how are the same and how are they diffrent?
2006-10-27 09:20:17 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Paganism is anything outside of Abrahamic religion; this is any religion that is rooted in Semitic tradition so largely religion that are monotheistic [one single god] such as Christianity or Judaism, so Paganism is an 'umbrella term' to cover a lot of religions.
When people talk about Paganism they tend to mean Neo-Paganism, and those within Paganism are either pantheist or polytheistic in their beliefs, usually following pre-Christian gods. Pantheism meaning the belief in a single god present in all, polytheism meaning the belief in many gods. There are a lot of Neo-Pagan religions such as Wicca, Asatru, and Druid – although some may refer to themselves differently, for example Asatru may prefer to be known as Heathens rather than Pagans.
Wicca is a Pagan religion in that it follows a 'hard-polytheistic' belief system, meaning they believe in their own god and goddess, believing those gods are individual beings, rather than 'soft-polytheists' who believe different gods are like different aspects or personalities of a single god.
Wicca is a priesthood; it is oath-bound and initiate-only meaning only those who are initiated into a BTW coven [coven with a direct line back to Wicca's founder Gerald Gardner] are Wicca so they are the only ones taught about the fundamentals of Wicca. As such it is a small religious grouping so could be described as a cult, but most people think of it as a religion, or more precisely as it is a religion without laity [only has clergy] a priesthood within Paganism.
2006-10-27 10:22:14 · answer #1 · answered by Kasha 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many religions that fall under Paganism. There are people that just simply call themselves Pagans. Wicca falls under Paganism. So, as said already, all Wiccans are Pagans but, not all Pagans are Wiccans. Many Wiccans call themselves Wiccan, Pagan and Witch but, not all do. Some just call themselves Wiccan, and Pagan or Witch. When it comes to the term Witch things get even more confusing, even to some Wiccans. Not all people that call themselves Witches are Wiccan. Witches follow what's called the "Old Religion". Granted Wiccans will say they follow the same but, there are differences. One example is the Wiccan Rede, which is something that Wiccans follow. But again, I'm sure there are Witches out there that follow it but don't call themselves Wiccans. In the end it really comes down to personal choice. I know some Wiccans that don't like to call themselves Witches because of the negative stereotype that is attached to the word Witch. As far as what Paganism is, I think others have already pretty much covered it. If not, I've added a good link to check out. Either way, you should do some research on all three terms to find out more about them. Knowledge is the fastest way to overcome ignorance.
2016-03-28 09:28:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They share similarities but are not the same. Paganism could be considered the main branch and Wicca an offshoot. Paganism is more the worship of ancestors and nature. Wicca is more of nature and the elements. Being intuned with them and thus affect them and use them.
2006-10-27 09:23:44 · answer #3 · answered by X M 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wicca is just one of the many forms of Paganism. All Wiccans are Pagans but not all Pagans are Wiccans.
2006-10-27 09:23:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wicca is a form of Paganism, not exactly the same thing!!!
Goddess/Nature based religions, not monotheist religions etc etc etc
Theres loads of info on the net, search google!
2006-10-27 09:23:35 · answer #5 · answered by Claire O 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No.
Paganism is an umbrella term.
All Wiccans are Pagan but not all Pagans are Wiccan
Like:
All Baptists are Christian but not all Christians are Baptists
2006-10-27 09:23:47 · answer #6 · answered by Miss. Bliss 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A Wiccan is a pagan the way a Methodist is a Christian.
2006-10-27 09:31:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No it is NOT!
Witchcraft is one from of Paganism.
Hop over to beliefnet.com and read a little.
Search neo-paganism for even more information.
I have known people that were both
2006-10-27 09:24:26 · answer #8 · answered by dayakaur 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pagan come from the Latin "paganus," meaning "country dweller." So, what do you think a "Pagan" is?
2006-10-27 09:23:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pagan is a catagory of different religions wiccan is one of them.
just like Catholics, baptist, ect. are religions of chritianity... Wiccan is a religion of Paganisum
2006-10-27 09:24:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