Difference between Satanism and Wicca

As a Christian, I have a difficult time explaining to my hypocritical Christian counterparts the difference between the two.

Most seem to lump them together and I know that is incorrect.

What advice can you offer to help me "SIMPLY" explain the difference in a concise and easily understandable way, so I don't have to argue with the dummies about it all day.

Like for one thing, Wicca doesn't believe in the devil, correct?

Thanks in advance for any info. you can help me out with.

Kindly Explain wrote:

As a Christian, I have a difficult time explaining to my hypocritical Christian counterparts the difference between the two.
Most seem to lump them together and I know that is incorrect.
What advice can you offer to help me "SIMPLY" explain the difference in a concise and easily understandable way, so I don't have to argue with the dummies about it all day.
Like for one thing, Wicca doesn't believe in the devil, correct?
Thanks in advance for any info. you can help me out with.

Alright, I'll bite. Technically I am not Wiccan, but I am Pagan with Wiccan tendancies.=)

So, speaking for myself I will try and answer your question. Not only do I NOT believe in the devil I think he is a creation of the church to scare the ignorant masses (of the time period) into converting to their church. It worked so well and gave them something to blame their own frailties on, that they kept him around as a scapegoat.

There are Pagans that believe to do any harm whatsoever is wrong whether intentional or not. There are those that believe that as long as they don't intentionally harm someone they are fine. Most Pagans are very world aware and environmentally aware. They care deeply for the environment and their fellow man.

From my limited understanding of Santanism its more about pleasing yourself first and the rest of the world be damned. It's a very me first attitude. Now its very possible (should be ready probable) that I have put my foot in it cause I really don't know much at all about Satanists.

Wicca is an earth and nature-honoring religion that celebrates the cycle of the year and the duality of divinity. Wiccans celebrate eight holidays; two solstices, two equinoxes and four other holidays roughly equally spaced throughout the year. These holidays are called sabbats. Wiccans believe that the deity is both male and female and as such, honor both gods and goddesses that represent some aspect of the deity. And you are correct, since Satan/The Devil is a Christian Deity we do not believe in him.
Now I don't know all that much about Satanism, but I'm pretty sure that even Satanists don't actually believe in a 'Devil' as percieved by Christians. I think it's more symbolic. Here is a interesting website I just came across about that: http://www.theisticsatanism.com/bgoat/essays/...

Ilona wrote:

Wicca is an earth and nature-honoring religion that celebrates the cycle of the year and the duality of divinity. Wiccans celebrate eight holidays; two solstices, two equinoxes and four other holidays roughly equally spaced throughout the year. These holidays are called sabbats. Wiccans believe that the deity is both male and female and as such, honor both gods and goddesses that represent some aspect of the deity. And you are correct, since Satan/The Devil is a Christian Deity we do not believe in him.
Now I don't know all that much about Satanism, but I'm pretty sure that even Satanists don't actually believe in a 'Devil' as percieved by Christians. I think it's more symbolic. Here is a interesting website I just came across about that: http://www.theisticsatanism.com/bgoat/essays/...

Thank you both.

You have been very helpful and I will be sure to pass this on.

Good day.

Kindly Explain wrote:

As a Christian, I have a difficult time explaining to my hypocritical Christian counterparts the difference between the two.
Most seem to lump them together and I know that is incorrect.
What advice can you offer to help me "SIMPLY" explain the difference in a concise and easily understandable way, so I don't have to argue with the dummies about it all day.
Like for one thing, Wicca doesn't believe in the devil, correct?
Thanks in advance for any info. you can help me out with.

That's true... Wiccans and most Pagans don't believe in the Devil. We don't have a "being" in our religion who's sole purpose is to tempt someone, or "make" them do bad things.

Most Wiccans, and many Pagans don't believe in one God, but 2 or more... at least one of them being a female Goddess, who's as equal as a male God. After all... there is masculine and feminine in all things.

