Commercialization of Wicca on the internet - research!

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Permalink Reply by Marina on April 13, 2012 at 4:07pm

It's a college project, and I need some results in specific period of time. I have a deadline. I did the same thing in various other forums and sites (joined and asked, if not a problem, for some informations). No one presented it as a problem so far. 

My motives for choosing specifically Wicca - well, I told the professor I would like to write my essay on Wicca because I found this religion interesting and want to learn more about it, and my colleauge wanted to do some research on commercialization of religion on-line, so we decided to do this together and make some research of Wicca and commercialization. That's all! 

I'm sorry if this doesn't look fair - me joining this site and soon enough looking for something, but I didn't think of it as a problem because it' just a research...

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Permalink Reply by Marina on April 13, 2012 at 4:36pm

Thank you for your comment, and your thoughts!

I'm aware of certain level of commercialization of every religion, of course, but subject of my research is particulary Wicca. With bad and good sides of shops, I wanted to find out what's your opinion on commercialization and sales of products on religion. Do you think it's good thing or bad thing for religion. I didn't think of selling human skulls on here! Maybe i could've formulate my question better.

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Permalink Reply by Marina on April 13, 2012 at 5:10pm

No, it's not my opinion that those people should produce such items for free.  I have such feeling that you think I'm against this web-shops and selling religious items. I'm not! I just want to find out different thoughts on such shops in reference with religion, and come to some conclusion. 

Every religion is in some way commercialized, and if pastors can pay the burials, weddings, exorcisms etc. in Christianity, for example; and if you look at Vatican and all the gift shops ready to sell you all sorts of ornaments,holy pictures, talismans etc. why shouldn't others make money of their products.

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Permalink Reply by Marina on April 13, 2012 at 5:36pm

It's okey! I understand what you're saying and I completely agree with you on this last comment! :)

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Permalink Reply by Kixs on April 13, 2012 at 4:01pm

Beautiful city you live in Marina.

When you ask if they attract new believers, do you mean they see all the pretty merchindice and go oh I want to be wiccan, or do you mean people new to the wiccan religion buy more often from web stores?

"Are there bad sides or maybe good sides to these shops?" Well like with all shops there are good and bad sides to them all. They are no different than any other shop one would purchase a product from in my opinion.

"Is selling a product a normal element of Wiccan sites." Have to get you to clairify that question if you would please, as in what type of wiccan sites...ect.

"Do you consider the objects being sold secret?" Well no. If they were secret they wouldn't be splashed all over the internet. They are no more secret than a cross from the Christian religion. 

"Do you think about these products-where were they made and for what reason"?

I do, but I'm picky. I like items made in the country they represent.

"Do you think about the industry behind the thing that enter you home"? Always. But I'm socially aware.

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Permalink Reply by Psyche on April 13, 2012 at 4:06pm

nuff said.

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SponsorPermalink Reply by མཛེས་མ་ on April 13, 2012 at 4:13pm

I also adore observations and most anything which promotes insight and understanding the mindset of many belief systems.  The words to avoid would be anything that redirects from your observation from or to other religions.  The theory is the word *hypocrite* is still highly sensitized and used in major religions but it is a bad example.  Its bad in that nobody feels the freedom in creativity and exploration without ridicule.

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Permalink Reply by Starrfire Price on April 13, 2012 at 4:42pm

I want to know what is your opinion on the web shops that follow such forums and the products they sell?

Many (not all) Pagan's have shops which cater to Pagans, Occultists etc. and the owners are Pagan. I think it's positive when someone can combine their beliefs into their job, it's much more fulfilling and enjoyable when you love and believe in what you do.

Do you think they attract new believers?

If someone is already interested in Paganism etc. then likely they'll visit a shop/website etc. to learn more about it. Physical storefronts usually have knowledgeable people working there that can help answer questions about the different products etc. that they sell. We don't proselytize, so I'm doubtful if it attracts new believers because imo someone usually already has interest in it or they wouldn't be visiting the site/shop etc. in the first place.

Are there bad sides or maybe good sides to this shops?

What's good to one person, may seem bad to another. I think it comes down to perception of the individual.

Is selling a product a normal element of wiccan sites?

Some sell products, others do not.

Do you consider the objects being sold secret (such as jewellery, statues)?

I'm unclear what you mean by that, if it's something you can buy then it's not really a secret. Some personal pieces may have magical symbolism for its owner, sometimes they share this information, other times not.

Do you thnik about this products - where were they made and for what reason?

If I'm drawn to something then I usually buy it, sometimes I think about it and other times not; it just depends on what it is and what it's going to be used for.

Do you think abot the industry behind the thing that enter your home?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no, again, it just depends upon what it is.

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Permalink Reply by Marina on April 13, 2012 at 5:39pm

Thanks everyone for comments, they're very helpful!

I really appreciate this! :)

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