Do You Have to Have a Coven to be Wiccan?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to this question.  Side A will tell you that you must be initiated into a lineaged coven (that is, one that can trace it's roots back to Gardner) in order to be considered "Wiccan" (though you are always free to be a witch of absolutely any variety you choose, solitary or otherwise).  Side B will say that if you hear the call of that particular deity, you're Wiccan if you say you are.

Side A will point out that "inner court" materials are protected by oath within the coven, and are therefore entirely unknown to a solitary (or non-lineaged coven) practitioner. Sure, you can easily get a hold of much of the "outer court" material (the Wiccan Rede, etc.), but without the inner court stuff, you're missing over half of what the religion actually believes, practices, and proposes.  Side A is quick to point out that Wicca is a "mystery cult" for good reason, and their beliefs are protected by oath.

So, from this point of view, claiming Wicca as your religion, without having the inner court material, would be akin to claiming you're Catholic, when you don't have a clue what they do or believe, except to say that you know about Jesus and the saints.  You don't go to mass or confession, or take communion, or believe in transmutation.... You only believe in the concept of Jesus dying for your sins, and you pray to the saints.  That would certainly make you Christian, but I couldn't see calling yourself Catholic specifically. 

The question then becomes - can you legitimately claim to be a member of any particular group when you don't know what that specific group really believes?  Further, a solitary practitioner of "Wicca" is seen as somewhat of a "heretic" to the Wiccans that can trace their lineage back to Gardner.

Side B will simply argue that they were called by this deity and that "Wicca" feels like the right label to them.  They would likely point out that no one can say that the deity his/her/it's self can't initiate whoever they wish to.

Though I, personally, do tend to lean more towards side A in this argument (even though I am indeed a solitary practitioner myself), I can certainly see side B's point.  And, really, it all boils down to a matter of title.  I don't see what the big deal is.  If you're a witch, you're a witch!  Why does it matter whether or not someone is willing to acknowledge you as also "Wiccan"?  Frankly, I find it better to steer clear of those titles that would restrict you to one very specific sect anyway.  Spirituality can't grow by much if it's shoved into the smallest box you can find.  ;)