Can someone explain the Wiccan, Pagan, Druid, and "alternate" religions to me? And the differences?

Question

Serious question. I have a few friends who are Wiccan, but most don't talk about it with me. Maybe because I am outsider, who knows. What is the difference between a Pagan, a Wiccan, a Druid and some of the other "alternative" religions as I hear some people call them. Please let me know especially if you belong to one of these religions, as I am curious and I want a better answer than wikipedia or whatever gives. Are their ranks like their are in the standard religions? Like priests, rabbis, and such? Do you have to study to become part of any of those religions? Are there services for these religions? What's the deal with magic and these religions? Please enlighten me so I am not ignorant about these religions.

Answer 1

Alternate Religion is any religion outside the mainstream. In the US that's anything non-JudeoChristian. In the Middle East it's anything not "of the Book" in India it's not Muslim. It's what Alternative Music used to be, before it became a genre all it's own, but maybe that's before your time. Alternative religion seems to be going that same direction.

Pagan http://www.sacredhearth.com/Whatispagan.html

Wiccan- A religion based on the writings of one Gerald Gardner and his followers which in turn were based on beliefs about an ancient "witchcraft" cult in Europe. Officially established a little over 50 years ago. A Wiccan Coven or Circle is generally led by a High Priest or Priestess and most often by one of each. To become a High Priest or Priestess, you must go through three levels of training, each lasting at least one year, and with a year in between when you're supposed to just worship. There is a God and Goddess, and this duality is important (that's why it's important to have both a Priestess and a Priest) and provides balance. The God and Goddess have triple aspects, the Goddess the Maiden, Mother and Crone, The God is the Infant Sun at Midwinter the Triumphant King at Midsummer and the Dying King in the fall, when he presides over the harvest and the hunt. The Goddess's three aspects are associated with the moon and she is both mate and mother of the God King. The Mother is worshipped at the full moon, and the Crone at the dark moon, and the Maiden at the new moon. Usually the Goddess is most important with the God's passion going on in the background, but sometimes they are given equal footing. There are variations, of course, I can only give you info based on people I know personally, and having never been a Wiccan, I can only give you basics.

Druids believe in many Gods and Goddesses, mostly associated with natural phenomena. Every group has a tribal Goddess associated with the dominant river region (This may very by tradition, I am only familiar with the Druids I know personally, obviously) but other Gods are also important. The religion is based on a modernization of reconstructed beliefs of the ancient Celts (not necessarily a Celtic pantheon though) whose elite educated class of holy men was known and Druids. Unlike Wicca who holds 5 elements sacred, Fire, Air, Water, Earth and Spirit, Druids have three, Earth, Sky and Sea (which correspond to other worlds and states of being) and instead of the traditional Circle of the Wiccans, Druids have "portals" to the other worlds, the Well, the Tree and the Fire. Most of the holidays are the same, but rather than being associated with a cyclic drama, each holiday is usually dedicated to its own specific God or Goddess (or pair) rather than some life cycle of one or two. Druid Groves are usually led by an Arch Druid. I am not sure of the process to become an Arch Druid, but I believe there is a study program. The Grove I used to participate with (the commute was a killer, had to give it up.) Only met on the Sabbats (the two solstices, the two equinoxes and the four crossquarter days midway between them) and did not have lunar esbats.

As you can see, Druidry and Wicca are very different, only their holidays are similar. If you learn the ways of one, you will not just automatically adapt to the other. I am in an all-path group now and I still have alot of trouble when a Wiccan is leading because it confuses the hell out of me. Likewise, I get alot of strange looks when I'm leading. But we manage because we're dedicated to the all-path plan.

Many Pagan religions utilize magic as a form of active prayer to help them unite with the universe and with the divinities. Magic is often incorporated with worship much the same way that benedictions are incorporated into Christian worship. This is, however, not always the case. Many Pagans don't use magic at all, unless you count prayer, lighting candles and the occasional aromatherapy. Witchcraft is a magical style, NOT a religion. And contrary to popular belief, Wicca is a religion, NOT a magical style.

