What the difference between paganism, Wicca, and witchcraft?

Question

What the difference between paganism, Wicca, and witchcraft?

Answer 1

Good question!



Paganism is a broad term which encompasses dozens and dozens of different faiths. Wicca is simply one of the many Pagan faiths.



Witchcraft is a series of ritual practices and behaviors, and may be practiced by people of any faith, or of no faith at all. There are many who consider themselves Christians, for example, that practice some form of witchcraft. In addition, while most Wiccans probably practice witchcraft, not all do.



Wicca is a specific Pagan religion which allows for the practice of witchcraft, but does not require it.



I hope I've been able to answer your question clearly and concisely!

Answer 2

Pagan means "non-Christian, non-Jewish" and refers to any religion outside those two groups. Some people include Islam as non-pagan making pagan mean any non-Abrahamic religion.



Wicca is a 20th century invention from the 1920s that was introduced to the public in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant. It is roughly based on a variety of older religions both real and mythical plus a lot of stuff made up by Gardner..



Witchcraft is a blanket term covering the use of spells and potions to produce magical effects. Wicca uses witchcraft but it is also seen in most other religions including Christianity. Witchcraft doesn't actually work although some people believe it does.

Answer 3

Paganism is a religious category, not a religion in itself.



Wicca is a specific pagan religion. A Wiccan is a pagan, but not all pagans are Wiccan.



Witchcraft is a *practice*. Any member of any religion can practice witchcraft, though some religions like Christianity regard it as "sinful." Some Wiccans do practice witchcraft, but it's not an integral part of the religion. Not all Wiccans practice it.

Answer 4

Paganism means any non-abrahamic faith. Wicca is a specific Pagan religion with very specific parameters. Witchcraft means any craft that seeks to send for the will into the ether to create desired change. One can be any or no religion and be a witch.

Answer 5

Paganism is any religion that is not Judiac, Muslim or Christian. Wicca is a specific religion like Hinduism. Hinduism is a pagan religion so is Asatru, Druidism and Satanism et al.



Witchcraft is a particular type of magical practice and is not related to any religion, just like carpentry is a particular type of trade and not related to any religion. Anybody of any religion including no religion at all can be a carpenter and/or practice witchcraft, Other types of magical practice include Alchemy, Ceremonial Magic and Qabbala et al.

Answer 6

The term "pagan" is more general. It can include witchcraft but also Druids, shamanism, Germanic paganism, polytheism, pantheism, etc.

Answer 7

The word pagan derives from Latin pāgānus ‘worshiper of false gods’ and was invented to refer to anyone who wasn't Christian or Jewish. Wicca and witchcraft are particular subsets of pagans.

Answer 8

Whatever you want.

You can literally make it up.

Everyone else does.

Answer 9

Nothing they are all non-Religious.