Is following same religion as my friend copying?

Question. My friend has recently told me that she is practising the Wiccan religion. But the more she tells me about it, the more I want to do it too. The thing is that I don't want her to think I'm just copying. Is there something similar I can do that is my own thing and not Wicca?

Answer. Your friend doesn't have a monopoly on the Wiccan religion. And to be honest its a pretty poor sort of Wiccan or friend who wants to stop somebody from following what feels right to them spiritually just so they can look individual following the path by themselves. If you have looked into Wicca and it feels like something you want to explore further then go for it. Wicca wouldn't have the huge following it has today if nobody had ever learned about it from those around them.

The whole esoteric, keeping knowledge to oneself thing is a negative part of spirituality. Religions should be open and accessible to all. Anyone who says that their way is secret and only for them and better than everybody else's way has a lot of growing up to do. If you do follow a path that works for you and somebody is interested in following it too, a genuine seeker will be open hearted and glad to share. If one of my friends expressed an interest in my beliefs and my path I would be proud to think I had helped them in some little way.
So my advice to you is to look further into Wicca and maybe have a look at Trad Witchcraft and some of the other pagan paths. Decide what is genuinely right for you, regardless of what your friend does and follow your own path to your own truths. Life is too short to deny yourself spiritual progression based on what your friend wants.

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