Most Pagan groups do not require study to join, but usually there is an educational element to the rituals. Pagans are a bibliophilic group and we are generally trading books, having classes and teaching each other all the time! I know in many Wiccan groups there are three training levels, but only the first is required of members. The second and third are just for those wishing to be Priests and Priestesses. Druids have a training program, at least ADF does, but that's not required for members either, though many choose to do it.

The traditional times for Pagan services are the solstices as equinoxes and crossquarter days (Called the Sabbats) and the full moon and sometimes the dark moon or new moon (Called Esbats). The all-path group I'm in plans 33-35 worship services a year (we don't always have that many because location is a problem, unfortunately, we don't have a big church organization sponsoring us, so we don't have a designated building.), though we meet for fellowship in between, dinner, the zoo, group trips to the theatre, etc. Just like any fellowship organization.

PS There is no God called Manon. He was invented by Hollywood for a movie. The closest is a Sea God called Mannanan who is a Druid God, not a Wiccan God. He helps with communications between worlds and Astral projection and ferries the dead to an island beneath the Sea where they will await reincarnation. We call upon Him at Samhain to bring our messages to our dead loved ones.

Answer 2

Wicca: A Mother Goddess based spirituality that has existed in some form or another since the begining of time.
Druid: Northern European in origin, nature based spirituality which has some similarities to the ancient native american religion. Some have said that it was the more male dominated, organized version of wicca.
Pagan simply means non-christian or pre-christian religion.

Like all forms of religion, study and practice makes for better understanding of the spirituality you are embarking on.

The "services" for the wiccans and druids are often outdoors. The magic in these religions is no different than the "magic" of any other religion. Prayers are called spells.

The reason most wiccans don't talk much about their spirituality is because it is not well accepted in christian society. As most of the other answers stated, it is considered devil worship and other nuttiness.

The book, "The Mists of Avalon," by Marion Zimmer Bradley can give you a decent idea of what the mother goddess and druid religions are like. It is fiction, but the author did a lot of research so that the rituals, spells, and beliefs and they are VERY well represented and described. The author also lists several books such as, "The Spiral Dance," By Starhawk, as sources of her knowledge of the ancient religions.

I have noticed that no matter what the question is, many Christians are simply incapabable of answering the question. So often they just spout what ever they have been told about the subject without having any personal knowledge on it. This even seems to be the case with questions regarding their own religion.

Hint: if you don't know the answer, don't answer the question. The two points isn't worth showing your ignorance.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

Pagan covers all belief systems that are not Christian, Jewish or Islam. It is an umbrella name. Wicca is a religion as is Witchcraft. But you do not have to be Wiccan to be a Witch. However generally speaking if you are Wiccan you are a Witch. Although some may argue that. Up until the 1980s There was no separation between being Wiccan and being a Witch. However there are other forms of Witchcraft that are not Wiccan. And other Pagan Religions that do not call themselves Witches, Such as Heathens and more.. You have to research it.... Good Luck

Answer 4

Pagan is not a separate religion. If you are Wicca, you are considered a pagan.
Wicca and Druids are usually a nature based practice. There and many Covens, and single practitioners. I can't tell you much about Druids, but I am Wicca. I am a solitary practitioner. I DO NOT worship the "Devil". We have the Lord and Lady. It is much more balanced that way. Not single sided as is Christians.
The reason most Wiccans don't talk too much about our religion is that traditionally, we have been prosecuted by the majority, and do not feel that we need to bring any one in who does not have an interest in learning.
To learn more, there are many books on the subject. If you really want to learn more, go to the bookstore or even your public library.
Thank you for keeping an open mind about different beliefs. It is a breath of fresh air here.
Good Luck.
And by the way, to all the bible thumpers, Wicca DOES NOT reject Jesus, we have just chosen a path for ourselves. Wicca doesn't tell people they are wrong in how they choose to believe, unlike Christians. We believe in leaving others to their otherness.

Answer 5

Wiccans and druids and the such are Pagans. Paganism is the umbrella of the others. I really suggest getting a book from the library about Paganism as there is no way to explain it in a little box.

A great book can be found here on Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738702226/002-8364909-6393664?v=glance&n=283155

Unlike what Christians like to believe, Pagans do not worship the devil. Their beliefs are earth centered and have great respect for all things living.

