I just found out... One of the nurses I work with is

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 6, 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca

Although I'm not quite sure what your coworker's religion has to do with how you work at your job. Wicca is simply another religious path, just like Judaism, Islam, what have you.

lpnwkids · Feb 6, 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
Although I'm not quite sure what your coworker's religion has to do with how you work at your job. Wicca is simply another religious path, just like Judaism, Islam, what have you.

It doesn't have anything to do with how I work. I was just wanting to be informed.

elkpark · Feb 6, 2011

Does it matter, as long as this person shows up for work and does her/his job? I don't know what the religious beliefs of any of my co-workers are, and I don't care. It doesn't come up at work.

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2011

Does it matter, as long as this person shows up for work and does her/his job? I don't know what the religious beliefs of any of my co-workers are, and I don't care. It doesn't come up at work.

Sometimes it's nice to know what others believe so that you understand them, so that you don't insult them...so that you don't assume things.

It makes for a nicer work environment, and might lead to some enlightening (for both parties) conversation.

Does it matter? No, but I don't think it's wrong to want to be better educated about others and what they believe.

sharpeimom · Feb 6, 2011

why on earth does it matter? the only time religion ever came up on any of my jobs is when we traded

around shifts so everyone's religious holidays were covered.

JenniferSews · Feb 6, 2011

What if you were talking witchcraft? Does she steal and eat babies? Worship the devil? Not likely. But wiccans generally do identify themselves at witches. However they don't believe in the devil nor worship such an entity. To think so is perpetuating hundreds of years of propaganda. Any identification of witches as bad or evil is purely lack of education. Educate yourself, so that you don't worry about a person based on their beliefs ever again.

ETA- I am not wiccan, but putting the skull icon as the header and then asking "are we talking witchcraft here" is likely to be seen as less than open minded.

caliotter3 · Feb 6, 2011

If you are curious, you can always ask her about her beliefs. She will either be happy to converse with you, or she will tell you that she prefers not to discuss religion at work.

MollyLPN · Feb 6, 2011

A wiccan, technically, is an initiated member of a witchcraft Tradition that started in the New Forest area of England. These traditions are usually Gardnerian, Alexandrian mainly, plus a few others. However, 'wiccan' has morphed into usage as many forms of paganism, which tend to be polytheist, and observe the seasons of the wheel (two sabbats, or holidays, for each season). Many pagans do not practice magic, which is certain prayers and spells for a certain outcome. It can be compared to prayer for Christians.

As a wiccan (yes the initiated type) I can say I have never heard of wiccans, witches, pagans, etc. doing anything negative against Christians, mostly we stay quiet, because we are aware of the prejudice against us. Example: could you imagine a wiccan candidate ever winning a high public office? Also, we are everywhere. We are not the majority, such as Christians by any stretch of the imagination, but we are a rapidly growing minority. You meet us on a regular basis. You just don't know that you do.

I agree with JenniferSews, who pointed out the inflammatory skull and the "is it witchcraft" tone of your post. I hope this is not your attitude, that we 'read' the tone incorrectly. Because my first thought was:

"Wow if she's this judgmental, I would sure hate to be her patient. I couldn't trust her not to neglect or harm me, or my fellow pagans, with that attitude." Consciously disliking a group of people can translate into some very negative actions, whether consciously or not.

And if you are this judgmental, I gently suggest some serious thought about whether nursing to the general public is the right career choice for you. Working a church environment, where everyone is the same as you, may be better.

If you are sincerely looking for information, do ask your co-worker (if she wants to talk), look for information of a general educational sort of the web, bookstores and the like. But a few pointers: wiccans do not sacrifice animals, do not harm children or anyone. We don't go around casting spells hither and thither, to bring "dark magic" to anyone. We do not worship the devil, because we do not believe in the devil. The devil is from the Holy Books, which is your religion. And we respect your right to your religion.

I do hope you follow up to your post. I am looking forward to a meaningful dialog.

