# Dear Wiccans: get over yourselves **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 16, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968 "2009-06-16T17:55:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/21 "2009-06-16T19:15:40Z")
> [@Johnny\_Angel](#): > > I believe you, mostly. I do think that it’s useful for making that distinction, at least in writing. I do not believe that it is not primarily practiced in the service of pretentiousness. It is used this way and amongst the subculture in which it is used there is absolutely 0 confusion. But yes, the occult like any other subculture is rife with people using social artifice to cement in-group/out-group relationships. Much of this is largely pretentious, but as you admit that there is some usefulness in using it this way, sure. So agreed that it is quite often pretentious as fuck, so are the accusations of pretension. I’ve used it to distinguish the terms and gotten a pile-on of pretentiousness on this very board. It’s actually quite useful in a thread on the occult to see who piles on you for being pretentious. 100% of them are not worth listening to, as it indicates who is just there to bash on the Woo, and who is there to discuss the topic. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/22 "2009-06-16T19:19:50Z")
[QUOTE=mswas] Your belief is irrelevant. [/quote] Wait, I thought it was everyone else’s beliefs that were irrelevant. In any case, you may wish to spread the word on the perfect reasonableness of the alternate spelling, because a lot of VVican-types don’t know to give this defense when they’re bearded over their orthography. I am officially the first person who ever presented such an argument to me. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/23 "2009-06-16T19:29:04Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Finally, stop being so hot. It’s not fair that I have to listen to your insipid fails-to-even-be-Leftist drivel while wanting to date you. 😃 > > [/Rant about cute but prentious girls] This tells me SOOO much about you. Funny, I’d assumed you were older. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/24 "2009-06-16T19:45:04Z")
Mom’s Basement Dwellers Unite! -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/25 "2009-06-16T19:49:13Z")
> [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](#): > > Wait: and she’s a redhead?! > > Get the fuck over it, IMO. 😃 As I recall, the OP is one of those Bible-up-the-ass Christians. Indulging in pagan pussy will make his dick fall off. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/26 "2009-06-16T20:07:54Z")
> [@Telperien](#): > > Indulging in pagan pussy will make his dick fall off. Speaking from personal experience, it is sooooo worth it. The pagan pussy, I mean. Not the dick falling off thing, since I was lucky enough to have not experienced that particular pitfall of sex with a non-Christian. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/27 "2009-06-16T20:27:43Z")
> [@Telperien](#): > > As I recall, the OP is one of those Bible-up-the-ass Christians. Indulging in pagan pussy will make his dick fall off. He is also the best at everything. So his dick will fall off faster and more completely than yours ever could. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/28 "2009-06-16T20:35:02Z")
Not exactly the same species but close IMO. Listen and enjoy. [http://www.wimp.com/stormpoem/](http://www.wimp.com/stormpoem/) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/29 "2009-06-16T21:03:04Z")
[QUOTE=mswas] So agreed that it is quite often pretentious as fuck, so are the accusations of pretension. [/quote] What exactly is it you claim people are pretending when they complain about this pretentiousness? [QUOTE=yojimbo] Not exactly the same species but close IMO. Listen and enjoy. > **[Wimp.com](https://www.wimp.com/)** > > Amazing Videos, Funny Clips. Updated daily. [/quote] I can’t view it from work, but I assume this is Tim Minchin. He has other swell works you can find on the YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/30 "2009-06-16T21:07:14Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Magick with a K isn’t a Wiccan thing. Aleister Crowley invented that device intentionally distinguish it from stage magic. It’s not pretentious at all, it’s an useful way to distinguish what you’re talking about. Of course if you don’t believe in Magick then it’s pretentious by default because well…there’s no such thing, so you must be pretending. > > Regardless spelling Magick with a K is a very common usage amongst all occult circles, it’s not even considered controversial, and has nothing to do with Wicca specifically. As soon as someone can prove that magick is different from magic (i.e., actual eldritch powers versus cleverly crafted illusions), I’ll cease scoffing at them for spelling it differently. Not holding my breath, though. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/31 "2009-06-16T21:09:42Z")
I guess it depends on whether you think sincerity is a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/32 "2009-06-16T21:17:23Z")
Nope, I also scoff at people who sincerely read their daily horoscopes in the newspaper. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/33 "2009-06-16T21:18:13Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Nope, I also scoff at people who sincerely read their daily horoscopes in the newspaper. Color and Colour? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/34 "2009-06-16T21:19:25Z")
> [@Johnny\_Angel](#): > > Wait, I thought it was everyone else’s beliefs that were irrelevant. In any case, you may wish to spread the word on the perfect reasonableness of the alternate spelling, because a lot of VVican-types don’t know to give this defense when they’re bearded over their orthography. I am officially the first person who ever presented such an argument to me. Damn, I was hoping I would edit that out before you typed it. Sorry. 😉 I knee-jerked. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/35 "2009-06-16T21:21:19Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > As soon as someone can prove that magick is different from magic (i.e., actual eldritch powers versus cleverly crafted illusions), I’ll cease scoffing at them for spelling it differently. > > Not holding my breath, though. Even if it describes something that doesn’t exist it is still an useful term. This is what I meant by, “What you believe doesn’t matter.” to **Johnny Angel**. Unicorns aren’t real but you still know what I mean when I say the word right? **Johnny Angel** What is being pretended is that they ever had an honest intention of discussing the topic of the occult rather than just coming in to laugh at the Woo. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/36 "2009-06-16T21:22:19Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Nope, I also scoff at people who sincerely read their daily horoscopes in the newspaper. I scoff at people who scoff at everyone who scoffs at everyone else when the scoffing is not reasonable unless it’s a Thursday when all scoffing is justified. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/37 "2009-06-16T21:32:35Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Someone has an unrequited crush. Ah! The sweet interlude between the first meeting and the arrival of the restraining order… ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/38 "2009-06-16T21:34:22Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Color and Colour? Not a good analogy. Americans dropped the “u” in an effort to distinguish ourselves from our Former Overseas Oppressors. _cue teary-eyed salute to a flag proudly flapping in a patriotically stiff breeze_ Color and colour are two regional ways of spelling the same thing, not an attempt to create a new concept by changing the spelling of a word. > [@mswas](#): > > Even if it describes something that doesn’t exist it is still an useful term. This is what I meant by, “What you believe doesn’t matter.” to **Johnny Angel**. > > Unicorns aren’t real but you still know what I mean when I say the word right? Again, a poor analogy. This would be like having a unicorne, which is like a unicorn, only it’s real. Which I would scoff at. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/39 "2009-06-16T21:36:00Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Again, a poor analogy. This would be like having a unicorne, which is like a unicorn, only it’s real. Which I would scoff at. No actually it’s like differentiating a unicorn as in the mythical beast, from a horse with a horn implanted in its forehead. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968/40 "2009-06-16T21:52:35Z")
Except that no one uses it that way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-wiccans-get-over-yourselves/499968.md?page=3)