What is Wicca? Is it a religion?
Origin
of Wicca: Depending upon how you look at
Wicca, it is either one of the newest or one of the oldest religions in the world. Wicca is a recently created, Earth centered, Neopagan religion. The various branches of Wicca can be traced back to Gardenia Witchcraft which was founded in the UK during the late 1940s.
Wicca is based on the symbols, seasonal days of celebration, beliefs and deities of ancient Celtic society. Added to this material were Masonic and ceremonial magical components from recent centuries. In this respect, it is a religion whose roots go back almost three millennia to the formation of Celtic society circa 800 BCE. However, Wicca can be considered a monotheistic, duotheistic, polytheistic, or atheistic religion.
Wiccans often refer to themselves as Neopagan. The term "Neopagan" includes all faith groups which are based on attempted reconstruction of ancient, extinct religions. However, not all Neopagan are Wiccans. The umbrella term "Neopagan" includes followers of many other earth-centered faith traditions, like Druidism, and Asatru.
Wiccans often refer to themselves as Pagans. Unfortunately, this term has at least six different meanings, some of which are rather negative. "Pagan" is often used as a general-purpose snarl word to attack others. In its positive sense, Paganism includes Neopaganism as well as many other religions.
Some Wiccans consider Wicca and Witchcraft to be synonyms. Others differentiate between Wicca, which they view to be a religion, and Witchcraft, which they perceive to be the practice of magic. Under this definition, Witchcraft is not a religion and thus can be performed by members of any religion. Most Wiccans practice magic. However, some do not and concentrate on the spirituality of the Wiccan religion.
Wiccan person are not evil as they don't harm or seduce people. They are not dangerous and as well as not ordinary people. They have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. They are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. They are not what you think they are from looking at T.V. They are real. They do laugh, cry and serious. They have a sense of humor. People don't have to be afraid of them. They don't want to convert people. And please don't try to convert them as well. Just give them the same right they give people to live in peace. They are much more similar to others than people think.