more than men). It was founded on feminine ideals on the basis of empowerment.
To really start splitting hairs (heh heh), you could argue that "equality" is a man-made, human idea. Nature does not tote, neither does it uphold the ideas of equality. Animals live to survive, unlike humans who (nowadays) live for pleasure. Equality is now necessary for our manmade society to function. You do not have this in nature. Female animals and male animals participate in whatever roles they have learned, because that is how they survive. Therefore, while I understand why offense could be taken by male participants of Wicca, I think it is a contrived idea to call it sexist. It's like calling Barbie sexist... something that was initially MADE with women in mind, even though boys do play with Barbies.

(kind of a bad example...but I think you see my point).

As far as the Triple Goddess is concerned, I feel their roles are not meant to be taken literally, but rather metaphorically, as I think JBRaven pointed out earlier (?). I try to think of it in terms of reflecting the ways of nature.

Maiden/Virgin: New, fragile plant growth, suceptible to frostbite. New baby animals learning how to survive, suceptible to disease and death. Naive. Still learning (new witch/young person)

Mother: Earth swells with life, tree blossoms swell up and eventually burst open with flower/fruit (birth), plants grow to support the animals (mothering, nurturing), life continues to spring forth (birth), leaves on the trees by summertime are darker green and tougher to withstand weather conditions (wisdom gained with age)

Crone: Things begin to die and go into hibernation. Seeds are dropped for growth in the next season (passing on knowledge to next generation of witches), harvest is gathered (gathering all of your accumulated knowledge over the years).

I also wanted to point out that the Crone has the "aged consort", so the god does age along with the Crone.

[Adder]

Im sorry I can only talk about my beliefs so I hope no one takes offence, none is intended. I consider the Female reproductive capacity might exist as its own spiritual langauge. I see its real purpose as not defining a Womens fertility as a function of utility, but instead an indicator of transition between spiritual phases. Sort of defining a cyclical pattern of spiritual energy in its relationship with physical incarnation. Whilst some people choose not to have children and some people are unable to concieve due to medical circumstance....my personal belief is that all Women are gifted with a special spiritual capacity as a result of being able to create and nourish life with their bodies, and as a result of this gift, they as a result have those characteristics of Virgin, (potential) Mother, Crone. It fits neatly into my theories of spirituality which are centered around the creation of spiritual energy through complex physical arrangements of matter, sort of like the ultimate alchemy. As a result I tend to have been selfconverted to a controversial belief that the Female-male unity is not one of equality but instead Female-centric.... spiritually speaking.

[magus]

Aren't we all just put into categories? I mean honestly, there's no way to avoid it, someone WILL categorize you. It just so happens that women are usually the first to be categorized. Though it may not be right, it's just the way society is.