Often times, various religious practices are compared to Christianity, as people strive to learn the differences between different systems of beliefs. In this article, we will take a look at some of the ways that Wicca differs from Christianity, including symbols, ethics, and studies.
Meaning of Religion
Wicca (also referred to as Neopaganism) means either “wise ones” or “to bend or shape,” while Christianity means ‘followers of Christ.’ Adherents to Wicca are called witches, Wiccans, and pagans, while those who are following the faith of Christianity is called Christians. It is estimated that the world is full of between 1 and 3 million Wiccans, stretched mostly across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. All over the world, it is estimated that 2 billion followers are associated with Christianity with a high concentration of adherents in North and South America, and Europe.
Main Symbol
The Pentagram (a star with five points) serves as the main symbol for the Wiccan faith. In the past, the pentagram represented a link to magic for a great deal of people who practice Neopagan faiths, especially in ancient Greek locales and Babylonia. It is most common for followers of a Neopagan religion to wear jewelry that displays the pentagram.
Christians were also linked to the pentagram, as it once served as a representation of the five wounds of Jesus. Freemasonry also found a use for the pentagram. A cross is the main sign for Christianity. The Christian cross is probably one of the most recognized religious symbols of Christianity, as it is a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. With ties to the crucifix, a cross that depicts the body of Jesus, there have been many different variations of the cross throughout time. With many different shapes and sizes, the Christian cross has found its way to popular fashion statements to decorating the top of a church. Be on the lookout for the article titled “The Christian Cross – Variations.”
Founders
Wicca was founded in the 1950s by a retired English civil servant named Gerald Gardner (who lived from 1884 to 1964). The Goddess and the horned god are the prime figures of the Wiccan religion. Other pagan religions will worship additional deities, such as Diana, Thor, and Zeus. Prominent literature concerning the Wiccan religion includes The Witch Cult in Western Europe and The God of the Witches , both written by Gerald Gardner.
Christianity was founded in 1st century Israel and Palestine by a Palestinian Jew named Jesus of Nazareth (circa 4 BC to 30 AD). For the Christians, the Bible, especially the New Testament has been very influential in the lives of followers.
