Ethics
Wiccans basically believe in a "live and let live", non violent philosophy,
and tend to be tolerant of the beliefs and lifestyles of others. There is a basic
gentleness of spirit within most Wiccans and a striving toward peaceful
coexistence with those around them. Yet there is also a focus on themselves
and their personal needs and Wiccans do not generally "
turn the other cheek" when they are attacked. Wiccans avoid certain acts not so
much because they believe in some resulting punishment as they do out of
basic sense of right and wrong. It is wrong to steal, it is wrong to needlessly
take a life, it is wrong to intentionally hurt someone. The Popular text,
The Wiccan Rede best sums up the Wiccan Ethics;
The Rede says: "An as it harm none, do as ye will." Some
Wiccans interpret this to mean that a person can do anything they
wish as long as no one is harmed by it, and there by that person is free
of any karmic debt. This is not exactly the interpretation of the
Rede within the Mystery Teaching. To do as one wills to do actually
means to find one's purpose and to fulfill it. This is intended to
be for the benefit of the person but not to the detriment
of another person. In the work of the Neophyte to master his or
her physical senses and to pass into non attachment. Once the student has
risen about the desires and needs of the flesh, then he or she can view
the world with detachment and so discover their true Willor Purpose.
At this stage there is no greed, envy, or jealousy, and therefore the person
can act through knowledge of his or her own pure will, which then
naturally causes no harm to another because it is not centered on any
relationship, personal prestige or any personal gain within a society. It is
the true will of the divine nature within the person, acting in accord
with its purpose in this
Lifetime.
Information from "The Wiccan Mysteries" by Raven Grimassi
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