Oh, to answer your original question: yes she is a witch. A wiccan is both a witch and a pagan. And that's okay. Really.

lpnwkids · Feb 6, 2011

Sometimes it's nice to know what others believe so that you understand them, so that you don't insult them...so that you don't assume things.
It makes for a nicer work environment, and might lead to some enlightening (for both parties) conversation.
Does it matter? No, but I don't think it's wrong to want to be better educated about others and what they believe.

Thank you! This is what I'm talking about. :yeah:

lpnwkids · Feb 6, 2011

A wiccan, technically, is an initiated member of a witchcraft Tradition that started in the New Forest area of England. These traditions are usually Gardnerian, Alexandrian mainly, plus a few others. However, 'wiccan' has morphed into usage as many forms of paganism, which tend to be polytheist, and observe the seasons of the wheel (two sabbats, or holidays, for each season). Many pagans do not practice magic, which is certain prayers and spells for a certain outcome. It can be compared to prayer for Christians.
As a wiccan (yes the initiated type) I can say I have never heard of wiccans, witches, pagans, etc. doing anything negative against Christians, mostly we stay quiet, because we are aware of the prejudice against us. Example: could you imagine a wiccan candidate ever winning a high public office? Also, we are everywhere. We are not the majority, such as Christians by any stretch of the imagination, but we are a rapidly growing minority. You meet us on a regular basis. You just don't know that you do.
I agree with JenniferSews, who pointed out the inflammatory skull and the "is it witchcraft" tone of your post. I hope this is not your attitude, that we 'read' the tone incorrectly. Because my first thought was:
"Wow if she's this judgmental, I would sure hate to be her patient. I couldn't trust her not to neglect or harm me, or my fellow pagans, with that attitude." Consciously disliking a group of people can translate into some very negative actions, whether consciously or not.
And if you are this judgmental, I gently suggest some serious thought about whether nursing to the general public is the right career choice for you. Working a church environment, where everyone is the same as you, may be better.
If you are sincerely looking for information, do ask your co-worker (if she wants to talk), look for information of a general educational sort of the web, bookstores and the like. But a few pointers: wiccans do not sacrifice animals, do not harm children or anyone. We don't go around casting spells hither and thither, to bring "dark magic" to anyone. We do not worship the devil, because we do not believe in the devil. The devil is from the Holy Books, which is your religion. And we respect your right to your religion.
I do hope you follow up to your post. I am looking forward to a meaningful dialog.
Oh, to answer your original question: yes she is a witch. A wiccan is both a witch and a pagan. And that's okay. Really.

:yeah:Thank you for the information. I'm sorry if the skull offended you or anyone else, It was the only one I saw that I thought fit, I was looking for a cross, but there wasn't one. I will let you know how things go. I think it will be a while before we get to talk, because it takes me the whole shift and then some to get all my work done;).

sharpeimom · Feb 6, 2011

sometimes it's nice to know what others believe so that you understand them, so that you don't insult them...so that you don't assume things.
it makes for a nicer work environment, and might lead to some enlightening (for both parties) conversation.
does it matter? no, but i don't think it's wrong to want to be better educated about others and what they believe.

thank you! this is what i'm talking about.

why is a coworker's religion -- in this case, wicca -- so important to you? do you need to know every coworker's religion and it's underlying philosophies, or does the very idea of working with a wiccan scare you or make you fear for yourself and this nurse's patients?

i'm an episcopalian and have worked side-by-side with various protestants, catholics, eastern orthodox,

jewish, muslims, buddists, wiccans, persons who observe kwanzaa (sp.?) and the only way it has ever been an issue is holiday schedule coverage, and dietary restrictions when we bring food to work. i have also been told by a few protestants, that episcopalians are not christians. gee, and all this time, i had thought we were...

my point is simply this. we are all entitled to religious freedom by our constitution and may practice it without fear of prejudice. when i want information about a new idea, i begin at the library, online, and by doing research. i'm not being critical of you, i really am not. i'm just becoming my old debater self again, for a minute.