We don't threaten bad behaviour (or "sins") with abolishment to hell, nor do we do kind and charitable acts as a way to gain entrance to heaven. That isn't to say we go out and kill and act greedy... quite the opposite. Many of us believe in Karma, so any "bad" things we do, or something that causes harm to another, we believe, is paid back to us threefold.

In Wicca, the primary "law" is, "If you harm none, do what you will". The "harming none" part includes yourself. We also believe the Earth, and ALL things on/in it, are sacred. Everything is joined, one way or another, to everything else... whether it be environmental, the "food chain", etc.

We also don't go around preaching our beliefs, knocking on doors, looking to "save" anyone. Wicca and Paganism are beliefs that you must come to on your own. We don't recruit, but we will educate if we are asked, and most of us will stick up for our beliefs when others are speaking lies about it.

One final thing, there's no "one true path" in Wicca or Paganism. Things that I believe and hold truth in may not be so for another. Some believe in reincarnation, others believe that there is a place, similar to what a Christian would call heaven (I can't for the life of me remember what the "place" is called, I'm sure one of the others can elaborate).

I hope this helps. I think there's actually a book out there called, "The Idiot's Guide to Wicca", which may also help, if you're really interested in learning about us.

Thank you, though, for WANTING to listen, and for being respectful of our beliefs. I don't expect every Christian out there to understand us, or even agree with our teachings... all I'd like is a little respect.

Shellikins wrote:

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One final thing, there's no "one true path" in Wicca or Paganism.

My husband and I aren't Wiccan...we're "just Pagan" (lol)...I'm Family Tradition and he is more of a Druidic Pagan/Native American Spirituality (he's part Tsagali/Cherokee)....anyway... he has what I think is a good way of thinking about that.
My husband puts it like this: "We all go through the same door....we just use different keys to open the lock."

Shellikins wrote:

Some believe in reincarnation, others believe that there is a place, similar to what a Christian would call heaven (I can't for the life of me remember what the "place" is called, I'm sure one of the others can elaborate).

Are you speaking of "The Summerlands"? I know many Wiccans and Pagans refer to the "after" as the Summerlands. Of course, depending upon which path you are discussing they have many other names too: Nirvana, Valhalla, Summerlands, the other side of the veil and sooooo many more.

The Summerlands... that is the one I was thinking of, thank you.

I like that analogy, it's appropriate and to the point.

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful posts. Very refreshing for Topix.

To Shellikins, you are welcome.
"Thank you, though, for WANTING to listen, and for being respectful of our beliefs."

Thank you for taking the time to enlighten me. It is much appreciated. Other than who we choose to worship, I don't see much of a difference between us.

Good day.

Kindly Explain wrote:

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful posts. Very refreshing for Topix.
To Shellikins, you are welcome.
"Thank you, though, for WANTING to listen, and for being respectful of our beliefs."
Thank you for taking the time to enlighten me. It is much appreciated. Other than who we choose to worship, I don't see much of a difference between us.
Good day.

Thank you! You have just reaffirmed my belief that humanity isn't beyond redemption. Anytime you have a question please don't hesitate to ask.

DawnK wrote:

<quoted text>
Thank you! You have just reaffirmed my belief that humanity isn't beyond redemption. Anytime you have a question please don't hesitate to ask.

Absolutely! We will do our best to explain based on our knowledge and understanding...and/or we will find someone to explain if we can't.

Here is a nice artical called Satanism vrs. Wicca by Diane Vera. I don't know that I agree with all, but she seems fair and balanced. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos059.htm

Tailkinker wrote:

Here is a nice artical called Satanism vrs. Wicca by Diane Vera. I don't know that I agree with all, but she seems fair and balanced. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos059.htm

Thank you for sharing that!

This is from the Church of Satan website (and NO I am NOT a Satanist). Interesting!

The Nine Satanic Statements

from The Satanic Bible,©1969

by Anton Szandor LaVey

1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!

2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!

3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!

4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!

5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!

6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!

7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all!

8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!

9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!

