 The
recent inauguration of the South African Tabernacle Church -
which services a branch of Paganism known as Wicca - has
heralded the emergence from the broom cupboard of a religion
many stereotype as evil.
Many unenlightened people
associate Paganism and Wicca with the dark, the perversion of
Christianity and the occult.
But Wiccans, some of whom
network within the Pagan Federation of SA, are now comfortable
in a society which guarantees freedom of religion. They believe
now is th time to break down the stereotypes and worship in
public.
Although not recognised
officially as a religion, Wiccans argue that their beliefs are
about enhancing the power of positive thinking.
"We believe by focusing our
will and intent, we will be able to bring about small changes in
our immediate environment", said the Reverend Norman
"Stormdancer" Geldenhuys.
While only about 50 people
attended the recent inauguration of the church at a private home
in Johannesburg, the Wiccans, who have been practicing for about
two decades in South Africa, claim that 50,000 people follow the
religion in South Africa.
"Our places of worship are
found in nature, not in artificial structures wrought by man. We
worship in the solitude of gardens, the spires and cathedrals of
mountains, the beauty of our shade-dappled glades. Any part of
the Great Mother becomes our temple, or shrine, as we see it. No
clarion calls our faithful to worship.
"The warmth of the sun, the
whisper of the breeze on our bodies and the impelling glow of
the majestic full moon are reminders enough," is how they
describe their religious beliefs.
Are the stereotypes valid?
Perhaps, the Wiccans concede.
They do practice witchcraft and they use herbs and magic. But
they say, they use these to enhance themselves and ensure that
opportunities open up for them.
"Over the years we have
been persecuted because Christians are of the devil's nature.
But now that the new constitution acknowledges the freedom of
religion, we are encouraged to come out," Geldenhuys said.
Reverend Donna
"Darkwolf" Vos, the first South African to go public
about being a Wiccan in 1996, has been a witch for 10 years.
Vos said she practices
witchcraft by attuning herself with the seasons. "When the
season changes there is a celebration during which I use magic
rituals to align myself to the coming season."
Asked if they practice
witchcraft on other people, Vos said: "Wicca has one
"rede" which states 'an it harm none, do as ye
will". This means that as long as you harm nothing, not
even yourself, you can do anything."
Geldenhuys said not all Wiccans
practice witchcraft. When it is used, witchcraft is targeted at
enhancing individuals and it is not used for evil.
"If a person is looking for
a job, for instance, we would use herbs to enhance his or her
confidence. We do not do magic which will give an unfair
advantage."
Although the religion has been
criticized widely, Geldenhuys said it has been largely ignored
by other religions in south Africa - something that suits him.
"Personally, I am not keen
to get into ugly debates with other religious leaders. I just
want people to accept Wicca as a religion that adds value to the
people who follow it."
Geldenhuys said it was decided
to formally launch the church because followers wish to be
considered a formal organisation.
"We want to be given
credibility. We want our marriages and the other activities that
we do, like passing over (when somebody dies), to be
recognised."
Religious leaders unable to
comment.
Very few established religions
contacted by The Star knew of the Wiccan church recently
inaugurated in Houghton, the Aquarian Tabernacle Church.
Archbishop Blasco Francisco
Collaco of the Roman Catholic Church, Dr Ross Olivier of the
Methodist Church of South Africa and Omar Deedat of Discover
Islam said they would not be able to comment because they had
not studied the religion of the Wiccans.
"It would be unfair to make
a comment based on what you have told me because I have not done
thorough research on the subject." Archbishop Collaco said.
However, Dr Thillay Naidoo of
the Hindu Maha Sabba said he had come into contact with Wiccans
at an international conference.
"In 1999 they gave a
presentation at the Parliament of the World Religions in Cape
Town," he said.
"They have valid and useful
expression of religious ideas. If it promotes the spiritual
welfare of people it should be welcomed."
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