What does the Wiccan Rede really mean to you?
By oceangirl
@oceangirl (170)
United States
December 23, 2006 2:09am CST
The Rede says, "And it harm none, do what you will." Technically speaking, what this is saying is that "If it harms none, then it is permissible." Logically, taken from just that, something could still be permissible even if it harmed someone.
For example, I could say "If my sister is a university student, then she is a human being." BUT, she doesn't*have* to be a university student to be human. So the reverse doesn't follow from that -- it is false from the first statement that if my sister is not a university student, then she is not a human being.
Similarly, "If it harms none, then it is permissible" just does*NOT* imply the opposite, that "If it harms someone, then it is impermissible." That's a mistake in reasoning.
So when are things impermissible? Do you disagree with this meaning of the Rede? Thoughts in general? :)
1 person likes this
4 responses
@ljcapps (1925)
• United States
2 Jan 07
While your statement about your sister and the whole university thing is correct then I would have to say that your interpretation of the Pagan Rede is in my opinion a bit off. The Rede is is exactly as you put it first "And it harms none, Do what you will" But in your actions you must look at it inverted if your actions harm another then they are impermissible. Regretably not many people take the time to stop and think about that before they act.
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
1 Feb 07
I would have to agree with ljcapps on this. I think it's a simple statment that as long as you do no harm to anyone (being yourself or animals) then do what you will. You could do the same thing with "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". But that's not it's meaning or it's implication. It just simply means treat others the way you want to be treated.
@AdalieM (1134)
• United States
15 Aug 11
I don't believe in it because you will hurt people sometimes whether you want to or not. Let's say, that there is a guy who wants to go out with you, the only problem is that you don't feel the same way. If you say yes, just because you don't want to hurt his feelings, you will be very uncomfortable around him and even hurt yourself along the way. Every little thing that you do have consequences. I live my life how I see it feet and if I hurt people along the way I will be responsible. Sometimes by doing what you will means hurting others along the way without realizing it.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
6 Mar 07
It is a complete package for us imperfect beings. The keys is to function within the love as deep as we are able to attain. No harm is not viewable in the big picture by us. So our intent must carry us. What we sow is what we can expect back magnified. So keep that in mind. Also unless we are hermits then we will by loving go against... With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend. This will just happen on occasion in this world today.
This is sometimes a tough thing, intent is all.
Honoring another be they fool or untaught is how we love.
This will be printed and hung on my wall when the house is rebuilt.
@Galena (9110)
•
6 Mar 07
I don't beleive in it.
I beleive in acting always in the way that I think will be for the best. if I act dishonourably then it is only me that will judge that action (and I can be a harsher judge on myself than any other)
the moral code I strive to live by is the Asatru Nine Virtues.
I don't think I always acheive it, but I am a better person for the trying.
the nine virtues are
Hospitality
Courage
Truth
Loyalty
Honour
Self Reliance
Hard Work
Perseverence
Discipline
within this framework I can try and be a better person. for example, if someone were harming my familyn then the Rede would expect me to sit back and wait for karma to sort them out.
now to me that is inexcusable. to me it is dishonourable to stand by and let anyone harm the ones I care about if there is anything at all I can do to step in and stop them.
