I really am curious so please be nice - and anyone who insults any of the people referred to in the question will be reported. Points for the most thorough and best explanation, of course.
2006-06-23 04:52:31 · 8 answers · asked by oldwhatshername 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
OK, I guess it would have been netter to say, the difference between paganism and wicca, with the difference between agnostics and athiests being a seperate question.
2006-06-23 05:00:52 · update #1
Paganism is a general term referring to most earth-revering religions and ideologies that often also admire/worship multiple gods and practice magick. Actually, neo-paganism more accurately describes most modern forms, but it's a bit cumbersome to say and write. Pagans are those who see the earth as the giver of life, sometimes representing a spiritual being with the same purpose. Pagans can fall into many categories. One of these is Wicca.
Wicca is a religion that was started by Gerald Gardener in the middle of the last century. Wiccans see the form of the Deity that controls everything as having two aspects, male and female. It is a religion that teaches the balance among all things living. Also, reincarnation is believed by most Wiccans because of the cycles of life, death and rebirth that occur in nature. Wiccans believe, as many pagans do, in the power of our minds to influence the world around us through ritual and spells. We appeal to the Goddess and God and the elements for help with this.
To find out more, go to http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm
Now, agnostics believe that there is "something out there," but that no religions created by humans have the capability to fully explain what that is and what it wants from us. Most believe that if they live good lives, that should be enough, which I don't see why it shouldn't be.
Atheists, btw, believe that there is NOT anything out there controlling the universe and its occupants. They attribute everything to scientific explanations.
2006-06-23 05:40:46 · answer #1 · answered by Ally 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Paganism is the blanket term for all polytheistic nature worshipping religions.
Wicca is a polythiesitc nature worshipping religion that follows the Wiccan Rede and the Principles of Wiccan Belief.
Agnosticism is the philosophy that no known philosophies can possibly be completely right so abstaining from dogma and constricting ideas about God or Gods is the only logical thing that you can do. Most Agnostics claim that they will only know when they are dead, if then.
2006-06-23 16:25:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pagan refers to religions that either have multiple gods, which is called polytheism, or religions that believe that most things have consciousness, or spirits, or intelligence, which is called animism.
Wicca is a form of neo-paganism, which means it's a new pagan religion. Wiccans worship either one or two gods and believe the four ancient elements have magical properties.
Atheists do not believe in deities, or supernatural phenomenon in general, while agnostics do not believe it is possible to know whether deities exist or not.
2006-06-23 05:21:07 · answer #3 · answered by Sandsquish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paganism is a loose term that refers to polytheistic and nature based religions. Wicca is a neo-pagan religion. Agnostics believe that it is not possible to have knowledge of god.
Edit: Despite what other people are writing, agnostics do not believe in god. They actively avoid taking a stance on the issue.
Theistic agnostics are people who believe in god but do not believe it is possible to know anything about him.
Atheists believe that there is no god.
2006-06-23 04:56:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you writing a paper? Paganism is the ancient, earth based religion of rituals for the seasons, weather, etc. Wicca is a witches base of the possiblities of using tinctures to make changes in lives. Agnostics are against the worship of God as it has been defined in religion.
2006-06-23 04:57:57 · answer #5 · answered by jmmevolve 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paganism is to Wicca as Christianity is to the various denominations. Wicca falls under paganism, as a pagan religion, as would Druidry, etc.
Agnostic folks believe in god, but do not follow organized religion. Hence the term spiritual but not religious.
2006-06-23 04:58:27 · answer #6 · answered by sovereign_carrie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually Wiccans are PAGANS and agnostics believe that there is a creator/higher power and for lack of a better term usually call that power God. They just see it different then others.
2006-06-23 04:56:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
None of these beliefs and practises believe in 1 omnipotent God. Spiritual the wiccans, pagans may be, its the wrong kind of spirits. I believe in evil spirits that can heal and seem to be good but they are just like the rest of them. They want you to experience power by being a host for them but if you want to get out of it things change for the worse. I ldont claim to know alot but i do know enough that spirits, other than the God of abraham, jacob, and issac, the God of the Jews, is evil and they have you were they want you if you do their bidding
2006-06-23 05:20:27 · answer #8 · answered by Airman_P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