Answer 6

i noticed no one so far gave you a real answer just ran there mouths..pretty much the religions are widely different depending on the group or individual, even among those that are in the same practicing group can have different views on what exactly their religion is, which is why it is sometimes very confusing....there are a lot of great websites out there that can explains the differences and such....most pagans are some form of earth based religions....there are some people that teach classes...and there are priests or priestesses...some groups do have services a lot of them prefer to have them outdoors....hopefully some of these sites will help you out.

www.thepaganweb.com/
www.ecauldron.com/newpagan.php
www.paganlibrary.com/
www.paganpath.com/
www.pagannews.com/

Answer 7

I am a wiccan. I am so called because I practice witchcraft. I am also Pagan because I worship the Pagan Gods. Druids are the group of people who hold religious ceremonies in a speciffically celtic manner. They hold the Oak Tree as sacred and have a hierachy.

Answer 8

Wow!! When I read some of the answers to questions such as these....I question my own path and definitely have to draw power for tolerance.

READ. That's the best advice that can be given to you. But since I am answering, let me try to steer a better answer to your question.

Paganism describes contemparary religions based on a reverence for nature and it draws on the tradional religions of indigenous peoples throughout the world.
What do Pagans believe in?

Although Paganism covers a wide spectrum of ideas, these elements sum up the beliefs of the majority.

Nature - The recognition of the divine in nature is at the heart of Pagan belief. Pagans are deeply aware of the natural world and see the power of the divine in the ongoing cycle of life and death. Most Pagans are eco-friendly, seeking to live in a way that minimises harm to the natural environment.

Concepts of the divine - Pagans worship the divine in many different forms, through feminine as well as masculine imagery and also as without gender. The most important and widely recognised of these are the God and Goddess (or pantheons of God and Goddesses) whose annual cycle of procreation, giving birth and dying defines the Pagan year. Paganism strongly emphasises equality of the sexes. Women play a prominent role in the modern Pagan movement, and Goddess worship features in most Pagan ceremonies.

Pagan theology - Paganism is not based on doctrine or liturgy. Many pagans believe that 'if it harms none, do what you will'. Following this code, Pagan theology is based primarily on experience, with the aim of Pagan ritual being to make contact with the divine in the world that surrounds them.

Paganism has influences from around the world and some Pagans choose to specialise in one of these traditions, or paths

Wiccans use magical techniques in worship. A Pagan path popularised by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s. Wiccans worship a God and Goddess who personify nature and the Earth and whose life cycle is connected to the passing of the year. Often used as a synonym for witchcraft, but not all witches are Wiccan.
Druids emphasise arts and philosophy. A Pagan path that venerates nature and claims to be a continuation of prehistoric British practices

Shamans employ spirit-journeying for healing.

These descriptions are very flexible and a Pagan is free to change how they describe themselves. A Pagan may also combine a number of these different elements, in fact this is very common. Magic, philosophy, art and healing may all be practised by the same person.

Paganism is very diverse with many related traditions so the form of worship varies. It may be collective or solitary. It can consist of informal prayer or meditation. or formal rituals where affirmation of the spiritual connectiveness with nature.

Pagans have no set aside public buildings for worship, most believe that its best outdoors. To pagans the best places are those not built by human hands.

Answer 9

wow-to many questions i help on a couple-wiccan friends dont talk cause lots walk a solitary path-also old tradition tell no one i am from a old family-pagans enjoy life-druids seek knowledge-and these are really generic answers to very complicated questions-might want to research for specifics just remember i wouldnt accept just one source-lots of love keep the peace old hippie here

Answer 10

Wicca- is about witch graft. About Manon and the power of nature. Evil and Good have the same power.

Pagan- they believe in the devil and work ship him. Do some rituals and stuff like that with blood for the devil.

Druid- is an old one. I'm not so sure about this one, but I think they believe in the rocks.

Alternative religions? well there's a lot of religions and you have to believe in what your heart tells you to believe. I'm christian cause I believe in God and Jesus. Check more about it in the Bible, same as Catholics, only they believe in saints. The Jewish people don't believe that Jesus came and they are still waiting for Him to come to Earth. Buda is an Chinese god that, believes that everyone is god and we have to work ship ourselves.

Just believe in what you feel to believe.

I hope this works!