by Ziggy Thomas

Created on: April 26, 2009   Last Updated: April 28, 2009

Wicca and Satanism have no close links, no ideological similarities and do not believe in the same set of deities or supernatural powers. Satanism comes in 2 forms firstly theistic Satanism where the adherent believes that a deity called Satan is in fact god or some cases the ultimate victor in a cosmic war, and atheistic satanism where believers use the language of devil and satan to stand opposed to the religious or political order. Wicca is a nature-based religion that evolved out of the teachings of Gerald Gardener a 20th century witch (here meaning "wise person") who formulated along with colleagues and friends a dualist system of beliefs about the existence of a female goddess and male horned god (who was said to be a common image in primitive nature religions). Wicca also contains elements of the Western occult tradition influenced by the Kabbalah and other magical medieval texts, the central imagery of Wicca also has much in common with the practice of freemasonry. All western occult traditions have some link to alchemy the magical practice of turning ordinary materials into gold.

Satanism is in its essence in both forms a mockery of the Christian rites such as the mass and in many ways Satanists except a Christian cosmology just turning on its head. Wicca on the other hand claims to pagan (IE Pre-Christian) and does not accept the existence of a devil, Satan or any other cosmological aspect of Christianity. Wicca's origins are highly disputed by scholars who have made quick work of the claim that it is the continuation of ancient pagan witch cult, pointing out the existence of witchcraft prior to the 20th century is not proven, historical accounts being doctored heavily by the church or extracted from the accused under torture. White magical practitioners were however common in Europe until the 19th century with "wart charming", "curse lifting" and other magical deeds performed by local parishioners who faced no persecution from the church and sometimes were actually the parish priest themselves.

The Wiccan religion also has a strict code of ethics known as the "Rule of three" essentially summarised by the idea that what you do will be returned to you three times. The Wiccan rede on the central rules of the religion states "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will".

Conveniently modern Evangelical Christians attempt to group all none evangelical spirituality under the auspices of Satanism even though the actual practice is very rare indeed. Wicca and Satanism are indeed a very separate entity.

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