alright so what are you saying here?
The question was whether or not pagans and Wiccans had doubts about the truth of their beliefs. I was using him as an example of a pagan who wrote about his doubts about his beliefs as a Thelemite. (Granted, he’s a ceremonial magickian, which some pagans consider to be outside the umbrella of paganism. OTOH< he was, for all practical purposes, the founder of Thelema.)
I have to quote this scriptural point with you!,
Are you sure you want to wander down the path of having people demonstrate that the scripture you cite buttresses and supports the thesis that is antithetical to the one that you are using it for, when read in conjunction with umpteen other cites of scripture?
Can you leave the community without any repercussions?
Some scenarios:
- Delinquent dues: The individual is removed from the list of current members. They may rejoin the group when they are dues current. No formal repercussion from the group;
- Violated an oath that was sworn/Violated a vow that was taken: In both instances the individual would be expelled from the group. Usually, but not always, other groups, and individuals that are not part of the coven/group would be notified of the expulsion. Reasons may, but are not always provided. Members of the group, and others, usually withdraw their friendship from the individual. No other formal repercussion from the group. There usually are repercussions from the Diety to whom the Oath was sworn, or Vow was taken;
- No Oaths were violated/No Vows that were taken were violated: The individual decides that they wish to leave the group. No repercussions to the individual;
If the individual leaves a group, without fulfilling legal obligations, there might be legal repercussions. What those legal obligations are, would be sheer speculation on my part.
All the paperwork I’ve seen, has limited legal obligations to remaining dues current. If that obligation is not met, then the individual is removed from the roll of current members. Usually, but not always, they can rejoin the group when they are dues current.
On second thoughts, I can hazard a guess as to what it is.
The best way to avoid those legal obligations, is to have the person that wants you to fill out the paperwork, explain each and every clause in it, and what the consequences of not adhering to each clause is, and the consequences of adhering to each clause is, and then have a lawyer that you pay explain the consequences of each and every clause in it. If the group is unwilling to let you run the paperwork past your lawyer, then don’t join the group.
What is the normal age of a group member?
That depends upon the specific coven. My guess is that the average age of individuals in new covens is twenty-something, and that as the age of the coven increases, so does the average age of the individuals in it.
and what is the youngest member age?
One of the biggest problems coven leaders face, is the number of people under the age of eighteen that want to join the coven.
Most groups don’t permit anybody under the age of eighteen to attend their open meetings. A few set the minimum age limit to twenty-one.
Assuming a Traditional British Wicca coven
- You have to be at least eighteen years of age to apply to join the coven;
- It takes between two and six months to be “approved”;
- You have to have worked with the coven for at least a year and day to be initiated;
Thus, if the stars are right, and every thing is fast, the individual would be at least nineteen years and three months, when they were initiated. Far more common is for them to be twenty, or older.
are there children who perform these same sexual rituals?
Inasmuch as minors aren’t allowed to join most groups, children would not be participating in the rituals.
Amber
You quoting the Bible at me is like me quoting the Eddas at you, neither of us is going to get anywhere because we don’t acknowledge each other’s books as having any authority over us.