A nifty little comparison chart!
Terminology & Stats:
Wicca
Christianity
My Polytheism
Name of religion
Wicca or Neopaganism
Christianity
My Polytheism
Meaning of name
Either “wise ones” or “to bend or shape.”
“Followers of Christ.”
“My Form of Worship of Many Gods”
Main symbol
Pentagram
Cross
Druid triskele
Name of adherents
Wiccans, witches, pagans
Christians
Pagans, Polytheists
Number of adherents worldwide
Estimate of 1-3 million
2 billion
1, that I know of.
Areas w/ highest concentrations
UK, Canada, United States
North and South America, Europe
United States
History & Texts
Founder:
Gerald Gardner (1884–1964), a retired English civil servant
Jesus of Nazareth (c. 4 BC-30 AD), a Palestinian Jew
Keaton Kell (1993 – Present) A student in the US
When and where founded
1950s England
1st century Israel/Palestine
21st century United States
Ancient roots/influences
Celtic and Norse pagan religion
Hebrew monotheistic religion; Greco-Roman philosophy and religion
Greek and Celtic pagan religion
Foundational text(s)
Gerald Gardner, The Witch Cult in Western Europe and The God of the Witches
Bible (esp. New Testament)
Religious texts in general, los mitos griegos
Major creeds
Charge of the Goddess, Wiccan Rede
Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed
N/A
Beliefs & Doctrine:
View of time
Cyclical
Linear
Afterlife
Reincarnation until reach the Summerland
Resurrection, judgment, eternal heaven or hell
Go back to where ever you were before you were
Type of theism
Polytheism (many gods) or pantheism (god/gods are part of nature)
Monotheism (one god, who is separate from nature)
Polytheism, tentative monolatry.
Ultimate reality
“The All” or “The One,” an unknowable Supreme Being
One God
Your individual creator God. “The One” “Adsertor” “Protectorum”
Deities
The Goddess and her consort, the horned god; various other pagan deities like Diana, Thor, Zeus, etc.
One God, who is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Any God or Goddess, recognized or not
Venerated male figures
The God; Adonis, Apollo, Dionysus, Odin, Osiris, Pan, Thor, Zeus, etc.
Jesus Christ; saints like Francis, Anthony, etc.
Jesus Christ, Buddha, the Dalai Lama, many Gods
Venerated female figures
The Goddess; Athena, Brigit, Ceridwen, Diana, Hecate, Ishtar, Isis, Venus, etc.
The Blessed Virgin Mary; saints like Mary Magdalene, Teresa, Bridget, etc.
Mother Theresa, many Goddesses
Rituals & Practices:
Assembled worshippers called
Coven
Church; congregation
?
Place of worship
Outdoors
Church; chapel; meeting hall; sometimes outdoors
Outdoors
Regular rituals
Prayer, casting a circle, Drawing Down the Moon, reciting spells, dancing, singing, sharing cakes and wine or beer
Prayer, singing, reciting Scripture, Eucharist (bread and wine)
Special rituals
Initation, handfasting (marriage)
Baptism, confirmation, marriage
Blood oaths, handfasting, (against confirmation/initiation)
Regular worship days
13 Esbats (full moons) each year
Sundays
Major holidays
Samhain, Beltane, equinoxes, solstices
Lent; Easter; Advent; Christmas; various feasts
December 22nd New Years Day, Halloween, April Fools, Solstices, Equinoxes
Ethical and Social Views:
Basic moral code
Wiccan Rede: If it harms none, do what you will.
Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The Golden Rule: Do unto others as they would have you do unto them. If it harms none, do what you will.
Status of women
Equal in value to men
Equal in value to men
Equal in value to men
Women in religious leadership
Accepted in all traditions
Accepted in some denominations
Accepted in all traditions
Women in secular leadership
Accepted in all traditions
Accepted in all denominations
Promoted in all traditions
Homosexuality
Accepted and celebrated in nearly all traditions
Rejected in most denominations
Accepted and celebrated
Concern for environment
Emphasized in all traditions
Increasingly emphasized in many denominations, but overall less so than Wicca
Emphasized, but less so than Wicca
