Pagan Ethics

Pagan Ethics is often considered an advanced topic in Pagan Religion. Some people define ethics as doing what is right. While this is a good working definition, it begs the questions What is right?. Ethics is not only following the rules, but also obeying the spirit of those rules. Being a Pagan, especially eclectic or solitary, often means not having a clearly marked path regarding right and wrong. Each individual must determine on their what is right and wrong.

Ethics - General Information

There are entire schools of thinking dedicated to ethics. Generally speaking, Ethics in most religions are dealt with either through Applied Ethics or Normative Ethics. Applied Ethics attempts to define moral action in specific purposes. One example of this is the Christian concept of the Ten Commandments. Normative Ethics attempt to define, in general terms, what actions are morally right. This is the case with the Golden Rule and the Wiccan Rede.

As with any group of people, there are those among Pagans who are unethical. There are also those who will attempt to disguise their lack of ethics by cloaking it in dogma. One common example of this among younger or newer Pagans is the philosophy that the Wiccan Rede means do anything that feels good. This belief either comes from having a dangerously narrow view of what constitutes "harm", or a simple neglect of personal responsibility for one's own actions.

Pagan Ethics

Anyone who is Pagan should give serious thought to their personal ethical code. To do so, you should consider your daily life in light of your religious beliefs. If you are active in any groups, you may want to get their opinions on this statement. You should probably also scan it for logical fallacies, or errors brought about by "iffy" thinking.

There are certain things that every pagan should think about while defining their personal code of ethics. These thing include:

• Who is responsible for what you do? How much responsibility do you accept?
• How should you treat other people? Animals?
• What level of responsibility do we have towards the earth?
• When is it right to end a life (human or otherwise)?
• When should you use magic? Why and for what?
• What specific ideas define the core of your ethics?
• What sexual behavior is appropriate? Monogamy? Polygamy? Promiscuity? Homosexuality? Bisexuality? Should you accept all orientations?
• Should you attempt to force the government and society to accept your beliefs? How involved do you become in the political process?
  

Core Pagan Ethics of The Wolf and Raven Path

The Wolf and Raven Path requires that each initiate write their personal code of ethics. Some of the issues that should be addressed in this code follow:

Note: These are only the overriding, core ethics of the Wolf and Raven Path. The complete ethical code is far more in-depth and complex.

Personal Responsibility

You may believe that everyone creates their own reality, or that there are Gods that guide our lives, or anything in between. Whatever the case, you must be willing to accept personal responsibility for your own actions.

Honor and Respect for All Life

All life on earth is interconnected. Failing to respect any part of it is failure to respect the whole of it. This includes all plant life, animals and people. It does not mean that you cannot defend yourself, or that all things should be allowed to run wild. It does mean that you should get involved with animal rescue and/or conservation programs.

Sexual Acceptance

Who someone falls in love with or has physical relationships with is their own business, provided any relationships are between consenting adults. In every relationship, honesty and open communications are the most important elements. Open relationships are acceptable, provided that both parties agree that it is, indeed, open. Homosexual, polyamorous, and other non-traditional relationships are acceptable as long as all parties are being given the opportunity to grow and be the best person they can be. Regardless of anything else, every relationship should strive for the highest and greatest good.

Plurality (A Way, not The Way)

We acknowledge that the Wolf and Raven Path is only one possible path to enlightenment and divinity. Paganism as a whole is also not the only path. When we begin to believe that ours is the only possible way, we begin to disrespect our fellow humans and their beliefs.

Pagan Ethics for Metaphysical Professionals

Those who chose to share their experiences and abilities in a professional setting should create a statement of professional ethics to go along with their personal ethics. This statement of ethics may be shared publicly or kept private, but these ethics will show in the way the professional conducts their business. Other than basic business practices (don't lie to your customers, don't steal, don't break local laws, etc), each type of business has its own ethical considerations.

Pagan Ethics Issues for Websites

• Do you show only your way, or try to present a wide variety or information?
• Do you allow advertisers and product sales to dictate what content you present?
• How do you verify the information that you present?
• How will you use the information that you gather from visitors?

Pagan Ethics Issues for Psychics

• Legalities aside, are you purely an entertainer or are you serious about your readings?
• Do you predict the future or guide you clients regarding the future?
• If you cannot help, do you attempt to bluff or admit your inability?

Pagan Ethics Issues for Spell Casters

• Do you seek to aid those who come to you, or simply make money?
• Do you do whatever the client wants, or do you impose your own personal ethical values?

Pagan Ethics for Metaphysical Suppliers

• Do you investigate the products you carry or accept what your suppliers tell you about them?
• How do you deal with dangerous items, such as toxic herbs or potential weapons?

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