| Pagan
Ethics |
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Pagan
Ethics
 The
ethics espoused in a particular Pagan tradition may be different,
but there is a general common basis in honouring Nature and
all Life. The
foundation of Wiccan ethics is the Wiccan Rede - "an
(archaic for 'if') ye harm none, do as ye wilt" - simple
but far-reaching in its implications (both individually and
collectively).The
following are statements from specific Pagan traditions, but
are representative of the general ethics that Pagans of all
traditions attempt to live by.However,
in most Pagan traditions, the individual is responsible for
determining how their tradition’s ethic or principles are
lived out in any given moment and situation – most traditions
do not have ‘commandments’ that direct their personal decisions.
A
Wiccan Statement of Principles
The
following was put together in 1974 by a group calling itself
the Council of American Witches.
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We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural
rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the moon
and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
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2.
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We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique
responsibility toward our environment.We
seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance,
offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within
an evolutionary concept.
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3.
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We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that
apparent to the average person.Because
it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called
'supernatural', but we see it as lying within that which
is naturally potential to all.
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4.
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We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as
manifesting through polarity — as masculine and feminine
— and that this same Creative Power lies in all people
and functions through the interaction of the masculine
and feminine.We
value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive
of the other.We
value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment
of life, and as one of the sources of energies used
in magickal practice and religious worship.
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5.
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We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological,
worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective
Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. — and we see in the
inter-action of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal
phenomena and magickal exercises.We
neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both
as necessary for our fulfillment.
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6.
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We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but
do honor those who teach, respect those who share their
greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those
who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
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7.
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We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being
united in the way one views the world and lives within
it — a world view and philosophy of life which we identify
as Witchcraft — the Wiccan Way.
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8.
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Calling oneself 'witch' does not make a witch — but
neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of
titles, degrees and initiations.A
witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself
that make life possible in order to live wisely and
well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
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9.
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We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life
in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness
giving meaning to the universe we know and our personal
role within it.
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10.
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Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards
any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the
extent that its institutions have claimed to be 'the
only way' and have sought to deny freedom to others
and to suppress other ways of religious practice and
belief.
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11.
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As American witches, we are not threatened by debates
on the history of the Craft, the origins of various
terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different
traditions.We
are concerned with our present and future.
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12.
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We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do
we worship any entity known as 'Satan' or 'the Devil'
as defined by the Christian tradition.We
do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor
accept that personal benefit can be derived only by
denial to another.
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13.
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We believe that we should seek within Nature that which
is contributory to our health and well-being.
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The
Nine Noble Virtues of Asatru
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Courage
— By facing life's struggles with courage, we constantly
extend our capabilities.Without
courage, nothing else can be done.
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2.
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Truth
— Blind faith has no place in Asatru.No
pie-in-the-sky; we must act in this world as we see
it and as it really is rather than calmly wait for the
next.
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3.
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Honor
— We must be true to what we are, and we insist on acting
with nobility rather than baseness.Our
standards must be banners held high in our hearts.
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4.
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Fidelity
— We stand true to our faith and our values.Loyalty
is the basis for all enduring human activity, and we
hold it in the highest esteem.
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5.
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Hospitality
— The isolation and loneliness of modern life is not
necessary.The
willingness to share what one has with one's fellows,
especially travellers, is a vital part of our way of
life.
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6.
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Discipline
— We hold to the discipline necessary to fulfill our
purpose.We
stand willing to exercise the self-control and steadfastness
necessary in these difficult times.
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7.
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Industriousness
— Let us dare to be all that we can be.Let
us take risks and taste the richness of life.Passivity
is for sheep.We
refuse to be mere spectators in life.
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8.
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Self-Reliance
— We depend on our own strength and character to achieve
our goals.We
seek only the freedom necessary to our quest, whatever
it may be.
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9.
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Perseverance
— We hold to our path until its completion and are not
ashamed to be strong.The
cult of the anti-hero will find no support in us, and
the gods we follow are not for the weak.
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Druid
Ethics
Isaac Bonewits,
first Archdruid of the ADF (Ár
nDraíocht Féin),
in his paper "What Do Neopagan Druids Believe", says:-
Many
of the members of Ár nDraíocht Féin:
A Druid Fellowship,Inc. ("ADF") have come to accept most of
the following beliefs.However,
it's important to remember that not everyone would use the
term "belief" in reference to these concepts, and that every
concept mentioned has a wide variety of accepted interpretations
within the organization.
Thou Art
God/dess
We
believe that divinity is both immanent (internal) and transcendent
(external), with immanence being far more important for us
to pay attention to at this crucial phase of human history.Deities
can manifest at any point in space or time which They might
choose, including within human beings (through the processes
known as "inspiration," "channeling," and "possession").