Ilona wrote:

This is from the Church of Satan website (and NO I am NOT a Satanist). Interesting!
The Nine Satanic Statements
from The Satanic Bible,©1969
by Anton Szandor LaVey
1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!

Indulgence without restraint is folly and in some cases suicide.

Ilona wrote:

2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!

While one lives in this world, the awareness that there is another and your actions affect it is a virtue.

Ilona wrote:

3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!

Knowledge without the wisdom to comprehend the repercussions/considerations is folly.

Ilona wrote:

4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!

Seeking a reward for a kind action is not a kind action. Doing good is it's own reward.

Ilona wrote:

5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!

Vengeance leads to revenge, a circle once started, without temper, is never ending.

Ilona wrote:

6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!

Help those who may help themselves, those that cannot be helped can still be comforted or pitied. Many can still be guided.

Ilona wrote:

7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all!

Reason provides responsibility. Responsibility implies wisdom. Wisdom imparts restraint. Restraint saves for tomorrow what we need not have for today.

Ilona wrote:

8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!

"Sins" are not gratification, they are the result of unrestrained self-centered actions. One eventually learns that want does not equal need.

Ilona wrote:

9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!To that there is no argument.
While I understand the context, I simply disagree with it.

and I as well.

Ilona wrote:

This is from the Church of Satan website (and NO I am NOT a Satanist). Interesting!
The Nine Satanic Statements
from The Satanic Bible,©1969
by Anton Szandor LaVey
1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!
2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!
5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!
6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!
7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all!
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!

Ahhhh good old Anton.......strange duck that one.:) Met him many many years ago...I thought he was strange and not a little less than somewhat insane...interesting though. I enjoyed our conversations. Disagreed with him on almost every point.

I think that many Satanists think Anton was a complete nutjob. There are those that follow his teachings to the letter though.

I always saw his "brand" of Satanism as simply "reverse Christianity" and as having a "major beef with the church".

I agree with #9, though.

It is from the Satanic Bible that I took it from, when I've said it in posts.

I read it out of sheer curiosity about 15 years ago... shortly before coming to Paganism. I also read a book by, I think, his daughter, called "The Satanic Witch". It's geared towards women.

Not philosophies I agree with, but I can understand why they feel the way they do.

Did you really meet him? My mom (who passed away almost 4 years ago) would have given anything to meet him. She tended to be fascinated by Satanism and Anton. After she passed away, I was stuck with her very large collection of books (including all of Anton's) about Satanism, The Occult as well as Wicca. She even has an actual vinyl Record of his Rituals. He always seemed like a nut job to me and I really could not follow any of his "teachings". lol

LiLi LaVeau wrote:

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Ahhhh good old Anton.......strange duck that one.:) Met him many many years ago...I thought he was strange and not a little less than somewhat insane...interesting though. I enjoyed our conversations. Disagreed with him on almost every point.
I think that many Satanists think Anton was a complete nutjob. There are those that follow his teachings to the letter though.
I always saw his "brand" of Satanism as simply "reverse Christianity" and as having a "major beef with the church".

And yes - I too agree with #9 whole heartedly!

I read the Satanic Witch some time ago and if I remember correctly, it was a lot of manic rambling about the importance of women and sex.

Ilona wrote:

And yes - I too agree with #9 whole heartedly!
I read the Satanic Witch some time ago and if I remember correctly, it was a lot of manic rambling about the importance of women and sex.

Yeah, as I recall, that about sums it up... LOL.

Ilona wrote:

Did you really meet him? My mom (who passed away almost 4 years ago) would have given anything to meet him. She tended to be fascinated by Satanism and Anton. After she passed away, I was stuck with her very large collection of books (including all of Anton's) about Satanism, The Occult as well as Wicca. She even has an actual vinyl Record of his Rituals. He always seemed like a nut job to me and I really could not follow any of his "teachings". lol
<quoted text>

Yep, I really did. I first read his "Satanic Bible" when I was in the 6th grade. I met him in 1979 when I was 19.