I have heard many people confusing these three religions. Some feel they are the same, while others think they are entirely different. What’s the truth? I decided to research all three faiths to make that determination.
Paganism
Paganism is an ancient faith that is still practiced today. The faith focuses on nature and the worship of many deities, both gods and goddesses. “The cycle of the natural year, with the different emphasis brought by its different seasons, is seen by most Pagans as a model of spiritual growth and renewal, and as a sequence marked by festivals which offer access to different divinities according to their affinity with different times of the year.” (Pagan Federation International). Paganism does not have a religious text, and it has many branches. There are Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Norse, Celtic, Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas. All these branches are connected by the belief in multiple gods and goddesses as well as the affinity with nature. Pagans do not believe in the devil, hell, or heaven. Some pagans do believe in another world where we go when we die. “Druidry is just one tradition in a religion which covers many different beliefs. The neo-Pagan community encompasses Shamans, Sacred Ecologists, Odinists, Heathens, and Wiccans - or Witches. And it is perhaps this final group, with its strong imagery and practice of witchcraft, which explains why Paganism is often identified with the so-called "dark side" of the occult.” (Lutwyche, 2012). Not all pagans believe in magic or spells.
Wicca
Wicca is classified as a pagan religion. However, not all Wiccans are Pagan, and not all Pagans are Wiccan. The Wiccan faith celebrates the same holidays as Pagans, and it is a nature-based religion. “Festivals emphasizing the God are known as Sabbats. Corresponding with the Earth’s position relative to the Sun, they include the Solstices, the Equinoxes, and the four cross-quarter days that fall in between these solar points. The Goddess, on the other hand, is worshipped at every Full Moon, and these holidays are called Esbats.” (Wicca Living, 2019). Some Wiccans do put more emphasis on the goddess over the god. Many Wiccans also believe in magic and practicing spells. There is no right or wrong way to worship within the Pagan or Wiccan religion. Wiccans do have a Rede they fallow, harm none. Part of the confusion between Wiccans and Satanism is the connection to Aleister Crowley. “Crowley himself was a complicated figure, who had tremendous influence on occult circles during his time. In fact, he was the first to add the “k” to the word “magic”—magick. He was a prolific author, drawing influences from different religions and mystery traditions from around the world, and some of his writings include what is considered to be “Satanic” imagery. Although he denied being a Satanist when asked, and there is no evidence to suggest that he worshipped a figure called “Satan,” he didn’t seem to mind the ambiguity. And although Crowley was not a member of Gardner’s coven and never claimed to be a Witch, the association between the two men has been enough for some to confuse Wicca with Satanism.” (Wicca Living, 2019).
Satanism
Satanism has different branches, reactive Satanism, rationalistic Satanism, theistic/esoteric Satanism, Luciferians, anti-cosmic Satanism, transcendental Satanism, demonolatry, Christian-based duotheism, polytheistic Satanism, the cult of Cthulhu, and The Process Church. Reactive Satanism believes Satan should be worshiped instead of shunned and feared. They do believe he’s an evil god as depicted in Christianity.
Rationalistic Satanism arose in the 1960s under the direction of Anton Szandor LaVey. He also created the Satanic Bible and founded the Church of Satan. LaVey’s Satanism is atheistic; Satan is a symbol. Extreme emotions should be controlled rather than suppressed or shunned. This branch of Satanism believes in the seven deadly sins and can lead to physical, mental or emotional gratification.
Theistic/esoteric Satanism was founded in 1974 by a man named Michael Aquino. He was a member of the Church of Satan but broke away and formed the Temple of Set. Theistic Satanism recognizes more than one supernatural being. There is a major god that is often referred to as Satan. However, some groups identify the leader as the god Set from Egyptian belief. These beings have the symbolic qualities of Satan, sexuality, pleasure, strength, and rebellion.
Luciferians are similar to the theistic satanism, it combines both the rational and theistic forms of the religion. “Luciferians use the term "Lucifer" in its literal sense: the name means "light bringer" in Latin. Rather than being a figure of challenge, rebellion, and sensuality, Lucifer is seen as a creature of enlightenment, the one who brings light out of the darkness. Practitioners embrace the seeking of knowledge, delving into the darkness of mystery, and coming out better for it. They stress the balance of light and dark and that each depends upon the other.” (Beyer, 2019).
Anti-Cosmic Satanism believes that the cosmic order created by God is a falsehood and behind the lie is endless and formless chaos. Some believers feel that the world should return to its normal state of chaos.
Transcendental Satanism was created by Matt “The Lord” Zane. He was an adult video director, and his Satanism idea came to him in a dream after taking LSD. Transcendental Satanists wish to form a spiritual evolution, with the end goal being individual reunification with their inner Satanic aspect.
Demonolatry is the worship of demons. Some branches believe that each demon is a separate force or energy that can be used in rituals and magic. Worshipers choose demons that mirror their own attributes or whom they share a connection.
Satanic Reds view Satan as a dark force that has existed since the dawn of time. It believes “that individuals must follow their own chakras to find their inner force. That inner force exists in everyone, and it is trying to evolve according to each individual's environment.” (Beyer, 2019).
Christian-based Duotheism and polytheistic Satanism. It is a branch off of the theistic Satanism belief. It is run by a Satanist named Diane Vera. Followers of this faith believe that there is an on-going war between the Christian God and Satan. Unlike Christians, this group chooses to support Satan. Another branch off of the Theistic Satanism is the polytheistic groups, which includes the Church of Azazel. They believe that Satan is one of many gods.
The Process Church is a religious group that was established in London during the 1960s by two people who were removed from the Church of Scientology. Mary Ann MacLean and Robert de Grimston created their own practices based on four gods known as the Great Gods of the Universe. “The four are Jehovah, Lucifer, Satan, and Christ, and none are evil. Instead, each exemplifies different patterns of human existence. Each member selects one or two of the four that is closest to their own personality.” (Beyer, 2019).
Resources:
Beyer, C. (2019). Exploring the Different Branches of Satanism.
Pagan Federation International
Spirituality (2018).
BBC (2018).
Chadbourn, C. B. (2013) Is Paganism a Religion? Exploring the Historical and Contemporary Relevance of Paganism
Lutwyche, J. (2012). Pagan Beliefs: Nature, Druids, and Witches
Wicca Living (2019). Wicca is Not Satanism
Wicca Living (2019). What Is Wicca? A Beginner’s Guide to Wiccan Religion
Cicada (2019). What is the Difference Between Wicca and Paganism?
Wiccan Spells (2019). Wicca vs. Pagan vs. Witchcraft
Wigington, P. (2019). Wicca, Witchcraft, or Paganism?
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