Why do people think Wicca and Paganism are the same?

Question

Prior to 500BC (roughly) pretty much all religion was Pagan. Around 500BC all over the world there was a major shift from poly- to monotheism, the "world's N great religions" came from this time, and many of the leaders of major religions came from this period, such as Confucius, Lao Tsu, Buddha, several high prophets of Judaism, and more. So after 500BC many areas of the world became non-Pagan or mixed.
Few current Pagans realize that in their beliefs they may be more New Age than Pagan, and this includes many Wiccans. New Age, at one time termed "the Perennial Philosophy" starts with Plato, then Plotinus and the Neo-Platonist, mixed with Gnosticism, Hermeticism, and the Mystery Religions, with a great debt to Advaita Vedanta Hinduism both early and later, was passed down through the Templars and various heretic groups, the Freemasons, Rosicrucians, Theosophy, to the Golden Dawn and the High Magickal traditions, until it formed much of Wicca through Gardner.

Answer 1

Maria, that is the default avatar because she hasn't picked one yet. I don't think a lot of people use their real names on
Y!A either. And what exactly are you going to report her for, not following your beliefs.
Thanks for the lesson. I never assumed they were the same, but I learned some stuff from your question. I find never making judgements about a religion I have never read up on saves me from looking like an idiot.
Peace,
Pixie

Answer 2

Well, perhaps because Wicca is a subset of Pagranism (do we really need a capital letter on that?), and people tend to get confused about anything which is not their own group.

And why do you say "more New Age than Pagan," when there's no reason to assume those two are separate? I suppose some very liberal Christians consider themselves New Age, but most Christians sneer at the term. (I'm afraid I consider it pretty trivial, myself.)

You have shown off a good bit of knowledge here, which is often a dangerous thing. But have you thought about the fact that you are in the area where there is maximum re-interpretation, personal slants, and disagreements on almost every issue, especially the exact history of any particular group. For one thing, almost everything of a pagan nature (and most people use "pagan" to mean anything not judeo-christian, or at least anything polytheist) has been secret for centuries, due to persecution.

So while I would agree that Wicca is rather more specific than pagan, I can't see that we have anything to gain by pursuing a "purist" attitude toward any of these terms. Certainly there are groups that are quite exclusive, and you will be in big trouble if you define yourself as a Freemason, for example, when you have not been accepted by the leaders. Generally, however, people can call themselves whatever they believe in, and I do not require a person be formally initiated to call herself or himself a witch. The term "Wicca" just means "treating witchcraft as a religion" to enough people that we can leave Gardnerians out of it, or call them Gardnarian (which spelling do you prefer?) Witches, if you like.

You know the old joke about how many Gardnarians it takes to change a light bulb? [That's a third degree secret.]

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

Plato, Arisotoltle, The Gnostic Gospels, Masonic teachings,
Buddah,Kant, Rand, Emerson, Thoreau. A little Celtic tradition, Druidic remnants, Scotish family traditions and parlor games, trow in my Brother Luther who at least taught me I could seek God directly.

I am Lutheran convert to Wicca. These elements blend well for me to seek the One in Beauty, Knowledge, and with the five elements. There are many guides; both ancient and modern. The truth is found in our collective soul not individual prophecy.

I am also a member of a York Rite Templar family. It is all considered Pagan if you use Rome's definition of anything that Peter's seat said was of the Devil or Pagan it was. It really is just a derogatory term the Church used to supress individuality and stamp them with a mind control religion.

I prefer Wicca and it is Pagan by that definition. I'll edit and find websters answer for you and post it soon.

Answer 5

Ahh you're confuing the jardon here. Looking for a more accademic approach you need to know the Accademic jargon.

Bonewits:' POV probably the best for this level.

Point 1. Contemporty expression of Paganism is more accurately "Neo-Pagan" or "Neopagan". Recognising the moden expression, the modern milliu.

Point 2. The ancient spirituality NOW recognised as Pagan is more Paleo-Paganism (www.neopagan.net/PaganDefs.html, http://www.stonedragonpress.com/wicca_201/druids_00.html there's a ton out there...)

Point 3. Wicca is ONE of themore popular expressions of MODERN Paganism. It does NOT represent the whole modern pagan movement.


Hope that's some help.
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Answer 6

mainly because of what paganism has come to mean, that would be earth based religions. its like saying baptists are christians and just lumping it all in with the methodists and lutherians and ect... its not all the same, but pagan has become a blanket term, much like christian. the "what are you?" is now, with just about any religion, almost a prerequisite to the "oh...what branch exactly?" question. that seems to be the only way to find out what is really a personal matter about most people....and my actual answer to your question is...the people who think that are the ones who know nothing about it, and if they actualy say it are the ones who have no intention of learning anything about it.

Answer 7

Wicca is the most visible & identifiable portion of the NeoPagan movement. So, with the same sloppy thinking that characterizes most peoples' impressions of religions, most people identify them as one and the same.

As a Wiccan, I consider myself part of a purely contemporary movement inspired by ancient Paganism - - but not a direct continuation of it. And frankly, I find it more exciting to be part of the chaotic newness and growth.

Answer 8

Wicca is a Neo-Pagan religion. There's still some proper pagan religions around, but the majority are reconstructionist ones.

Answer 9

Ignorance

Answer 10

In the media,and for the general public Wicca has become a generalized term to describe almost anything that isn't a monotheistic faith.
It's ignorance and most of the people who push that propaganda are not willing to listen to anything but what their church is telling them they can listen to.
Try to take it all with a grain of salt and if someone is willing to listen to the difference please let them know.


Blessed Be