Goddesses
and Gods
We
believe that divinity is as likely to manifest in a female
form as it is in a male form, and that the word "Goddess"
makes just as much sense as "God."Women
and men are spiritually equal, and "masculine" and "feminine"
attitudes, values, and roles are of equal importance.
Polytheism
We
believe in a multiplicity of gods and goddesses, as well as
lesser beings, many of Whom are worthy of respect, love and
worship
We have a wide variety of nonexclusive concepts as to the
nature of these entities.While
some of us believe in a "Supreme Being," Neopagan Druidism
is emphatically polytheistic.We
have no figure of ultimate Evil.
Nature Worship
We
believe that it is necessary to have respect and love for
Nature as divine in Her own right, and to accept ourselves
as part of Nature and not Her "rulers."Many
of us accept what has come to be known as "the Gaia hypothesis,"
that the biosphere of our planet is a living being, Who is
due all the love and support that we, Her children, can give
Her.We
consider ecological awareness and activism to be sacred duties.
Cautious
Technophilia
We
believe in accepting the positive aspects of Western science
and technology, but in maintaining an attitude of wariness
towards the supposed ethical neutrality of that science and
technology.We
also consider it important that scientists (like everyone
else) pay as much attention to their means as they do to their
goals.
Religious
Freedom
We
believe that monolithic religious organizations and would-be
messiahs and supergurus are a hinderance to spiritual growth.We
believe that healthy religions should have a minimum amount
of dogma and a maximum amount of eclecticism and flexibility.Neopagan
Druidism is an organic religion, and like all other organisms
is growing, changing, and producing offshoots.
Positive
Ethics
We
believe that ethics and morality should be based upon joy,
love, self-esteem, mutual respect, the avoidance of actual
harm to ourselves and others, and the increase of public benefit.We
try to balance people's needs for personal autonomy and growth
with the necessity of paying attention to the impact of each
individual's actions on the lives and welfare of others.
Religious
Toleration
We
believe that it's difficult for ordinary humans to commit
offenses against the Gods and Goddesses, short of major crimes
such as ecocide or genocide.Our
deities are perfectly capable of defending Their own honor
without any need for us to punish people for "blasphemy" or
"heresy."
The Good
Life
We
believe
that human beings were meant to lead lives filled with joy,
love, pleasure, beauty and humor.Most
Neopagans are fond of food, drink, music, sex, and bad puns,
and consider all of these (except possibly the puns) to be
of spiritual value.However,
we do not approve of addictive or compulsive behavior and
we support people with dysfunctional histories who have entered
appropriate recovery programs.
Magic and
Mystery
We
believe that with proper training, art, discipline and intent,
human minds and hearts are fully capable of performing most
of the magic and miracles they are ever likely to need.Magical/miraculous
acts are done through the use of what most of us perceive
as natural (some say "divinely granted") psychic talents.
Liturgical
Art and Science
We
believe that there is an art and a science to creating, preparing
and performing worship rituals.Our
worship celebrations are continually evolving as we search
for the most intellectually satisfying, artistically beautiful,
spiritually powerful, and magically effective rites possible.
Connecting
to the Cosmos
We
believe in the importance of celebrating the solar, lunar
and other cycles of our lives.We
consciously observe the solstices, equinoxes and the points
in between, as well as the phases of the moon.Such
"rites of intensification" are human universals, as are the
various ceremonies known as "rites of passage" -- celebrations
of birth, puberty, personal dedication to a given deity or
group, marriage, ordination, death, etc.
Born Again
Paganism
Many
of us believe in some sort of afterlife, usually involving
rest and recovery in the Otherworld before reincarnating.We
have no concept of "eternal" punishment, refusing to worship
deities who could be that cruel.
Hope and
Action
We
believe that people have the ability to solve their current
problems, both personal and public, and to create a better
world.Our
utopian vision, tempered with common sense, leads us to a
strong commitment to personal and global growth, evolution
and balance.
Mystic Vision
We
believe that people can progress far towards achieving personal
growth, evolution and balance through the carefully planned
alteration of their "normal" states of consciousness.We
use both ancient and modern methods of concentration, meditation,
reprogramming and ecstasy.
Community
Responsibility
We
believe that human interdependence implies community service.Some
of us are active in political, social, ecological and charitable
organizations, while others prefer to work for the public
good primarily through spiritual means (and many insist on
doing both).
Authenticity
We
believe that if we are to achieve any of our goals, we must
practice what we preach.Neopagan
Druidism, like any other religion, should be a way of life,
not merely a weekly or monthly social function.So
we must always strive to make our lives consistent with our
proclaimed beliefs.
Cooperation
and Defense
We
believe in cooperation and ecumenical activities with those
members of other faiths who share all or most of these beliefs.We
also believe in resisting efforts by members of dysfunctional
religions who seek to persecute us or suppress our human rights.
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