Wiccan vs. Witch

[zianuray]

Some people wonder why I wear a five-pointed star in a circle, then say "No" when they ask if I'm Wiccan.

They don't know the difference between Wiccan and Witch, and if I try to explain my take on it, I see the eyeballs glazing.

Should I lie and just say "Yes"? "Well, kinda-sorta," which is also a lie?

I'm not Wiccan. I split with the Baptist Church because I was tired of other people making ethical (or non-ethical) and/or lifestyle decisions for me as much as for any other reason. Why should I go right to another church that wants to tell me what they think I should think and do?

I'm a Witch. I do spellwork. I acknowledge a multiplicity of Divinity. I observe the Moons and the Seasons, the quarters and the cross-quarters. I do certain community/charity work with my Pent right out front and while I don't start the conversation, I will discuss it.

Thoughts/opinions?

Comments

[conscience.livejournal.com]

I just say Pagan or Earth religion...seems to work.

[alaskan-blue.livejournal.com]

People wonder how I can be Catholic and yet some of my best friends are pagan and I believe in reincarnation. I've learned that religion is gods little joke and everyone has to do what's right for them. :D

[lord-keeper.livejournal.com]

I am with conscience and say Pagan and leave it at that. As for Wicca or Witch.....well I have seen several different form of Wicca as well. Kind of like there are several different kinds of Baptist.

[kcwitch.livejournal.com]

the way i explain it is that not all witches are wiccan, although all wiccan's are witches.
i happen to be a witch. i would not call myself wiccan because i am not. i am, however, a pagan. so that's generally what i say.

[wolfiegirl.livejournal.com]

You have a very valid point. Personally, I'm atheist, but I do know a lot about a lot of beliefs, so I do know the difference between wiccan and witchcraft.

I know what I'm about to say may seem off-topic, but it's not. Stick with me, since it's like a metaphor and all that goodness, heh. A few years ago, when I realized that I was nearing the "point of no return" to diabetes, I started low-carbing. People soooo didn't get what it was about. They thought it was "beef and butter, all the time, just beef and butter." So not true. Even worse, when Dr. Atkins died (from a head injury from slipping on the ice), and people said, "See? I told you low-carbing was bad for you!!" (I asked more than one person, "So, cutting out sugar and trans fats and Wonder Bread, what, makes my shoes more slippery?")

The point is this. Sadly, we're filled with a world of idiots, who jump to conclusions and don't really try to understand things outside of their existence. Thankfully not all of us are like this, but don't be surprised when you find one here and there.

Ooops, hit "send" too early.

[wolfiegirl.livejournal.com]

My thoughts? It's probably easiest to just call yourself pagan or wiccan around those who don't "get it." If it really bothers you, you can go into a discussion, but chances are, they won't hear you, ya know?

Oh, and one more thing (sorry, I think I'm PMSing... my brain is going a million miles a second now)

[wolfiegirl.livejournal.com]

What cracks me up is when people think people who practice Wicca or Witchcraft are devil-worshippers. First of all, Satanists believe the opposite of, say, Christianity's number one Sunday School teaching: "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Others Do Unto You." They believe: "Do Unto Others Before They Can Do Unto You."

Secondly, Wiccans and Witches DON'T BELIEVE IN SATAN. Satan is a Christian thing.

Last thought... I think, anyway ;)... it cracks me up when I do radio shows, and religious people call in to tell me that I'm going to hell. I don't believe in hell. So that threat is not exactly going to make me shiver with fear and jump back to the Christian side. It holds no more water for me than if you were to tell me, "If you don't spin around three times and do a jumping jack, you're going to sprout spoons out of your ankle." Yeah, okay...