Wicca given religious status at BU

[davidinalameda]

http://www.dailyfreepress.com/news/2005/02/17/News/Wicca.Given.Religious.Status.At.Bu-868181.shtml

After applying and getting denied twice, the Boston University Nemeton Wicca Student Group was approved by the Religious Life Council as a new religious organization on campus Wednesday afternoon at Marsh Chapel.

The RLC denied the group, which applied as a pagan organization the first two times, because paganism is not formally recognized as a religion. But, last semester the organization changed its affiliation to Wicca, which is considered a religion, changing its name to the Wicca Student Group this year.

Nemeton President Aubrey Hooser said renaming the group was not an issue.

[prodigal_green]

1. who does the formal recognizing?

is Mormonism accepted? What about Jehovah Witnesses? What about the bibliodolotrists that claim some vague connection to Jesus, but whose churches are not really part of any mainstream religion?

[joefree1]

2. Growing, growing, growing

Wow, an old earth based belief system based on learning that many thought had long ago perished has been recognized as a religion.

[ACCER]

4. sheesh....

Wicca isn't old.....it's very very new. It claims old origins but lacks the background.

What I find amusing is that Paganism....which is a valid hodge-podge of earth based religions but they ARE real religions......and Wicca is a best a modern philosophy....BUT Wicca is the one that they accepted as a "religion".

[Solon]

5. Actually, that is true...

Your characterization of it isn't, but its true that it isn't old, dating back to the '40's and '50's at the earliest. Paganism, and Neo-Paganism are catch all terms, similar in some respects to saying Monotheism, is there a Monotheism group in this school? Wicca also has structured beliefs and worship rituals, but also has great latitude in that. Wicca doesn't claim to be that old, Gardner claimed it based on shoddy research, and only "fluff bunnies" and the ignorant would make the claim today. It has roots in pre-Christian Europe, but only that, no modern Wiccan today would be recognized 1500 years ago with traditional Celtic or Druidish religions. Then again, I doubt a modern Baptist would be recognized as truly Christian to 1st century Christians. BTW: I'm Wiccan, and actually do know how to read, believe it or not.

[saltpoint]

3. Good news on this one.

Good for BU.

I wish it hadn't taken the cosmetic name change, though. Even still, it will expand the range of consideration for that community, serve as a sturdy example for others in other places, and not least, it will piss off Jim Dobson.