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Wiccans do have an extremely clear ethical and moral system with very distinct boundaries, despite certain Christian clergy claims to the contrary. We believe that the determination of what is right and wrong is made by the Goddess and the God and communicated clearly to us through personal contact with the divine. Ethical responsibility is a very important part of our religion.
But you may wonder - since we don't have a formal written book of spiritual and religious laws, how can we be ethical and moral people? Well, since we are an oral tradition, we do have some very important laws that are followed. They may seem simple and basic, but when you think about it, these rules cover all the arenas of ethical responsibility:
And it harm none, do what thou wilt.
At first glance, this seems pretty easy. But it can be a little more complicated than just making sure that when you put your car in reverse, you check to make sure someone isn't standing there. "And it harm none" refers not only to other people, but also to yourself, animals and the Earth Herself. We're connected to each other at a variety of levels - spiritually, ecologically and physically - and we must carefully weigh our actions with their consequences. This is not to mean that we never take action because we're too busy weighing out the consequence of stepping out the door in the morning, only that our actions should be guided by an awareness of the impact of our deeds.
Lest in thy self defense it be, ever mind the rule of three.
This one is a little easier - just think of karma, or of reaping what you sow. Wiccans believe that what you do comes back to you threefold, so if you send out bad energy in the form of a spell or action, not only does it backfire on you, you get three times the consequence! It's important to remember that just because those of us who may have been harmed by another person's deliberate actions may not instantly see the consequence in the other person's life, there will still be consequences.
A word or two in closing. Wiccans have often been accused of not being very moral because unlike most of the world's major religions, we don't believe that our bodies or the earth is evil or sinful. In a famous poem/chant called The Charge of the Goddess, there is a line that says "All acts of love and pleasure are My rituals." Now, you may think that means we have orgies and have no self control and just generally give in to whatever urges we have, but that's not what it means. When preparing food, making music or love, dancing or painting become sacred acts, they are entered into with a deeper respect and awareness of our personal responsibility, not with looser morals.
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