Why do many Christians confuse all aspects of Paganism, particularly Wicca, with Satanism / Devil Worship?

Answer 1

Because to many of them, "if you're not with us you're against us."

That, and just plain ignorance of what Pagans actually do.

Answer 2

...Because of Wicca's roots. Wicca is the common term used to describe what history would call witchcraft, though it is very difficult to assign a particular definition to witchcraft.

Modern witchcraft is commonly confused with the Gothic Witchcraft developed in the middle ages. This is more commonly associated with Satanism though even a superficial scan of the two will reveal significant differences between the two.

Based on Christian doctrine, which would be to cite scripture, any dealings in the powers of the supernatural realm that are outside the workings of the Holy Spirit are equated to the works of the devil. Though this is not to say specifically that these acts are what we know as "satanism," this is a major factor in the association of Wicca and similar religious sects with Satanism.

What I think we see mostly is people speaking from a partial understanding that there are very significant differences between Wicca and Satanism to the point where the single term Satanism is used to encompass the entire realm of this type of spirituality.

Answer 3

Satanism and Wicca are actually two different things. Wicca actually goes back to the 1950's and was started by Gerald Gardner, a disciple of Aleister Crowley. According to Adian Kelly in the book Crafting the Art of Magic, Gardner started it as a way to be tied up and beaten by strong willed women (he was a nudist and masochist).

While Wicca and Satanism are different, they do have some commonalities. Wicca borrows terms from the Middle Ages such as "witch", "coven", "sabbat", etc. as well as imagery of cauldrons and brooms,etc. These things are associated with Gothic Satanism rather than Paganism.

Wiccan authors like Raven Grimasi and Paul Huson call "The Watchers" the gods of modern witchcraft. The Watchers are fallen angels (devils) from Judeo-Christian Theology, like Azzazel. Wiccans will say these beings are misunderstood by Christians, which is the same argument theistic Satanists would make. Feminist Wiccans seem very facinated with Lilith, yet another Judeo-Christian devil, and has nothing to do with Paganism.

So While Wicca isn't Satanism, it does have some things in common with it, just as Thelema has Satanic overtones in it as well. Thelema worships Pagan gods like Horus, but also believes Aleister Crowley, a psychotic who called himself "The Great Beast 666" was a "demigod". There is also a lot of anti-Christian rehtoric and blasphemy peppered through out it's literature. So while not Satanism, it has Satanic elements.

You might find some of my past answers helpful.


http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgoZMJUZkRgHhL.x7UVO5g7sy6IX?qid=20060915145049AAkDSCG

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Am._BpIJ4TvjZy5rEdEXgW7sy6IX?qid=20060915202507AAARGUp

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhaS65z2CVVzv.oy9p4ymbXsy6IX?qid=20060917024713AAAHAms

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsJPtqbU7SQfe63s8aZ1kmfsy6IX?qid=20060918191343AA1dAL3

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au7kIponUXFUKYXKGFJTSKHsy6IX?qid=20060918010607AAnr8yF

Answer 4

I think Erica Jong put it best:

"The gods of the old religion become the devils of the new."

As Christianity swept through Europe the way it differentiated itself from the Pagan religions was through the gods route. However, Christianity also assimilated many of the Pagan and local customs (such as Christmas, Easter, May Day, etc) so that it wasn't so different they'd turn-off possible converts.

Answer 5

There are several reasons for that. First is come from that middle ages idea that witches were in league with the devil, something that many christians still believe to this day.

Secondly it comes from the teachings in some sects of Christianity that says that basically anyone that isn't a christian is worshiping the devil.

MOST importantly it comes from the misuse of the word pagan by people who us it as a derogatroy term of insult to refer to someone that they consider to be immoral, and evil. Far too many people use the word pagan to denote something unsavory and wicked and reference witches and satanists as the same thing.

Answer 6

I have not have been given any concept. Christians bash the Pagans, yet do no longer hesitate to take part in Pagan holiday journeys. Many, if no longer each and all the american holiday journeys that are celebrated immediately have been created by Pagans. Christmas is even a Pagan holiday! genuine Christianity does not sell the observance of ANY holiday journeys by any skill. we are to visual demonstrate unit no longer something or mark the time with any celebratory adventure. no longer EVEN your individual BIRTHDAY!!!! For extra approximately this, see Jehovah's Witnesses ideals and regulations of the religion.

Answer 7

I don't! I would like to be Wiccan. I just can't stop believing in Jesus. I never met anyone that was a real Satanist. An old fashioned one that really believed in Satan as a being. A lot of so called Satanist are just playing with it. They don't really believe. Yet I have seen churches that see Satanist behind everything from movies to Halloween.
Ignorance is the only reason I can think of , but remember, it's not just Christians that can be ignorant.

Answer 8

For some reason they think they are not disobeying God. I think it is all Satan. I don't think that is God's nature to curse people and try to worship someone so evil and horrible. Some are just like that. I think in my head what the heck are they thinking.


I AM CHRISTIAN!!! I don't confuse nothing with it. I think it is wrong to worship God and Satan. God is the one telling us the right thing. Not the one who disobeyed him.

Answer 9

Christians want it ALL their own way. And if that means going to a dangerous extrememes like lying and inventing stories etc. in their own greedy and selfish interests, they will do it...history has indeed shown this. History has even shown they will torture and even kill. In deed the christians are vey confused. And in that confusion, self induced, many human beings have suffered at their hands.

Answer 10

Remember, you asked the question.

Because there are only two forces in the Universe: God, and Satan. It matters not what you choose to call yourselves, if you practice anything but Christianity, what you are doing is of the Devil. If you reject Christ you serve Satan, the Devil by what ever name in still the Devil !
Minister

Answer 11

It's a world unto itself that Christians try to stay well away from.
How can there be anything other than confusion when bumping into this perceived den of iniquity ?