Heathens, Pagans and Witches discussion

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/wicca...

I found this article which might be helpful

First off the term pagan is extremely broad and covers everything outside of the mainstream religions. I'd also say 'pagan religion' is an oxymoron. Also modern concepts of pagan paths are just that, modern. Unless you are looking at a particular path, say the wiccan path, or heathen etc, I think you can pretty much devise your own way of living and worshipping. Adopt and adapt what suits you. My take.

Best to you Ash. :):)

A Pagan religion is just about anything with pantheism. A lot of people on the Internet equate Pagan with Wiccan, but there are other Pagan religions. Originally the term meant country dweller, so anyone practicing folk magic might be called Pagan, even if they have Christian beliefs.

You will find a lot of contradictory information online. I just looked at a Wiki article and did a facepalm. This article is better than most. http://www.paganfederation.org/what-i...

Finding what path suits you depends on what you're looking for from Paganism.

One of the first misconceptions I find is that some people equate it with Satanism.

Aaron wrote: "One of the first misconceptions I find is that some people equate it with Satanism."

Exactly one of the points I made in a recent blog: http://www.robinreardon.com/blog/2015...

Wiccan does not equal witch
People use those two words to mean the same thing.
Witch is a practice. You can be Atheist witch, a Buddhist Witch, and so on. Wiccan is a religion that is very new.
The Pagan religion is very diverse but people do not understand anything truly...

Robin wrote: "Aaron wrote: "One of the first misconceptions I find is that some people equate it with Satanism."

Exactly one of the points I made in a recent blog: http://www.robinreardon.com/blog/2015......"

I do enjoy telling these people that I don't believe in Satan; the facial expressions are priceless.

One of my Indian friends watches Vampire Diaries with me, and after we finished two seasons, and I had muddled through somewhat inept translating of the story line, my poor friend had somehow formed the impression that all black people in America were witches.

Aaron wrote: "One of my Indian friends watches Vampire Diaries with me, and after we finished two seasons, and I had muddled through somewhat inept translating of the story line, my poor friend had somehow forme..."

Bwuhahaha. Then again, in the Vampire Dairies world, that may be true...

On topic, the only real misconception that I find very often is "Paganism = Wicca/Wiccanate" or that there's some sort of singular "Pagan Religion" -- and it's amazingly how often pagans themselves make this mistake. Ya'll can keep your Wheel of the Year, I'll be over here with my region-specific festival days and libations, thanks.

Wicca is old English for "witch". While some Wiccans may not practice witchcraft as much as others you are classified as one when you join the religion. There are indeed Buddhist and Hindu witches and etc., yet in Wicca, it's one of your main practices.

There's a lot of confusion and debate about the origin of the word witch and the actual etymology of wicca/wicce - and in the end it really doesn't matter. Words change, their meanings and connotations change, and what's important to note is that today Wicca and witch often mean very different things.